About the Governors
Here is a little background information about each of our governors.
CATH STABB
I am a Staff Governor on both the Finance & Premises and Staffing & Curriculum Committees since becoming a member of the Governing Body in 2010.
I have worked in education since 2002 employed in various roles within primary and secondary schools whilst working on extended schools projects.
My interest and enthusiasm for education have given me the opportunity to use my skills to support our school and pupils.
Being a Governor gives the Governing Body and I the opportunity to demonstrate accountability for the decisions and actions that we take which always put the interests of our pupils and the community as the first priority.
ELISA VINDEL
I joined Coniston Primary School in 2012 and currently work as the Learning Mentor, working with children across the school as well as with families and the wider community.
Although I was born in England, I spent a lot of my childhood in Spain and Australia and came back to England to study Psychology. I am a busy mum of three children that attend local Primary, Secondary and Post16 schools, our calendar can be very busy!
I have a very strong sense of commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities, therefore I am delighted to be a Governor, serving on the Curriculum and Staffing Committee, as I strongly believe that Coniston Primary has much to offer it’s pupils, families, staff and community.
ALAN WALTERS
I am the Headteacher of Coniston Primary School and sit on both the Finance & Premises and Staffing & Curriculum Committees. I have been at Coniston since January 2019 when I was seconded from another school to take up the role as Acting Headteacher. I was appointed permanently in October 2019 and feel very lucky to be the Headteacher of our school and serving the Coniston community is something I take great pride in. We have a wonderful school, with amazing children and our approach to education is highly respected both locally and nationally.
I have worked in education for 22 years across three schools in South Gloucestershire. I take the role of Headteacher and Governor very seriously and believe that together with staff and parents, we have the ability to enable all children to aspire to be the best they can be. I want Coniston Primary School to be at the heart of the community and to support children and their families by providing a high quality education through exciting opportunities and experiences.
I am originally from Scotland but have lived the majority of my life in the Bristol area. I am a passionate sportsman and enjoying playing and watching rugby. I believe sport is very important and I will always create competitive and non-competitive opportunities for our children to represent Coniston.
DEBORAH NEWMAN
I have been Clerk to the Governing Body at Coniston Primary School since September 2012.
My background has been in senior Personal Assistant/Office Manager positions in both the Healthcare, Retail and Manufacturing Industries.
I have served as a Local Parish Councillor and am secretary to two pedigree cat clubs. I am also Clerk to the Governing Body at St Stephen’s Infant School.
CHAIR: ROB CLARKE
I have been a Governor at Coniston since September 11. I was elected Chair in November 2023. I also Chair the Finance & Premises Committee. I was a Founding Governor at Bradley Stoke Community School and served there for six years.
I work as a Chartered Insurance Practitioner, specializing in personal financial advice. My job prepares people for the future and to protect their family. This is similar to Coniston Primary School, which has professional and dedicated teachers who support their pupils and their families to look to a brighter future
I ride a motorbike and support Sheffield United & Arsenal.
SARAH TRUSSELL
I have worked at Coniston Early Years Centre, formerly St Chad’s Pre School, for the past 21 years, and have been the manager since 2008. Prior to working at the pre school I was a registered childminder.
Working in the pre school has given me a very good understanding of the needs of our youngest children and how best to support them during this time of rapid physical and mental development. I have also worked as a volunteer with primary school children during the time my own children were at primary school.
I love sewing, reading and walking my dog when I have the time!!! I have a grandchildren who currently attend primary schools in Bristol and it is interesting to see school from their point of view! I am passionate about giving children a secure and positive transition from pre school to school and see my role as governor important in achieving this goal.
GLEN MILLS
I joined the governing body at Coniston School as a parent governor in October 2019 when my son started in EYFS. I sit on the Curriculum and Staffing committee.
My background is as a secondary school teacher with a specialism in Music and 6th form education, I have a strong belief that the pastoral side of education is as important as the academic. Having seen countless children make the transition from primary education to secondary over the years, I know how important the primary stage is in building successful independent learners, allowing children to achieve their full potential.
I am a parent to two young children, an Explorer Scout leader, an archer for which I hold a coaching qualification and love the great outdoors.
ALAN CAIN
I joined the Governing Body at the beginning of 2026 and currently serve on the Finance & Premises Committee. I’m a father of two very energetic children—my daughter attends Coniston Primary School, and my son is in his final year at the pre‑school next door. We’re hoping he’ll be joining Coniston later this year.
I’ve always lived in Bristol and have been in Patchway for the past 10 years. I met my wife while we were both working in retail, and since then we’ve each moved into new careers—I now work as a Civil Servant.
Being a governor at a local school, especially one my children are part of, means a great deal to me. It gives me the opportunity to be more involved in their future while also giving something back to the community. I love Coniston Primary School and seeing how much my daughter enjoys her time here is one of the highlights of my day. Hearing her “de‑brief” each afternoon is a reminder of how incredible the world looks through a child’s eyes. If I can help influence even a small part of that experience for the better, then I feel I’m doing something right.
DAWN WILKINS
I am a Parent Governor and have been a member of the Governing Body since January 2020. I serve on both the Curriculum & Staffing and Finance & Premises committees.
I have two children who attend Coniston Primary, one in Key Stage 1 and the other in Key stage 2.
I run two businesses; I work as a bookkeeper and as a freelance photographer. I’ve also been doing voluntary work for Barnardo’s Breastfeeding Support Service in South Gloucestershire since 2016.
I have lived in Patchway for 17 years and enjoy being involved in the local community. When my eldest child started Coniston Primary I found myself getting involved in school events and helping behind the scenes so being a governor allows me to be more hands on. I want to contribute to ensure every child who attends is safe, happy, and enabled to develop their full potential.
AARON JEFFERIES
I work within logistics and stock control at a company wide level and have a very strong background in STEM, specifically mechanical engineering, and I have a deep rooted passion for data analysis.
I have always been inspired by the great minds of our past, Marie Curie’s groundbreaking work on radioactivity, Neils Bohr’s & Max Planck’s foundations of quantum theory and Galileo’s, at the time controversial, work in the birth of modern astronomy.
I want the future generations to know that a career is STEM is a route open to all of them, no matter who they are or where they start in life.
JOANNA PHILLIPS
I joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor in September 2022 when my son started in EYFS and serve on the Curriculum & Staffing committee.
I am trained in HR management but stopped working when my son was born. Currently I work part time as a Health and Safety coordinator alongside my main job of looking after my daughter who will be starting Pre-school in January 2023.
I grew up in the local area but moved to Patchway with my husband in 2012 and have found it a brilliant place to live with small children. We all loved the school from our first visit and I am excited to get more involved. I hope to play my part in enabling the staff to make Coniston the best school it can be for the children and families who attend there. Offering bright futures to all our pupils and Patchway as a community.