Gus is retired and enjoying life back in the Cotswolds with his wife and two dogs. He is a very proud parent of two sons and grandfather to five grandchildren. A passionate follower of sport, his durability is illustrated by being a Bath Rugby season ticket holder for 50 years. Gus became a Trustee in 2018 after spending five very enlightening years 'farming' and running a tourist business in North Devon.
The majority of his working life was as a teacher and then Headteacher in schools in Bath, South Gloucestershire and Bristol. During his 30 years of Headship experience, he was fortunate to be part of a Building Schools for the Future scheme, a mini Education Action Zone, the BEON project (a scheme to introduce IT and the intranet into the classroom) and a School of Creativity. Gus was also privileged to be seconded to work at the local authority on developing federations and trusts to encourage and promote partnership working and executive leadership across schools. His school was one of the first in Britain to host a breakfast club, a forest school and a Children’s University (extended activities on a Saturday).
Gus has the leadership experience of being involved in four new builds and as a founding member of a free school. Throughout his career, Gus believed in parental engagement and partnership working and the value of education in regenerating communities.
Term of office ends: 31 May 2026
Kelis currently works as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) and Student Advocate at Brook Academy. With over five years of experience in a special school setting, she holds a degree in working with children and young people. Kelis's role allows her to support students' academic development, emotional well-being, and overall growth.
In her position as Student Advocate on the school council she is committed to ensuring the voices of our students are heard. Kelis works to represent their needs and help create a supportive environment that fosters both personal and academic success.
Kelis has a particular interest in food technology, where she enjoys teaching students practical skills in the kitchen while helping them build creativity and confidence. Kelis is always striving to enhance her approach to support our students in every way possible.
Kelis is excited to continue being part of a school community that works together to provide the best opportunities for all students as they grow and prepare for the future.
Term of office ends 29/11/27
Vani is a project management professional with over 18 years of experience in organisational change, business and data analysis, process improvements, service management, risk and governance, along with project, programme and portfolio delivery. She has recently moved to Cheltenham to be closer to her son's secondary school.
From a volunteering perspective, Vani has extensive experience working with a homeless charity, in several roles as a home cook, hands-on work from distributing food to running their social media campaigns. Vani has also worked closely with her son's primary school in Bristol, to organise and run PTA events/school fetes, to support teachers with reading and trips. While in India, Vani was working for an educational charity to teach maths and English to children from a deprived area.
Vani is keen to contribute to the community by supporting causes that matter. When she came across this opportunity to work with Brook Academy she felt it would utilise her professional experience to support the school.
Term of office ends: 30/05/26
Polly has been a university lecturer for over thirty years. She is currently Principal Lecturer in Business at Hartpury University. Polly is an academic leader with experience in business development and relationship management. She has a background in leading teams and engaging with businesses to support educational growth. Passionate about the importance of education, she is committed to helping all learners succeed and organizations improve staff development.
Term of office ends 8/05/28
Rachel has worked in education for nearly 30 years, initially working in early years before completing a degree and teaching qualification. She then become a lecturer at a FE college, teaching across different level care courses and qualifications. Rachel progressed to teach and programme lead foundation degree courses, in conjunction with Plymouth university.
Teaching allowed her to have an insight in the trauma and adverse experiences that have an impact on children and young people. Rachel completed her Masters degree in Safeguarding and shortly after this become a safeguarding officer for the college.
More recently she moved to Bristol and started working within alternative education sector, continuing in the role of safeguarding, aiming to not only respond to harm a young person may experience but to identify education to enable the same young people to feel safer but also to allow them to make positive decisions in their life.
In her spare time Rachel likes to spend time with her family.
Charlotte currently works as the Year 11 teacher and is the Academy Councillor representative for teachers at Brook Academy. With 10 years experience in education, she holds an undergraduate degree with Education Studies and a postgraduate degree in Children's Literature. In her position as Teacher Representative on the Academy Council, Charlotte is committed to ensuring the school can continue striving for an environment most conducive to students learning; ensuring they all have the same opportunities as others. Charlotte also hopes to ensure that all teachers at Brook Academy have the support in place to enable the students at Brook Academy to flourish not only academically but also socially, emotionally and in a manner which is supportive to their mental health and wellbeing.
Charlotte has a particular interest in English, she has worked previously establishing bibliotherapeutic approaches to reading which can help to support young people and any previous trauma they may have undergone. Charlotte always wants to ensure that all members of the Brook Academy community are feeling supported and heard. Charlotte is excited to continue being a part of such a special school community; with one eye on the future as a Year 11 teacher (and the post-16 settings the young people will leave us to attend) and always enthusiastic about providing the best chances for the young people of Brook Academy.
Term of office ends: 25/3/29
Natalie currently works as an Admin Assistant within Brook Academy & has been with the Academy for 2 years.
As a mother of two children with SEMH needs, Natalie has first hand experience of the challenges that the families at Brook can face.
Natalie is often the first point of contact for the families, visitors & staff.
As the Support Staff Representative, Natalie feels she can offer a different perspective on how to help and support the school and staff.
