Governor Profiles

Sandra Balkwill

Member Appointed Governor

I have been a Trustee since 2008 and have loved being part of a challenging and supportive governing body through exciting changes.

My daughter attended Blenheim and went onto study English Literature at Exeter.

I taught PE and Geography for 25 years in large Wandsworth secondary comprehensive schools, experiencing a wide range of managerial posts. I have also been an NVQ assessor for Support staff and Business administration staff as well as a voluntary mentor.

I am extremely passionate about the importance of pupils’ education and the vital role we must all play to ensure they all achieve their full potential and receive the best possible outcomes at this vital time of their lives.

I am currently a member of the Education, Colleagues & Community Committee (ECC), and the Audit & Risk Committee.   I am the link Trustee for Safeguarding. 

I look forward to the challenges ahead and am inspired by the Blenheim community members.

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Mr A.A. Bodell 

Headteacher and Member Appointed Trustee

I am proud to be Headteacher at Blenheim High School and have been in post since 2017. Blenheim is my fifth school. The previous four were all co-educational comprehensive schools; three in Surrey and one in Wokingham. 

During my teaching career I have held many positions including teacher of Physical Education, teacher of Science, Head of Year, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator, Head of Department, Head of Sixth Form, Deputy Head (Curriculum) and Headteacher. 

I am supported in my role as Headteacher by a fantastic Leadership team, all of whom I have appointed. The team is large and has expertise that covers all areas of school life ensuring that timely decisions are made and that, where necessary, expedient action is taken. I feel very optimistic about the future of Blenheim and am looking forward to the continuing development of the academy.

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Bill Donnelly 

Member Appointed Trustee

Following a salaried career in HR with two global companies, I developed my own international management consultancy which included creating links between UK and Chinese school leadership staff and pupils.  As one of the original Investor in People assessors I enjoyed the privilege of assessing the Department of Education for the first time, and many schools and national and local government agencies.  More recently, I have established a local not-for-profit CIC company to provide business experience, skills development and employability training for unemployed young adults.  I live locally and my children were all educated at local state schools, as now do my grandchildren including one at Blenheim.  I look forward to helping the school grow even further in performance and breadth of education for ALL of its pupils. 

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Kate Herbert

Member Appointed Trustee

I was pleased to join the Blenheim Governing Body in September 2021. I have twenty years’ experience in local government, having had roles in district and unitary councils focusing on effective governance and scrutiny; strategic business planning and policy development;  equalities, diversity and inclusion; partnership working; and organisational transformation and improvement. I currently work for the Local Government Association, the national membership body for local authorities, as the Principal Adviser for councils in London.

I live in Ewell. I have two daughters and my eldest daughter attends Blenheim.

I sit on the Education, Colleagues & Community Committee (ECC), and the Audit & Risk Committee. 

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Mark O’Connell

Parent Trustee

I joined the Blenheim Trustee Board in January 2021 as a Parent Trustee.

I have worked in the Insurance world now for over 30 years, serving on various Boards and I hope to bring this experience to governance at Blenheim.

It is undoubtedly an exciting time to be part of the Blenheim team as we strive to maintain the excellent standard of education available to the pupils.

I have a daughter currently at the school and I sit on the Education, Colleagues and Curriculum Committee.

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Amalia Pateman

Member Appointed Trustee

I joined the Blenheim Governing Body as a qualified Management Accountant (AAT, CIMA) with over 25 years’ experience in the Rail Industry, supporting large capital investment schemes, whole life asset management and strategic decision making.

I am currently working for Transport for London as a Project Manager delivering Train Fleet heavy overhauls programmes.  I also volunteers as a TfL STEM Ambassador and have been working with London Schools on innovation projects.

I live locally and my youngest son currently attends Blenheim.

I am currently Chair of Trustees and sit on the Growth and Financial Performance (GFP) Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee.

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Stuart Secker

Co-opted Trustee

I have been a Trustee at Blenheim since December 2020 and currently chair the Audit & Risk Committee.

I’m a Chartered Accountant and a partner at a large accountancy firm, with over 20 years of experience advising clients in the financial services industry.  I also have experience in leading people and strategy with a strong focus on risk management.  Since 2016 I have been the Treasurer and chair of the Audit, Finance & Risk Committee at the MS Society, and before joining Blenheim I was a Trustee for 11 years at an infant school in Bookham.

I am passionate about the importance of a quality education in giving life opportunities to all, forming the basis of a successful society, and believe that effective governance is a vital part of supporting schools to deliver that.

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Dave Stevenson

Member Appointed Trustee

I am currently a service Police Sergeant for the Metropolitan Police Service.  I have been a Police Officer for 18 years.  I have two daughters one of which is currently a student at Blenheim High School.

I have experience with a wide variety of youth engagement activities, from the Air Training Corps where I was a cadet and went on to be an instructor, the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme where I was involved in outward bound and service activities, and more recently as a Transport Youth Engagement Officer through Transport for London, providing safety messages to young people travelling in and around London’s transport network, running Junior Citizenship Schemes and youth diversion activities in partnership with the local council to where I was based.

I am enthusiastic, driven, professional and focused, all of which I will bring to working with the school’s leadership team and community.

I am currently Vice-Chair of Trustees and Chair of the Education, Colleagues and Community (ECC) Committee.

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Faye Thorp

Member Appointed Trustee

I work in Financial Services specialising in Compliance and Governance and since my children have started school I have teamed my professional experience and my passion for outstanding education by being a school Trustee.

I have held school governance roles including as a Chair in a Primary setting since 2014 and I hope to share my experience to support Blenheim in its journey to outstanding.

I am a parent to three children, one of whom is a student at Blenheim. I have a keen interest in SEN and I am very passionate about the drive to ensure that every individual reaches their full potential.

I am a member of the Growth and Financial Performance Committee.

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Markos Papadopoulos

Parent Trustee

I am a professional, multilingual Senior Board level officer with over 30 years of experience, holder of a Masters degree in Economics (MBA) and a BA degree in Business Administration and Economics, and a holder of the Galileo Masterclass certificate in Finance and Management of renewable energies in Construction and building. 

I have extensive experience in international negotiations, managing large programmes, coordinating the teams involved and the stakeholders, planning and organising, staffing, and managing programme budgets. 

I am a problem solver with a strong commercial and finance background having led businesses through transition and transformation. A natural leader who will lead by example and who has set, directed and implemented new strategies and visions.

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Rob Mayo

Co-opted Trustee

I was formally appointed to the Blenheim Board in November 2022 as a Co-opted Trustee. I was previously Chair of Governors at another secondary school in Epsom. I have two daughters, one is studying Media Studies at Cardiff University and the other is in 6^th Form at another Epsom school.  

I have worked primarily in the Aerospace sector for 35 years following an Engineering degree at City University, London. Following stints with various airlines, helicopter operators and maintenance organisations I have been a consultant to the sector since 2015. My wife and I have established several businesses of our own and we currently own a Pre-School which she runs. 

As a successful graduate of the state education system, I am passionate about that non-selective pathway for all. I am motivated to support and inspire pupils, staff, parents and my fellow Trustees to provide the best possible outcomes for all.

Blenheim High School converted to Academy status on 1st March 2012. The paperwork relating to the conversion can be downloaded below.

Blenheim Funding Agreement ANNEX A - Memorandum and Articles of Association for Blenheim High School

ANNEX B - Admissions Requirements

ANNEX C - Arrangements for pupils with Special Educational Needs (‘SEN’) and disabilities at Blenheim High School

ANNEX D - Serious incidents of misbehaviour leading to fixed period or permanent exclusion

Our latest annual accounts along with our latest School Improvement Plan can be downloaded below.

Annual Accounts 2022

Annual Accounts 2021

Annual Accounts 2020

Annual Accounts 2019

School Improvement Plan 2022-2023

School Improvement Plan 2021-2022

School Improvement Plan 2020-2021

 

Pupil Premium Information

 

Employees receiving benefits over £100,000 2019-2021

Benefits Band	2019/2020	2020/2021	2021/2022
£100k - £110k	0	1	1
£110k - £120k	0	0	0
£120k - £130k	0	0	0
£130k - £140k	1	1	0
£140k-£150k	0	0	1

The benefits include salary, employers pension contributions, other taxable benefits, and termination payments

There was no union time in 2020/21.