Governance
Meet Evergreen School Local Governing Body
The local governing body play an important part in school and provide local oversight and a link between the trust and school community.
They have delegated responsibility from the academy trust following a scheme of delegation (the academy trust holding legal and financial accountability for the school).
The local governing body support effective school culture, leadership and community engagement. They also oversee:
· The quality of teaching, learning and assessment
· Personal development, behaviour and welfare
· Outcomes for learners
They also undertake quality assurance of individual school priorities and support the school to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.
The local governing body operate a circle model of governance where the governing body works as a âwhole teamâ without any formal committees and meets regularly throughout the school year. This means that governors have up to date information regarding the school, and can offer timely support and challenge, as well as take action should the need arise.
Mark Wills – Chair of Governors & Health & Safety Governor
Appointed: April 2028 / Term of Office: 4 years / Expires: April 2030
Business Interests: None
I am very proud to be part of the governing board here at Evergreen. I joined in 2018 serving as a governor at Ridgeway School and have worked with schools on a professional basis for over 20 years. I recognise the importance of teaching and learning and securing the best education for all children and young people, whatever their background and ability. I am really keen to help support the school in any way I can and use my knowledge and experience to help the school to ensure all children and young people who attend Evergreen are provided with the best care, facilities and resources and receive the very best learning opportunities they can.
Gerry McColl – Vice Chair of Governors
Appointed: September 2025 / Term of Office: 4 years / Expires: September 2029
Business Interests: None
I was immediately struck by the warm welcome I received on my first visit to Evergreen, along with the enthusiasm of both staff and pupils, and the strong sense of pride in the school community. From that moment, I knew it would be a privilege to become part of Evergreen, and I was delighted to be co-opted as a school governor in September 2025.
The schoolâs values of placing young people and their families at the heart of everything it does, resonate strongly with my own. I am committed to supporting Evergreen as it continues to achieve the high standards for which it is known.
My professional background is in healthcare and psychological support, where I have worked closely with individuals and groups facing challenges to their wellbeing. Additionally, I have experience of working in education, albeit with postgraduate students, in posts at various institutions including as a departmental tutor at the Universities of Leicester and Oxford. I also have governance experience including chairing my local Parish Council and as a board member of my professional body, the Institute of Group Analysis as well as chairing various committees.
I hope to bring these and other experiences to the governing body here at Evergreen by supporting the schoolâs focus on care, inclusion, and helping every pupil to thrive and reach their potential.
Lorna McDonagh – Safeguarding Governor
Appointed: September 2023 / Term of Office: 4 years / Expires: September 2027
Business Interests: Warwickshire County Council Governor Services
I am delighted to be a part of the Local Governing Board of Evergreen School after previously working with the school in my role as a HR Advisor for Warwickshire County Council until May 2022. Now as a School Governance Improvement Officer for Warwickshire County Council, I get the opportunity to continue supporting Evergreen as a Governor. After working with schools since 2009, I hope to bring my experience to the Governing Board and support fellow Governors and staff to further grow the school and continue to offer a wonderful, safe place for all of its pupils.
Richard Hales – Careers Governor
Appointed: October 2022 / Term of Office: 4 years / Expires: October 2030
Business Interests: Charles Peters â Recruitment Agency
I am very proud to be a governor at Evergreen School and joined the board in October 2022. I am very passionate about improving the facilities and learning opportunities for our students and am passionate about links with the local business community and how we can work closer together to benefit everyone. I live in Kenilworth and one of my children attends Evergreen and outside work/governors I am involved in running local football & rugby teams.
Alan Beddow – Governor
Appointed: October 2016 / Term of Office: 4 years / Expires: February 2027
Business Interests: None
I have been a governor originally for Ridgeway since 2005 when we were in the old building on Montague Road and with Evergreen when it opened in 2020. I have been a member of the Project Management Institute from 2004. As a governor I bring business and project management experience to the governing board. I have lived in Warwick for over 25 years, and I like to play an active part in the community. Evergreen is a fantastic school that I have seen grow from Round Oak and Ridgeway when they were on their old sites to the incredible centre of excellence it is today catering for all ages on its two sites. For me itâs important that the whole ethos of the school is focused around each child/young person. I feel most proud of the school when I see happy children and young people coming in through reception in the morning, excited to see what their day will bring.
Bali Kandola – Staff Governor
Appointed: January 2016 / Term of Office: 4 years / Expires: January 2028
Business Interests: Pastoral Manager at Evergreen School
I have been part of the Ridgeway/Evergreen family for over 20 years. During this time, I have worked with children across all stages of their education as a Teaching Assistant and now serve as Evergreen Schoolâs Pastoral Manager.
As a Staff Governor, I am proud to represent the views and experiences of staff while contributing to the strategic leadership and development of the school. Being a member of the Governing Body has given me the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of school life and the important role governance plays in supporting pupils, staff and the wider school community.
My experience enables me to bring both a practical and pastoral perspective to the Governing Body, with a particular focus on supporting children and young people to
achieve their full potential and helping to ensure that we continue to provide a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment in which every pupil can thrive.
Mark Freeman – Governor
Appointed: November 2021 / Term of Office: 4 years / Expires: November 2029
Business Interests: Turner & Townsend Consultant (employer) and Anthony and Elaine Bethell Charitable Trust (trustee)
As a chartered surveyor by profession, I have spent over 30 years working in the construction industry, centred around the delivery of new or refurbished school and higher education buildings and facilities. I have a personal interest in SEN education, having a close family member with significant learning needs. I have always been inspired by the learning environments in which he spent his formative years and the staff who worked so hard to give him as much assistance as possible. I feel privileged to have been invited to join the Governing Body of Evergreen School and can only hope that I am able to use both my professional and personal expertise and experience to assist the school to deliver its Vision and further enhance and improve its already excellent environments at both sites. On a personal level, I live locally with my wife, Dianne and a labrador named Kali. Our two children are grown up now, with one being a police officer and the other away at university. I am also a Trustee of a charitable trust, as well as the honorary secretary of Ashorne and Moreton Morrell Cricket Club. Although sadly, my playing days now seem to have come to an end, cricket and rugby remain keen interests of mine, along with walking and cooking. I hope that I can justify my position as a Governor and do justice to the role expected of me.
Sally Watts â Governor
Appointed: February 2025 / Term of Office: 4 years / Expires: February 2029
Business Interests: None
I joined the Governing Board of Evergreen School in 2025 and have thoroughly enjoyed supporting the school. I was first introduced to Evergreen through my role as a Green Space Development Officer at Warwick District Council and was immediately impressed by the school’s welcoming culture, strong values and unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of its pupils.
In my professional role, I lead the development and delivery of major projects in parks, play areas and green spaces across the district. This includes managing complex projects, budgets, procurement processes, stakeholder engagement and partnerships.
Prior to this, I worked as a town planner for 15 years and am a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
My work has given me the opportunity to collaborate with Evergreen School on projects that support outdoor learning, accessibility and sensory play. Through this partnership, I have seen first-hand how the school continuously develops its facilities and provision to create stimulating environments in which children can thrive.
As a governor, I am passionate about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their potential and that the school continues to provide the excellent support and education for which it is known.
I live in Worcester with my family and, outside of work and governance, I enjoy walking with my dog, exploring the countryside, gardening and a range of creative pursuits including dressmaking, embroidery and lino printing.
Giovanni Papotto – Parent Governor
Appointed: June 2025 / Term of Office: 4 years / Expires: June 2029
Business Interests: None
Iâm the parent of a pupil at Evergreenâs Brittain Lane campus. Much of my professional life has been spent working internationally across education, cultural mediation and conflict resolution. Over the past decade, my focus has increasingly been on learning in the context of disability and difference, often in close collaboration with children whose ways of engaging the world challenge familiar assumptions about communication, development, and education.
My interest in governance comes from a long-standing commitment to understanding how learning happensâacross contexts, across learnersâand how that process can inform the shaping of an agile, responsive and robust institutional interface. As Evergreen is now part of the Warwick Schools Foundation Multi-Academy Trust, I will support its presence in this network in a way that recognises not only the differences between schools but also the generative potential of their encounter, when assumptions are questioned and learning itself is placed at the centre.
Paul Bradley – Parent Governor
Appointed: May 2026 / Term of Office: 4 years / Expires: May 2030
Business Interests: None
As a father of two autistic boys with SEND I am a committed advocate for compassionate, pragmatic support that gives families the equity they need to lead the happiest lives possible. I know first hand how difficult things can be, from applying for DLA and EHCP support to the dedication needed to care for our children 24/7. Thereâs barely a moment to stop and catch breath.
I hope I can support the school to be the best it can possibly be while growing my understanding of the challenges it faces to meet the expectations of parents and pupils.
I am a journalist by trade, previously reporting from the front line in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as covering the issues that matter at home. More recently I am the Chief Communications Manager at the National Farmersâ Union, campaigning for changes to agricultural policy that enable British farmers and growers to put food on our table no matter the challenges they face.
When Iâm not working or being dad, I enjoy swimming and watching football and cricket.
Laura Hyatt – Headteacher
I am proud to serve as Headteacher of Evergreen School and to work alongside a dedicated team committed to helping every child and young person achieve their fullest potential. Throughout my career, I have specialised in SEND education and have been passionate about ensuring that pupils with additional needs receive the high-quality education, care and opportunities they deserve. At Evergreen, I am particularly committed to developing an inclusive, ambitious and nurturing learning environment where pupils are supported to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. I value the strong partnerships we have with families, governors and external professionals, recognising that we achieve the very best outcomes when we work together. It is a privilege to lead such an exceptional school community and to support our vision of preparing pupils for successful, fulfilling and meaningful futures.
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Evergreen School Governor Attendance Register 2025-26
Evergreen School Governor Attendance Register 2024-25