Governor Profiles

Nicola Fowler

I was voted onto the Governing Body of St Osmund’s Middle School as a Parent Governor in May 2018 and when my first term ended in May 2002, I became a Co-Opted Governor. I am the Safeguarding lead Governor and in September 2022 I also took on the role of Vice-Chair. From September 2023 I have taken on the role of Chair.

My day job is as the manager of Dorset Council’s Financial Assessment Team, and I have been employed in Adult and Community Services for 30 years. My role also involves protecting vulnerable adults who may be being financially abused and being their voice when they may no longer be able to make their own voices heard.

Nicola Fowler
Co-Opted Governor - Chair of Governors

My role as Safeguarding lead Governor means that I take an active interest in ensuring the safety of our pupils and providing the necessary challenge and questioning of our safeguarding processes and poli-cies, to ensure that first and foremost, our children are safe at St Osmunds, that they always have a voice, and that their voices are heard and acted upon. Outside of work I have a passion for photography, and you may see my work around school when you visit.

I thought that once my son left St Osmunds in 2020 I would end my Governor role, but the school’s core Chris-tian values of Hope, Community, Respect and Love and the whole school ethos of standing together and sup-porting one another, especially through some of the toughest years any of us have experienced, have meant that I want to continue to be part of this incredible school.

Emily White

I am a foundation governor and have now moved into the position of Vice Chair from Chair.

I have two children at primary school age and work for ‘Muntsy’s; a local community day service based on Portland, for adults with additional needs.

I am originally from Dorchester and went to school here. In my working life prior to starting a family I worked in Hospitality, Office management and Bookkeeping as well as running my own B&B for 5 years. I have strengths in finance and leadership. After holding the Chair’s role for a number of years I am looking forward to supporting our new Chair, Nicola Fowler.

Emily White
Foundation Governor – Vice Chair

Since joining the governing body 5 years ago I have become deeply committed to Ossie’s and supporting the leaders of the school to achieve our recent Ofsted ‘Good’. I feel strongly about the benefits to be found in our local community and meeting people across Dorset, making connections.

Mrs Lesley Richardson

I added my name to a website to volunteer in local schools and was delighted when St Osmund’s asked me to be a governor because I’d heard great things about its community ethos.

I’m a qualified secondary English teacher so I know first hand the rewards and challenges of the job. I believe school not only helps pupils with academic success but also gives them those essential life skills like confidence, teamwork, leadership and resilience.

I used to be a national news reporter for the Press Association and, until recently, I worked as a senior communications manager at the Department for Education helping improve social mobility for young people in disadvantaged parts of England.

Mrs Lesley Richardson
Foundation Governor

During the pandemic, it was all hands on deck and I also helped to protect vulnerable children and support the Further Education sector to stay open safely.

I’m now a media trainer for the RNLI – the charity that saves lives at sea – making sure our volunteers and staff can promote our safety messages and raise vital funds.

As a governor I’m focused on pupil premium pupils, and have a particular interest in English and social mobility. Overall, I want to support and challenge our teachers to be the best they can because there is no better way to improve outcomes for all young people than through excellent teaching. I also really enjoy being part of the wonderful St Osmund’s school community.

Mrs Juliet Viney

I became a parent governor in September 2022. I love what St. Osmund’s does for children, for their education and the opportunities it gives them. I am passionate about all children being able to fulfil their full potential, and for the importance of community. I have one child in year 6, and two in year 4 at St Mary’s Catholic First School.

I am an Ossie myself, having grown up in Dorchester. A year ago, we moved from Bristol where I was a parent volunteer with Bristol City Council, chairing a steering group of teachers, speech therapists and hospital staff to improve services for children with sensory needs. One of my children is deaf and using my and other parents’ experiences, I helped the steering group to improve services for children.

Mrs Juliet Viney
Parent Governor
jviney@stosmunds.dorset.sch.uk

I held professionals to account to improve childrens’ outcomes and wellbeing. I now represent parents for a similar group in Dorset. I have been a parent governor before at my childrens' previous primary school in Bristol where I enjoyed giving the parent's perspective on the needs of families, working especially with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. I set up and ran Bristol Deaf Children’s Society organising events to bring families together.

For over twenty years, I have been employed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I work as a government policy advisor, helping to protect and improve nature and the environment alongside charities and Local Authorities.

In my role as a governor at Ossie's I will help the school to be the best that it can be for all our children. I am always happy to talk with parents, carers and families to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Ms Moyra Hadley

I am thrilled to be a co-opted governor at St. Osmund's CE Middle School. My partner and I have recently moved to Dorset having lived overseas for many years working in international education and most recently in London.

I am committed to providing a quality education for students in partnership with parents and staff. I have been a science teacher, a principal and a head of school in several international schools in Indonesia, Zambia, Egypt, Germany and Sri Lanka. On my return to the UK, I was the headteacher of an International Baccalaureate School serving 3 to 18-year-olds in Surrey.

Ms Moyra Hadley
Co-Opted Governor
mhadley@stosmunds.dorset.sch.uk

I have also inspected schools both in the UK and in the Middle East and represented British education in the European Union. Most recently I have served as a consultant to the World Bank, the United Nations and the European Union in the Republic of Georgia to improve education and establish an international school.

I look forward to working with the St. Osmund's school community.

Mr Kevin Whitchurch

I became a Foundation Governor in May 2023. I’ve spent my working life in magazines and newspapers, firstly as an editor and then as a publisher. I’ve also worked in mergers & acquisitions, company development, strategy and product creation - all in media. I’m still involved, owning and publishing a quarterly sports magazine. Additionally, I act as a mentor via the International Magazine Centre. In my spare time, I sing in a few choirs (badly) and go running (really badly). I’m looking forward to helping Ossie’s achieve even greater things.

Mr Kevin Whitchurch
Foundation Governor

Ms Sara Adams

I am a retired local Secondary School Principal and have worked in teaching for all of my professional life. I began my career in London, teaching English before going on to middle and senior leadership roles in Oxford, Wareham and then Weymouth. I hope that my experience will be of some use in supporting staff, students, parents and carers in making St Osmund’s CE Middle School the best that it can be.

I have lived in Dorchester for over twenty-five years and my daughter attended St Osmund’s CE Middle school. I am a communicant member of St George’s church, Fordington, where I worship and take part in the life of the church. I look forward to taking part in the spiritual life and development of St Osmund’s CE Middle School.

It is a real privilege to have been invited to join the governing body and be part of a team dedicated to realising the values and vision of St Osmund’s CE Middle School.

Ms Sara Adams
Foundation Governor

Mr Jamie Powell

I became a Parent Governor in September 2024 and have two children, one attending St. Osmund’s CE Middle School and the other in primary school. Having spent most of my life in Dorchester, I have strong connections to the community, with many friends and family who have attended local schools.

Professionally, I have built a career in sales and marketing, spanning industries from property to insurance. For the past five years, I have served as Head of Sales and Marketing for a national care provider, overseeing services for individuals of all ages.

Outside of work, I am passionate about sports, particularly playing golf and rugby. While my rugby playing days are behind me, I still enjoy following the game and staying engaged in the sporting community.

Mr Jamie Powell
Parent Governor