Governors' Information
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Fred Jenkins: Chair of Governors. Co-Opted Governor I have recently retired after working for many years in the field of career advice and guidance across Plymouth and West Devon within a wide range of mainstream and special schools, including most recently Longcause. I remain passionate about helping young people gain the utmost out of their education and are prepared for adult life including future employment. Over a number of decades I have gained a good knowledge of the further education/training sector within Plymouth and the wider South West, alongside an understanding of the local employment sector through regular conversations with employers. I hope to bring some of this knowledge to my role as Chair of Governors. |
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Alan Charlick: Vice Chair of Governors I have been a governor At Longcause for over 5 years and also served as a Parent Governor when my son attended the school. I have carried out numerous and varied roles during my time as a governor here at Longcause and I am currently the key monitoring governor for area of the Schools Improvement Plan which focusses on the physical development of the all the pupils here at Longcause. I am delighted to be delegated this particular role as I am a firm believer that the physical wellbeing of individuals is very important. |
Faye James: Headteacher
I am incredibly proud to be the Headteacher of Longcause Community Special School, having worked here since 2014 in a range of teaching and leadership roles.
I am passionate about ensuring that every pupil is given the very best opportunities to learn, develop and prepare for life beyond school. I believe that all pupils deserve an ambitious, meaningful and engaging education that recognises their individual strengths, interests and needs.
My greatest priority is ensuring that our pupils are supported by skilled, knowledgeable and passionate staff who understand them well, have high expectations and are committed to helping them achieve their full potential. Communication, literacy and personal development remain particular passions of mine.
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Trudi Skinner: Deputy Head Teacher and Co-opted Governor I have been a Deputy Head at Longcause since September 2021. I have a passion for teaching and learning and want to drive ambition for all. |
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Colette Forsyth: Co-opted Governor Since gaining my SpLD Diploma in 2003, I have been involved in teaching and assessing students with SEND and working in a variety of settings. My last full-time employment was as SENCo at a school in Kent, but I moved to Plymouth in 2020 to be closer to my family. I am delighted to become a governor at Longcause because I believe we must enable each unique learner to reach their full potential. My understanding and respect for difference will help me to fulfil my duties to the best of my ability. I am an actively involved grandmother to three neurodiverse grandchildren, so I personally understand the value of a supportive school community that seeks to understand every child, and enables them to flourish. |
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Lucy Noble: Co-opted Governor I’m delighted to be stepping into a new role as a Governor at Longcause School! Since starting at Longcause in 2018, I have worked as a Teaching Assistant, I have been part of the cleaning team, and I have supported with Speech and Language Therapy admin across the school. Through these roles, I have had the privilege of supporting our pupils every day - helping to nurture their communication skills, confidence and wellbeing. Flash forward to 2025, and I’m now in my 3rd year of a degree in Speech and Language Therapy at Marjon University. I believe my overall experience enables me to bring a fresh insight into how we can support children with additional needs to learn to express themselves and engage meaningfully. I look forward to continuing to work alongside the leadership team, staff and families to champion our total communication-centred approach and ensure every child’s voice is heard and valued. |
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Nicholas Rich: Parent Governor Formerly an IT systems professional in London, I now run a sailing company with my wife, Katie, here in Plymouth. My son joined Longcause in 2024. Becoming a Governor at Longcause benefits both me and the school, as it broadens my understanding of the education and SEND sector—particularly as my son has autism—allowing me to better grasp the challenges of government-funded education. I can then apply my experience in business, IT, and construction to help the school maximise resources and ensure diligence in new and ongoing projects. |
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Barney West: Parent Governor My son joined the school late 2020 in one of the earlier classes. I have a huge interest in how the school develops and maintains the high standards it is known for. I know how integral a school is to young people's development with relationships and life skills and look forward to working with the governors board to ensure we provide the best available resources for our children. I have been a Royal Marine for over 15 years and have worked in both an operational and training environment. I am used to understanding compliance and policy, but I also understand the significance of school support for parents and students alike. |
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Ian Fleming: Staff Governor I joined Longcause in mid 2019 and have previously worked in education settings for many years (Lecturer, Curriculum Manager and now Site manager) and feel I can bring this experience and a day-by-day overall operational view of the school to the Governing Body to help make Longcause the best it can be. |
