School Information
Governance
Who we are; roles, terms of office and declarations of interest.
The Governing Body
Julia Cottee – Appointed Governor, Chair
Term of Office – 08/06/2019 to 08/06/2023
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – TBC
Business Interests – Trusee, The Willink Charitable Trust; Trustee, Wallingford Chameleon Arts; Governor, Reading Early Years Schools; Reading Governance Association; Relative employed by school
About me: I am the Chair of Governors at The Wren. I have been a school governor for 15 years, working in a variety of schools in and around Reading. I am a firm believer in state education being free from selection, and so therefore every school should be a good, inclusive place to learn and grow. I am extremely lucky to be able to commit the time to directly help schools with their progress and improvement. My daughter was in the very first cohort in 2015, so I was highly motivated to make sure that The Wren was a good school, and the best way to ensure this was to get involved in creating it. It is an enormously inspirational role, and very soul-enriching, hence why I am still doing it 8 years later.
Being an accountant, I am also the Finance link governor, and my curriculum links are Mathematics and Computer Science.
Jackie John – Appointed Governor, Vice-Chair
Term of Office – 08/06/2019 to 07/06/2023
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – TBC
Business Interests – Owner, Jackie John Marketing; Spouse is Director, Hylton Homes Ltd
About me: My background is in marketing and copywriting for financial services companies, but I’m currently working for a local church. I have always volunteered in local schools helping with reading programmes or fundraising and this has helped me forge a passion for education. I live in the catchment of The Wren School and so I understand the community and its needs.
It is through helping with the marketing of The Wren School that I became involved with the set up of the school in 2015, prior to governors being appointed. I then moved onto the role of governor and was appointed as a community governor seven years ago. I am currently Vice-Chair of Governors. I have also taken on a new role as Education Performance Governor as well as being a link governor with PE and Games. I’m committed to ensuring that The Wren School can provide the best education and environment that the young people of Reading need and deserve.
Mischa Tytel – Appointed Governor
Term of Office – 23/05/2019 to 22/05/2023
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – TBC
Business Interests – Owner, White Wolf Bushcraft Ltd; Governor, All Saints Junior School
About me: I am passionate about education. I was one of the parents from the local community who helped to set one of the first ever free schools, All Saints Junior School in 2010. I then went on to lead the community in the creation of The Wren School which opened in 2015. I have extensive experience working in HR, management development and business. I run a property business called RentinginReading as well as an outdoor learning and bushcraft school called White Wolf Bushcraft. I have two sons, who are both at The Wren. I am currently the transition governor, and I am excited to have taken on a new role this term of Wellbeing and Whistleblowing as well as being the link Governor for Performing Arts.
Mark Barrett – Appointed Governor
Term of Office – 08/06/2019 to 07/06/2023
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – TBC
Business Interests – Director, Francis Construction Ltd; Director, Barrett Family Holdings Ltd; Director, Barrett Estate Services Ltd; Director, Entric Holdings Ltd; Director, Entric Services Ltd; Director, Colthrop Holdings Ltd; Director, Gables Homes Ltd; Director, Gables Homes Property Management Ltd; Director, RJ Collins Roofing Contractors Ltd; Director, Burrwood Homes Ltd; Director,Thames Valley Construction Training Association Ltd; Treasurer, Southern Counties Builders Association; Interest in Dorking Trustees; Interest in Victoria Holdings; External Examiner University College of Estate Management
About me: I joined the Wren governing body as a Community Governor just as the new Free School was preparing to open. For over 40 years I have worked in the construction industry, mostly in the Thames Valley, so I became involved with the planning and construction of the new school. I am currently the Link Governor for Careers and the 6th Form, as well as taking an interest in Health and Safety. I am passionate about giving young people the education, skills and training to allow them to fulfil their career aspirations, which fits well with my voluntary role as Chairman of a local construction industry training group.
Getting involved with the education sector through the Wren has been interesting and rewarding, learning at first hand about the challenges facing schools and the dedication and hard work that the staff contribute to meeting them.
Lorraine Slade – Parent Governor
Term of Office – 09/12/2019 to 08/12/2023
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – TBC
Business Interests – Chairman, Goring Gap Boat Club
About me: I have been a parent governor for a few years now. Both my sons started at the Wren in year 7 and the youngest is still there now in the sixth form. I work in marketing for a wine company and, in my spare time, am very involved with a recreational rowing club near Reading.
My specific governor role, apart from taking an interest in all areas of school life, is working with the lead on sustainability to see the school meet its stated targets (carbon neutral by 2030, no single use plastic by 2024, zero landfill waste by 2030).
The reason I became a governor in the first place is because I want to help make educational outcomes fair for all children, giving everyone the same opportunities to be the best they can be. Supporting a school that is committed to doing that is very rewarding.
Andrew Twine – Appointed Governor
Term of Office – 23/04/2021 to 22/04/2025
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – TBC
Business Interests – Employee of Excalibur Academies Trust; Director, VentureRadar Digital Ltd; Patner employed by White Horse Federation Central Team
About me: not provided
Rob Sutton – Parent Governor
Term of Office – 23/04/2021 to 22/04/2025
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – TBC
Business Interests – Director, 70six Limited
About me: not provided
Jennifer Wiles – Parent Governor
Term of Office – 06/11/2021 to 05/11/2025
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – TBC
Business Interests – none declared
About me: TBC
Suzanne N’Jai – Appointed Governor
Term of Office – 18/02/2022 to 17/02/2026
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – TBC
Business Interests – Associate Governor, Kennet Federation; Head of School, Katesgrove Primary
About me: My name is Sue N’Jai and I am the Head of School at Katesgrove Primary School. I live in Southcote and I am a parent to one son. I have lived in Southcote for 20 years and know the area and some of the families well. I am a Community Governor at the Wren and have been a Governor since the start of 2022. I am link Governor for Humanities and Culture. I enjoy being a Governor as it gives me a better understanding and appreciation of Secondary education. As someone who is very familiar with Primary education, I am learning a lot about the challenges and joys of life at the Wren. I am committed to supporting the Wren on its journey of constantly improving for the students and their families.
David Marsh – Staff Governor
Term of Office – 28/11/2022 to 27/11/2026
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – n/a
Business Interests – TBC
About me: TBC
Sri Atluri – Parent Governor
Term of Office – 12/01/2023 to 11/01/2027
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – n/a
Business Interests – TBC
About me: TBC
John Salberg – Ex-Officio, Headteacher
Term of Office – 01/08/2020 onwards
Attendance at Meetings (2021-22) – TBC
Business Interests – TBC
The Excalibur Academies Trust
Details of the Excalibur Academies Trust board can be found here.
Key
1. Parent governors are elected by parents (maximum of 5 out of 15)
2. Staff governors are elected by staff (maximum of 3 out of 15)
3. Appointed governors are appointed by the academy trust (maximum of 7 out of 15)
4. Ex-officio governors are appointed as a result of their role