The Officers of the Foundation

Stephen Cole - Headmaster of Woodbridge School

Scholar at Dulwich College and Postmaster (scholar) at Merton College, Oxford, where he gained an MA in Physics, played university 2nd’s cricket, captained the college rugby team and rowed for the college.

After a PGCE, also at Oxford, he taught at Wellington College and at Finham Park Comprehensive School in Coventry, before being appointed Head of Physics at Merchant Taylor’s School, Northwood. At the age of 29 he was appointed housemaster of The Manor of the Rose, a boarding house for 85 boys from across the world, and became head of science.

He has been Headmaster of Woodbridge since 1994. Chairman of the HMC (Headmaster’s Conference) East Division in 2003, Chairman of the National ISCis Committee in 2004, and Chairman of ISCis East, which represents the interests of 109 independent schools in the east of England and Chairnan of the Independent Schools Examination Board Maths and Science Committee, which oversees Common Entrance Maths and Science papers. Having inspected 16 schools, including two in South America, he has been appointed chairman of the HMC Inspection Steering Group.

He has run 18 consecutive London marathons for charity, and is trustee of Rochford House, a drop-in centre in Woodbridge for the young disadvantaged.

He is married to Jane, a voluntary charity worker, who is a former nurse and air hostess, with two grown up children and three grandchildren.

Nicholas Garrett - Master of The Abbey - Preparatory School for Woodbridge School

After obtaining a History degree at University College Chichester he went on to gain his gained his PGCE, Nicholas Garrett was appointed a schoolmaster 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.

His interests revolve around a love of History (he is a trustee of the Woodbridge Town Museum) travel and sport. 

He is married to Ruth, and they have two daughters, one of whom still attends Woodbridge School.

Mr 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 Princes 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 married to Sarah. They live locally with their two children who attend Woodbridge School.