Meet the Directors – The Clinton Church of England School

The role of a Director

Our Board of Directors are responsible for making strategic decisions about the running of the Trust. They play a critical role in accountability, effectiveness and standards and have duties as both directors (under company law) and trustees (under charity law).

The day to day running of the schools within the Trust is delegated to the Local Schools Committee and is regularly monitored to ensure high educational standards.

Our Directors bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Trust.

Declaration of Business interests

Board Meeting attendance

Martin Callaghan

Martin Callaghan ran a number of small business before moving into business planning, corporate strategy and change management. He was a Board member of London Underground responsible for major commercial contracts. Partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers working on large infrastructure projects. Non executive director and chair in public and private sectors. He has relevant skills in leadership, finance, contracts, change management and corporate governance.

As a governor he has 25 years of experience and is a National Leader of Governance. He has been a governor of primary and special schools, an IEB member, the Chair of a Community School, the Chair of a Federation and the Chair of an Academy Trust. He is formerly a governor of the National College.

Gill Marlow

Gill Marlow was a hospital and community pharmacist for 20 years. She retrained and taught secondary maths and science to GCSE for 15 years including six years as Head of Year, leading a team of 13 tutors with 350 pupils. She ran the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme for 15 years and as a Mountain Leader she trained expedition teams for this award. She also trained teams for Ten Tors Expeditions.

Her relevant skills are in leadership in Education, Maths and Science and also Data.

As a governor she was the maths and data governor, the Chair of the Teaching & Learning Committee, the Chair of the Admissions Committee, on the Ethos Committee and Vice-Chair and then Chair of the Board of Governors.

Mary Pearson

Mary Pearson spent 37 years in teaching - 23 of them in primary school management and 17 as a headteacher. She also developed Devon's first Early Excellence Centre and led two Children's Centres - Bluecoats, Torrington & Holsworthy, until retiring in 2009.

Her relevant skills are in leadership, education improvement, finance, business, HR, safeguarding, premises and data. She has additional experience of Multi-agency working and holds the National Professional Qualification for Integrated Centre Leadership (NPQICL). At Great Torrington Bluecoat Voluntary Controlled Church of England School, she spent 17 years as Head Teacher Governor. She also spent 4 years as Governor with responsibility for teaching and learning at St Helen's VA School, Abbotsham.