Our organisation

Column align: middle

The Colyton Foundation was originally established by staff and trustees from Colyton Grammar School in response to strikingly poor outcomes for high attainment and higher education progression for under resourced children in the South West of England.

Our close links with Colyton Grammar School enable us to draw on the expertise of its staff in supporting high attainers from all backgrounds.

At the same time, we believe that equity for under resourced young people can only be achieved by bring together the resources, knowledge and expertise of schools, colleges, universities and the charitable sectors.

All of our work is fundamentally collaborative, working with partners across the school, charitable and higher education sectors – and with young people and their families – to support high attainment and access to higher education.

Section divider type: tilt -- position: bottom

Our Partners

partner with us

Header photo by Greg Willson on Unsplash

Section divider type: tilt -- position: bottom

Our Trustees

Camilla Chandler-Mant

Camilla is Chief Executive of South Bristol Youth, a charity focused on creating opportunities for under-resourced young people. She leads work that supports young people through school partnerships, targeted programmes and community-based provision. Camilla brings extensive experience of widening opportunity, building trusted relationships with families and schools, and translating ambition into practical support that helps young people thrive.

Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope

Tanya is Dean of Place and Social Purpose and Professor of Education at Plymouth Marjon University, with a career spanning teaching, teacher education and educational leadership. Her work focuses on evidence-led school improvement and social mobility, with a particular research interest in the rural and coastal contexts of education. She brings strong regional insight and research expertise to the Foundation’s mission.

Timothy Harris

Tim is Headteacher of Colyton Grammar School. An alumnus of Newcastle University, he brings deep experience of leading high-performing education, alongside a clear understanding of what outstanding teaching, enrichment and school culture look like in practice.

Timothy Johnson MA (Cantab)

Devon-born Tim read Law at Cambridge, qualified as a solicitor and spent 37 years in private practice in the City of London, specialising in advising businesses in the media and communications sector. He retired from legal practice in 2024, having been recognised in legal directories as a leading practitioner and previously a member of BAFTA. Tim now focuses on supporting initiatives in the Westcountry and brings commercial judgement, governance insight and strategic communications expertise shaped by decades of advising complex organisations.

Professor Janice Kay CBE

Janice is Director of Higher Futures and spent over two decades in senior leadership at the University of Exeter, including as Provost and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor. A national leader in higher education and teaching excellence, she was awarded a CBE for services to higher education and brings deep expertise in access, progression and student success.

Dr Houry Melkonian

Houry is a Lecturer in Mathematics at UCL has over 15 years’ experience spanning research, inclusive education and knowledge exchange. Her work connects the mathematical sciences to real-world impact through curriculum innovation, strategic outreach and cross-sector collaboration. She is committed to transformative, equity-focused education, with particular strengths in mentoring and in building bridges between institutions and communities so that knowledge exchange is embedded, shared and sustained.

Barry Sindall

Barry is Chair of Trustees and brings more than 50 years of experience in education, including 20 years as a headteacher across secondary modern, comprehensive and selective schools. As Chief Executive of the Grammar School Heads’ Association (2007–2017), he worked with national policy makers to widen access for disadvantaged pupils to selective schools, including reforms to admissions preferences. He has served on Ministerial Working Parties on 11–16 and post-16 reform, and continues to support schools as a School Improvement Partner, alongside more than 25 years’ experience as a governor across secondary, primary and special schools.

Neal Whitfield

Neal is a Chartered Management Accountant with a career spanning senior operational and finance leadership across education and the cultural sector. Roles have included Director of College Operations and Head of Finance at the University of Exeter, and Director of Finance and Administration at the Northcott Theatre. He brings strong strategic planning experience – including partnership work with Devon County Council on long-term business planning for Exeter Science Park – alongside hands-on expertise supporting start-ups through business plans, patent submissions and operational model design. Passionate about education, Neal focuses his skills on strengthening opportunities and outcomes for all students.