Governance
Chairman of Governors
Mrs Khorshed Dinshaw (Appointed Governor)
Contact: Chairofgovernors@challonershigh.com
Committee Membership: Chairmen's (Chairman), Audit, Development, Finance , Personnel
Community Cohesion, Diversity and Equality Governor
Link Governor: Pastoral and PSHE
After graduating with a degree in English Literature and Psychology, I worked for a large international NGO in the field of demography, population policy and women's reproductive health rights. Having added a son and a daughter to the global population, I became involved in education. I was a governor at a primary school in Chalfont St Peter for 12 years, and then followed my daughter to DCHS, where I have been a governor since 2001.
I have lived in Gerrards Cross for 25 years. I enjoy any kind of word games and puzzles, love music and cooking, and am passionate about cricket.
Being a governor has been challenging at times, but always interesting and rewarding.
Vice Chairman
Mr Peter Hollingsworth (Appointed Governor)
Committee Membership: Finance (Chairman), Audit, Chairmen's, Development, Personnel
Link Governor: Maths, Design & Technology, History
I spent most of my childhood in Beaconsfield, attending local primary schools and then RGS High Wycombe.
I left the area to go to Bristol University but returned 20 years later in 1996. I married Pauline in 1985 and our daughter, Katie, joined DCHS in 2006 having previously attended Robertswood School.
I am a Chartered Accountant and I spent much of my career with large organisations – Price Waterhouse, ICI, Zeneca and Tetra Pak. In 2001 I set up my own business providing Finance Director Services to a number of small business clients.
I joined the Governing Body in 2007 as a Parent Governor. In 2010 I became a Foundation Governor and when we became an Academy I was an Appointed Governor. I was elected Vice Chairman with effect from 1 September 2012.
I have also acted as a Young Enterprise advisor at RGS and volunteered at a number of enterprise events at local schools. My other main interests are sporting: I am a keen golfer and have been a life long cricket and rugby spectator.
Mrs Nikki Astbury (Parent Governor)
Committee Membership: Curriculum and Pastoral
SEND Governor (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
Link Governor: Science
After grammar school in South London, I went to medical school in Oxford and once qualified, I did my junior doctor posts in London. I specialised in haematology and after working for 9 years as a Consultant in West London, I am now Consultant Haematologist at Wexham Park Hospital. After joining the Governing Body in 2010, I am the SEND governor and also serve on the Curriculum & Pastoral Committee.
I have lived in Chalfont St Peter for nearly 16 years, with my husband Chris and 2 daughters, one in year 10 at DCHS and one in year 7. When I am not working or ferrying the children about, I enjoy cooking for friends, Pilates and singing.
Dr Tom Crabbe (Parent Governor)
Committee Membership: Health, Safety, Security and Premises 
Link Governor: Science
I gained a BSc and PhD in Biochemistry at Liverpool University before returning to Buckinghamshire to work in the biotechnology sector. My day-job responsibilities include the management of drug research teams and oversight of the laboratories, which has enabled me to learn new skills in health, safety and environment and business continuity planning.
I have one daughter about to enter the sixth form at DCHS and another who attends Chesham Grammar; hopefully this split will enable me to bring some new ideas into Parent Governor debates.
Out of work I enjoy listening to all sorts of music and am interested in the science behind the beneficial effects of interacting with rhythm and sound.
Mr Simon Eggleton (Parent Governor)
Committee Membership: Audit Committe, Finance Committee
I am married with 3 children and live in Chalfont St Peter. My daughter joined DCHS in 2012. 
My career centred on the IT and telecommunications industries, primarily in the mobile communications sector. In 2001 I completed an MBA and developed my career into general management, holding various leadership positions in multi-national organisations. In 2011, I took the step into self-employment and started a consulting business, helping organisations unlock hidden profits by lowering costs and delivering efficiencies.
In 2012, I become involved with Wycombe Youth Action, a charity that provides unique services to reduce social exclusion.
As with many parents of young children, there isn’t a huge amount of spare time available. However, I try to use those rare occasions to go cycling or sailing.
Ms Clare Elstow (Appointed Governor)
Committee Membership: Personnel (Chairman), Chairmen's,Curriculum and Pastoral
Development Governor
Link Governor: English/Drama/Classics
I have lived in Chesham for 16 years, and both my daughters have attended Challoners. My elder daughter is now at Sussex University, and my younger one has just started at Cambridge.
I have extensive experience of working in BBC Children’s and Educational Broadcasting and have produced programmes for all subjects and age-groups, together with INSET material and notes for teachers. I also have senior executive experience and am the former Head of CBeebies Production. I am now an independent business, career and personal coach, freelance media consultant and writer.
With my background in curriculum content I enjoy contributing to the Curriculum and Pastoral Committee; my management experience (which includes some training and recruitment) is useful for my role on the Personnel Committee; and as a coach and trainer I enjoy the Development Governor role. As an English graduate (UCL) it's also very satisfying to be Link Governor for English, Drama and Classics. My interests include music (choir, piano, guitar), writing and walking in the Chilterns.
Mr Max Green (Appointed Governor)
Committee Membership: Audit, Finance, Healthy, Safety, Security and Premises
Link Governor: Geography
I am at present a Councillor on the Chorleywood Parish Council being half way through my third stint, each of four years. During this period I was Chairman of the Council during 2003 & 2006. I also chair the Planning Committee and have served on all the committees at various times. For over 20 years I have been an LEA Governor at the Russell School and Dr Challoner’s High School for Girls. Before I retired I was a Group Chairman of an International Civil Engineering and Construction Company engaged on industrial package-deal projects in the UK and many countries around the world. Professionally I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building. To keep fit I still have the occasional round of golf and being a Past President keenly support the Wasps Rugby Club. Politically I serve on the executive of Conservative Branches in Bucks and in Herts.
Mr Michael Hitchcock (Parent Governor)
Committee Membership: Audit (Chairman), Challoner's Girls Foundation Committee (Chairman), Chairmen's
Responsible Officer Chairman of Foundation
Link Governor: Economics and Business Studies
The two youngest of my three daughters attend DCHS. I am a Chartered Accountant and have held the position of Finance Director for a number of the UK’s leading retailers. I place a big emphasis on hard work, common sense and respect; my own life experiences have taught me to value and respect the talents of people dedicated to their vocation of creating a robust start in life for all young people. I prefer to work with fact rather than rely on anecdote and seek financial transparency to ensure financial control, strategic financial planning and fiscal responsibility. I am a huge sport fan in general, with skiing my passion and get great pleasure watching and supporting my three daughters in their sporting and cultural endeavours.
Mrs Jenny McFadyen (Staff Governor)
Committee Membership: Curriculum and Pastoral
Following a B.A Honours in modern foreign languages at Bristol, and a PGCE at Nottingham University, I gained extensive teaching experience in French and German in a range of schools in the UK, before taking up my post at DCHS. I have also worked abroad in both the international school and TEFL areas.
I have international sales and marketing experience in the pharmaceutical/retail sector (Boots Graduate Training Scheme), and an interest in media and journalism, music and drama.
Having been persuaded by my husband to move to Bavaria in 1992 for two years, our family ended up growing and developing in Munich for quite some time longer. We retain a strong attachment to that city and the beautiful mountainous area beyond, also to many friends still sprinkled across Europe. Our children benefitted enormously from the bilingual input, though only one could be persuaded to seriously pursue languages in the UK later, in Sixth Form. We often return to the mountains and love exploring the many hiking routes.
Living here within a couple of miles of school has been a bonus, as I have enjoyed being so involved with Governors and many other school activities, and have never before had the luxury of residing so near to my workplace! We moved to Bucks with our three boys in 2006, and have loved discovering the Chilterns.
I am currently Head of Year Seven, and manage the current cohort each year, plus the induction and transition process for the new girls, from all our partner primary schools.
As a staff governor I am pleased to be able to offer teaching experience and insights through my membership of the Curriculum and Pastoral Committee.
Mr Tony Nolan (Parent Governor)
Committee Membership: Admissions (Chairman), Chairmen's, Health, Safety, Security and Premises
Child Protection and Anti-bullying Governor
Link Governor: Government , Politics and Citizenship
I am a parent governor with 2 daughters, the eldest of whom started at DCHS in 2010.
Having initially trained as an engineer and worked on an oil refinery, I studied for an MBA at INSEAD in France and have spent the last 15 years working in management consulting, finance and marketing roles, mainly in the telecommunications industry. I've been fortunate enough to work in a number of countries. We also lived as a family for 3 years in Romania, returning to our Great Missenden home in 2009.
I am a keen runner, reader and skier in my spare time. I became a governor because I am passionate about learning and about ensuring that our children make the most of their varied talents.
Mrs Muriel Pilkington (Appointed Governor)
Committee Membership: Curriculum and Pastoral (Chairman), Chairmen's Committee, Admissions
Link Governor: Careers and Work Related Learning. Performance Management Governor.
After leaving grammar school, I read history at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. I then went into teaching at various schools in Hertfordshire. My final post was as Head of Wycombe High School. I continued my academic studies, gaining two Cambridge Certificates of Advanced Professional Study and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. I was also very active in both the Secondary Head's Association and the National Association of Headteachers in Bucks.
After taking early retirement, Derek and I moved to Oxfordshire, as well as buying a small flat in the South of France. In 2000 I was invited by a Wycombe-based company to work part time as an educational consultant. I also write their fortnightly Education Update which is circulated around member schools. In 2006 I was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Bucks New University. More recently I completed a book for the University about its history, which was published in November 2010.
As to leisure pursuits, I regularly give local history talks in Oxfordshire and surrounding areas to raise money for the Witney Lions Club. I am also a keen amateur musician and help sponsor the Oxford Philharmonia Orchestra. I also enjoy my family - Derek and I have 3 children and 4 grandsons. I care deeply about the education of young people and that is why I am a governor.
Mrs Clare Powell (Parent Governor)
Committee Membership: Curriculum and Pastoral
Link Governor: Art
Having trained at Camberwell College of Arts, I worked as an Art Restorer for several years before moving into marketing at BBC Magazines, then News International, and finally London Review of Books, where I was Associate Publisher. I gave up full-time work in 2008 in favour of more dedicated time raising our three girls (as at 2011, years 11, 9 and 7 at DCHS). Since then, I have undertaken consultancy work for various publishers, researched commercial properties for a company of London surveyors and started a company to teach children to touch type.
I grew up in Northwood and Rupert and I moved from London to Amersham in 1997 in order to be closer to family and raise our own in fresh air.
I like gardening (self-sufficiency on the veg front is a long held ambition!), reading, art gallery and fair browsing and have just started picture framing.
Mr Jeremy Rhodes (Appointed Governor)
Committee Membership: Health, Safety, Security and Premises (Chairman), Admissions, Chairmen's, Curriculum and Pastoral, Development.
Link Governor: Science
I have lived in the catchment area of DCHS since 1988 and have been a DCHS parent since 2001. My elder daughter, Harriet, has now left the school to study Medicine at Birmingham University and my younger daughter, Sophie, is currently in the sixth form. My wife, Judith, is a member of the PA.
I studied Chemical Engineering at university and have followed a career in the oil industry. I currently work for a Canadian oil company based in Uxbridge, where I lead a team of geologists, geophysicists and engineers engaged in the development of North Sea oil fields.
I have served as a trustee of two company pension funds, as a director of a residents association (in Latimer) and I am currently a member of the Buckinghamshire Independent Appeals Panel that hears school selection and allocation appeals. My main relaxation is golf and I am a member of Gerrards Cross Golf Club.
Mrs Caroline Russell (Staff Governor)
Committee Membership: Finance, Sustainability
Mr Kulpreet Singh (Parent Governor)
Committee Membership: Health, Safety, Security & Premises
I am a British – Indian and was educated in India and Switzerland, before moving to the UK in 2000. My professional experience has been in management consulting and professional services. My wife used to work in the financial services but became a home maker once our first child was born. She has recently joined JMI School in Maple Cross as a volunteer. We have a daughter, who started DCHS in 2012 and a son who’s in year 2.
We moved to Higher Denham in 2009 and love the countryside feel while being pretty close to London.
In my free time, I try and get a round of golf in the summers and a game of squash in the winters.
Mr Lyn Williams (Appointed Governor)
Committee Membership: Personnel
Link Governor: Modern Foreign Languages
Having studied languages at university, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant. After five years in the profession in London and Brussels, I spend the rest of my career in industry, working for ICI, Sara Lee and Unilever (where I worked for 20 years).
Having retired in 2007, I am now (in addition to my DCHS duties) a Non-Executive Director with the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Chairman of Trustees of one of Unilever's pension funds, and do some management training.
I am married with a son (a teacher) and a daughter (who attended DCHS and is an occupational therapist).
Mr Nigel Young (Appointed Governor)
Committee Membership: Audit, Finance, Personnel, Sustainability
Link Governor: Music
My two daughters attended the school, the eldest completing her A levels in 2007, and the youngest doing so in 2010. Both then went on to study at university, one studying Graphic and Communication Design at Leeds and the other Music at Bristol.
I am Practice Head in an Interim Executive Search firm. Earlier in my career I worked in marketing for several multi-national companies before setting up my own small business.
My wife and I have lived in Beaconsfield since 1992. Outside of family and work, I enjoy community involvement, particularly with the local Church. I have a degree in Mathematics and still enjoy solving brainteasers. I am also a keen golfer and fair weather cyclist.
List of Committee members and Link Governors