Governor Who's Who

Christ Church School has 14 governors. Please see below for more details about the current members of the Governing Body.

The Department for Education instructs that governors should be recruited for the skills they can bring to serve the school. The Governing Body comprises 8 foundation governors, 1 nominated by the borough, 1 member of staff, 2 elected by the parents, 1 co-opted and the Headteacher. This gives a majority of 2 foundation governors as required by legislation.

NAME	DETAILS/REGISTER OF INTEREST
Robert Shrimpton	Chair of Governors Governor Type: Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese Date of Office: September 2022 - August 2026 Committee Membership: Admissions, Business Impact & Human Resources Robert has worked in the Education sector for 13 years and is a qualified teacher with experience teaching children with special needs across the Key Stages. He is an Assistant Headteacher at Cricket Green School in Mitcham. Robert is a Designated Safeguarding Lead with expertise in this field and delivering training to support special needs children in education.
Claire Caldwell	Governor Type: Elected Parent Governor Date of Office: May 2021 - April 2025 Committee Membership: Admissions, Christian Ethos (Chair) & Pupil Impact Claire is a parent of four children, one at the School and three in secondary school. Her family are part of New Malden Baptist church. Claire previously taught RE and Philosophy at a secondary school in Tooting. Originally from Northern Ireland, but has enjoyed living in Vancouver and Zambia before moving to New Malden. Claire is also deeply interested in the wellbeing of both staff and pupils. Claire enjoys sports, cooking and travelling, though people bring her the biggest joy.
Anna Edwards	Governor Type: Foundation governor appointed by the Diocese Date of Office: May 2022 - April 2026 Committee Membership: Admissions, Christian Ethos & Pupil Impact (Chair) Anna is a qualified teacher who has worked in education for 17 years. She currently works as Head of Psychology and is part of the learning support department at Kingston Grammar School, where she is one of the school's Deputy Designated Safeguard Leads. She has previously taught science and worked as a nurture group teacher. Anna is a member of Christ Church and has two children at the School.
Jacqui Fereday	Governor Type: Elected Staff Governor Date of Office: February 2025 - January 2029 Committee Membership: Pupil Impact Jacqui has worked at Christ Church since January 2005. Over the last 20 years, Jacqui has gained considerable expertise in supporting children in their learning across both Key Stage 1 and 2. Jacqui is passionate about the role she plays in assisting Christ Church pupils in achieving their potential.
Charles Gratton	Governor Type: Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese Date of Office: January 2025 - December 2029 Committee Membership: Business Impact & Christian Ethos Charles is a committed Christian and a Chartered Accountant working in the City, with a desire to support the next generation in his local community to have the best opportunities in life. He looks forward to supporting the school through the budgeting and financial planning processes as well as on the Christian Ethos committee. Outside work, Charles enjoys supporting the local youth group at his Church and has a passion for sailing and windsurfing.
Marcy Gwanzura	Governor Type: Foundation governor appointed by the Diocese Date of Office: August 2021 - July 2025 Committee Membership: Business Impact & Human Resources Marcy has a background in engineering, computer science, and business. As a cybersecurity engineer, she is committed to promoting gender equality and racial diversity in primary education, encouraging all children to explore STEM subjects. A practising Christian, she aims to inspire pupils to see the positive link between faith and education. Raising two daughters has taught her compassion, patience, and attentiveness to children’s needs, fostering an environment for healthy development. As a governor, she brings diverse experience from both the private and public sectors and is focused on making mathematics and IT lessons engaging and accessible to all students.
Sally Palmer	Governor Type: Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese Date of Office: February 2025 - January 2029 Committee Membership: Christian Ethos & Pupil Impact Sally is a retired primary school teacher who began her career at Grand Avenue Primary School before spending four years teaching in Sarawak, Borneo. Upon returning to the UK, she taught for many years in two independent preparatory schools. Sally later rejoined the state sector, where she taught Reception - her favourite year group - at Christ Church. She has a particular interest in early years education and is passionate about supporting children with a variety of learning styles. Sally values the Christian ethos of the school, recognising the important role it plays in helping pupils feel happy, secure, and appreciated. Sally loves meeting friends and going out and about socially!
Andrew Rankin	Governor Type: Co-opted Date of Office: March 2025 - February 2029 Committee Membership: Admissions (Chair), Business Impact & Human Resources (Chair) Andrew retired from working in the post-16 education sector a few years ago, but he has a lively interest in primary education. He has college management experience and is a long-term member of the Association for Science Education. Andrew is keen that all subjects are taught well, but science is his passion. Andrew has been a member of Christ Church since he was a teenager.
Mike Sainsbury	Governor Type: Foundation governor appointed by the Diocese Date of Office: September 2024 - August 2028 Committee Membership: Business Impact (Chair) & Human Resources Mike has lived in New Malden since 1986 and is a member of St Johns, Kingston Road. He has been an Operations Manager at UCL since 2018, having previously worked in Human Resources for many years. Mike has been delighted to bring his personal and professional experience to the school, particularly on the HR and Business Impact committees. Mike enjoys working with the school’s excellent staff and other governors to ensure that Christ Church remains a school where every pupil has the opportunity to thrive in a caring Christian community.
Andre Rickerby	Governor Type: Elected Parent Governor Date of Office: November 2023 – October 2027 Committee Membership: Business Impact & Pupil Impact Andre is from a marketing and senior management background with extensive experience working with fast-paced multinational brands, running large budgets, and delivering key results. He has three boys at Christ Church and is particularly interested in SEN and the business aspects of the school. Andre is sports-mad and loves all things outdoors.
Joy Uren	Governor Type: Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese Date of Office: June 2022 - May 2026 Committee Membership: Human Resources & Pupil Impact Joy is a member of St John the Divine Church in New Malden and has been associated with the school for many years as a neighbour and parent of two girls who attended the school several years ago. Joy taught for many years in special education at St Philips School in Chessington. She has a great interest in the area of dyslexia and in helping young people achieve their potential.
Neil Meehan	Governor Type: Headteacher Ex-officio Date of Office: September 2022 - ongoing Committee Membership: Pupil Impact, Business Impact, Human Resources & Christian Ethos Neil has been Headteacher since September 2022. Neil has 17 years of previous headship experience in community and church schools, over three different schools, including, most recently, as Executive Headteacher of Ashford and Laleham CofE Primary Schools in Surrey.

NAME

DETAILS/REGISTER OF INTEREST

Robert Shrimpton

Chair of Governors

Governor Type: Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese

Date of Office: September 2022 - August 2026

Committee Membership: Admissions, Business Impact & Human Resources

Robert has worked in the Education sector for 13 years and is a qualified teacher with experience teaching children with special needs across the Key Stages. He is an Assistant Headteacher at Cricket Green School in Mitcham. Robert is a Designated Safeguarding Lead with expertise in this field and delivering training to support special needs children in education.

Claire Caldwell

Governor Type: Elected Parent Governor

Date of Office: May 2021 - April 2025

Committee Membership: Admissions, Christian Ethos (Chair) & Pupil Impact

Claire is a parent of four children, one at the School and three in secondary school. Her family are part of New Malden Baptist church. Claire previously taught RE and Philosophy at a secondary school in Tooting. Originally from Northern Ireland, but has enjoyed living in Vancouver and Zambia before moving to New Malden. Claire is also deeply interested in the wellbeing of both staff and pupils. Claire enjoys sports, cooking and travelling, though people bring her the biggest joy.

Anna Edwards

Governor Type: Foundation governor appointed by the Diocese

Date of Office: May 2022 - April 2026

Committee Membership: Admissions, Christian Ethos & Pupil Impact (Chair)

Anna is a qualified teacher who has worked in education for 17 years. She currently works as Head of Psychology and is part of the learning support department at Kingston Grammar School, where she is one of the school's Deputy Designated Safeguard Leads. She has previously taught science and worked as a nurture group teacher. Anna is a member of Christ Church and has two children at the School.

Jacqui Fereday

Governor Type: Elected Staff Governor

Date of Office: February 2025 - January 2029

Committee Membership: Pupil Impact

Jacqui has worked at Christ Church since January 2005. Over the last 20 years, Jacqui has gained considerable expertise in supporting children in their learning across both Key Stage 1 and 2. Jacqui is passionate about the role she plays in assisting Christ Church pupils in achieving their potential.

Charles Gratton

Governor Type: Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese

Date of Office: January 2025 - December 2029

Committee Membership: Business Impact & Christian Ethos

Charles is a committed Christian and a Chartered Accountant working in the City, with a desire to support the next generation in his local community to have the best opportunities in life. He looks forward to supporting the school through the budgeting and financial planning processes as well as on the Christian Ethos committee. Outside work, Charles enjoys supporting the local youth group at his Church and has a passion for sailing and windsurfing.

Marcy Gwanzura

Governor Type: Foundation governor appointed by the Diocese

Date of Office: August 2021 - July 2025

Committee Membership: Business Impact & Human Resources

Marcy has a background in engineering, computer science, and business. As a cybersecurity engineer, she is committed to promoting gender equality and racial diversity in primary education, encouraging all children to explore STEM subjects. A practising Christian, she aims to inspire pupils to see the positive link between faith and education. Raising two daughters has taught her compassion, patience, and attentiveness to children’s needs, fostering an environment for healthy development. As a governor, she brings diverse experience from both the private and public sectors and is focused on making mathematics and IT lessons engaging and accessible to all students.

Sally Palmer

Governor Type: Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese

Date of Office: February 2025 - January 2029

Committee Membership: Christian Ethos & Pupil Impact

Sally is a retired primary school teacher who began her career at Grand Avenue Primary School before spending four years teaching in Sarawak, Borneo. Upon returning to the UK, she taught for many years in two independent preparatory schools. Sally later rejoined the state sector, where she taught Reception - her favourite year group - at Christ Church. She has a particular interest in early years education and is passionate about supporting children with a variety of learning styles. Sally values the Christian ethos of the school, recognising the important role it plays in helping pupils feel happy, secure, and appreciated. Sally loves meeting friends and going out and about socially!

Andrew Rankin

Governor Type: Co-opted

Date of Office: March 2025 - February 2029

Committee Membership: Admissions (Chair), Business Impact & Human Resources (Chair)

Andrew retired from working in the post-16 education sector a few years ago, but he has a lively interest in primary education. He has college management experience and is a long-term member of the Association for Science Education. Andrew is keen that all subjects are taught well, but science is his passion. Andrew has been a member of Christ Church since he was a teenager.

Mike Sainsbury

Governor Type: Foundation governor appointed by the Diocese

Date of Office: September 2024 - August 2028

Committee Membership: Business Impact (Chair) & Human Resources

Mike has lived in New Malden since 1986 and is a member of St Johns, Kingston Road. He has been an Operations Manager at UCL since 2018, having previously worked in Human Resources for many years. Mike has been delighted to bring his personal and professional experience to the school, particularly on the HR and Business Impact committees. Mike enjoys working with the school’s excellent staff and other governors to ensure that Christ Church remains a school where every pupil has the opportunity to thrive in a caring Christian community.

Andre Rickerby

Governor Type: Elected Parent Governor

Date of Office: November 2023 – October 2027

Committee Membership: Business Impact & Pupil Impact

Andre is from a marketing and senior management background with extensive experience working with fast-paced multinational brands, running large budgets, and delivering key results. He has three boys at Christ Church and is particularly interested in SEN and the business aspects of the school. Andre is sports-mad and loves all things outdoors.

Joy Uren

Governor Type: Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese

Date of Office: June 2022 - May 2026

Committee Membership: Human Resources & Pupil Impact

Joy is a member of St John the Divine Church in New Malden and has been associated with the school for many years as a neighbour and parent of two girls who attended the school several years ago. Joy taught for many years in special education at St Philips School in Chessington. She has a great interest in the area of dyslexia and in helping young people achieve their potential.

Neil Meehan

Governor Type: Headteacher Ex-officio

Date of Office: September 2022 - ongoing

Committee Membership: Pupil Impact, Business Impact, Human Resources & Christian Ethos

Neil has been Headteacher since September 2022. Neil has 17 years of previous headship experience in community and church schools, over three different schools, including, most recently, as Executive Headteacher of Ashford and Laleham CofE Primary Schools in Surrey.

Register of Interest: Where no Register of Interest is noted, the governor has declared they have no pecuniary or business interests related to the school. They have also declared that they have no family or close personal connections to those working for the school. Declarations of Interest

Local Authority Governor Checklists (which further indicates the governor's areas of interest): Kingston Local Authority maintains a list of Mandatory Governing Roles. These are reviewed at the first Full Governing Body meeting each academic year. They are as follows:

Chair: Robert Shrimpton; Clerk to Governors: Julia Tagg; Safer Recruitment (trained governors): Andrew Rankin and Neil Meehan; Performance Management (trained governors): Robert Shrimpton and Joy Uren.

Kingston Local Authority also maintains a list of Link Governing Roles. These are as follows: Child Protection: Robert Shrimpton & Andrew Rankin; Curriculum: Mike Sainsbury; Health and Safety: Mike Sainsbury; Looked after Children: Joy Uren; SEND: Joy Uren; Early Years: Robert Shrimpton.

Associate members

Associate members are non-governors who sit on at least one sub-committee. They have no voting rights at the Full Board of Governors and no voting rights at the committee level.

NAME	ASSOCIATE MEMBERS (with no voting rights)
Andrew Burkinshaw	Date of Office: September 2017 – ongoing Committee Membership: Full Board, Business Impact, Christian Ethos, Pupil Impact & Human Resources Andrew is the School’s Deputy Headteacher. Before becoming a teacher, Andrew trained as a barrister and then worked in and around politics for ten years. He and his family live in New Malden, where they are members of New Malden Baptist Church. Both Andrew's daughters attended Christ Church.
Ian Duncan	Date of Office: June 2017 – ongoing Committee Membership: Business Impact The School’s Business Manager, Ian oversees all aspects of operational management across all three sites. His responsibilities include health and safety, maintenance, financial administration, and human resources. Ian served eight years as a foundation governor at Christ Church Infants and then the amalgamated Primary School. He has a strong personal connection to the school, as his daughters are proud former students.

NAME

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS (with no voting rights)

Andrew Burkinshaw

Date of Office: September 2017 – ongoing

Committee Membership: Full Board, Business Impact, Christian Ethos, Pupil Impact & Human Resources

Andrew is the School’s Deputy Headteacher. Before becoming a teacher, Andrew trained as a barrister and then worked in and around politics for ten years. He and his family live in New Malden, where they are members of New Malden Baptist Church. Both Andrew's daughters attended Christ Church.

Ian Duncan

Date of Office: June 2017 – ongoing

Committee Membership: Business Impact

The School’s Business Manager, Ian oversees all aspects of operational management across all three sites. His responsibilities include health and safety, maintenance, financial administration, and human resources. Ian served eight years as a foundation governor at Christ Church Infants and then the amalgamated Primary School. He has a strong personal connection to the school, as his daughters are proud former students.

Past Governors (who have served within the last 12 months)

NAME	DETAILS
Dave Pamphilon	Governor Type: Foundation governor appointed by the Diocese Date of Office: May 2022 - March 2024 Committee Membership: Business Impact & Pupil Impact
Amy Brown	Governor Type: Elected Staff Governor Date of Office: November 2021 – August 2024 Committee Membership: Business Impact & Christian Ethos
Anna Hornby	Governor Type: Associate Date of Office: September 2020 – August 2024 Committee Membership: Christian Ethos

NAME

DETAILS

Dave Pamphilon

Governor Type: Foundation governor appointed by the Diocese

Date of Office: May 2022 - March 2024

Committee Membership: Business Impact & Pupil Impact

Amy Brown

Governor Type: Elected Staff Governor

Date of Office: November 2021 – August 2024

Committee Membership: Business Impact & Christian Ethos

Anna Hornby

Governor Type: Associate

Date of Office: September 2020 – August 2024

Committee Membership: Christian Ethos