Meet the Governors

Nick Vosper - Chair of Governors

Nick qualified as a microbiologist before working in a number of technical and managerial positions in the biotechnology industry. After living and working in Europe and the United States he returned to the UK as managing director of a multi-national biotech business; a position he held for 10 years before retraining as a science teacher in 2005. He worked at schools in Harwich and Clacton before joining Notley High School & Braintree Sixth Form in 2009 as faculty leader in Science. He lives in Cavendish and retired recently in order to spend more time on his hobbies (sailing, playing and recording music and travel) and church (he is Church Secretary at Hedingham Baptist Church). He is married to Madeline, a retired primary headteacher, and they have three boys, all of whom live and work in various parts of the country. He is enjoying being involved in the life of SVCS.

Declaration of Business Interests: employed as cover teacher at SVCS on occasion, when required.

Emma Gowers - Vice Chair of Governors

Emma is a parent governor, and she has a daughter in Year 10 at Stour Valley Community School. Her daughter thoroughly enjoys her education at the school, and Emma wanted to become more involved with the school on some level so applied to become a parent governor.

She works locally for a wine merchant, and she has lived and worked in Suffolk for most of her life, so she knows the local area well. She has also previously been involved with committees and governance of a primary school.

Declaration of Business Interests: None

Saracha Barksfield

Saracha moved to Clare with her family seven years ago, although she has been visiting family in Suffolk since the 1970s. She has three children who have all attended Clare Community Primary School before attending Stour Valley. Prior to having children, Saracha studied Sculpture (HND) and she has a BA and MA in Archaeology from Southampton University. She is currently a governor at both Clare Community Primary School and Stour Valley Community School and she also manages her son’s rugby team.

Declaration of Business Interests: None

Tyson Bedwell

Tyson joined Stour Valley Educational Trust in April 2023 as ICT Network Manager, and has applied himself to improving the IT infrastructure and curriculum delivery.

Declaration of Business Interests: ICT Network Manager, SVCS

Alison Folwell

Alison has two children currently attending Stour Valley in years 10 and 8, and has lived in nearby Kedington for nearly 18 years. She graduated from Pembroke College, Oxford, with a degree in English Language and Literature and went on to work in home entertainment marketing for the next 10 years with companies including MGM and Disney. She moved to Suffolk in 2006 and began a freelance career as a writer and marketer in 2008, and also worked as an executive coach from 2020 onwards. She is now Head of Marketing with a leading fractional HR Consultancy. When not working or spending time with family and friend, Alison enjoys running, reading, creative writing and film/TV.

Declaration of Business Interests:  None

Phil Heath

Phil works as Director of Inclusion at Saffron Walden County High school and has oversight of the SEND provision there. He Joined Saffron Walden in 2015 as SENCO, having been a SENCO in East London for four years prior to that. Phil lives locally and has two primary aged children in a local primary school. Phil teaches Psychology and runs a Forest School at his school.

Declaration of Business Interests: None

Phil Stanbury-Jones

Phil lives in Clare and his four children enjoyed their entire primary and secondary education at Clare Primary and Stour Valley schools. Phil was one of the founding governors of Stour Valley Community school and has kept connected to the school as a Member of the Stour Valley Educational Trust. He has a degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from Imperial College, and has worked at Arm in Cambridge for over twenty five years in a wide range of business roles. In his governor role, Phil is focused on STEM and Technology.

Declaration of Business Interests: None

Miffy Warrack

Originally from Essex, Miffy moved to Clare 17 years ago to raise three boys, two of whom have attended Stour Valley Community School. Miffy has a degree in Geography & Environmental Studies and previously had a career in marketing, specialising in marketing communications within the IT sector based in Bristol. She now combines family life with teaching the piano at Clare Community Primary School. She is involved in local community groups such as Treble C choir, Clare Walkers and she is also chair of Clare Swimming Club.

Declaration of Business Interests: Clare Community Primary School - Freelance Music Teacher