Rachael Cox
Originally from Dawlish, we moved a lot as a family and I have lived in many corners of the United Kingdom. I studied Interior Architecture at Oxford Brookes University and met my husband through the church we attended while students.
After uni I attended King’s Theology College in Oxford and ended up working as the college manager for a number of years. I was occasionally persuaded to get in the lecture room to give practical workshops on creative worship and Pneumatology (The Holy Spirit).
Early in our marriage we lived a life of adventure; moving to the south of France, travelling regularly to the Middle-East and launching a business in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco. As we started a family our children travelled with us, exposed to lots of different cultures and languages. We settled back in the UK when our eldest daughter reached primary school age, although she is now a pupil at St Cuthbert Mayne.
My husband and I run our own brand and website studio. We create highly creative and strategic identities for architects, interior and garden design businesses who want their brand to resonate with their ideal customers. Last year I enjoyed working with school leavers in Torbay to look at their personal branding and equipping them with skills to confidently sell their unique magic as they go out into the world.
We are part of Bay Church, an Anglican church plant with a remit to engage with children, young people and families in Torbay.
I am excited to learn more about how I can support and serve the school community while my children attend the school.
Kathleen Lund
Having had a background in teaching history in two comprehensive schools, I transferred into local government, working in a variety of metropolitan authorities as well as Devon. After serving as the Area Education Officer for Torbay and South Devon, I became the Group Director of Education and Community Arts and Libraries and then Education and Social Services in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
My final post was as the Chief Executive of the Technology Colleges Trust, creating specialist colleges in partnership with business and industry – the precursors of the academies.
Halving studied for a Master’s degree in Education while teaching, I completed a Ph.D in Politics at Exeter University on my retirement.
I have served as a governor across a range of schools. I currently mentor students at the University as well as volunteering at Torbay Hospital, supporting cancer patients and carers. I chair the Friends of St Cuthbert Mayne School. When not undertaking these activities, I love to travel
Rev’d Jordan Williams
I have had the privilege of living in Torbay my entire life. I attended a local primary school until, at the of eleven I was accepted to attend St Cuthbert Mayne secondary School. I spent five incredibly happy years (with a few teenage challenges) walking the corridors of this great school. At eighteen I studied a BA Hons Degree in Youth and Community work at MARJONs University in Plymouth. It was whilst at University I developed a strong passion to work with and support teenagers struggling with the challenges of 21st Century life.
When I left St Cuthbert Mayne School at sixteen I always felt I would return due to the fantastic experience I had. At twenty one, fresh out of University I applied for the role of Family Liaison Officer working alongside the Pastoral Team. I worked at St Cuthbert Mayne for two and a half years, eventually taking on the role as Child Protection Officer. In recent years I have worked for LiNX Christian Youth Trust as a Christian Youth Worker working directly with the Pastoral Team at St Cuthbert Mayne School.
In 2019 I finished my accreditation with the Assemblies of God movement of Churches, and became an ordained Minister. I now work part time for Riviera Life Church with a responsibility of community outreach. I am passionate about seeing community transformation through the work of the Church, people and organisations of good will partnering together.
I have seen the work of St Cuthbert Mayne School from every angle. As a student, member of staff and outside agency I have seen the passion, commitment and dedication of the staff to create an environment for their students in which to thrive. I am excited to be a part of the Governing Body as this school continues to provide excellent education and pastoral care to all students.
Maura O’Donnoghue
I grew up outside Belfast, attended the local Catholic primary and grammar schools, before going on to Queen’s University in Belfast to study English Literature and Linguistics.
Further study was through the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London and in Yorkshire at Bretton Hall College, Leeds University, where I did my teaching qualification.
Between those times, I re-trained to include primary teaching, which I did for many years before becoming a leader in 4 primary schools in Devon between 1986 and 2008. Leadership continued at Torbay Teaching School, where I was particularly involved in initial and on-going teacher training, and the establishment of The Autism Champion Initiative across Torbay.
Both my children attended St Cuthbert Mayne School ‘back in the day’, to coin a phrase; it is a privilege now to re-connect with it, this time as a governor. I am keen to become fully acquainted with the school again in my new role, and to support and challenge the school on its ever-improving journey.
Sam Fraser
I was born in Torquay and have lived in the South West for most of my life. I have a strong bond with St Cuthbert Mayne having attended the school from 2004-2008 and acting as Deputy Head Boy during my time there; I also met my future wife whilst at the school and fully intend to send our two children there when they reach Year 7.
In addition, I have also acted as the voluntary Enterprise Advisor to St Cuthbert Mayne since early 2020, which has seen me support the careers and enterprise focus within the school, including workshops for students on employability and supporting the interview experience programme.
Katie Coombe
Foundation Governor
I have many happy memories of my time as a pupil at St Cuthbert Mayne School including being part of the first cohort to join the Sixth Form and complete A-levels in a brand new building.
After studying at Reading and Oxford Brookes Universities I qualified as a Primary Teacher in 2002 and have had the opportunity to work in a wide range of different schools in this country and abroad from large urban schools serving hundreds of pupils aged 2-15 to small rural primary schools with 35 pupils on roll.
Over the course of my career, I have also had the opportunity to support schools in my role at SLE (Specialist Leader of Education). Having held senior leadership roles in several primary schools in the UK and a British International school in Spain I have built a broad understanding of the work of successful schools.
In my current role I am Head Teacher of two Church of England schools which are part of a Trust with a Christian foundation. Working across two schools is extremely rewarding and has enabled both schools to grow and make connections.
I am pleased to be a part of the Governing Body at St Cuthbert Mayne School.
Fr Peter March
Foundation Governor
I am currently the Vicar of three of the Anglican parishes here in Torquay, and have worked for the church in Torbay for the last six years. Through this work I have links across the church as Chair of Christians Together in Torquay; with the wider community through involvement with various groups and organisations; and also have links to other schools in Torbay, and across the Diocese of Exeter as a member of the Diocesan Board of Education.
Before I was ordained in 2013, I was a member of the Teaching Staff at St Cuthbert Mayne School for 12 years, and also served as Teacher Governor for 8 of those years. Whilst a member of staff at the school I taught History and Drama. I was responsible for establishing the Drama Department and curriculum, and for re-establishing the tradition of the annual school production. During the time I worked at the school I was also able to contribute to the pastoral care of students, and served as a Form Tutor across all year groups and Key Stages. I am also a parent of two children currently in the School. All of this means I bring a range of experiences and perspectives to the service of the School as a governor.
I am deeply committed to the ethos and values of the School and what it seeks to enable young people to achieve. Its commitment to pastoral and spiritual care, as well as the quest for academic excellence, are part of what I believe make St Cuthbert Mayne School a unique educational environment which seeks to support, encourage and develop the whole individual as part of the wider community. It is a privilege to be a member of the school community and participate in its life and witness. I am honoured to serve once again as a governor.
Mike Knight
I am originally from Hertfordshire and moved to Torbay in 2002. Years later, I had the privilege of sending my three older children to St Cuthbert Maye School, where they grew, developed and have gone on to have successful careers. Our youngest child is currently a pupil at the school, which therefore strengthens our personal links with the school community.
I have over forty years’ experience of working for the NHS within a variety of leadership roles and have worked in several NHS Trusts. I undertook a variety of clinical, management, and education training courses to support and develop my skills within this role.
Originally, I am from a clinical Allied Health Professional (AHP) background working in the operating theatres, where I met my wife who was on placement, training to become a nurse. I spent a significant amount of time within this domain, working at several different NHS Trusts, where I gained an MBA and PGCE.
My current role is in education. I lead on clinical medical devices education and training for all staff at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.
I am an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Paignton. Faith, like family, has always been important to me; it has helped define me as a person, as a family man, a friend and a coworker. It too, has also helped me through some challenging times. The faith culture within our school resonates with both myself and my family.
I am honoured to be appointed as a Foundation Governor. I look forward to utilising the skills that I have acquired during my professional career which will assist me within this role. I am particularly looking forward to working with the school’s senior leadership team, staff, and fellow governors to ensure that the schools’ values and vision remains central to its governance and decision-making.
My outside interests are varied, and include spending time with family, going to theatre, watching football, cycling , running, and walking.
Mark Whitehead
Staff Governor
I joined St. Cuthbert Mayne School as a maths teacher in 2021 after teaching in Exeter for 14 years. Originally from the North West, I met and married a Devon girl while I was serving with the Royal Navy. We lived in mid-Devon before moving to Torbay in 2019.
I always intended on following a teaching career but first wanted to gain other life experience to bring to the classroom. I have met many people from various walks of life around the world who wished that they had tried a bit harder at school, particularly in maths, to enable them to live a fuller life. I believe that the best foundation for lifelong learning begins at school and that all students can achieve well if given the right support.
I hold a Master’s Degree in Education and am always challenging myself to improve my practice. I have mentored and trained many teachers whilst in the role of Maths course tutor when seconded to South West Teacher Training and I still see my former mentees and trainees working in schools around the South West. I am fortunate to be able to continue to develop the practice of colleagues, working as part of the Lead Practitioner team at St. Cuthbert Mayne School.
It is an honour to be able to serve as a governor and I hope that my experience both in and out of the classroom will enable me to support the governing body in making sure that our students get the best possible education to enable them to live happy and successful lives.
Jake McClure
Parent Governor
I’m a Senior Civil Servant, currently working as an Executive Director within the Rural Payments Agency, an organisation of just under 3,000 and part of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I’m responsible for all things to do with people, culture, capability and communications – as well as corporate governance.
We’re a hugely values driven organisation, where people and empathy come first – and I’m a big believer in schools outreach to ensure great careers education, advice and guidance, links with the community, foster social mobility and to ensure our people understand barriers facing young people in challenging times.
I’m from Torquay originally – and was lucky enough to move back to the Bay after a career working in a number of countries for the British Council – and a few government departments. I was posted to Belfast to two years where my daughter was born and when the opportunity arose for a national role being based wherever we wanted, we chose to move back to Torquay. I was involved as a governor at the primary school which my children went to – and I also volunteered as an Enterprise Adviser for three years at a local community college.
I’m hoping to bring my human resource experience to help the school maintain and grow its focus on recruitment, retention, performance, people and prospects – as well as leadership and development. In a previous Civil Service role, I was Head of Apprenticeships for the Cabinet Office – creating and promoting opportunities for over 30,000 apprenticeship roles across the country.
Making sure all of the young people at St Cuthbert Mayne have as much choice and opportunity as the can when it comes to higher education, further education, careers advice, work experience and awareness of the world of work in general is also really important to me and I’ll be a strong advocate and ambassador for all of this as I work with the school during my time in post.
Kate Davenport
Parent Governor
Originally from Plymouth, I began my academic journey studying Psychology at the University of Sunderland. After graduating, I moved to London where I worked in Human Resources, gaining valuable insight into people management and organisational development. Eventually, my passion for education brought me full circle back to Plymouth, where I completed a PGCE and qualified as a primary school teacher.
For the past 24 years, I have been teaching in Torquay, taking on various leadership roles across the primary curriculum. I currently lead on both Maths and English and serve as Deputy Headteacher at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Primary School. In these roles, I’ve led curriculum development, supported staff training, and helped drive improvement strategies across the school. I’ve seen firsthand the impact of strong leadership and teamwork in helping children thrive and reach their potential, especially during times of change and challenge.
Working in a Catholic primary school, I have valued being part of a community that nurtures both academic and spiritual growth. Supporting the faith life of the school—through collective worship, liturgies, and living out Gospel Values—has been an important and fulfilling part of my role. I look forward to continuing this support at St Cuthbert Mayne, helping to uphold its faith identity and mission.
As a parent, I’ve also experienced education from the other side. It’s been a privilege to see my own children flourish at St Cuthbert Mayne—both boys currently coming towards the end of Year 10. I’ve always been impressed by the school’s caring ethos, commitment to high standards and the breadth of opportunities it provides for its students.
Becoming a governor felt like a natural next step—a chance to support the school in a different way. I’m looking forward to learning more about the school’s wider context and priorities, and I hope that my experience in education and leadership will help me make a positive contribution to its ongoing development and improvement.
Sarah Bateman
Associate Member
Torquay is my hometown and I love living on the coast. I enjoyed growing up in Torbay but left for University. I studied Psychology in London as I have always been interested in how people think and behave. As I wanted to travel, I trained as an EFL teacher and spent 5 years abroad teaching English as a second language to children and adults.
Returning to England enabled me to use my degree by working in a prison as part of the Psychology team. I facilitated offender behaviour programmes to prisoners to reduce reoffending. I later joined the drug and alcohol team where I coordinated a programme for substance misusers to gain experience in education, training and employment. I spent 10 years working in criminal justice and enjoyed supporting individuals to make positive changes to their lifestyle.
Since having a family, I have worked in education to enable me to have a greater balance of work and family time. For 7 years I worked as a teaching assistant in a local primary school before making the leap to secondary. My children attend St Cuthbert Mayne, where I am the HLTA in the SEND department, a job that I love. I want to support the learning and social experience of all our students so that they can thrive in school and in life.
I bring to the role my experience of being a trustee for several years with a local Sea Scout group.I also believe that by being both a parent and staff member gives me the insight to add value to the role of Associate Member.
