Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

Contact can be made with the Chair person, Mrs Sarah Bysouth, via the school office or by email. Please mark any correspondence clearly 'for the attention of the Chair of Governors' and address to Cottesmore Academy, Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore LE15 7BA. Email communication should be sent to cottesmoreoffice@rltschools.com

Chair - Sarah Bysouth

I joined the Governing Body in September 2014 and led the process for the school to join the Rutland Learning Trust. I have a long standing interest in education and want every child to achieve their full potential in a high quality and continuously improving environment.It is the governor's role to challenge the school to perform to the best of its ability whilst also supporting the school in planning for the future.During my working life, I enjoyed a successful nursing career, followed by working in the community as a Health Visitor. This was followed by a career in teaching then developing into training Early Years, Post 16 and Adult Training. My final role was as Head of Service for Learning and Skills for a local authority with responsibility for education including Early, Primary, Secondary, Post 16 and Adult Education.I have lived in Rutland for many years and have had a close association with the school and feel privileged to work alongside colleagues in developing the school further.

Dominic Evans 

Mark Fisher 

I joined Cottesmore Academy on the Inspiring Governance program in 2020, I have been educated to Masters Level and my background is in Engineering and Occupational Science. 

I believe giving children the very best start to their education is fundamental in a school environment, and I hope to to bring my skills and experience to the Governing team and achieve the very best for the children at our School.

Carole East 

Having achieved my P.G.C.E. in Primary Education at Goldsmiths College, my 47 year teaching career has spanned Primary, Further, Adult and Higher Education and the Prison Service. Along the way, I gained a Masters in Continuing Education at Leicester University and a Ph.D. on the impact of mental health difficulties on teaching and learning. I was the Senior Disability Adviser at the University of Nottingham,  supporting students across the range of impairments as well as the staff who taught and worked with them. My primary focus during my career at Nottingham moved from Specific Learning Differences to mental health and autism and, since my retirement in 2019,  I have been volunteering with, and advising, Resilient Rutland, a Lottery funded project promoting resilience and mental health and wellbeing across Rutland schools. I have a lifelong passion for teaching and learning and feel privileged to be able offer my support to Cottesmore Academy in my role as Governor.

Gavin Williams

2^nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment, ‘The Poachers’

I was born in Grimsby 1982 and enlisted into the Army in 1999 at the age of 17. Conducting phase one training at Queens division depot ATR Bassingbourn, then completing the combat infantryman’s course at ITC Catterick.

On arrival to the Poachers I was assigned to 1 Platoon A (Lincolnshire) Company in Chepstow, Wales. My external postings have been at ITC Catterick as a section commander, a recruiting sergeant at AFCO Northampton and a CSgt instructor at the Infantry Battle School, Brecon, Junior Division.

I have served on multiple operational tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland as well as numerous overseas exercises in Jordan, Belize, Germany, Norway, Poland, Spain and Oman.

I've spent many years playing football for the Battalion and also represented the Army Cyprus Football team. I now live on Kendrew Barracks and have been happily married to Roxanne for 20 years (in April 2026). I have two sons and one daughter Cohen, Zack and Indie. In my spare time I support my three children in the activities they enjoy.

Gemma White 

I have served as a Parent Governor since December 2025. I am a military spouse of 15 years and mum to three girls, bringing a strong sense of community, adaptability and service to my role on the governing board. I run a business support agency that helps entrepreneurs and organisations with practical operations and growth, and more recently I launched a training academy dedicated to helping military spouses set up and grow successful home businesses.

Before founding my own businesses, I spent the majority of my career in corporate communications and reputation management, developing strategic leadership programmes that I now draw on to support effective governance, clear communication and positive outcomes for families.

As both a parent and a long-standing member of the military community, I care deeply about the provision for military children and am passionate about helping military families thrive through the uncertainty that service life often brings.

Felicity Taylor 

I am a serving Officer in the British Army, commissioning in 2004. Having served in the Royal Logistic Corps for over 20 years, stationed across numerous countries, Operational deployments and organisations, I have had the benefit of a varied and fulfilling career. I hold a BA Hons Degree in Contemporary Military and International History and have a Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.

I am a single mum to a vivacious daughter who has inspired me to focus on early years education and development. In May 2023 I became the Chair of Peter Pan Pre-School and Nursery with the clear aim to save the setting from closure. Through financial forecasting, planning, strong communication and marketing with enduring support to staff development, the setting was able to continue its purpose in EYFS development. I handed over Chair in Aug 2024 ready to migrate to a CIO, and the nursery has continued to succeed.

I joined Cottesmore Academy as a governor in Dec 2025, with a focus on supporting my daughter’s school which is unique in its location, community, challenges and opportunities. I hope to be able to bring my skills and experience as a British Army Officer and parent to support the Governing team, teaching staff and children to have the very best opportunities to achieve.

Sarah Potgieter