Meet the Governors

Our Trust of Schools

Ann Denner

Chair of Governors

Ann has been involved in governance in Devon for more than 20 years, serving on infant, primary, federation, secondary and Multi Academy Trust Boards. Ann is passionate about ensuring education is not a postcode lottery and that children and young people are able to attend school in their local community and can thrive, flourish and succeed.

Ann currently serves on two local governing boards within the Ted Wragg Trust and on the board of a primary Multi Academy Trust in Devon and believes it is a privilege to be involved in young people’s education by supporting and challenging schools in being ambitious for all their students.

Ann also works as a governance professional in a number of East Devon schools, as well as working with the schools that make up the Honiton Learning Community.

Alex Evans

Ex-Officio/ Headteacher

Alex has spent more than 15 years working in secondary education, teaching and taking on a range of senior leadership roles in schools. Before becoming Headteacher of Sidmouth College, he was Deputy Headteacher at St Luke’s CofE School, where he played a key role in supporting the school’s journey from special measures to becoming one of the high-performing schools in the South West.

Alex has a particular passion for improving teaching and learning and developing the capacity of teachers and leaders. He has led nationally recognised work in instructional coaching and developed and implemented coaching models designed to support teachers to continually improve their practice. He is also a strong advocate for ensuring that every young person, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity to succeed.

As Headteacher of Sidmouth College, Alex is committed to creating a school that is safe, inclusive and ambitious for every student. He is passionate about building strong relationships, listening to staff and students, and creating a culture in which everyone feels valued, supported and proud to belong.

Alex is also committed to supporting the wider education community and sharing effective practice beyond his own school. He brings a strong belief in the power of great teaching, strong relationships and high expectations to transform outcomes and life chances for young people.

Alick Russell

Parent Governor

Alick attended Sidmouth College through to sixth form in the 1990’s before obtaining a BSC First Class Honours degree in Oceanography at Southampton University and subsequent roles in offshore construction across the world. He now resides in Sidmouth with his wife and two children and runs his own land survey company. His daughter attends Colyton Grammar School and his son has been a happy pupil at Sidmouth College since 2024. Alick’s experience outside the education sector brings an alternative perspective to the governing board.

Christopher Hall

Vice Chair/ Parent Governor

Chris lives in Sidmouth and has three daughters who attended the college: one now a secondary art teacher and two who are undergraduates studying criminology and children’s nursing, he is also happily married to a secondary Art technician. Professionally he is the Head of School Development for a local trust, leading trust‑wide school improvement and strategic leadership of safeguarding. His work has supported strong outcomes and he brings this wealth of professional expertise and personal connection to the Local Governing Board.

David Moss

Co-opted Governor

David is a co-opted governor having originally joined as a parent governor. He grew up in Honiton and was educated at Kings. After a few years working he studied Economics at Loughborough University and has for the last 30 years has been an Investment professional in the City of London. He has lived in Sidmouth for the last 25 years and has three Children all of whom have been educated at Sidmouth with two currently in the Sixth Form. With a very different background to the majority of governors David is able to bring very different insights to the Governing Board having met most of the most successful business leaders (and plenty of unsuccessful ones) in Europe through his professional life.

Fiona Harvey

Co-opted Governor

I am currently Deputy Head at Colyton Grammar School, with a particularly strong interest in teaching and learning, admissions, and staff development. I am committed to ensuring high-quality education and supporting staff to achieve their full potential. I look forward to working closely with Sidmouth College and helping to strengthen partnerships between our two schools to benefit our wider community.

Having been a member of Sidmouth Town Band for 25 years, I have strong ties to the local area and value the importance of community engagement. I am committed to bringing this experience and perspective to my role as Governor, supporting both academic excellence and the development of opportunities which will support the broader development of students.

Ian Duffelen

Co-opted Governor

Ian is the Link Governor for SEND

Jon Galling

Co-opted Governor appointed by Governing Body

Jon is the Safeguarding Link Governor

Lisa Malton

Trust Link Governor

Lisa is currently Deputy Headteacher for Curriculum and Standards at a Ted Wragg secondary school, and the proud parent of three young people. She has previous senior leadership experience within teaching and learning and pastoral areas; and was a passionate middle leader of Physical Education for many years. Originally from the West of Ireland, Lisa started her teaching career in Birmingham before moving to Devon with her family in 2007. Lisa is honoured to serve as the Trust-link Governor. She believes passionately in the entitlement of a high-quality broad education for all students, and the ability of a strong school community to be transformative for young people and their families.

Tina Sillitoe

Staff Governor

I first became a governor in my daughter’s school in 2001, taking it through academisation, recruitment of 3 head teachers, numerous OFSTED inspections, and a new roof. I stepped down in 2024 after 23 years, 13 as Chair. I am interested to bring my experience to the board at Sidmouth College but as a staff member. I joined Sidmouth College in April 2024 having worked in a local primary school and for the local authority for the previous 16 years. Sidmouth College has been very welcoming to me, and I hope that I can give something back through my role as a staff governor.

Velda Woodruff

Co-opted Governor

Velda lives in Sidbury, having moved to Devon 23 years ago with her partner. Her children attended Sidbury Primary School and Sidmouth College.

Her early career was spent in primary teaching, teaching part-time whilst also working with local school leaders and local groups to extend services around schools and within the local community, including breakfast and afterschool clubs and support for parents. For the last 14 years, Velda has worked in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) both in Devon and Hampshire and shares a passion for SEND and inclusion. Now working part-time, she enjoys spending more time outdoors.

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