Cricket Green School Governors
Kevin Vickers
Chair of Governors
I have been a school governor at Cricket Green for about 20 years and Chair for the last 17 years. As a local church Pastor, I am passionate about being involved within the local community and CGS is clearly at the centre of so much that goes on among the Cluster of schools in the Mitcham Town Cluster.
This is a Special school in more ways than one and enjoys an outstanding reputation within education and the wider community. It is a school with a can-do culture that continues to break all barriers and ensure every child, family and member of staff excel to their full potential and feel empowered and supported to flourish.
CGS is a school with a big heart, and everyone actually does matter. It is an honour to serve as a governor here.
Terms of Office
To 20th May 2023
Business interests
Auditing of school fund accounts for a number of Merton schools
Project Manager of the Jeremiah Project Pastor/Trustee of All Nations Revival Church Director of Mitcham Town Community Trust Trustee for Merton Street Pastors�
Relationships with school staff
Jane Vickers (wife), Rachel Reuben (daughter), Jonathan Vickers (son)
Sunil Reuben (son in law)
Category
Co-opted – appointed by school governing body
Areas of responsibility
Chair of governors, Child Protection Governor,
Member of Investors in People, Pay and Finance & Development Commitees.
Nick Draper
Vice Chair of Governors
I have been a CGS governor since before it opened. I have been involved in creating and re-creating the school over the years. It is a very different school now to the one we started with. As Chair of Governors 21 years ago, I helped protect the school against being closed, and since that time I’ve been part of the school’s ambitious expansion in numbers, age, range and facilities. It’s a constant challenge and a constant journey, and it has always been a real pleasure.
I believe that Cricket Green is one of the best, possibly THE best, school in Merton. That’s a really difficult claim for a Special school but here’s excellence in teaching, in management, in communication and interacting with the borough as a whole, and, most of all, in its ambition. Governors have helped all that happen. I always leave the school proud of the part I play.
When a school is this good and moves this fast, it’s often hard to be critical. That’s an essential part of being a governor though, even when we agree 100% with what’s happening or need to ask difficult questions. I’ve been involved in most aspects of the school over the last 22+ years.
Terms of Office
To 22nd September 2026
Details of other Educational Establishments
Governor at Melbury College
Category
LA – appointed by Merton local authority
Positions of responsibility
Vice Chair of Governors, member of Investors
in People, Pay (Chair), and Finance & Development Committees.
Andy Alty
Chair of Teaching & Learning
I have over twenty five years’ experience creating and managing arts- based educational projects for and by young people, in both formal and informal settings.
My work with young people in Merton began in 2011, when I was appointed Creative Learning Manager at New Wimbledon Theatre, Merton’s largest commercial theatre. Since then I’ve been Creative Producer at WCTT, a local arts charity and have produced more than 40 community projects for them, engaging in excess of 25,000 young people of all ages with the arts. I am now leading on the development of the Green Arts Centre at Cricket Green School.
I joined the Board of Governors at Cricket Green in late 2020 and I have a particular interest in developing the use of the arts within the curriculum. I’m also keen to support the excellent theatre, music and dance programmes at Cricket Green.
I am also a governor at Rutlish High School in Merton
Terms of Office
To 11th November 2028
Category
Co-opted – appointed by School governing body
Positions of Responsibility Chair of Teaching and Learning Committee and LAC governor responsibility
Louis Jhugroo
Deputy Headteacher – Associate Member
Terms of Office
To 1st September 2026
Category
Associate – appointed by school governing body
Position of Responsibility
Deputy Headteacher and attends Teaching & Learning Committee
Karen Gentry
Co-opted Governor
I have worked in education for 29 years as a School Business Manager, including 11 years at Hillcross Primary School and the past 18 years at Cranmer Primary School, both within the London Borough of Merton. My career began in finance, with roles at organisations including Samsung Electronics and Chelsea Football Club, before transitioning into the education sector.
Over the past two decades, I’ve seen the role of School Business Manager evolve significantly—from managing day-to-day finance operations to leading strategic planning and overseeing a £3 million budget. I’ve supported schools through major structural changes, including the shift from a three-tier to a two-tier education system, gaining valuable experience in change management, marketing, and long-term planning.
I’ve also served as Clerk to Governors across three schools—Community, Foundation, and Faith-based—adding depth to my understanding of governance and leadership. I now welcome the opportunity to share this experience in my role as a Co-opted Governor, supporting colleagues with a pragmatic, inclusive, and encouraging approach.
Terms of Office
To 10th November 2025
Category
Co-opted – appointed by school
governing body
Positions of Responsibility
Finance and Development Committee
Debbie Bowman
Co-opted Governor
I wanted to contribute to the well-being, development, and education of children so it was my lucky day when I found Cricket Green School, 10 years ago
I spent most of my working life in advertising and the media, recruiting and running sales teams, then training people to do the same and wanted to bring my management and communication skills along with my enthusiasm to the role of school governor.
Being part of an inspirational team with extremely high standards and aspirations is a challenge but also fun, and I will continue to work hard to make sure my contribution is worthy of this exceptional school.
I am passionate about being involved with Project Search and see it as a privilege being the link governor. As Careers Governor, it is impossible not to be inspired by the dedication of all staff involved and their determination to provide career development for all pupils. And I have found my experience in recruitment and training useful and relevant for both these roles.
The positive culture of school is obvious for all to see and as a result I rarely leave the school without a smile on my face
Terms of Office
To 14th October 2027
Category
Co-opted – appointed by school governing body
Positions of Responsibility
Chair of Aspirational Opportunities committee, and Project Search/Careers governor, Well being governor
Dawn Merry-Edmund
Parent Governor
I have been a school governor at Cricket Green for about 8 years now, and currently sit on 2 committees (Finance and Development and Investors in People) as well as being the governor overseeing Pupil Premium.
Having spent 33 years working in the financial industry, and despite being a busy mum of 3, I felt a strong desire to try to ‘give back’ to the community and put the skills I have developed over a long career into practice in a community environment.
I have participated in many volunteer events over the years but wanted to volunteer on a more long-term basis – being a school governor is a perfect fit, and being able to do it at CGS, is a privilege and highly rewarding experience!
The passion, commitment to excellence and sense of humourof CGS Staff and pupils is first class. A truly special and unique school, for special and unique staff and pupils.
Terms of Office
To 21st January 2023
Category
Co-opted – appointed by school governing body
Positions of responsibility
Pupil Premium Governor, Chair of Finance & Development Committee
Tom Jones
Parent Governor
My son has been a pupil at Cricket Green since he joined in year 5 and is now in year 9. He loves coming to school at Cricket Green - it's a great environment and he's always felt welcome and happy. Therefore when the opportunity arose to be a Parent Governor, I was keen to get involved, put my name forward and I'm now shortly moving into my second year.
In my professional life, I am Director of IT Security & Compliance for a large industrial company specialising in corporate IT governance and cybersecurity, skills which transfer well to being a parent governor. I am also an Explorer Scout leader, and in 2019 my Explorer Scouts and I organised an Adventure Day for year 5 & 6 Cricket Green Pupils at a local outdoor activity centre. This turned out to be a great day, enjoyed by pupils, teachers and Explorers alike so we’ve now established it as an annual event, giving as many children as possible the chance to get into the countryside and do some adventurous activities that they might not otherwise get a chance to try.
I think Cricket Green is a fabulous school and I'm proud to have the opportunity to work with staff and teachers as a governor so that I can play my part in providing outstanding education and support for our children.
Terms of Office
To 23rd February 2026
Category
Parent – appointed by school governing
body
Positions of Responsibility
Aspirational Opportunities Committee, and the Teaching and Learning Committee
Maria Kounoupias
Parent Governor
I have a daughter who is now in her 5th year at CGS and from our first visit to the school, my husband and I were very impressed by the staff, and encouraged to see all the engaged and happy learners, as Mrs Dawson took us round the school.
I saw the email inviting parents to join the governing body and I thought that could be a useful way for me to help and support the school. I am very new to the role of school governor, having recently attended my first meeting, I am excited and optimistic about joining the passionate team of governors already serving this very special school.
Currently I am a stay at home mum and I also do some part time admin work. Previously, I worked in the “service industry”, first in travel business and then for the civil service. I enjoy meeting people and chatting with them. I am hopeful that my “people skills” can be put to good use to benefit the school, its pupils and the staff who run it so well.
Terms of Office
To 23rd February 2026
Category
Parent – appointed by school governing
body
Positions of Responsibility Member of Teaching and Learning Committee
Chibuzor Obianyor
Parent Governor
I am delighted to serve as a Parent Governor at Cricket Green School and to have the opportunity to contribute to the continued development of the school and its community.
Professionally, I work in technology and programme delivery, with experience leading complex projects, supporting organisations through change, and working with emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence.
As part of my governor role, I have a particular interest in AI governance and how schools can make thoughtful, responsible and safe use of AI and other emerging technologies. I hope to support the school in exploring the opportunities these technologies can offer, while ensuring that safeguarding, privacy, inclusion and the needs of pupils remain at the heart of decision-making.
Most importantly, as a Parent Governor, I want to represent the perspectives of parents and carers and contribute constructively to the strategic direction of Cricket Green School. I am passionate about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to develop, thrive and achieve their potential, and I look forward to working with fellow governors, staff, families and the wider school community.
Category
Parent – appointed by school governing
body
Neill Clements
Staff Governor
As a longstanding member of staff I understand how special a place Cricket Green is. I feel fortunate to count myself among the many people who have been supported by the CGS community. It is an environment that fosters confidence and celebrates success and I feel privileged to be able to contribute to its continued development.
I started my journey at Cricket Green in 2007 working part-time as a teaching assistant. In the years since I have taught right across the school. Currently I am a subject lead, exams officer and a Key Stage Coordinator.
I am very excited about playing my part in driving up standards, developing the young people in my care and maintaining the special culture that is a unique part of the Cricket Green experience.
Terms of Office
From Autumn 2024
Category
Staff Governor – elected by staff
Positions of Responsibility
Member of Finance and Resources Committee
Jane Dowek
Clerk to the Governing Body
Jane is our fairly new but highly experienced Clerk to the governors, whilst also being a clerk to other governing bodies locally.
More details to follow.
Terms of Office: Appointed on the 24th February 2022 - Until further notice
Category of responsibility: Clerk to Governors