The Officers of the Foundation

Stephen Cole - Headmaster of Woodbridge School

He has been Headmaster of Woodbridge since 1994, having previously taught at Wellington College and in the maintained sector before holding roles as head of physics, head of science, and boarding housemaster at Merchant Taylors School, Northwood. He was a Postmaster (scholar) at Merton College, Oxford, and subsequently gained a second MA in educational management, specialising in pastoral care. He has been Chairman of the HMC (Headmaster’s Conference) East Division, Chairman of the National ISCis Committee, Chairman of ISCis East, which represented the interests of 109 independent schools in the East of England and Chairman of the Independent Schools Examination Board Maths and Science Committee. He has inspected 26 schools, including two in South America, and is currently Chairman of the HMC Inspection Committee, and is on the board of the Independent School Inspectorate. He governs two Suffolk prep schools. For 15 years he has been a trustee of a local drop in centre for disadvantaged young people, and has run 22 consecutive London marathons, raising just over £100,000 for charity.

Stephen is a trustee of the Seckford Foundation Free Schools Trust and heads its Education Committee.

He is married to Jane, a voluntary charity worker, who is a former nurse and air hostess, with four grandchildren two of whom attend Woodbridge School.

 

Graham Watson - Director of The Seckford Foundation and Bursar of Woodbridge School

Graham is the Director of the Seckford Foundation and Bursar of Woodbridge School, having joined the Foundation in September 2003. Graham was previously Deputy Chief Executive of NESTA which is a non-departmental public body set up by the Lottery Act 1998 with endowment, the income from which is derived to fund three programmes of innovation and creativity for invention and innovation, fellowship and education.

Prior to that appointment Graham was Director of Finance and Support Services for The Prince's Trust.

Graham is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, with extensive knowledge of charity law, tax regulation and governance issues.

Graham is a trustee of the Seckford Foundation Free Schools Trust.

Graham is married to Sarah. They live locally with their two children.

 

Nicholas Garrett – Master of The Abbey

After obtaining a History degree at the University of Chichester, Nicholas went on to gain his PGCE.  He was appointed a school master at St John’s School, Northwood, where he also set up the Design and Technology Department.  After 5 years he moved to St Andrew’s Preparatory School, Eastbourne where he was appointed Head of History and Housemaster of the Boys’ Boarding House.  In September 1997 Nicholas was appointed Master of The Abbey.  Nicholas is also a School Inspector.

His interests revolve around a love of History (former trustee of the Woodbridge Town Museum), skiing, theatre, music, travel and sport.

He is married to Ruth and they have two daughters, both attended Woodbridge School before going on to university.

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