Local Governing Body

Nick lives in Ashbourne and has had three children at Queen Elizabeth’s in the past. He retired from the investment industry and now fills his time as a volunteer ranger with the Peak District national park and a role with a local charity. He is a trustee of QEGSMAT, the multi academy trust of which Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School is part of.

Steve is a senior lecturer with over 15 years of experience in further and higher education. Steve  has also worked in business for 20 years. He has taught a diverse range of subjects, including Sports Physiotherapy, Injury Rehabilitation, Sports Science, Anatomy and Physiology, and Research Skills. Additionally, he has extensive experience running Sports Therapy companies and providing leisure provision in the midlands.

In 2024, Steve transitioned from education and is now the Director of JAMhaus Music, a community music hub in Ashbourne. Steve is a strong advocate for innovative teaching and practice and has collaborated closely with tech giants like Microsoft and Apple to develop tools such as MS Teams educational tools. His work has been presented nationally and internationally.

He has extensive experience working with academic boards and boards of governors, particularly in applying innovative teaching practices and played a significant role in the design and application of the teaching spaces for the flagship Catalyst building at Staffodshire University

Steve brings valuable leadership, team-building, and business expertise to his role as a board member. In his leisure time, Steve engages in ultra-marathon running, anything music related and staying updated with the latest technology. With one child currently enrolled at QEGS, and another joining in September 2025, he appreciates the opportunity to make positive impact on the school and the local community.

Liz Braithwaite has over 25 years of experience in the teaching sector and is an experienced executive senior leader with a demonstrated history of working within executive leadership both within the maintained and academy sectors of education. Skilled in educational compliance, safeguarding, mental and physical pupil wellbeing, literacy curriculum advisor, ITT, Governance, and educational consultancy, she has worked within Academy Trusts as either Headteacher or Executive central team member since 2011 and is now currently supporting numerous schools as an independent Safeguarding and Compliance Specialist. She upholds a true commitment to helping implement inclusion and social cohesion in all settings bringing communities together as well as working to provide families and professionals with the best assistance possible.

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, both currently studying at QEGS. Louise spent 20 years in the online research and software industry before taking a career sabbatical to spend more time with her family. Louise now works as a Business Manager at The New Ways Learning Centre in Ashbourne, supporting learners with special educational needs. Louise volunteers as an Assistant Coach and Female Pathway Support Officer for the Ashbourne Aztecs girls football teams. 

Karen English is a qualified accountant. She worked across the country for 37 years in the NHS at a senior level latterly Chief Executive. This provided her with a wealth of finance management and Board governance experience. Karen lives in Clifton with her husband. She has two adult children who attended QEGS. Her interest in becoming a governor stems from her own education experience. Having lived in a deprived part of the country it was with the support of her teachers that provided her with the vision to use education to raise her aspirations and to go on to have a successful professional career.

Nick was born and bred in Derbyshire and has lived in Ashbourne for 20 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 had nearly 25 years’ experience as a leader within Scouting. He is also a rugby coach and referee, with links between the school and Ashbourne Rugby Union Football Club. Nick has three children 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.

Sarah has worked in finance for over 25 years in a variety of Manufacturing and IT companies and is currently a Director of Finance at DXC Technology.  Sarah is passionate about giving young people opportunities.  Sarah is a trained STEM ambassador, has been a Scout Leader, and is on the organising committee for the annual Derby Junior Triathlon whilst supporting the Junior section of the club throughout the year. Sarah has a son who attended QEGS in the past.

I am the father of two boys (one of which is currently in Year 8 at QEGS and the other will hopefully be joining in Y7 next September). I am the Head of PE at The JCB Academy down the road in Rocester and have worked there for the past 12 years. I trained to be a teacher at the University of Exeter and moved to Ashbourne with my family for work but also to be near to the Peak District. I grew up in London and originally trained as an Electrical Engineer.

I am keen to make a difference to the lives of others. In my current role, this often results in introducing new activities and opportunities at our school and taking on new projects and challenges. For instance, I introduced the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at the academy in 2015 and we now run the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. I introduced an annual ski trip in 2013 and we now take nearly 100 students away each February half-term. I also introduced the Combined Cadet Force and the National Navigation Award Scheme. I was chair of the Staff Committee for a number of years and a member of the Academy’s Health and Safety Committee and Joint Consultative Committee. I also volunteer as a leader at our church’s Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association.

I am keen to support QEGS and the governing body as a parent governor and am confident that my role within the educational sector and my knowledge and experience will enable me to support the governing body to help QEGS to be the best school it can possibly be.

Nigel and his wife Maggie, who is also Ordained, retired to Ashbourne from Edinburgh in 2016. They have three married children and six grandchildren living in Leeds, Bramhall and Aylesbury.

Nigel, the Church appointed Governor, brings fifteen years of experience as an ordained Anglican Priest and over fifty years business experience including as CEO of UK Division of a Swedish nationalised industry. Principal Partner of an Accountancy Practice, Chair of a small rugby charity and volunteer management of Rugby Development Officers.

Georgy has been a Secondary School teacher for 20years, working mostly in the field of Humanities and specialising in Geography. Currently she teaches Religion, Graphics and is a Head of Year. Prior to working in education, Georgy worked several years within the Tourism Sector, in the Police Force and in various capacities voluntarily in conservation, health and wellbeing and youth organisations. Georgy is a keen advocate of Co-Curricular Activities and has successfully run the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in two schools for over 15years. Currently, she runs two afterschool clubs at QEGS – Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer