Meet Our Governing Body

We have a talented and committed Governing bBody made up of 21 members. In addition to our statutory committees we have six sub-committees where the strategic school improvement work is planned and monitored. These sub-committees are :

  • Leadership, Self-evaluation & improvement planning  - Chair Rev Becca Stevens, School Lead – Anna-Marie Cox
  • Teaching, Learning , Skills and standards – Chair Andrew Mitchell, School Leads – Alex Milton and Rhian Woodley
  •  Inclusion & Provision  -Chair Jon Jenkins, School Lead -Rachel Morris
  • Wellbeing and engagement – Chair Jan Cleverley, School Lead -  Jo Allman
  • Finance & resources  - Chair James Clarke, School Lead - Dean Probert

Each sub-committee has a chair and a member of the school’s Leadership Team who, collaboratively,  lead the work across the year. The sub-committees meet half-termly and their work is brought back to the full Governing Body meetings which take place termly.

In addition to the individual sub-committees, the Chair of each sub-committee also sits on the School Development Plan review committee. This group meet termly specifically to review the school’s progress against the School Development Plan.

 

Chair of Governors - John Jenkins

I have been a parent governor of Newport High School for four years and I am the current Chair of Governors.  I have been an active member of the governing body and sit on several committees, including being the Chair of the Inclusion and Wellbeing committee, working with Ms Allman and Ms Morris on helping provide the much needed high levels of pastoral care.  I am also involved in the recruitment procedures and work with the school on employing the best teachers for the job.  

 

I’ve lived in Malpas with my wife for 20 years.  I have four children (two of which at present attend Newport High School), three grandchildren and I am a foster parent currently to four small children. 

 

I am proud to be a member of the governing body to help the school be an integral part of the community.  I work hard to move the school forward and to make it the school of excellence it deserves to be. 

Vice Chair of Governors - Cllr James Clarke

I am Vice Chair of Governors at Newport High and have been on the Governing body for over 6 years, I have lived in Malpas for over 16 years and am an Elected Councillor as well as a Magistrate. I am proud to be part of the Governing body and enjoy moving the School forward.

Andrew Mitchell

My name is Andrew Mitchell and after a period of being a parent Governor, I am a Community Governor.  My three children have been through the school and are now doing well at University and the NHS.  I am currently the Chair of our Teaching and Learning Committee and work closely with Miss Cox who leads on this very important aspect of school life and an aspect we needed to improve following on from our ESTYN inspection. 

I am also Vice Chair of Governors at Malpas Church Primary School where I chair the same committee.  I really enjoy being involved in shaping out future generation, and positive about supporting Newport High.  In my professional life I work for HMRC where I have had various roles, although my favourite role was working for our National Training Unit, travelling the country and ensuring our staff were equipped to do their job.

Janet Cleverly

I have lived in Bettws for nearly 50 years and am married with 3 children and 9 Grandchildren, who have attend Schools in Bettws.

I am now a retired Youth & Community worker, having working on all estates across Newport. For the past 5 year I have been Governor at Monnow, Ifor Hael, and Newport High Schools. I also volunteer at Bettws food Bank and Pride in Bettws with Litter picks. I have been a Bettws Councillor for last 7yrs.

Gareth Cooke

Having previously been a governor at Kimberley nursery and Malpas Park Primary School, Gareth has been on the board of governors at Newport high for the past 4 years, and chaired the resources committee for the past 3.

I live in Malpas and works as a Programme Lead in the NHS.

I have 3 children, 2 of which are in Newport High.

I am passionate about public services and helping the school and wider community develop 

Veronica Thomas

My name is Veronica Thomas and in April 2023 I was elected to be a Parent Governor of Newport High School. I have lived in Malpas for over 20 years with my husband, and our son’s education has been via Malpas Church Primary School and Newport High School.   I am very community minded and believe that our local schools have very important roles to play in the heart of our community.  Our children are the adults of the future and as such I want to see their education be as engaging, fun and beneficial as it can be. As the Mission states, as a Parent Governor, I’d like to help Newport High School strive to develop ambitious confident young people who can express themselves with clarity and have the skills and knowledge to realise their dreams.  I am a Trustee of Malpas Institute Trust and in my professional life, I am a Project Manager.  I enjoy eating out, reading and playing with our cats.

Jolene Martin

I'm Jolene Martin. I was elected as a parent governor in April 2023. I have lived in Bettws all my life and have three children who have attended Newport High School. I have the role of governor for diversity and inclusion and sit on the well-being committee. Areas close to my heart as I am proudly autistic and ADHD myself. I passionately believe that every child should be given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

I work for Save The Children as community project officer for Bettws Early learning community. I run a parent carer support group and work in CoProduction with ABUHB Neurodevelopment services. I am also working with The Grange hospital to help them improve the experience of being in hospital for neurodivergent people. I recently received a Woman of Newport Community Champion award for my work around neurodiversity and inclusion.

I became a governor because representation is important. I hope to be a role model for young people who have wonderfully diverse brains and use my lived experience to give insight to the challenges that come with being different.

Melanie Price

My name is Melanie Price and have been elected as a Teacher Governor of Newport High School. I am a maths teacher and the area lead of Reason. I have been teaching for 14 years in South Wales at a wide variety of schools, after a change in career from my previous role as a Management Accountant in the financial sector.

I find teaching incredibly rewarding and I am passionate not only about my subject, but encouraging the enjoyment of learning in others. I am an advocate of the Newport High School values of pupils striving to be confident, ambitious learners achieving their full potential.

When I am not focused on the schools’ provisions for maths, business and IFS I enjoy spending time with my family and walking my dogs. I can also be found reading cosy crime novels or playing cricket for my local ladies’ team.

Andrew Mitchell

My name is Andrew Mitchell and I am a Community Governor.  My three children have been through the school and are now doing well at University, Industry and the NHS.  I am currently the Chair of our Teaching, Learning and Standards Committee and work closely with Senior Leaders on this this very important aspect of school life and an aspect we aspire to be top in. I really enjoy being involved in shaping of our future generations, and positive about supporting Newport High and all our students.  In my professional life I work for HMRC where I have had various roles, although my favourite role was working for our National Training Unit, travelling the country and ensuring our staff were equipped to do their job.

Sarah Hodge

Hi my name is Sarah Hodge and I've recently been appointed as a parent Governor for Newport High School.  I have two children, one at Millbrook Primary and one at NHS.

 

I’ve always been keen to contribute to shaping the school's future, and being a voice for the parents. I am also the Vice chair of governors for Millbrook primary school and vice chair of their PTA. I value links between school, home and the community, as by working together we can create the best environment for our children at school, and in the communities we live in.

 

In my personal life I work as a Teaching Assistant at a local special needs school, which I find very rewarding.

Tom Stutt

My name is Tom Stutt and in February 2021 I was elected to be a Parent Governor at Newport High School. Originally from Bristol I moved with my family to Newport in 2016. All my children have attended Malpas Park Primary School, with one of them still there, and the other two at Newport High. I have an interest in education having worked for The University of Bristol for over 20 years so being a Parent Governor for Newport High is a privilege helping shape the future for the children as they grow throughout their school years.