Governor Profiles
Mike Branscombe Co-Chair of Local Governing Body
Mike has been a governor at St Andrew's since September 2018 when he was licensed as Vicar of St Andrew’s Church in Cobham. He is a regular visitor to the school for assembly on Thursdays and as governor with responsibility for Special Educational Needs and Safeguarding. Mike is married to a Secondary school teacher who is a literacy and drama specialist, he has two children with Special Needs who attend Woking High School. He is active in many Cobham community organisations.
Mike has served as a parish priest since 1995 in both the United Kingdom and the United States. His work as a priest has always connected with education he has been chair of governors at a primary school in the West Midlands and has served as team chaplain to Clearwater High School American Football team in Florida. Mike hopes that his wide experience will bring enthusiasm and commitment to serving the educational and spiritual needs of our students. Mike serves on the Governor’s Quality of Learning sub-committee.
Sharron Eklo Co-Chair of Local Governing Body
I joined the governing board in 2016. I sit on the Finance and Physical Resources committee and I am Chair of the Quality of Education committee.
I have been involved with St Andrew’s since my son joined in 2005, my daughter Lilly is now in year 5 and my family live very close to school. Over the years I have been very active in the school PTA raising around £90k for much needed equipment before stepping down as Chair in July 2019 to concentrate on my governing role.
My recent professional background was secretary to the management committee of Cobham Village Hall and I am now working as PA to the principal of Flipside Dance School where, amongst other things, I am responsible for attendance, safeguarding and marketing. I am also a registered chaperone for Surrey County Council.
Linda Shaw
Linda is Vice Chair, Foundation Governor and a member of the following groups: Finance
Linda has been a Foundation Governor since January 2016. She lives with her husband and 3 children in Cobham.
In her professional life Linda had worked for over 30 years in the City, latterly for a large global investment bank.
Currently she volunteers running events in the fundraising department of Woking and Sam Beare hospice, is Treasurer of a local cricket club and on the committee for the Youth work at St Andrews Church.
A regular attender for over 20 years at St Andrew's Church, Cobham, she is the Treasurer for the Youth work and has for many years taken an active role in the Kids on Sunday plans and activities.
Linda enjoys walking her dog, watching cricket and spending time with family and friends.
Debra Mason
Debra has been a local School governor since 2005 and has recently become Chair of Governors at Esher CofE High School. She has 12 years experience of primary school governorship at a local primary school.
She has 3 children, two of whom are currently at University and one at Esher College, and she lives locally.
In her professional career Debra spent 20 years working at The Coca-Cola Company where she held varying positions of responsibility within European IT as a Program Manager and latterly in Building Management and Facilities.
Debra also volunteers at the Princess Alice Hospice.
Moni Babatunde
I joined the governing board at St Andrew’s School in 2021. As a foundation governor, I am responsible for RE and Christian Distinctiveness; I value the importance of faith development in education and I fully support the development of the Christian character and ethos of St Andrew’s School.
I have lived in Cobham for over 20 years and attended St Andrew’s Church before being ordained as a minister in 2019. Though trained as a research chemist I worked in the property industry for many years. I have two grown up children and I enjoy reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
Rowan Putman
Rowan joined as Parent Governor in 2022. A devoted mother of three, two of her children currently attend St Andrew's.
Actively involved with the school since 2016 when her eldest joined in Reception, over the years she has been Treasurer of the PTA, volunteered at many a school event, cleaned up outdoor areas, planted school gardens, has supported school trips and listened to children read.
She has spent over 20 years working in international sustainable development and with that has been involved with a variety of projects around the world in many sectors from public finance and investment to energy and climate change. She is currently Founding Director of Grow Consult, a consultancy dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized businesses to grow responsibly, sustainably, and holistically, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into tailor-made business transformation programmes.
Her passion is sustainability in all its forms, and what businesses can do to make the difference.
Natalie Searle
I have worked in Education for approximately 20 years and joined Esher Church of England High School in 2014 when I moved to Surrey. I have previously worked as an Associate Senco, Deputy Head of all years and have taught a range of subjects at a previous school. I joined the Governing body at Esher High last year as staff Governor and have recently been appointed as a Governor at St. Andrews Primary.
My current role is part of the Pastoral team as Inclusion Manager /Designated Safeguarding & Mental Health Lead. A large part of my role is helping, supporting, guiding and nurturing some of our most vulnerable students to overcome barriers. I work with a range of students with varying educational needs backgrounds and students with differing personal circumstances. Watching these young people battle through adversity, the turbulence of teenage life as well as coping with differing special educational needs or other exceptional circumstances is truly inspiring.