Local Governing Body

Colin is a parent Governor and has 3 children who have studied and left QEGS and one son remaining. He has been a co-opted Governor at Parkside /Ashbourne primary School for many years.

Nick lives in Ashbourne and has a son in the school, and also two other children were at QEGS in the past. Nick is a director of an investment and asset management company and works in operations.

Duncan moved to Ashbourne to be Rector of the Ashbourne Group of Churches and Area Dean of Carsington at the beginning of 2017. He studied Pure Physics at Sheffield university and began his working life with the National institute for the Blind, later setting up his own company working with deaf blind adults and children. His then became a vicar, studying at Llandaff in Cardiff, and now enjoys life immensely with his wife and three dogs, terrorising the local walkers! Duncan is also Governor of Clifton primary school, and has a special interest in disability, looked after children, and everyone on the edges of society. The Rev Duncan Ballard is a Church Appointed Governor.

Liam joined the Governing Body as a Foundation Governor (representing the Old Trust) in 2022. He has worked at QEGS since 2014 as a member of the Support Staff and attended as a student. Liam is an active member of the Ashburnian Society, the QEGS FPTA and attends all Full Board and Wellbeing Sub Committee Meetings. 

Louise has two daughters, one at QEGS and one at Ashbourne Primary School. Louise spent 20 years in the online research and software industry before taking a career sabbatical to spend more time with her family. Louise is also currently volunteering as Treasurer for both Ashbourne and District Swimming Club and Ashbourne Primary PTA and is Assistant Coach for the Ashbourne Aztecs girls football team.

Nick is born and bred in Derbyshire and has lived in Ashbourne for 17 years with his wife, and now three children. Professionally Nick is a Chartered Accountant working in risk and quality within the accounting profession. Nick has over 20 years experience as a leader within Scouting and is a Cub leader locally. He is also a rugby coach and is currently coach for the year 7 – 13 girls’ team which is linked between the school and Ashbourne Rugby Union Football Club. Nick has a child at the school and is one of our Community Governors.

Mr Garrity is now in the 21st year of his career in education which has included teaching and leading teams in Merseyside and Cheshire, eventually arriving at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Ashbourne Derbyshire, in 2002. Following a succession of promotions he was appointed as Headteacher in February 2016. He feels proud and privileged to lead QEGS in the next chapter of its journey. Mr Garrity attends all Governor Meetings, Standing and Sub Committee Meetings.

Nev is a Parent Govenor, father of two children, one currently attending QEGS. He lives in an outlying village to Ashbourne where his wife runs a local business and has family ties in Tissington for circa 10 years. Nev has worked in a variety of commercial sectors (Hospitality, Finance, Supply, Marketing, Retail, Trade) and more recently Food Service and Distribution for Sysco. An advid Badminton Player, ‘Swim Dad’ ( in support of his youngest daughter) for Dove Valley Swim Club (Uttoxeter) and Dog Walking champion (according to the dogs – who would rather sleep all day).

Caren has been a secondary school science teacher and involved/led with various school extracurricular activities over the past fifteen years. She also has experience of working in industry as an animal nutritionist before commencing her teaching career in her early thirties and from more recently taking some time out from teaching to act as Formulations Manager at Trouw Nutrition in Ashbourne from 2017-2019.  She is big into health and sport, is one of the school’s Mental Health Champions and also teaches yoga to small groups in the Ashbourne community.

Sarah has a son at QEGS. Sarah has worked in finance for 25 years in a variety of Manufacturing and IT companies.  Sarah is a trained STEM ambassador, delivering sessions into primary and secondary schools.

Richard was elected Co-opted Governor in June 2019.

Phil joined the governing body as a community governor in 2018. He has worked and studied in education for over thirty years, as a secondary teacher and school leader, Local Authority adviser, and university tutor and course leader. Phil has been a governor at Ashbourne Primary School since 2008, including four years as chair. His two children have attended primary and secondary schools in Ashbourne and his daughter is in the sixth form at QEGS.