Current Governors

Julie Jones: Chair

As a new Governor I look forward to supporting the team at Garth Hill College and have already been thoroughly impressed by their expertise and commitment.

With 30 years’ experience as a Managing Director in a creative agency, I bring communications and business skills to the Board. During my career I have delivered multiple award-winning campaigns across education, learning and skills, safety, health, environment, and social issues: working for government departments such as the Department for Education (DfE) and Home Office; institutions such as the University of Cambridge International Examinations and some of the world’s largest companies ranging from GlaxoSmithKline to Kellogg’s.

I have especially enjoyed campaigns that make a difference to young people’s lives such as “Get In, Go Far” (apprenticeships), “5 A DAY” and the National Careers Service, and those impacting on the school workforce such as teacher recruitment campaigns and the DfE’s ‘Tackle’ campaign. With communications being such an important life skill and highly desired by employers, I wanted to become a Governor to help children and young people reach their potential.

I am semi-retired, working on creative projects and in my spare time, I play the piano (which I took up again during Covid), walk the dog and make a mean cup-cake!

Keith graduated with an Honours degree in Social Science in 1991, and then completed a PGCE course in History, gaining distinction in practice.  He began teaching in 1992.  He has a Master’s degree in Education Management and attained the National Professional Qualification for Headship.  He has been working at Garth Hill College since 2001 and became Principal in 2007.  He has extensive experience of working with other schools (former PIXL Club Associate and Chair of the Bracknell Forest Secondary Headteachers’ Group).  He currently sits on the Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board Partnership and Bracknell Forest Schools’ Forum.  He is also on the Pride of Bracknell Forest Awards Steering Committee.  He is married with three children.  His interests outside of education include music, military history and Chelsea Football Club.

Dr Gareth Barnard

I became a Governor at Garth Hill College because I wanted to support our local secondary school as it embarked on a sustained journey of school improvement and to help it meet the aspirations of the young people that attend and the wider community it serves by putting students at the heart of all that the college does. I enjoy meeting the students, sharing their successes, both inside and outside of the College.

I also enjoy watching Garth Hill College grow in confidence, as a truly inclusive school, serving the communities that make up the greater North Bracknell area. I have lived in Whitegrove, Warfield since 1991 and have three children, one attending a local secondary school. I am an Elected Borough, Town and Parish Councillor, with, on the Borough Council, responsibility for School improvement and more widely services for Children and Young People. 

I have a background in science, as a chemistry graduate with a PhD from the University of Leeds. I bring an understanding of the School improvement framework, public accountability, knowledge and understanding of science teaching and enthusiasm to serve the wider Garth Hill College community. 

Laura Black

Currently, I am a Student Voice Manager at a University Students' Union, working to support students in higher education. I focus on working with student leaders to ensure their academic experience is the best it can possibly be as well as inclusive and accessible through a variety of different avenues. In my role, I also run various campaigns including one around cost-of-living support for students, and I also oversee the representation structures, such as course reps and community officers, that ensure students can feed into their university experience throughout their time there.

I became a Governor at Garth Hill College because I am incredibly passionate about education. I strongly believe that everyone has a right to education and they should be able to access everything within their education experience. I can bring my experiences within Higher Education to my role as a Governor, always thinking about the best interests of students at Garth Hill College.

Nik Bratton

For the past 20+ years I have worked as a finance professional in the technology sector, and I am currently the Finance Director of a software company based in the UK and US.  Over this time, I have been fortunate to acquire experience in leadership, strategic development, and financial planning.  I joined the Garth Hill board of governors with the hope of applying these skills to support the college achieve its ambition of providing high standards of education to the young people in our community. 

I am interested in the holistic education of young people and prioritise academic and non-academic achievement equally.  This interest centres around ensuring all children meet their individual potential.  I enjoy visiting the school and experiencing the energy within the college.  I look forward to working with my fellow governors and staff at the college to ensure Garth Hill provides the best educational experience possible to its young people. 

I am married to Hilary, and we have lived in the local area for 18 years.  We have one son, and I am proud to say he is a pupil at the college.

David Cook

I have a passion for education, it is the key enabler for greater social mobility, and as such good quality education should be available to all. Born in Derbyshire a son of a coalminer, 1 of 9 children, I managed to gain a place at a local grammar school, then an apprenticeship with the local tyre company which enabled me to go to an FE college to do 'A' levels then to University to study for a degree in Polymer Chemistry.

After several years at 3M Bracknell,  I retired to help where I could in the education sector, serving as Chair of Governors at Bracknell & Wokingham College and also as a Governor at the University of Winchester. 

Nicola Dawson: Vice-Chair

I joined the Governing Board in October 2023 as a Parent Governor.  My daughters are in Year 10, so I have a few years’ experience of the college under my belt, and still several more years to go. 

Professionally I work in project management which I am anticipating will have a lot of transferable skills to the Governor role, and have a background in business analysis, performance, and continuous improvement.  I have a real passion for helping people to be the best they can, and I applied to be a Governor as I really want to do my part to make sure that all students and staff get the best they can out of their time at Garth.   

I have volunteered in schools previously and co-chaired our primary school PTA as well as being an active member of the Garth PTFA.  In addition, I have previous experience working in the non-profit sector as a trustee for a Fertility charity, and as a project manager for a sports governing body.   

I have a strong interest in mental health and have recently qualified as a Mental Health First Aider. 

In my spare time, I’m a keen open water swimmer, so when I’m not on Mum’s taxi or football/netball cheerleader duties I can usually be found in the local river.

Nigel Dawson