Welcome to the Governors’ page of the Oakwood School website. On these pages you will be able to read information about our role in the school, how we work and who we are. We would also like to hear your views about the important issues facing the school and your children at the school.
To contact us directly, please email governors@oakwood.surrey.sch.uk.
Our Reponsibilities
The Governing Body is made up of volunteers from the local community, parents of children at the school and teachers. We work closely with the Headteacher and his colleagues to help raise the standards and performance of the students. Our main role is to look beyond the day-to-day running of the school, setting targets for achievement and acting as a critical friend both supporting and challenging the Headteacher and his senior leadership group. In practice we are actively involved in almost all areas of school life and have a number of sub committees that specialise in particular areas of interest. The Governing body responsibility and pecuniary interest tables offer more information on our governors.
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Mr David Brown
Chair of Governors
Local Authority Governor
Married to Vera, I have lived in Salfords since 1986. Having worked in the brewing industry for 30 years I was able to take early retirement in August 2009, subsequently becoming a Councillor with Salfords & Sidlow Parish Council, of which body I was Chairman until stepping down from the Council in May 2019. I joined the Governing Body of Oakwood School in January 2011 as a Local Authority Governor and following a period as Chair of the Resources Committee I became Chair of the Governing Body in January 2012.
I am committed to the delivery of outstanding leadership and governance and in 'Achieving Excellence Together' for the benefit of all students & staff of Oakwood School and for Oakwood to become an 'Outstanding' School.
Term Start - Jan 2011
Term End - Jan 2027
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Parent Governors
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Mr Andrew Furtek
Parent Governor
I have lived in Horley since 2003. I have three children, and live with my partner, Victoria. I am a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and have held a number of roles in the field of social housing with career spanning over 30 years. I am currently the Head of Housing for Housing Solutions Housing Association based in Maidenhead. Outside of work I have a keen interest in writing, recording and playing music.
Term Start - Mar 2016
Term End - Feb 2024
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Mrs Emma Jukes
Vice-Chair of Governors
Parent Governor
I have lived in Horley for over 20 years with my husband and we have 2 sons (one in Year 11, and one who will be joining Year 7 this coming September).
I have spent most of my career working in HR, Project Management and Business Transformation since I graduated from University, across several industries including the oil industry, civil engineering, fast moving consumer goods (FMGC) and most recently in IT for Microsoft as a Global Director of Strategy and Planning in the Cloud Operations and Innovation business.
Before joining the Governors in October 2020, I spent 4 ½ years volunteering as a Trustee and the Group Secretary to our one of our local Scouting Groups. Since taking up the Parent Governor role which I have enjoyed so much I recently undertook the Vice Chair role to become even more involved, I have learnt a lot about the passion of the staff and students at Oakwood and especially through my designated Senior Leadership Team Governor Link (we each focus on a particular area).
In the background I also volunteer as a Microsoft Accessibility Ambassador to showcase how tech can be used to ensure accessibility to all (especially in education) in schools, but also businesses as well.
Term Start - Oct 2020
Term End - Oct 2024
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Mr Andrew Davies
Parent Governor
I have lived in Horley since 2002 with my wife and two children both of whom attended Oakwood School. My daughter has now moved on to University and my son is currently studying for his GCSE’s. Both of them have had a positive experience during their time at Oakwood and I believe that the character that they have developed will enable them to thrive in their future.
As well as being a parent, I bring to the governing body my experience as a law graduate and Advanced Practitioner in Commercial and Contract Management currently working as a Senior Commercial Manager for an aerospace and defence corporation.
Term Start - Jun 2019
Term End - Jun 2023
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Mrs Kate Attwood
Parent Governor
I moved to the area in 2002 and enjoy the semi-rural environment and green surroundings. I run a busy NHS dental practice in Hove and have done for 23 years, during this time I have also been an assessor for dental nurses, overseeing their training to gain a formal qualification. I enjoy all the varied aspects of my job and I am especially passionate about health and safety & staff wellbeing.
My belief is every child is deserving of the best education available to them.
Term Start - Nov 2020
Term End - Nov 2024
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Staff Governors
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Mr Simon Potten
Headteacher Governor
I started teaching in 1990 and have taught in various educational settings, including a spell teaching in an Aborigine settlement in West Australia. I joined Oakwood School as Headteacher in September 2015, having enjoyed leadership roles in West and East Sussex with a five year spell as Headteacher of Robertsbridge Community College, prior to arriving at Oakwood.
I have always watched Oakwood’s progress with interest and was delighted to secure the role of Headteacher here. I am passionate about inclusive education, where every child is given the opportunity to fulfil their potential in whatever strengths, interests and talents they may have.
Educational developments move at a pace, but I recognise that with change comes opportunity and I am excited and committed to lead Oakwood in its future progress to ensure that we provide the best possible outcomes for our students in equipping them for the modern adult world.
Term Start - Sep 2015
Term End - N/A
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Co-opted Governors
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Mrs Jayne Dickinson
Co-opted Governor
I have lived in Charlwood for 15 years and am married with two grown up daughters. My work as CEO of the Orbital South Colleges group and former appointment as Principal/CEO of local East Surrey College, brought me into very regular contact with local schools and their leadership teams. Therefore, I am delighted to serve as a Community Governor at Oakwood. I have recently moved into semi-retirement but continue to undertake a variety of education and skills consultancy projects at local and national level. I hold an MA in FE Education Management and a BA (Hons) in Contemporary European Studies as well as teaching qualifications. Prior to moving to Surrey and working in education, I have worked in hospital management, held a commercial marketing role and at one point ran a successful franchise business. I am keen to see all young people maximise their work and learning opportunities.
Term Start - Sep 2009
Term End - Mar 2027
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Mr Clive Elliot
Co-opted Governor
I am married with three daughters, and have lived in Salfords for over 50 years. I was for 16 years Chairman of Salfords & Sidlow Parish Council and remained a member of the Council for some time afterwards. My business career was in the family book publishing company, where I was Managing Director of Elliot Right Way Books, a specialist publisher of practical paperbacks. I sold my business in 2008 and now have plenty of time to devote to voluntary activities.
At Oakwood I am a former chairman of the Governors’ Resources for Learning Committee, which dealt mainly with budgeting, finance, staff and property matters. On the academic side, I take particular interest in the English department and in discipline issues. My personal interests and hobbies include tennis, croquet, swimming and countryside activities.
Term Start - Aug 2008
Term End - Mar 2027
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Mr James Durrant
Co-opted Governor
I currently work up in London for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) focusing on risk and organisational performance. I have over 11 years of HR and corporate governance experience. Prior to the FCA, I worked for the British Council where I realised just how important schools are in preparing young people to live and work in today’s dynamic and fast-changing world. It is for this reason that I joined Oakwood as a governor.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time exploring Surrey with my young family as we are still relatively new to the area having only moved to Salfords in 2013.
Term Start - Feb 2017
Term End - Feb 2025
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Ms Pearl Addo
Co-opted Governor
I reside in Reigate, and a Middle Leader, Head of Economics/Head Of Learning at a school in West Dulwich. Prior to this, I spent 15 years contributing within the corporate world as a Strategist/Account Director for corporations such as BBH, Saatchi & Saatchi, OMD, MediaCom and Microsoft. My passion centres around curriculum, pupil progress, good behaviour and culture within an educational setting.
I'm pleased to join Oakwood School as a co-opted Governor, and look forward to contributing, serving the pupils/community with regards to their secondary education.
SLT Links: Pupil Progress, Pupil Premium, Behaviour and Disciplinary committee.
Term Start - Dec 2020
Term End - Nov 2024
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Mr Jay Burgoyne
Co-opted Governor
I have lived in and around Horley for nearly 20 years. My eldest child finished at Oakwood last year and I have twins currently in year 9. I was previously a school governor at Langshott Infant school and helped them transition to a primary school.
On the work front I am soon to celebrate 30 years at Lloyds Banking Group. During that time I have undertaken a number of roles across head office functions and customer facing teams. I now lead a team responsible for providing advice on residential mortgages.
Throughout my life education has played an important part in creating opportunities for me, I would love that to be the case for everyone.
Term Start - Jun 2022
Term End - Jun 2026
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