Our Local Governing Body
Contact Information
| Michelle Reysenn | Headteacher, Ex-Officio member of the Local Governing Body |
| Vacancy | Parent Governor |
| Vacancy | Parent Governor |
| Tom Linacre | Staff Governor |
| Martyn Watkins | Staff Governor Governor responsible for Health & Safety |
| Ashley Winderbank-Brooks | Community Governor |
| Vacancy | Community Governor |
| Vacancy | Community Governor |
| Trystan Williams | Director Appointed Governor Chair of Governors Governor responsible for Pupil Premium & Special Educational Needs & Disability Link Governor for Children in Care/Young Carers Link Governor for Quality of Education Link Governor for Residential |
| Paul Gilson | Director Appointed Governor Governor responsible for Safeguarding/Child Protection Link Governor for Attendance Link Governor for Finance |
| Stephen Senior | Director Appointed Governor |
| Vacancy | Director Appointed Governor |
For more information on local governing boards, please visit the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership website:
https://www.midsomernortonschoolspartnership.com/governance/local-governing-bodies.htm
To contact the Clerk to the Governing Body, Elizabeth Jahn, please email:
If you are interested in joining the Governing Body, please contact the Clerk.
MEET THE GOVERNING BODY
Michelle Reysenn, Headteacher
Appointed by Trust Board, Ex-Officio
Michelle trained as an English teacher in 2001 at Oxford Brookes University, after completing a degree in English Literature at University College Worcester. She has worked in 3 schools previous to Notton House, both mainstream and special education, leading year groups as a pastoral head, and also, being a subject/ department leader. Michelle has experience as Advanced Skills Teacher and a Special Leader of Education,
Michelle has a Post Graduate Diploma in education from the University of Gloucestershire, and has completed a senior leadership qualification (NPQSL)
Tom Linacre
Staff Governor
Elected by staff from 08 November 2021 – 07 November 2024
Bio to be uploaded soon
Martyn Watkins
Staff Governor
Elected by staff from 01 September 2021 – 31 August 2024
Martyn completed his degree in Sport and Exercise Science at The University of Brighton in 1995 and has a Post Graduate Certificate of Education from Oxford Brookes University. Martyn has worked within Sixth Form College, independent school, mainstream and special education, holding positions including Department Leader and Director of Sport.
Martyn is currently the Welfare Curriculum Lead for Notton House Academy.
Ashley Winderbank-Brooks
Community Governor
Appointed from 08 January 2024 – 07 January 2028
Bio and photo to be uploaded soon
Trystan Williams, Chair of Governors
Director Appointed Governor
Appointed from 26 March 2024 – 25 March 2026
Trystan Williams is a collegiate leader working at all levels in the educational sector, from the primary and secondary phases to university level.
Trystan held his first position as Principal in Wiltshire for ten years, moving into an Executive Headteacher role and then Chief Executive Officer in Surrey, before returning to the South West to open a Specialist Free School for children and young people with a primary diagnosis of autism, in September 2016. He is also the Executive Headteacher for Venturers Trust.
A graduate of Cardiff Metropolitan University, Trystan won Best School Professional UK in 2008. Four years later, under his leadership, his Academy won the TES Outstanding Special School Award and Overall Outstanding School of the Year.
Trystan has chaired national conferences, led on many ground breaking initiatives such as “The Extreme Classroom”, the subject of numerous documentaries filmed and aired by the BBC, both nationally and globally and achieved recognition at government level for his commitment to the highest standards of care and education for vulnerable young people.
Paul Gilson
Director Appointed Governor
Appointed from 12 December 2022 – 11 December 2025
Paul spent the first 17 years in the far east as his father was in the RAF and attended Boarding school from age 7. He was educated at Burford Grammar school and, as part of his final year, spent time working with children with special needs.
Paul then joined NAAFi as an Auditor. He then started his own business which he held successfully for 20 years and then ‘fell’ in to the care sector and became Head of care in 3 schools , the last of which was Notton House Academy, from February 2004 until August 2015.
Paul was instrumental in the setting up of the two Independent Houses at Notton. During his time at Notton, his team gained Outstanding at Ofsted.
Paul also sat on the board for Bristol City Council Safeguarding during his time at Notton.
Paul's interests are sport, dogs, gardening, DIY.
Stephen Senior
Director Appointed Governor
Appointed from 12 December 2022 – 11 December 2025
Having read Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, Stephen has taught in various schools in both the independent and state sectors across the primary and secondary phases. He was Deputy Headteacher of a large comprehensive school before establishing his own business a decade ago.
He has chaired several governing bodies and had a leading role representing secondary school leaders. As a member of the Institute of Physics, Stephen makes regular contributions to political discussions about energy and economic development.
Stephen is looking forward to using his experience to benefit the pupils at Notton House.