Governors

Welcome to the Governors Page

Overall responsibility for the stewardship of Osborne rests with a Board of Governors, representing the school’s different stakeholders: pupils and parents, teachers and staff, the County Council and the local community.

In 2024/25 there are currently eight governors plus the very efficient board secretary, Fiona Honeyman. Several governors recently completed their four year terms and work is under way to recruit two new parent governors as a result, alongside associate members who can be co-opted on to the board when their particular expertise and experience is required. In September 2024 the new team of governors met to consider the impact of recent policy developments arising from the government changes at national and local levels; leading to an increased focus on the opportunities for new curricula and collaborations, and teacher recruitment and retention.

As the last heading indicates, inevitably because Osborne is such a special school which will serve as a model for the new schools now being built in Hampshire, both its ideas and its people are likely to be in demand in the days ahead. As governors we are committed to maintain and enhance its contribution. Together with Head Teacher, Sonia White, and her senior team, we feel privileged to be in a position to do so.

Geoff Meads, Chair of Governors

Meet the Team

  • Geoff Meads - Chair of Governors

    Although he has spent the past 25 years in scientific and executive positions for the Department of Health Geoff began his career in social work five decades ago,  helping to introduce personal reviews and care management for people with special needs in Hampshire. A Governor since2021 he is delighted to be able to return to this area of need in Winchester, where he is an emeritus research professor at the local university.Geoff was elected Chair of Governors in June 2024, and looks forward to building on the school’s outstanding contributions to both its pupils and their parents, within a context of increasing opportunities for new partnerships and resource

  • Melissa Doughty-Scott - Vice-Chair.

    I am an Architect with over 20 years experience in the design and construction industry. Since joining HCC Property Services in 2013, my focus has been the delivery of education projects in the Primary and SEND sectors; where I enjoy working closely with the schools, governing bodies and children’s services. In my spare time I like to get outdoors with my family, travelling and visiting interesting cultural sites.

  • Karen Andrews

    Karen Andrews

    I have recently joined the governing body after being Chair of Governors at Oliver’s Battery Primary School in Winchester. I am hoping to bring my knowledge of governance to Osborne and I am really excited to work with the team. I currently work for Hampshire County Council as an Educational Visits Advisor, which means that I deal with schools on a daily basis, looking at visit planning and risk assessment. I live in Winchester with my husband and two teenage sons and in my spare time enjoy walking, music and spending time with family and friends.

  • Sarah Holmes - Staff Governor

    I have been a teacher for 15 years, initially working in mainstream Early Years and Key Stage 1. I initially worked with disabled young adults then with the elderly before becoming a registered childminder when my own children were young, then worked as a Learning Support Assistant, with some time in an SEN school then working predominantly with those requiring additional support in a mainstream setting.  I joined Osborne School in 2018. I have been Head of Year 7, 8 & 9 and am now an Assistant Head.

    When not working, I enjoy walking, cycling and reading and spending time with my granddaughters.

  • Graham Paterson

    Graham’s biography & image coming soon.

  • Bridget Amos

    Bridget’s biography & image coming soon.


  • Sonia White - Headteacher

    Working at Osborne for the last 18 years as the Headteacher has been a real privilege and one that I am extremely proud of. The staff, Governors, parents and all other organisations work tirelessly to ensure that our pupils get the very best education and opportunities possibly. I have been a Governor at the school in my whole time as a Headteacher and I am still as passionate about special education and the school as I was when I first started.