The Governors of St. Peter’s have key responsibilities for setting the school’s aims and policies, deciding how money will be spent, managing the employment of staff, and the maintenance and development of the premises.
Most important of all, they have a main role in the overall purpose of their school; ensuring that the children at St. Peter’s receive the best possible education to unlock their potential.
The governing body works in partnership with the Headteacher, staff, parents, dioceses and the Local Authority to raise standards of achievement in the school. The Headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the school.
Meet Our Governors
Chair of Governors / Foundation Governor
I have worked in education for more years than I would like to admit as a teacher and Headteacher in Sussex and in Africa! Then after 12 years with the LA in Greenwich as a schools adviser, I moved to Chichester Diocese in 2016 where I still work as a schools effectiveness adviser. I support two Diocesan Academy Trusts as a governance consultant and am a member of two Federation governing bodies. I have a long association with St Peter’s so am delighted to serve as a governor here.
I love books, so I am particularly pleased with our library and success in encouraging reading in school . I also like long walks in the countryside and by the sea and continue my travels in Africa each year.
Foundation Governor
During my time as a school Governor I have enjoyed witnessing St Peter’s flourish as a result of the collaboration and hard work of everyone associated with the school community. I am a qualified chartered accountant but for the last 16 years have worked in education. I qualified as a teacher in 2003 and for the last 7 years have been a secondary school headteacher and more latterly the CEO of a small Catholic and cross-phase multi-academy Trust.
Parent Governor
I have been a teacher for over 25 years, working in a range of roles both in the UK and overseas. I have a particular passion for Early Years education and the foundations it lays for lifelong learning.
Since becoming a parent governor in 2020, I’ve been proud to support our school community and contribute to its continued development.
I believe childhood is precious. Ultimately, we all want our children to be happy. I feel strongly that success comes from nurturing a child’s natural curiosity and supporting their exploration of an ever-changing world, within a school community guided by Christian values and a strong sense of belonging.
Foundation Governor
I have recently joined the governing body at St Peter’s after teaching at the school for several years. The school is a very special community where all children are supported, by a passionate and committed staff body, to unlock their potential.
I am currently studying for a PG Cert in Literacy Difficulties: Dyslexia with Birmingham University, alongside tutoring.
In my spare time, I love to play sports (especially netball and cricket) and relax with regular walks in the South Downs.
I have a degree in Psychology BSc (Hons) and have worked in both the health and forensic fields sector before undertaking a PGCE. I have taught in both the maintained and independent sectors and in all year groups across the primary phase. I have been a member of SLT in three schools over the past 15 years and have also been the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead during this time. I am currently working at a school in Hove and am a proud mum of two girls, enjoy being active outdoors and am very enthusiastic about having the beautiful countryside on my doorstep, having recently moved from the seafront to Henfield. I look forward to supporting the children and wider school community at St. Peter’s.
I moved to Henfield with my wife and son in 2016 and we were immediately made very welcome by the entire community. In 2017 our twin daughters were born, and all three children began their nursery schooling at Warren Playgroup before moving on to St Peter’s. I served on the playgroup’s parent committee and acted as Chairperson for the 2018/19 academic year.
My professional life involves working as a Watch Manager with East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and being an on-call firefighter in Henfield. I’ve had several different roles within the Fire Service, including responsibilities in operational planning, policy development, watch management and incident command training.
In my spare time I enjoy many sports including football, squash and golf and I’m a keen cyclist. I also referee and coach my son’s football team.
I took up the post of Rector of Henfield with Shermanbury and Woodmancote in late 2024, and as such am also a school governor. Prior to entering the Church, I was a Probation Officer and manager for 19 years and then a team manager in West Sussex County Council’s Children’s Safeguarding Team.
I have two sons in their 20s, and am conscious of the important part school plays in setting children up for a successful future in whatever they choose to do.
I’m delighted to be forging links with the teaching staff, parents and pupils of St Peter’s School, and am excited about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in assemblies and classroom discussions.
In my spare time I enjoy cycling and amateur astronomy.
I joined the governing body in 2021 so that I could make a positive contribution towards our children’s education, happiness and wellbeing. I believe that their time at St Peter’s should inspire them to achieve their full potential, and the lessons learned here should be a solid foundation for their future success.
My wife and I moved to Henfield in 2007 and have two daughters. Our eldest daughter went to St Peter’s and our youngest is still here.
As an advertising Creative Director, I’m passionate about creative problem solving and inspiring creative thinking in others. I am a keen amateur cartoonist, an occasional marathon runner and share a passion for skateboarding with my youngest.
Parent Governor
Biography to follow
Co-opted Governor
I have been a governor since 2020 at St Peter’s and am excited to be able to help shape the future of the school.
I am passionate about education and strongly believe in the school’s responsibility to inspire children to strive towards achieving their personal best.
I am a teacher at a local secondary school, where I have held a variety of different roles. I am second in department in PE, Year 7 Academic Progress Leader and Transition Lead.
I moved to Henfield in 2019 with my family and have been very welcomed into the local community.
Clerk to Governors
I am very pleased to be joining St Peter’s as Clerk to Governors at the start of 2025. It is an exciting time for the school; I look forward to becoming part of the community and supporting the vital work of the governors. I have worked in education for 13 years in a variety of roles, most recently in a guidance role with sixth formers at a local independent school. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring our beautiful Sussex countryside with my young children.
Headteacher
I have been Headteacher at St. Peter’s since 2018, which marked the beginning of my first headship. Before joining St. Peter’s, I gained a wide range of experience working in a variety of schools across Surrey and West Sussex, including small and large village schools, an urban junior school, and a large prep school.
I am passionate about ensuring that every child’s primary education allows them to flourish academically, while also offering rich opportunities to explore the creative arts, care for our environment both locally and globally, and enjoy the many benefits of sport and an active lifestyle.
As a Christian, I deeply value the opportunity to lead a Church of England school. It is a privilege to share and live out Christian values within our school community, supporting children’s spiritual development as well as their learning.
Staff Governor
With over 35 years’ experience within education, I have been a teacher in the EYFS at St Peter’s for 20 years and the Key stage Lead for 15 of these. One of the things I value most in my role is the opportunity to build strong relationships with families. It is a privilege to start the children off on the journey and create a supportive and cohesive learning environment in which they and their families can thrive.
I am in my third term as staff governor at St Peter’s – a role which I really enjoy. I am proud to represent the staff on the governing body to ensure that St Peter’s continues to provide an inclusive, caring and high-quality education for all. St Peter’s is a very special place and I am grateful to be part of this wonderful community.
I have three children, now all in their twenties, and enjoy travel, reading and walking on the Downs or further afield in the West Country.
Meeting Attendance
Declarations of Business Interests:
Mrs M. Watson – Governance roles with Pioneer Education, Bluebell Federation, Newick CE school, St Blasius Academy, St Francis Academy, Diocese of Chichester, St Columba, Lanesend for DCAT.
Mr D. Carter – CEO of Bosco Catholic Education Trust.
Fr J. Padfield – Trustee of the PCC of the Parish of Henfield with Shermanbury and Woodmancote.
Minutes of Governing Body Meetings (PDFs)
Copies of minutes of Local Governing Body meetings are available on request from the Clerk to Governors at clerk@stpetershenfield.org.uk
Governors, including the Chair of Governors, can be contacted via the Clerk to Governors at clerk@stpetershenfield.org.uk
