Governors

Meet our Governors

Should you need to contact our Chair of Governors, please email:

cog@cove.hants.sch.uk

We are priveleged to have a team of passionate and dedicated school governors who bring a diverse and valued set of skills and experience from their professional lives to Cove's Governing Body>

Our school greatly benefits from working with the following skilled and valued volunteers:

Simon Acott

Chair of Governors

• Member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee
• Health & Safety Link Governor
• Headteacher Review Panel

"I have been a governor of school since 2020. Previously I have had held the roles of Link Governor for Health & Safety, Chair of the Curriculum Standards Committe, and Vice Chair of Governing Body. In February 2025 I was elected Chair of Governors and am now a sitting member of the Finance and Personnel Committe and the Curriculum Standards Committee.

I applied to be a co-opted governor for a number of reasons.

Firstly, I felt the need for public service and a cause worthwhile; secondly, I had sufficient free time to invest; and finally, because the training and support provided are transferable skills to both business and personal endeavours.

Originally from Farnham, I now live in Bordon with my wife and two adult children. Nikki works for the MOD in Aldershot Garrison, our daughter is an Inflight lead for British Airways, based out of Heathrow, and our son is a maths teacher at Weydon School, Farnham.

My business background is retail operations. My experience of delivering results through strong leadership, setting clear expectations, and holding my teams to account will help structure and lead a governing body that fully supports the school's senior leadership team deliver a fully rounded curriculum for you child."
 

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Monique Bevan-Turner

Parent Governor

I’m proud to serve as an elected Parent Governor, bringing both professional and personal passion for education to the role. I currently work as a teacher at The Sixth Form College Farnborough, and my husband is a private tutor and a governor with another school — so education plays a central role in our lives, both at home and at work.

I wanted to become a governor to support the school in delivering the best possible experience for all students. As a parent, I care deeply about the environment our children learn in, and as an educator, I understand the challenges schools face and the importance of strong, collaborative leadership.

Being a governor allows me to contribute to the strategic direction of the school, offering both a parent’s perspective and insight from the education sector. I am particularly passionate about student wellbeing and ensuring that all children, regardless of background, are supported to thrive.

It’s a privilege to play a part in shaping the future of the school community.

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Finola Harrington

Vice Chair of Governors

• Finance and Personnel Committee
• Headteacher Review Panel

 

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Catherine Hirst

Parent Governor

 

I joined the governing body of Cove School in March 2025 as a Parent Governor. As a parent of a child in the school I have a strong vested interest in seeing the school continue to develop and excel. I believe that all pupils should be given every opportunity to succeed, and I intend to support the school in developing its vision.

A graduate of Maths and Physics and a Chartered Physicist, I spent 17 years working across various roles in Science and Engineering within the Ministry of Defence. Following a career break in 2020 I now deliver Bikeability cycle training to school children across Surrey. As well as this governing role I am also a Parent Governor of a Surrey primary school, Secretary of their PTFA and a Section Leader within the Scout Association.

I have extensive experience of data analysis, team working and project delivery all within a strictly confidential environment. All skills which are vital in the role of governor.

Additionally, as part a military family and having moved 5 times in the last 12 years, I understand the importance school plays in supporting the children of serving and retired military personnel.

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Dr Andrew King

Headteacher

• Curriculum and Standards Committee
• Finance & Personnel Committee
   

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Dominique McKenzie

Co-opted Governor

"I am delighted to have just started as a co-opted Governor at Cove School with a focus on curriculum. This is my first delve into Governorship.

A linguist and psychologist by academic training, I have lived in 6 six countries across 3 continents where I have tutored across diverse curriculums including IB, Montessori, UK, Canadian Ontario and Chinese. 

We have two kids who are nearly grown up so, as my world moves on, I am excited to put some of my time and experience to use at Cove where I hope to make a positive contribution and where I certainly have lots of learn. "

 

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Nicola Morton

I have been a governor of the school since January 2025, I am one of the Safeguarding Governors and a member of the Finance Committee. I am a co-opted member of the Governing team, however I do have a child who attends the school.

I applied to become a governor for a few reasons, I believe some of my skills I have obtained from employment lends itself towards a public service and what better way to do this than helping the school my child attends.  I also believe holding the school to account and ensuring they provide the best opportunity to every child who attends Cove Secondary School.

I work in the civil service as a driving test examiner, having previously been a driving instructor so I spend a lot of time around teenagers, I feel I have a good understanding and rapport with most teenagers which will be invaluable during school visits and understanding what they think of the school.

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Brian Rodricks

Local Authority Governor
 

With a career spanning nearly 40 years in industry, I began as a marine engineer before completing a Master’s in Business and moving into senior management positions within multinational corporations. Following my retirement from industry, I pursued my long-held ambition to teach, earning a PGCE in Mathematics and teaching in secondary schools for four years.

My passion for education and making a meaningful difference led me to focus on teaching students who are not currently in secondary school. Additionally, I deepened my involvement in education by becoming a governor at Cove School in January 2021.

Leveraging my technical background and extensive experience in managing large international organizations—ranging from strategic vision to financial controls and workforce leadership—I actively support Cove School’s growth and success. As a member of the Finance and Personnel Committee, I contribute to the school’s governance, ensuring strong financial oversight and strategic direction.

I remain dedicated to fostering educational opportunities and positive change for young people, drawing upon both my industry expertise and commitment to teaching.

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 Alistair Thurlow

 

 

 

 

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Nicoletta Vasilovici

Staff Governor

I joined Cove School in September 2015 and work as a Geography teacher. I became a staff governor in 2022, as I have always seen education as the most powerful and wonderful ‘’tool’’ that can be passed to future generations.

Prior to Cove School, I worked as a Geography and English teacher as a second language for several years. I have taught across KS3 and KS4 and specialised in leading school European Projects. This involved making partnerships and working closely with European schools. I found this extremely rewarding as I gave my pupils the opportunity of visiting and learning in other European schools.

Being a governor made me more aware of the many challenges schools face, however, the dedicated team at Cove puts a lot of effort into supporting their students and families so that every child is given the best start in life possible.

Throughout my career, I have always been committed to ensuring young people achieve their full potential. I believe that successful schools are the ones who put children at the heart of everything they do.

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George Wallace

 

My name is George Wallace I'm a Governor at Cove School. I became a Governor three years ago hoping to make a difference.

I am involoved with EAL English as an Addition Language. My back ground is in Engineering. I am a chartered engineer. 

I have been involved with the design of aircraft, air traffic control, baggage handling at airports and ships. I enjoy mathematics and tutor some EAL pupils.

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Heather Walter

Parent Governor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For many years I was a strategic senior business leader working in the Marketing industry, with a number of dynamic, high profile, global brands such as Coca-Cola, Dove, Nike and De Beers.

I withdrew from the industry following my desire to work with more integrity and purpose, and qualified as a midwife. I believe this demonstrated my motivation and skills at being part of a hard-working, multi-disciplinary team, my empathetic approach and my desire to make a real-world difference.

As a Governor at Cove Secondary School, I have now been given the opportunity to contribute and support the educational and pastoral needs of students, on a voluntary basis. I believe each of them deserves the opportunity to receive the best possible learning and personal development opportunities in order for them to reach their full potential and prepare them for their future.