Meet the Governors

I have had connections with Coaley CofE Academy for over 50 years. I attended the school and all three of my children have also. I have previously run after school clubs and was chair of the PTA years ago.
I am and always have been a regular churchgoer and am a member of the Parochial Church Council at St Bartholomew’s, Lay Chair of Wotton Deanery Synod and Lay Chair of Gloucestershire Diocesan Synod.
I have now retired for working in the nuclear industry for over 21 years. I have experience in governance, processes & procedures, safeguarding and management.
I am also the County Commissioner for Gloucestershire Scouting, overseeing 5000+ young people and 2000+ adult volunteers. Safeguarding, health and safety, communications and training are my focus in this role. Working alongside the school curriculum Scouting helps to provide young people with skills for life.
I am interested in moving Coaley Academy forward and looking at it’s future development whilst still maintaining the family feel and allowing all who are part of our school to flourish and grow.
Carole holds the responsibility of safeguarding and looked after children governor. She is the current chair of governors and sits on the Finance, Resource and Property committee.

My name is Jen Thomas and I became Headteacher of Coaley in January 2024. I love my job; working with children and being a Headteacher is such a privilege. Being able to improve children’s lives and make a difference is what makes my job so special and being a part of the school’s journey is very exciting. In my spare time, I love reading, doing arts and crafts and I can often be found browsing the shelves in Hobbycraft!

I was born and bred in Dursley and have always lived locally. I have spent most of my working life as a photographer working for both newspapers and as a wedding photographer. For many years I owned a photographic studio in Dursley. I now live in Cam and have two grown up children, both married. My daughter lives in Coaley and has two children who both attend Coaley Academy. My other son lives in Nottinghamshire and also has two children.

I am a Diocesan Reader at St. George’s Church, Cam, and have been involved with many local activities. I have been chairman of Dursley Cricket Club, Dursley Operatic and Dramatic Society and founder member and Chairman/Trustee of Kingshill House Arts Centre. I joined Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon twenty years ago and served for ten years as their CEO. I also served as a Director/Trustee of the Relate National Charity.

I am so proud to be a Governor of Coaley Academy. It is an inspiring place to learn with totally dedicated staff and fantastic children. I hope to play a small part in the future growth and success of the school.

Ken is the Vice Chair of the Governing Board, holds the responsibility of Special Educational Needs governor and sits on both the FRP and S&E committees.

I moved to Gloucestershire from Leeds in 1980 and have subsequently lived in Coaley since 1981. Here we raised our son who attended Coaley school. During his early years I became a registered childminder and also a childminder coordinator for Stroud until 1986 when I returned to work. I also helped run the brownie pack in Coaley for a number of years.
Whilst my son became involved in football I became an avid supporter and ultimately Chairman of Everside youth football. I was also the first Child Protection Officer for Stroud Youth League.
The majority of my working careers has been in finance roles most recently Commercial and Treasury Manager for a local manufacturer and then Finance Manager for a telecommunications company.
I have always supported Coaley school and I am very keen to be involved in the development and progress of the school.

Anne is the Chair for the FRP committee.

Coaley CofE Primary Academy is an extraordinary school. Over the last five months our family has felt truly welcomed, supported, and cared for. Our daughter is always excited when we drop her off, and when we collect her, she's briming with enthusiasm. That is why I am applying for the role of Parent Governor - this is an opportunity to use my passion and experience, to give back and to support our school community in a meaningful way.
I was a primary school teacher for eight years, working in a DGAT school for four of those years. I've taught in KS1 & 2, teaching children from age 5 to 9. So, I am familiar with the system, the curriculum, the expectations, and many of the pressures that the children and staff experience in our school. My hope is that as a parent governor, this perspective will help me to steward wisely, scrutinise closely, and support sensitively.
The primary school I attended was a village school like Coaley. I have such fond memories of the school, my teachers, and the opportunities it afforded me. One of my proudest moments was when, almost eleven years later, I joined the staff team as a behaviour support worker. I eventually went on to become a teaching assistant and it was the headteacher who encouraged me to complete my teacher training. Sadly, since then, budget cuts, governing body decisions and organisational changes led to the closure of the school and the loss of a once vital community hub.
We moved to Cam relatively recently, but I already know that Coaley school holds a special place in the life of the village and the wider community. The school's ethos, values and culture make it a desirable choice. However, with rapidly growing housing developments nearby; a successful, thriving school will obviously be in demand. These growing needs and other continuing pressures will call for strong leadership and good governance - I sincerely hope to be able to play my part in facing the opportunities and the challenges ahead.

I moved to Gloucestershire in 2014 and have been a parent governor since my daughter started at Coaley School in 2023. I feel very lucky to live in a thriving village with strong sense of family and community, and believe a flourishing school is a critical part of this. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the way the school operates, and found it rewarding to contribute where I can using experiences from my professional life. I also coach rugby at Dursley Lions RFC and am an avid padel player.

I have been a resident of Coaley since 2016 and have felt nothing but welcomed by this community since the day I moved in. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of being involved in the village and the atmosphere and togetherness that it shows on a daily basis.
I am hoping to lean on my professional expertise and management experience from my role at a local engineering firm; doing my best to give something back by helping the school thrive and flourish as it continues to do so and am excited and privileged to be a part of it.
I've been a member of the church bellringing group, as well as helping with committee responsibilities for local tennis and squash clubs and feel this stands me in good stead for working with and most importantly for the future of the school family.