Governors

Please find below details of how our Local Governance Committee is structured, including the names, categories and responsibilities for each Governor. Widcombe Infant School and Widcombe CofE Junior School have a joint Local Governance Committee.

Mr Justin O'Byrne
Co Chair of Governors
Safeguarding Governor
Co-opted Governor

I am a parent to three children with our eldest currently in Year 2 at Widcombe Infant School and we are hoping for our other two children to attend the school too. Since being a parent at the school, I was struck by the friendliness of both the staff and families who are the school’s community. I am really proud to work on the Local Governance Committee (LGC) of the school. Seeing up close the dedication of the whole team working at the school is impressive and I want to play my part in helping the school to continue to thrive.

I started my professional life as a research scientist at the University of Bath, before moving to the Government’s largest funder of research and innovation. I spent the majority of that time working in international partnerships delivering large scientific infrastructure/instruments. I have been fortunate to be involved in very different projects ranging from work at a lab over 1 km underground at a working mine in Yorkshire, scientific instruments at CERN, to radio telescopes in remote regions of Australia and South Africa. I am currently on secondment to the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology working on a digital research infrastructure for the UK’s science and technology base. My work has brought me into contact with issues around governance, finances, and dealing with lots of different key groups, and I hope to bring this to the LGC.

Katharine Blackwell
Co Chair of Governors
Safeguarding Governor
Foundation Governor

My son attended Widcombe Infant School and is now in Year 6 at Widcombe Junior School. I am grateful that he has attended schools which have been supportive and encouraging, and that he has had lots of opportunities to explore and develop his interests, during class, through school trips and in after-school clubs.
As a parent and as a foundation governor I have been struck by the incredible commitment of the Senior Leadership Teams and the teaching and support staff to help all the children at both schools to be the best they can be. It has been a pleasure to see their hard work recognised through the recent SIAM and Ofsted inspections.
After completing a PhD in Chemistry, my career has been primarily in research management. I spent several years working for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council before moving to the University of Bristol. For a decade I was Head of the Industrial Liaison Office in the Faculty of Engineering, which involved managing a team of research professionals and a team supporting Engineering students to engage with industry during their studies. I am now Head of Research and Innovation Services for the Faculty of Science & Engineering. My work involves strategy development and delivery, people management and leadership, change management, governance, financial management and stakeholder engagement.

Rob Mitchell
Co Vice Chair of Governors
SEND and Disadvantaged Governor
Parent Governor

Both my daughters went to school at Widcombe Infants and then the Juniors (where my youngest still is). We all love living in Bath and feel lucky to be part of a school with so many great things on its doorstep. My day job is at a writing company, which I run with my wife. We work on all kinds of projects - posh peanut butter, Greenpeace, the Royal Academy of Arts. For the Royal Academy of Arts I worked on a campaign called "Art is a Serious Subject", all about getting art back in the classroom. It's great to work on something I care about, even more so now I've learned more about it. I'm the disadvantaged and SEND Governor at the Juniors, and I also work alongside other parents in the school's Green Team, looking at ways to help more of us walk, cycle and scoot to school.

Dragana Houston
Co Vice Chair of Governors
Co-opted Governor

I am a parent of two boys, with the eldest currently at Widcombe Junior School and the youngest at Widcombe Infant School.I feel greatly honoured to be appointed as a Governor. The open culture of the school and the dedication of the staff have continued to impress me from my first visit. What is more, the school’s high standards and the range of learning experiences provided for the children to make them into life-long learners are truly praiseworthy.
My area of expertise is in business strategy, planning and transformation, with a background in data analysis, finance and marketing. I am currently at Bath Spa University and have previously led teams across a range of sectors. As a Governor, I hope to be able to use my expertise and experience to help the school’s future development.

Miss Alison Watts
Executive Head Teacher

Mrs Sophie Turner
Widcombe Infant School 
Staff Governor

Mrs Helen Archer
Widcombe CofE Junior School
Staff Governor

Mr Jon Tickner
Disadvantaged Governor
Co-opted Governor

Primarily I’m a strategist and a creative for the media industry. I come up with ideas for content partnerships, develop pitches and consult on marketing and so on, and work on insight projects but I also work as a video producer. Partnerships usually mean content needs to be produced and I also commission cross-platform work, whether video, words or design.  I worked in the media publishing industry for 20 years and went freelance at the start of 2021.
Before I began consulting as a freelance, I joined two others and put together an event called Meanwhile… for Coventry City of Culture. The event was around the topic of illustrated Storytelling and we welcomed a great many families to enjoy street art, workshops and lectures across the weekend.   For this I put the bid together for Arts Council funding, as well as helping pull the logistical elements together, pitching for partnerships, sorting out licenses and so on. 
I have plenty of relations in the education sector, including my partner, a qualified yoga teacher and resilience coach, and a mother-in-law a SEND practitioner. I have a daughter in Year 1 at Widcombe Infant School.

Lulie Anderson
Parent Governor

I am a communications professional with a background in sustainable construction and manufacturing. I work with innovative organisations to bring low-carbon, bio-based building solutions to market, with a focus on natural materials and regenerative approaches.
I am passionate about creating a more sustainable future and believe in the power of education, industry and community working together to drive meaningful change. I bring a collaborative, practical approach to my work and value clear communication.
Alongside my professional work, I enjoy art and I am keen to support young people in building confidence, creativity and reaching their full potential.

Matt Jensen
SEND Governor
Trustee Appointed Governor

Having grown up in Widcombe, and attended both the Infant and Junior schools, I was really pleased to join the governance team when we returned to Bath in 2022. The school has played a big part in my life, with my mother, Jackie Peacock, being part of the teaching team for over 30 years. Life has now gone full circle, with my daughter joining the school in 2023 and my son due to join in 2026.
Professionally, I work as a consultant Project Manager, supporting a variety of clients in the design, procurement and delivery of large construction projects. My work involves strategic thinking, and bringing together and leading teams made up of people with greatly varying backgrounds, approaches and viewpoints.
It’s a privilege to have been appointed as a governor, allowing me to gain an in-depth understanding of the school’s mechanics and vision, whilst also bringing my own experience and sensibility to support the leadership team and wider school community.

Stephen Tomlin 
Health and Safety Governor
Foundation Governor

I am very happy to be one of three Foundation Governors here. We are appointed by the diocese of Bath and Wells with a focus, for the Junior School, to help maintain and develop its Christian distinctiveness. I am a member of St Luke’s Church on Wellsway, where I am also a church warden. I am a retired chartered Water/Civil Engineer. My family and I moved to Bath in 1991, when I joined Wessex Water, where I spent most of my career. Initially I worked on the engineering of several multi-million pound environmental improvement projects and then subsequently on capital investment and business planning for the company. I have two grown-up children and four grandsons. In my spare time I enjoy cycling, reading, walking in the countryside, entertaining my grandchildren and watching football. I am a long-standing Arsenal supporter! I count it a privilege to be a Governor here and very much enjoy seeing children flourish and being helped to “be the best you can be”.

Owen Lewis
Parent Governor

I am fortunate enough to have two children at the Widcombe Schools and am delighted to serve on the Local Governing Committee as a Parent Governor.  Having had a close association with Bath since studying Economics as an undergraduate at the University and having been a resident of Widcombe and Lyncombe for over 10 years, I cherish the opportunity to help continue and further develop the excellent work the schools deliver in providing first rate education to our future generations.
In my professional career of over 20 years in the Finance industry, I have had the good fortune to experience first-hand the importance of developing curiosity, critical thinking and an inquiring mind, especially in managing complex situations and in operating effectively within diverse cultures.  I have had the chance to lead large, cross-border teams and have done so through often challenging market conditions.  
As a Governor, I am passionate about supporting the leadership team to help perpetuate and advance an environment where pupils can learn and expand their horizons by being inquisitive and curious, developing social bonds, academic aptitude and personal resilience, whilst always in a safe, supportive and welcoming setting.

Timothy Davis
Parent Governor

I am a parent of two children at Widcombe School and an active member of the school and local community. My wife and I have lived in Bath since 2019, having previously lived in Vancouver with earlier roots in London. I am half Hungarian and hold three nationalities. I studied engineering at the University of Manchester.
My career spans product, projects and operations within engineering and the built environment, maintaining credentials in both product and project disciplines. My work consistently focuses on representing the customer’s voice and improving how complex systems—digital, physical and organisational—serve those who rely on them.
My experience includes digital platforms, smart buildings and service-led environments, working with multidisciplinary teams from technical specialists to senior leadership. I am comfortable navigating complexity, asking insightful questions like what matters and why? and helping teams reach informed decisions.
As a parent, I am engaged, thoughtful and values driven. I deeply care about creating an environment where children feel supported, build confidence and thrive. I am committed to acting in the best interests of all pupils, bringing a balanced perspective to the school community.
I am a lifelong learner who values thoughtful discussion, collaboration and a calm, constructive approach.