Alton School’s Governors provide strategic oversight of the School and ensure the Headmaster and staff provide the best possible education for pupils in our School and children in our Nursery. The Board of Governors include individuals with a diverse range of skills and representing different professions.

The full Board and committees meet once a term and Governors visit us as often as they can.

The Board of Governors

Mr Clive Hexton – Chairman 

Clive Hexton was appointed as a governor in 2013 and became Chair in 2016. Clive is an investment director in the Private Wealth Management industry and has been employed in the industry for the past 38 years. Clive has recently retired from his post as an investment director in the Private Wealth Management industry, where he was employed in the industry for the past 38 years. Prior to that, he graduated from London University and then attended Sandhurst, serving as a commissioned officer in the Regular Army with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers prior to his career in finance. Clive is an ex-parent and both his daughters attended Alton Convent from ages 4 to 18. His eldest daughter is now a teacher. Clive and his wife live locally. 

Mrs Caroline Grinham – Vice Chairman  

Caroline Grinham was appointed as a governor in October 2013. Caroline, now retired, qualified as a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser after gaining a Law degree at King’s College, London University. She worked for many years at EY (formerly Ernst & Young), a global leader in assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services, specialising in employer taxes and in practice risk management. She was a pupil at Alton School for seven years, being a boarder from age 11 to 18. Caroline also chairs the Finance & Development Committee of Governors. 

Mr Nick Caddick 

Nick Caddick was appointed as a governor in 2015 having had two daughters at the school. He attended Eggars School and Alton College and went on to study history and law at St Edmunds Hall, Oxford. He is a a barrister and was made a QC (now KC) in 2011. He was appointed a Deputy High Court Judge of Chancery Division in 2019 and also sits in the Patents Court.   

Mrs Rosemary Chambers 

Rosemary Chambers was appointed as a governor in 2014.  She previously taught Religious Education at Alton Convent School from 1970 to 2002 and has had close contact with the Sisters of the School ever since. She was previously a governor of St John’s primary school in Portsmouth and Sun Hill Junior school in Alresford. 

Mrs Jennifer Charles 

Jennifer Charles was appointed as a Governor in 2017. Having graduated from Durham University she later taught at the School for 30 years as Head of Law and was also a member of the SLT, holding many varied roles in the school. She was a magistrate for 36 years and for the last ten years was Chair of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory sub Committee for North Hampshire. In 2019 Jennifer was awarded an MBE for services to the administration of justice and the community in Hampshire. She lives locally with her husband and now works as an Independent Custody Visitor in the county.  Her daughter is a former pupil. 

Mr Brendan Collins 

Brendan Collins was appointed as governor in 2017. Brendan is a construction professional with over 40 years’ experience across sectors of the construction industry currently working as Construction Director at a national contractor. Brendan has recently retired from his post as Construction Director at a national contractor. Brendan is married with 3 daughters who attended Alton Convent School; he lives locally.  

Sister Thérèse Garman 

Sister Thérèse joined the Congregation in 1958. She has been a member of the Canon Law Society of GB & Ireland as well as the British Association for Counselling & Therapy. She has a BA in Modern Languages (London) and BSc (Hons) in Psychology (OU). Sister Therese taught French, Spanish and RE at the School and was the School’s Headmistress for 10 years. She was also RE Advisor for Secondary Schools in Portsmouth Diocese. She is currently teaching a Distance Learning Programme at St. Anselm’s International Institute for Leadership Training (Rome) for those in leadership positions in the Church. 

Mrs Sheila Mansell 

Sheila Mansell was appointed a governor in October 2010. She had a long career in PR and newspapers and maintains good contacts with media networks. Sheila is committed to a number of charitable trusts and has been a major fundraiser for an African orphanage and village. She was a long-standing chairman of Alton Convent School PTFA and her daughter is a former pupil. 

Sister Helen Samuel 

Sister Helen joined the congregation at Alton Convent in 1958 and was professed in 1960. She graduated from London University with a BSc in physics and maths in 1967 and later obtained MSc in Physics from Reading University. She taught physics at Alton Convent School from 1967 – 2002. She also spent time as Mother Superior of Alton Community. 

Mrs Heather Trim 

Heather Trim was appointed as a governor in 2022. Heather, who chairs the Safeguarding Committee, is a former Deputy Headmistress at Portsmouth High School GDST where she worked in various roles for over 30 years. Heather is an experienced ISI team inspector, who has carried out a number of compliance inspections. In addition, she has also conducted numerous safeguarding audits for schools and charities. Heather is familiar with the local area, having been educated at Perins and Peter Symonds Schools. She went on to study geography at University of Southampton, where she also obtained her PGCE status. Heather also completed MSc in Educational Leadership at the University of Leicester. 

Anyone wishing to contact the Chair of Governors should do so in writing. 

Please direct all communication to: 

Chair of the Governors, c/o Clerk to the Governors, Magdalena Jackson, Alton School, Anstey Lane, GU34 2NG