Chair of Governors
Chris is the Vicar of St Barnabas Jericho and St Thomas the Martyr, Oxford; and is delighted to serve as Chair of Governors at John Watson School. Chris is a Governor of St Barnabas Church of England Primary School in Jericho, where he used to serve as Vice-Chair and the Chair. Chris is passionate about helping every child flourish, and is especially committed to inclusive education, strong pastoral care and working closely with staff, families and the wider community. Originally from Northern Ireland he has lived in England since 2007 and worked in Cambridge and London before moving to Oxford in 2019.
- Vice Chair of Governors
- Whistleblowing Governor
- Safeguarding Governor
- Attendance Governor
- Quality of education Governor
Liz is an early years consultant who has a long history of supporting quality in the early years. Liz worked for Ofsted for fourteen years, in various roles including inspection framework development, training inspectors and latterly as head of early years policy. Since taking early retirement in 2013 Liz has worked as a consultant on various early years projects in England and internationally. She has a keen interest in building links in the local community and is currently a governor at Wheatley Primary School and a trustee of the Maple Tree children’s centre.
Clea is the Wellbeing Governor
Clea has had a long connection with the school, with over 13 years teaching experience across the age range and has been on the governing body since 2015 as a co-opted governor. Clea is a part time teacher at the school, based on the primary site, with a particular interest in family and community engagement.
- Resources Governor
- Finance Governor
- Pupil Premium Governor
Sam joined the governing body as a parent governor in October 2021. Samuel is a qualified accountant with more than 20 years working experience. He has always been passionate about making a difference in people’s lives, joining Leo’s and Lions International in his teens and volunteering with Rotary international for a short while.
Samuel grew up in South Africa and, prior to moving to the UK 7 years ago, worked for TAFTA (The Association For The Aged) as Divisional Manager of Finance and Divisional Manager of Admin and Income Development. Samuel also holds a fractional appointment with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he works as the Director of Operations for the Health Economics and HIV/Aids Research Division, working on strategic projects and partnerships and overseeing the finance department.
In the UK, Samuel is employed as finance manager of two companies based in Oxford. He previously served on a school board in South Africa at the Browns School and also served as a board member for the African Capacity Alliance based in Nairobi, Kenya.
- SEND governor
James joined the governing body as a parent governor in October 2021. James has had a career as a researcher, consultant and project manager, focusing on agriculture in Africa, and China and international development. After graduating, he spent four years as a VSO language teacher in China, before returning to the UK to undertake postgraduate study, and then to work as a researcher at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex. He recently relocated to the UK with his family after ten years in Ethiopia and China, where he managed a collaboration between the UK and Chinese governments supporting agricultural development in Africa. He was previously a Senior Researcher at the International Institute for Environment and Development. He speaks Mandarin.
- Equality Governor
Lois joined John Watson School in September 2018 and is an Assistant Headteacher and a Key Stage 1 teacher. Lois completed a degree in Psychology in Barbados and, during this time, volunteered at a special school. She moved to the UK in 2016 and has worked in schools in Oxford.
Sara was elected as a parent governor in October 2024.
She has been a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Oxford University Hospitals
NHS Trust since 2014. She has significant experience in trauma and children’s
reconstructive surgery, both from time in Oxford, Yorkshire and internationally.
She has more recently co-founded a scar and laser skin company situated in
Wheatley.
Sara’s roles have ranged from governance, to leadership and operational
management. She is an examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons helping
maintain standards for future surgeons and is currently the lead for Plastic
Surgery Trauma at the Oxford Major Trauma Centre at the John Radcliffe.
Many of the skills and experience from her surgical work and her passion for
improving complex health systems are translatable to the school setting.
Jemima is a Partnerships Coordinator and Teacher of English at Magdalen College School and developed a relationship with John Watson in 2021 when she delivered drama workshops at the primary school. Jemima completed a degree in English and Education Studies at Durham University and went on to complete a Diploma in Education at Northumbria University. She taught Maths in Stockton-on-Tees for two years before moving to Oxford in 2020 to work at Magdalen College School.
Jemima is particularly passionate about sustainability and environmental education, as well as broadening access to drama and the arts.