Governors

Chatsworth Schools is conscious that they must follow the Department of Education’s Governance Handbook of February 2017, with their six key features that decide all effective governance:

Together with the Chatsworth management team, the Governors offer support to fulfil these roles. Through regular visits to schools Governors assist in compliance across policies and procedures.

Governors assist in the appraisals of Heads, retain an objectivity in cases of complaint or performance and generally provide critical friendship to the Management Team.

Vivian

Director of Early Years and Safeguarding - Viv Thompson

5+ years with Chatsworth Schools

Viv has class taught all ages from 2 to 8 in independent schools around the UK, managed and opened school-based early years and nursery departments; most recently completing seven years as Headmistress for The Minors Nursery School for the Alpha Plus Group before joining Chatsworth Schools.

She is vastly experienced within the EYFS and a passionate advocate for value of a solid foundation in the crucial younger years. Viv gained her BA Hons QTS in Education from Surrey University. Alongside leading the EYFS teams across the group, Viv has the vital role of group Safeguarding lead; a part of education that is of the highest importance to Chatsworth Schools – ensuring our children are safe.

Nigel Lowson (1)

Nigel Lowson

Deputy Chair of Governors

After Oakham School I went to Durham University to study Geography and then on to Bath to complete my PGCE. Six years teaching at Christ College Brecon were followed by six years at Sherborne School and then the same time as Head of Department at Tonbridge School. Then I enjoyed 18 years as Deputy Head at RGS Worcester where I was in charge of pastoral care and the co-curricular programme. I was also an examiner for Geography GCSE and A levels as well as being an ISI inspector. Why teaching and why pastoral care? Simple – my love of people, my deep curiosity in human behaviour, my desire to help people to become more balanced, more content and more fulfilled. I suppose I’m a little nosey as well! After retiring early I moved with my wife to Devon in 2014 and seem to have been almost as busy as ever! My field is emotional well-being, I work with individuals, families as well as corporates.

Mr Graeme Delaney PATTISON

Director of Education – Graeme Delaney

6 years with Chatsworth Schools

Graeme has worked in exceptional schools and with many amazing pupils for 45 years. Spending those years almost entirely in the independent sector, at single-sex and co-ed, boarding and day schools. Apart from French and German, he has taught Spanish, Dutch, Sport and Drama to all ages at Secondary level.

He has been involved in running boarding houses and organising the international dimension in several schools. For 9 years he was Chair of MEP UK, encouraging Sixth Formers to be involved in all matters European. Since 2012, Graeme has been involved in international education and school inspections in addition to UK independent education. Graeme was Chatsworth Schools first Head at HSW and has led three Chatsworth Schools to date HSW, The Village Prep and Pattison with aplomb.

Graeme now leads the group from an academic perspective and as the Heads’ line manager as group Director of Education in addition to his role as Head at Pattison.

Mike Abraham Pic 768x782

Michael Abrahams

I have enjoyed a long and highly successful career in independent education. After 25 years of Headship in 5 very different schools, I became an Educational Consultant in 2010. Since then I have worked for TES and RSAcademics recruiting Heads and over the last 10+ years have completed 90 leadership recruitment processes. I also advise schools on recruitment processes, mentoring and appraisal, inspection compliance and marketing.

I am married to Berony, the former managing director of Swarco UK. We have three children and a very noisy Patterdale Terrier. A Welshman from the land of dragons by birth, I was brought up in Chester but now live near Kirkby Stephen in East Cumbria. I love nothing better than walking the fells and I have completed a number of long-distance walks.

Nick Rees

Director of Enhanced Learning

I have lived and was educated in the UK, Singapore and West Germany. I obtained my first degree and PGCE both at Portsmouth. I started teaching in the early 1980s at a junior school in Bath moving after two years to an independent prep school. 

In 1987, having taught for a brief period in a British Forces school in Germany I returned to the UK and started teaching at Fairley House School where my interest in SpLD developed. In 2005 I was appointed Head of Abingdon House School, a new school for pupils with SpLD aged 4-13 in London. 

I retired (very early!!!) from headship in July 2013 and have since worked as an independent educational consultant with roles such as being part of DLB Leadership Associates Ltd, specialists in Leadership Development & Change Management and as an Associate Consultant to TES Prime.

Director of Information – Andrew Greenway

3+ years with Chatsworth Schools

Andrew studied Electronic Engineering at Liverpool University before joining the Royal Air Force as a Communication-Electronics Officer. Whilst in the military he designed, developed, and deployed engineering solutions around the world.

Following the command of a military technical training school, his enthusiasm for teaching led him to attain a PGCE with an ICT specialism and appointments in prep schools across the country. 

He has implemented new technology, learning platforms and classroom developments across all age groups. Andrew is an ISI inspector and plays a key role in the inspection preparation process for all our Chatsworth Schools.