Who are our Governors?
Clare Brazil
I have been a governor since October 2018. Initially I began as a parent governor But I am now a co-opted governor. I have two daughters, Emma and Katie, who have now left Ladbrooke and are studying at Chancellors.
I studied at the University of Hertfordshire after leaving school for a BSC (Hons) in Mathematics and Computer Science. After leaving University I went on to run and manage my own Hydraulic Engineering business for nearly ten years. I sold the business in 2011 and worked as an Operations Consultant around the country, however I decided not to return after Katie was born. When Katie started school, I returned to education to obtain my PGCE and I am now a local maths teacher.
Alex Corke - Chair of Resources Committee
I first joined my wife Donna on the Governing Body as a Parent Governor in 2009 and watched our two children thrive during their time at Ladbrooke. Our children first discovered their passion for badminton within the Ladbrooke School hall, and haven’t looked back since.
Now a Co-opted Governor, I am also a former pupil myself, so have links with the school going back many years. I chair the Resources Committee, where I have been able to bring to the role the experience that I have gained in my role as an Audit Manager in a large accounting practice. I have worked with clients in the education sector as they have faced challenges presented to them by new regulations both financial and non financial.
It has been a pleasure to observe the continued progress of the school over the past fourteen years, both from the perspective of a parent and as a governor.
Donna Corke
Originally from Kent, I grew up with a passion for Art. Aged 18, I studied at Maidstone College of Art before coming to Hertfordshire to study for a degree in Scientific Illustration at Middlesex University. I continued at the University to qualify with a P.G.C.E. in Art and Design. For the next six years I worked in a Stevenage Secondary School as an Art Teacher and Head of Year. I then took a career break to concentrate on family life with my husband Alex and children - Charlie and Lilie. Both children attended Ladbrooke. Whilst they were flourishing here I was given the opportunity to step back into Education. I began with a voluntary assistant role in Year 6 before taking on a Learning Assistant position where I spent the next six years working 1:1 with a child with Autism and a child with ADHD. During this time I completed a Return to Teaching course which enabled me to make the transition from secondary teaching across to primary teaching.
During my time at Ladbrooke I have taken on several roles: Vice-Chair of FOLS, 1:1 Tutor, Specialist Teacher for Dyslexia and part-time Year 6 Teacher. I continue to widen my knowledge of SEND issues and my knowledge of the Grammar Curriculum has definitely expanded! It is a privilege to be part of a team that is so committed to the well being and education of our children.
Philip Cunningham – Chair of Governing Body
I have a daughter who attended Ladbrooke School and became a Parent Governor in 2014, later becoming a Co-opted Governor. I became the Chair of the Governing Body in 2015.
I’m a Chartered Civil Engineer specialising in strategic planning, transportation work and project management. I worked for local authorities and in private practise before setting up my own consultancy firm 30 years ago. I endeavour to utilise my analytical and management skills and experience in my role as a school governor.
Ladbrooke School rightly has a very good reputation with fantastic children supported by exceptional staff and parents and carers. It is rewarding to be a small part of the continuing success of the school and to hopefully help the school improve still further for the benefit of all the children that attend the school.
Kevin Dobson
My son Jack is in Year 4 and I have beeen a Parent Governor since 2020.
I have worked in education for nearly twenty five years, teaching for ten years in the state system across a range of primary schools in Ealing and Harrow. I then went on to be Deputy Head at Grimsdell, an Independent pre-preparatory school, part of the Mill Hill School Foundation. I am currently Head of The Hall Junior School (Reception-Year 3) which is part of The Hall School in Hampstead.
I look forward to being able to use my experience to support the school with its continued success and development.
Jon Mackley – Joint Vice Chair of Governors
I have a son who attended Ladbrooke and joined the Governing Body at Ladbrooke School as a Parent Governor in 2017. I am now a Co-opted Governor as well as Vice Chair. Within the role, I lead on Health and Safety and Diversity.
Professionally, I have worked within the Insurance Industry for over 25 years in a number of management and customer facing roles, and I use the skills and experience I have gained in my role as a Co-opted Governor.
Greg Huntley
My children attended Ladbrooke more than a decade ago and my wife, Carol, is a part-time Teaching Assistant at the school. I became a school governor having been on FOLS for a number of years and have remained a governor, as I believe my skills provide an alternative perspective on school management and governance.
In my professional career I started out in the IT industry nearly 40 years ago. Before retiring, I was a senior executive for one of the UK’s leading providers of software to Local & Central Government, the social housing sector and the Police.
Dr David Swedensky
I attended Ladbrooke JMI School many years ago, before it moved to the current premises. I now have 5 children, all of whom are past or present pupils and by the time my daughter goes to secondary school I will have been a Ladbrooke parent for 20 years! Previously the treasurer for FOLS, I joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor in 2024.
I studied Mathematics at St Catharine's College, University of Cambridge, earning a First Class MA (Cantab), MMath Distinction and PhD. Since then I have worked in the financial industry as a Quantitative Analyst and Software Engineer for over 20 years.
As a Governor I hope to bring my numeracy and IT skills to the table and add the perspective of an educational layperson to ensure the work done by the Body is understable to all.
Mark Turner – Chair of School Improvement Committee
Before retiring, I was a civil servant for more than 20 years and worked at the Business Department working on Industrial Strategy for manufacturing sectors. I began my working life as an undergraduate apprentice engineer at Rolls Royce graduating as a gas turbine engine designer. I’m a Chartered Engineer with a Masters degree in Business Management from Warwick University.
I’m married and live in Potters Bar with four children, two grown up and two at Chancellors School. I have been a Co-opted Governor at Ladbrooke since 2013.
When not working I enjoy gardening and playing the saxophone.