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Maura O'Donnoghue

Chair of Governors & Foundation Governor

As an Irish Celt living happily in Devon now for over 30 years, I’m very proud to accept the nomination as Torbay Local Authority appointed governor and add my expertise and experience to the STCM team at this time.

I grew up outside Belfast, attended the local Catholic primary and grammar schools, before going on to Queen’s University in Belfast to study English Literature and Linguistics.

Further study was through the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London and in Yorkshire at Bretton Hall College, Leeds University, where I did my teaching qualification.

Since graduation, my professional life has been completely in Education, teaching all ages from Reception to Sixth Form and beyond. English and Drama were my specialist subjects at secondary level whilst teaching in Wales early in my career, and then latterly at both Exeter and Plymouth universities.

Between those times, I re-trained to include primary teaching, which I did for many years before becoming a leader in 4 primary schools in Devon between 1986 and 2008. Leadership continued at Torbay Teaching School, where I was particularly involved in initial and on-going teacher training, and the establishment of The Autism Champion Initiative across Torbay.

Both my children attended St Cuthbert Mayne School ‘back in the day’, to coin a phrase; it is a privilege now to re-connect with it, this time as a governor. I am keen to become fully acquainted with the school again in my new role, and to support and challenge the school on its ever-improving journey.

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Rev'd Jordan Williams

Vice Chair of Governors & Foundation Governor

I have had the privilege of living in Torbay my entire life. I attended a local primary school until, at the of eleven I was accepted to attend St Cuthbert Mayne secondary School. I spent five incredibly happy years (with a few teenage challenges) walking the corridors of this great school. At eighteen I studied a BA Hons Degree in Youth and Community work at MARJONs University in Plymouth. It was whilst at University I developed a strong passion to work with and support teenagers struggling with the challenges of 21st Century life.

When I left St Cuthbert Mayne School at sixteen I always felt I would return due to the fantastic experience I had. At twenty one, fresh out of University I applied for the role of Family Liaison Officer working alongside the Pastoral Team. I worked at St Cuthbert Mayne for two and a half years, eventually taking on the role as Child Protection Officer. In recent years I have worked for LiNX Christian Youth Trust as a Christian Youth Worker working directly with the Pastoral Team at St Cuthbert Mayne School.

In 2019 I finished my accreditation with the Assemblies of God movement of Churches, and became an ordained Minister. I now work part time for Riviera Life Church with a responsibility of community outreach.  I am passionate about seeing community transformation through the work of the Church, people and organisations of good will partnering together.

I have seen the work of St Cuthbert Mayne School from every angle. As a student, member of staff and outside agency I have seen the passion, commitment and dedication of the staff to create an environment for their students in which to thrive. I am excited to be a part of the Governing Body as this school continues to provide excellent education and pastoral care to all students.

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Peter Maunder

Foundation Governor

I have 35 years teaching experience in schools in the UK. I held the post of Headteacher for 29 years in three different schools. My first headship was at Priory RC School, St Marychurch where I worked closely with St Cuthbert Mayne School during this period. Both my children attended the school and so I come to this role with fond memories.

I was appointed as a National Leader of Education (NLE) in 2006 and Oldway School was designated as a National Support School. I was Director of Torbay Teaching School Alliance, comprising 40 schools in Torbay. I was invited to address the Parliamentary Select Committee for Education on the merits of schools working together to improve outcomes for young people.

In addition to leading Oldway, I was seconded part-time to Torbay Local Authority as Joint Head of School Leadership. In this role and as a NLE, I secured a successful track record of improving leadership, teaching, behaviour and pupil achievement in various schools judged to be failing by Ofsted. I was a board member of Ofsted’s Southwest Regional Advisory Group.

I was a subject expert for the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers and taught on this course. Through Leadership Southwest I also delivered leadership programmes for Aspirant Headteachers and Senior and Middle Leaders in Education.

Since retiring from headship, I have worked part-time as an International Leadership Consultant for the British Council and have worked for BC, the EU and National College in India, Nigeria, China, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Colombia, Mauritius, Jordan, Serbia, Albania and Croatia. I am currently Chair of the Board for the British School of Tirana, Albania. I love travelling and learning from different cultures.

As a new foundation governor I am looking forward to contributing to the work of the current team of experienced governors. Through listening and observing I hope to serve the STCM community by providing support and challenge to the leadership team and governing body to help secure a great education for the pupils attending the school.

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Rachael Cox

FOUNDATION GOVERNOR

Originally from Dawlish, we moved a lot as a family and I have lived in many corners of the United Kingdom. I studied Interior Architecture at Oxford Brookes University and met my husband through the church we attended while students.

After uni I attended King’s Theology College in Oxford and ended up working as the college manager for a number of years. I was occasionally persuaded to get in the lecture room to give practical workshops on creative worship and Pneumatology (The Holy Spirit).  

Early in our marriage we lived a life of adventure; moving to the south of France, travelling regularly to the Middle-East and launching a business in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco. As we started a family our children travelled with us, exposed to lots of different cultures and languages. We settled back in the UK when our eldest daughter reached primary school age, although she is now a pupil at St Cuthbert Mayne.

My husband and I run our own brand and website studio. We create highly creative and strategic identities for architects, interior and garden design businesses who want their brand to resonate with their ideal customers. Last year I enjoyed working with school leavers in Torbay to look at their personal branding and equipping them with skills to confidently sell their unique magic as they go out into the world. 

We are part of Bay Church, an Anglican church plant with a remit to engage with children, young people and families in Torbay. 

I am excited to learn more about how I can support and serve the school community while my children attend the school.

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Mark Whitehead

Staff Governor

I joined St. Cuthbert Mayne School as a maths teacher in 2021 after teaching in Exeter for 14 years. Originally from the North West, I met and married a Devon girl while I was serving with the Royal Navy. We lived in mid-Devon before moving to Torbay in 2019.

I always intended on following a teaching career but first wanted to gain other life experience to bring to the classroom. I have met many people from various walks of life around the world who wished that they had tried a bit harder at school, particularly in maths, to enable them to live a fuller life. I believe that the best foundation for lifelong learning begins at school and that all students can achieve well if given the right support.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Education and am always challenging myself to improve my practice. I have mentored and trained many teachers whilst in the role of Maths course tutor when seconded to South West Teacher Training and I still see my former mentees and trainees working in schools around the South West. I am fortunate to be able to continue to develop the practice of colleagues, working as part of the Lead Practitioner team at St. Cuthbert Mayne School.

It is an honour to be able to serve as a governor and I hope that my experience both in and out of the classroom will enable me to support the governing body in making sure that our students get the best possible education to enable them to live happy and successful lives.

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Sam Fraser

Associate Member

I was born in Torquay and have lived in the South West for most of my life. I have a strong bond with St Cuthbert Mayne having attended the school from 2004-2008 and acting as Deputy Head Boy during my time there; I also met my future wife whilst at the school and fully intend to send our two children there when they reach Year 7.

After leaving St Cuthbert Mayne I studied LLB Law at Plymouth University and secured a place on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme, working in the North-West of England for two years and studying for an MSc in Human Resource Management at Manchester Metropolitan University. I have worked within strategic HR management within the NHS/Healthcare sector for 10 years, most recently as Head of HR for Devon Doctors Group. 

In addition, I have also acted as the voluntary Enterprise Advisor to St Cuthbert Mayne since early 2020, which has seen me support the careers and enterprise focus within the school, including workshops for students on employability and supporting the interview experience programme.

I am excited to begin my role as an Associate Member and contribute to the ongoing successes of the school.

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Katie Coombe

Foundation Governor

I have many happy memories of my time as a pupil at St Cuthbert Mayne School including being part of the first cohort to join the Sixth Form and complete A-levels in a brand new building.

After studying at Reading and Oxford Brookes Universities I qualified as a Primary Teacher in 2002 and have had the opportunity to work in a wide range of different schools in this country and abroad from large urban schools serving hundreds of pupils aged 2-15 to small rural primary schools with 35 pupils on roll.

Over the course of my career, I have also had the opportunity to support schools in my role at SLE (Specialist Leader of Education). Having held senior leadership roles in several primary schools in the UK and a British International school in Spain I have built a broad understanding of the work of successful schools.

In my current role I am Head Teacher of two Church of England schools which are part of a Trust with a Christian foundation. Working across two schools is extremely rewarding and has enabled both schools to grow and make connections.

I am pleased to be a part of the Governing Body at St Cuthbert Mayne School.

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Fr Peter March

Foundation Governor

I am currently the Vicar of three of the Anglican parishes here in Torquay, and have worked for the church in Torbay for the last six years.    Through this work I have links across the church as Chair of Christians Together in Torquay; with the wider community through involvement with various groups and organisations; and also have links to other schools in Torbay, and across the Diocese of Exeter as a member of the Diocesan Board of Education.


Before I was ordained in 2013, I was a member of the Teaching Staff at St Cuthbert Mayne School for 12 years, and also served as Teacher Governor for 8 of those years.  Whilst a member of staff at the school I taught History and Drama.  I was responsible for establishing the Drama Department and curriculum, and for re-establishing the tradition of the annual school production.  During the time I worked at the school I was also able to contribute to the pastoral care of students, and served as a Form Tutor across all year groups and Key Stages.   I am also a parent of two children currently in the School.  All of this means I bring a range of experiences and perspectives to the service of the School as a governor.


I am deeply committed to the ethos and values of the School and what it seeks to enable young people to achieve.  Its commitment to pastoral and spiritual care, as well as the quest for academic excellence, are part of what I believe make St Cuthbert Mayne School a unique educational environment which seeks to support, encourage and develop the whole individual as part of the wider community.  It is a privilege to be a member of the school community and participate in its life and witness.  I am honoured to serve once again as a governor.

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Jake McClure

Parent Governor

I’m a Senior Civil Servant, currently working as an Executive Director within the Rural Payments Agency, an organisation of just under 3,000 and part of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I’m responsible for all things to do with people, culture, capability and communications – as well as corporate governance. We’re a hugely values driven organisation, where people and empathy come first – and I’m a big believer in schools outreach to ensure great careers education, advice and guidance, links with the community, foster social mobility and to ensure our people understand barriers facing young people in challenging times.

I’m from Torquay originally – and was lucky enough to move back to the Bay after a career working in a number of countries for the British Council – and a few government departments. I was posted to Belfast to two years where my daughter was born and when the opportunity arose for a national role being based wherever we wanted, we chose to move back to Torquay. I was involved as a governor at the primary school which my children went to – and I also volunteered as an Enterprise Adviser for three years at a local community college.

I’m hoping to bring my human resource experience to help the school maintain and grow its focus on recruitment, retention, performance, people and prospects – as well as leadership and development. In a previous Civil Service role, I was Head of Apprenticeships for the Cabinet Office – creating and promoting opportunities for over 30,000 apprenticeship roles across the country. Making sure all of the young people at St Cuthbert Mayne have as much choice and opportunity as the can when it comes to higher education, further education, careers advice, work experience and awareness of the world of work in general is also really important to me and I’ll be a strong advocate and ambassador for all of this as I work with the school during my time in post.

Daniel Ganda

Daniel Ganda

PARENT GOVERNOR

Holds Masters degree in Security and Diplomacy (Tel Aviv University- Israel).

Another Masters degree in Business Administration- Strategic Management (Maseno University- Kenya).

Bachelor of Education Science-Chemistry and Biology (Moi University-Kenya).

Certificate in Senior Level Management course in School administration.

Served as a Member of Board of Management in Coast Girls High School in the committee of finance and Academics. Additionally, served as a member of the Board of Management, under similar capacity in Omboo High School Kenya.

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Jane Fraser

FOUNDATION GOVERNOR

I am a retired headteacher who joined the governing body as a foundation governor in March 2023.  My teaching career lasted over 20 years, including 12 years as deputy headteacher and 3 years as headteacher in Catholic schools within the Plymouth Diocese. 

Roles covered during my career in education include Safeguarding lead and SENDco.  My qualifications include NPQH and SEND, and since retiring from teaching, I have completed a level 5 CIPD course (CIPD associate) in HR management.

Most recently, I enjoy caring for my elderly parents and having weekly Grannie Days with the children.

My husband and I are thankful for the education our children received at STCM and I am thankful for the opportunity to use my skills to help support and contribute to the school through the governing body of STCM.

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Kathleen Lund

ASSOCIATE MEMBER

Having had a background in teaching history in two comprehensive schools, I transferred into local government, working in a variety of metropolitan authorities as well as Devon. After serving as the Area Education Officer for Torbay and South Devon, I became the Group Director of Education and Community Arts and Libraries and then Education and Social Services in the London Borough of Hillingdon. My final post was as the Chief Executive of the Technology Colleges Trust, creating specialist colleges in partnership with business and industry – the precursors of the academies.

Halving studied for a Master’s degree in Education while teaching, I completed a Ph.D in Politics at Exeter University on my retirement.

I have served as a governor across a range of schools. I currently mentor students at the University as well as volunteering at Torbay Hospital, supporting cancer patients and carers. I chair the Friends of St Cuthbert Mayne School. When not undertaking these activities, I love to travel