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.

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.

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.

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. 

Mark is Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine at Nottingham Vet School and Head of Internal Medicine and Oncology at Willows, a private specialist tertiary referral clinic in Solihull. He has worked in both private Veterinary practice and Academia for over 25 years. During this time, he has had a wide range of experience in both mentoring and educating undergraduate and postgraduate students along with coordinating clinical research. As part of his extensive educational roles, he has been involved in both curriculum development, and restructuring.

His son has just started in year 7 and in taking on a Governor’s role, it gives him the opportunity to help QEGS develop further and enjoy every future success as an outstanding educational establishment

Peter is a Consultant Haematologist currently working at Royal Derby Hospital. He is passionate about education as a life long process. As well as his medical degree he has completed a post graduate certificate in medical education and has taught on the undergraduate medical course most extensively at Keele University and more recently for the University of Nottingham. He is an GMC Accredited Supervisor and has supported numerous postgraduate doctors to progress successfully through their career.

Peter also enjoys supporting younger learners and volunteers with a local scout group and cricket club. His own leisure time is spent on the rugby pitch.

He is excited to be involved in education in a new capacity and is honoured to help shape the future of this esteemed and historic school.

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. 

Born in Vancouver, but raised mostly in Calgary (Canada), I am the Vicar of the Ashbourne Group of Churches (which includes the benefice of Ashbourne St Oswald’s with Mapleton, of the church of Ashbourne St John, of the benefice of Clifton and of the benefice of Norbury with Snelston).  I am also pleased to be a Governor at QEGS and St Oswald’s Primary School.

Before ordination, I was blessed with a wide range of opportunities as a composer, conductor, percussionist, and educator in Canada, England, and China.  I loved teaching music as well as both English Literature and English as an Additional Language in Secondary and Post-Secondary contexts.  I was Director of Bands for the Calgary Stampede Foundation, a member of the London Philharmonic Choir, performed as a percussionist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the touring National Ballet Orchestra, and recorded for CBC Radio.  My composed music is published through Eighth Note Publications and carried by Alfred Music Publishing; I’ve published academic articles in the field of linguistics, and have recently written a Grove booklet on the missional opportunities of community choirs.  I am working on a Practical Theology Doctorate at the University of Birmingham, hold an MA in Applied Linguistics from King’s College London, a BTh for Ministry from the University of Cambridge, and both a BMus and a BEd from the University of Calgary.

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.

Lucy has over 20 years of experience working in education, spanning mainstream primary schools and Local Authority specialist provision. She is currently the Director of Education for the Hopedale Group, which comprises six independent special schools supporting pupils with communication and language (C&L) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Sharron is passionate about supporting and developing young people. This has been a strong theme throughout her 35+yrs of professional life. During this time, Sharron has been active as a STEM ambassador, supporting Rolls-Royce’s STEM strategy and outreach activities. In addition, Sharron has provided support to the apprentice and graduate assessment and selection centres. Sharron is also a dragon for the Prince’s Trust Million Makers “Dragon Den” initiative which is all about building young people’s confidence and raising much needed funds.

Sharron is an experienced governor, with previous experience at Ashbourne Primary School where she supported the Head and her team to engage with the Local Authority and successfully secure funding for their extension.  Sharron has also represented her company on a few international aerospace forums.

Sharron has spent over 35years in Rolls-Royce Aerospace as a female engineer (with a degree in Manufacturing Engineering and Management) and latterly an experienced quality professional. Sharron’s current role is as Vice President Quality Assurance for Civil Aerospace. During her working experience she has gained extensive UK and International knowledge of problem solving, audit, safety management systems, risk management, business management, building relationships and governance (having experienced worked and living in the UK, Hong-Kong, and Norway).

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.