Our Governors

I was born in Andover, Hampshire and attended a local comprehensive school followed by a sixth form college. After sixth form, I joined a local insurance company on their ‘A’ Level training scheme and joined the IT department as a systems analyst. In my mid-twenties I moved to work for a software house as a software design consultant where my work took me to client sites around the UK and continental Europe. Mid-way through my career there I took a year out to work and travel around Australia. In my early thirties, I married and decided on a change of career path.

I returned to higher education to study law as a mature student at the University of Nottingham, where I obtained an LLB and PhD. Since then I have taught law part-time at both the University of Nottingham and the University of Leeds.

My specialist teaching area is crime and the law of evidence, but I also teach public law and have worked on a small number of empirical research projects. I am married to Rob who is an Actuary and a senior finance director at Aviva and we have a sixteen-year-old son who recently left Manor following his GCSE exams. We have lived in Rufforth for fifteen years. I like to spend my spare time with friends and family and I also enjoy playing tennis, walking and reading.

I was brought up in North London, and then spent 15 years in Oxford, as an undergraduate (maths) then postgraduate student and researcher (computer scientist). I moved up to York in 1995 to an academic post in the Computer Science department, where I’m now a Reader. My role currently is split between the Computer Science department and chairing the university’s assessment committee,
and I am also involved with the university’s new International Pathway College, which offers preparatory courses to international students.

I married Clare in 1997 and we have two children, both of whom are working their way through Manor: Jennifer has just finished, and Charlie is in year 10. Clare also works at the university, as a cell biologist. We all worship at St Olave’s, where Jenny and I (and sometimes Clare) sing in the choir, Charlie helps with altar serving and I serve on the PCC and on Deanery Synod. In my spare time, I enjoy both walking and cycling, sometimes with our dog for company.

I was born in Canada and brought up in Cambridge. I moved to Yorkshire at the age of 18, when I went to Leeds University to study medicine. I spent the next 18 years studying and working in different hospitals around Yorkshire until I moved to Poppleton in 2005 when I became a consultant Paediatrician at York Hospital. I work part-time and have a special interest in neuro-disability (and in particular autism). I’m also the Designated Doctor for child deaths in York and North Yorkshire. This challenging work gives me a unique insight into the threats facing our young people, and mental health issues and suicide prevention are a major focus for me at the moment.

I’m married to Andy, and we have two children, one in year 8 at Manor and one in year 5 at Poppleton Ousebank. Football is all important in our family – I’m a lifelong Cambridge United supporter (this has made me very resilient when it comes to failure….) and played for the Leeds University women’s team whilst at University.

These days I leave the playing to my sons, who both play for Poppleton JFC, and my husband, who plays 6 aside for a Manor parents’ team. My husband and older son are season ticket holders at Stoke City, and my younger son supports Leeds United. The only team we all watch together is York City! When not busy football watching / kit washing / taking children to matches, in my spare time I also enjoy skiing and photography.

I am now in my sixth year of teaching here at Manor. Before I moved into the world of education, I worked in the youth and children’s sector. As well as teaching Religious Studies, I am also a Head of Year, and am currently studying in my spare time for my MA in Education. These two roles have given me a good overview of both academic and welfare areas within Manor, whilst my MA is developing my knowledge of Education on a national picture and how that impacts on a local level within a school. I am also well known amongst staff, and therefore in a good position to represent staff as the Staff Governor.

I am Vicar of Clifton Parish in York – we arrived here in May, 2018 and I joined the Governors at Manor in 2019. I am married to Marion, who is a nurse at York Hospital. We have three sons, who live in York, London and Brisbane, Australia.

I have been involved in schools for many years – not just through our sons, but also as School Chaplain and on the Governing Body in the past.

I was born in South Africa, and am very proud to hold dual nationality (SA/GB) – Marion is Dutch, and we lived in The Hague for 5 years before coming to York. Twenty-five years of my life has been spent in southern Africa. I love all sports, especially rugby union – I am a qualified referee. And I support Southampton Football Club (long story!!) so have seen some ups and downs with them recently.

I see my role as supporting the Head and the teachers in the virtual role they have – being involved as much as I can – and encouraging the Christian (Church of England) ethos of the school.