Kate East Chair of Local School Board Kate is an educational psychologist by training with over 20 years’ experience of working with children with special educational needs in mainstream primary and secondary schools, special schools and FE colleges. Kate has worked as an Assistant Director of children’s services in the South West where she was responsible for the leadership of school improvement, early years, SEN, youth services, behaviour and attendance. Kate has also worked on government projects (Academy and Free Schools) for the Department for Education and the Department of Health (National Healthy Schools Programme).
Kate welcomes the opportunity to be Chair of Local School Board for SGS Pegasus School which will provide a special school nurturing environment for pupils with autism alongside opportunities to be included in their local community.
Claire Phillips Vice Chair of Local School Board Claire has over 30 years’ experience in education as a teacher, SENCo, advisory teacher and consultant and has worked with children, families and schools in South Gloucestershire over the last 13 years. Claire currently works as a Special Needs Adviser for Integra Schools, the traded arm of South Gloucestershire Local Authority, where she is the Communication & Interaction Lead and specialist in Autism. Claire has responsibility for advising and developing appropriate Autism guidance for both the LA and schools. She also gives Autism advice and coaching to mainstream and special schools.
Claire is also a trainer and professional partner with the Autism Education Trust and provides support and training for schools and families through Autism South West which has an annual conference and an Autism specific network for parents and carers.
Claire is delighted to be part of the governing body at Pegasus School and values the opportunity to support the school to make a difference in the lives of autistic pupils and their families.
Karen Damsell Local School Board Member Karen has a son who was diagnosed with Autism 8 years ago and has since then undertaken substantial training in this area. As a parent, Karen has experienced Resource Base primary and mainstream secondary schools and uses her experience of the strengths and weaknesses of these provisions to support Pegasus School.
As a Support worker with post 16 learners, Karen has experienced first-hand, that if support is tailored to the needs of the learner, their outcomes and achievements are significantly improved. Karen is very passionate about children on the Autistic Spectrum being given opportunities to fulfil their potential and believes that children at Pegasus School will get the tailored support that they deserve.
Liz Jarvis Local School Board Member Liz is a Registered Nurse with over 20 years experience working in both operational and senior management positions in various organisations across the NHS. Liz has a strong interest in quality, governance and safeguarding and a passion for life-long learning; having recently completed a MSc in Leadership and Management at the University of the West of England (UWE).
Liz feels privileged to have been appointed as Governor for the new Pegasus School and is excited at the prospect of working as part of the team to overcome the different challenges that will be faced to ensure that all children have the opportunity to achieve their full potential in a safe and supportive learning environment. Liz has lived in South Gloucestershire for over 16 years and in her spare time enjoys spending time with her family on long country walks with their two rescue dogs.
Chris Berry Local School Board Member Chris feels privileged to have been appointed by SGS Academy Trust as a governor of Pegasus School.
Chris is a solicitor by profession. Until his retirement from private practice in late 2017, he was a partner at a global City law firm specialising in real estate finance. As such, he has first-hand experience of staffing, resourcing and strategic planning for the longer term.
Having relocated with his family to South Gloucestershire, Chris divides his time between working as an independent legal consultant, supporting young carers in the local community and tutoring maths in-school (though on a voluntary basis) to GCSE level. For relaxation, Chris enjoys walking, gardening, reading and cooking.
Jo Newman Parent Local School Board Member Jo lives in South Gloucestershire and is married with 3 children, 2 of which have additional needs. Her son is a pupil at SGS Pegasus and she is excited and committed to helping support the school community to maintain high standards and overcome future challenges.
As an ‘Outstanding’ Early Years practitioner Jo is passionate about inclusion and helping support children to achieve their full potential. With 20 years experience of working with children who have a broad range of needs, Jo is dedicated to enabling children to become happy, independent and successful young adults who instead of feeling limited by their conditions feel motivated, ambitious and able.
Jo says it is a privilege to become an advocate for parents/carers of the children who attend SGS Pegasus. We are united in our desire to have the very best start in life for our children. Many of us have faced a tumultuous journey so far, so it is an honour to help support the school to provide our children with this wonderful opportunity of being part of SGS Pegasus.
Tracey Hains Parent Local School Board Member Tracey lives in South Gloucestershire and is married with two children (twins) one attending Pegasus School. She feels privileged to serve as a Parent Governor to help build on the successes of this new school.
After graduating from Bristol University, Tracey has had a successful career in high tech industry. She was a senior manager in the Research and Development department of a large US company before taking a career break to care for her family.
Tracey believes that everyone has the right to receive the best possible opportunities to reach their full potential. She strongly feels that in the right supportive environment all children can become confident learners, independent and feel proud of their achievements. She looks forward to helping the Governing body on its exciting journey to develop Pegasus into an outstanding school.
Marc Cahill Local School Board Member
Vacancy Local School Board Member
Vacancy Parent Local School Board Member
Lisa Day Clerk to Local School Board
SGS Berkeley Green UTC 
SGS Pegasus School 
The Forest High School 