Meet the Governors
Mrs R Burns: Chair & Parent Governor
Having been in Education for 16 years I understand the importance of good governance in schools. So when my daughter started at St Mary’s last year I was keen to get involved with the community. I am delighted to have recently been made parent Governor, I have taught Maths at secondary, been Head of Maths and Head of Year at state, private and international schools and hope my experience can help. I look forward to doing whatever I can to support our wonderful school.
My husband and I both grew up locally and we settled in Washington 7 years ago. We now have 2 children, one at the school and one desperate to start!
Mrs P Thomas: Vice-Chair, Foundation Governor & Governor Lead for Safeguarding
I am the Vice-Chair and the Church appointed Foundation Governor. This means I am the link between the School and the Church.
I am a mother of 3 children, and grandmother to 2 children. We moved from Buckinghamshire in 2011, so are relatively new to the area! We love it here...
I have a passion for education, having taught since 1974!! I am keen to help the School continue to grow and develop, as it strives to meet the challenges of today's education system. I help to run the Pre-school group ‘Little Lambs’, held in the church. I am a volunteer for the RSPB, helping mainly with their many children's activities.
Mr R Beard: Co-Opted Governor
I have lived in Washington for thirty years. My son, Benjamin, was at St Mary’s and my two grandchildren Jacob and Oliver attended the school.
I was a consultant surgeon at Western Sussex Foundation Hospital Trust before moving to Guy's hospital. Having retired from clinical practice I remain a registered doctor. I am now on the Governing Body of Coastal West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group, which is responsible for commissioning the healthcare for the local population.
I have been involved in education, albeit medical, all my professional life and the time has now come for me to do what I can for our local Primary School. I have a lot to learn but hope to master my ‘brief’.
Mr L Spencer-Smith: Chair of Resources Committee & Parent Governor
I moved to Washington from Slindon in 2018 with my wife Angela and daughter who started at St Mary's in September 2019. It is now a great privilege to be a Governor and is a great opportunity to work with the school and community.
I have spent my career in the Fire Service which has given me a range of experiences working with a variety of people and organisations in both emergency and day to day situations. I currently lead the Fire Safety department.
I am passionate about developing young minds and allowing them grow into what they want to be.
Mrs K Houston: Headteacher Governor
I am thrilled to be Head Teacher at St Mary’s CE Primary School, Washington. I am passionate about education and inspiring young hearts and minds to become life long learners.
I have been a teacher for almost 20 years and have worked mostly in the Primary sector. For the past 10 years I have worked in schools, in both West Sussex and Brighton and Hove; leading middle leaders and as a Deputy Head Teacher.
I have two daughters (identical twin girls) who keep me busy at the weekend, either in the swimming pool or on the football field!
Mrs N Woodage: Local Authority Governor
Initially attracted to Washington by the beautiful Sussex countryside, I've enjoyed becoming part of the local community here. I am married, work part time as an airline pilot and have two young boys who are just starting their educational journeys. I'm delighted to be involved in influencing the future of our primary school and hope that, as the children of this village grow up, they will feel part of the community here, able to take advantage of every opportunity open to them, and that the village as a whole will flourish.
Rev P Pearson-Miles: Ex Officio Governor
Philly and I moved to Sussex in 2005 with our two boys. We have been a part of Chanctonbury Church since 2006 in one capacity or another.
Unlike the other governors, I’m not particularly qualified in anything. But I do know one thing…that as human beings we are made of body, mind and spirit, if one aspect of our make-up is unhealthy, then we tend not to do so well.
I see my role as helping the children, staff and parents discover in an even greater way, that when the ‘spirit’ is healthy, it produces health in the body and mind. Jesus, the Son of God said, ‘I came that you may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10). I would love the reality of this truth to be experienced by all!
If Jesus is who he says he is, then God is real! That means every one of us has a purpose and our lives are not a cosmic accident. Therefore, it follows that if God really does love us and has a plan for our lives, it makes sense to get to know Him. It is only as we get to know Him that we discover the purpose of our lives and begin to experience that abundant life.
I believe that a Christian education is a starting place for this discovery. I am really looking forward to getting to know the children, staff and hopefully parents as well, and working alongside the existing governors in making Washington School the best place for these precious children to grow up and learn about life and living ‘life in all its fullness’.
Mr S Bond: Co-Opted Governor
I am very pleased to have been chosen to be a Governor.
Originally from Oldham, Lancashire , I have lived in the South of England for 35 years and in the Washington area for the last 12 years.
Following a 30year career in Policing , I have been working as a Trade Union Official since 2019, supporting law enforcement officers. I would hope this knowledge and experience of working in and alongside various public sector organisations will assist me in the role of Co-opted Governor.
When not working , I am active in the community; I am a volunteer water polo coach at a local club. I was also previously the Assistant Coach of the Great Britain Junior Boys Water Polo Team who completed at the European Championships in 2021. Helping children reach their potential, is something I am passionate about.
I also enjoy walking with Sussex Pathfinders and I am season ticket holder at Brighton & Hove Albion football club.
Mrs E Greene: Staff Governor
As staff governor I am very proud to represent our fabulous team here at St Mary's. I have been in education for 10 years, both as a primary school teacher, working across EYFS-Year 6, and in several schools in West Sussex. I am also a trained SENCo, and recently appointed Deputy Headteacher.
At St Mary's, in my role as Deputy Head and Inclusion Lead, I am actively involved in the school's strategic direction, enhancing children's wellbeing, learning needs and attainment. I am proud to work at such a dedicated and child-centred school.
Outside of school I am a parent to two primary aged-children, enjoy swimming, yoga, drinking good coffee, and walking my dog in our beautiful countryside. I look forward to meeting you all.
Mrs K Wood: Co-Opted Governor
I have recently moved to Washington having lived in the suburbs of London all of my life. I bring with me on this adventure my husband and my best friend Dexter (the dog). I have enjoyed working in different sectors, most recently the charity sector but the most rewarding was my time spent in education.
I worked for 12 years as a teaching assistant and achieved Higher Level Teaching Assistant status and enjoyed taking classes covering for PPA and sickness. I specialised in working within SEND and phonics.
Becoming a governor at my local school is an exciting prospect and I am looking forward to the challenge.
Miss H Dean: Co-Opted Governor
I have lived in the parish of Washington for seventeen years. My background is in education having taught in a number of secondary schools before becoming Senior Tutor and Director of Studies at a local College. In retirement I became a volunteer at Washington School helping with the reading in Year One. I have done this now for twelve years and it has given me a lot of pleasure seeing these children develop a fluency and a love of reading.
I have been a governor at Washington for ten years serving under four head teachers. I count it a great privilege to give back to the community in this way.
Mrs A Laker - Co-Opted Governor
I am happy and privileged to have recently joined the Board of Governors at St Mary’s, Washington. I am a retired teacher and live locally, having moved here about 18 months ago with my husband, also a retired teacher, to be closer to our children and grandchildren.
Before retiring my teaching career spanned 32 years – the majority being at Steyning Grammar School. Whilst teaching I completed a BSC degree in Psychology and then an MA in School Effectiveness. The last 8 years at Steyning saw me as Head of Church Street where I oversaw the transition from Primary to Secondary, liaising regularly with our feeder Primaries. We lived in Steyning for 20 years.
After retirement we moved to Northern Ireland, where we remained for 9 years. Whilst there I became a Governor for a local Secondary School and also volunteered for the NSPCC Schools Service, delivering ‘Speak Out Stay Safe’ assemblies in Primary Schools.
We moved back to West Sussex in 2019. I then became a Governor at St Andrews’ in Worthing and continued to volunteer for the NSPCC until Covid brought a halt to our school deliveries.
I enjoy reading, knitting and sewing and gardening as well as travelling. I hope to be able to use some of the skills and experiences I have gained across the years to enable me to make a positive contribution to this amazing Primary School.
Mr G Baldey - Associate Member
My wife and I have lived in Washington for 15 years having moved here from London in the Summer of 2008. Our children were both born in Worthing hospital and we very much consider Washington to be our home. Both of the children have attended St Mary’s and loved the school. Our daughter has now moved on to secondary school and our son is in year 3.
I have been involved in international business as a ship broker for the last 30 years. I have worked for multinational corporations as well as smaller, family run companies all over the world . I am also a season ticket holder at Brighton and Hove Albion.
I am thrilled to have been elected as an associate member of the governing body of St Mary’s and I hope my varied experiences and knowledge can add another dynamic to the already strong team.