My name is Laura and I am a Foundation Diocesan Governor, which means that I have been appointed to the governing body by the diocese because of my links with St Mary’s Church. I am currently chair of the Children, Learning & Assessment committee. My background is in Art education and I currently teach part time at 2 local secondary schools and for a local authority. I am also the mother of three boys who all attended St Mary’s and received an excellent education which prepared them for their secondary school, sixth form and beyond. They loved their time at this school and made the most of every extra-curricular opportunity: sport, music, drama. I am passionate about the arts and believe that a broad curriculum which includes rich creative opportunities should be available to all students. My family, governor role and three jobs keep me pretty busy, but in my spare time I enjoy singing in a choir, gardening and, of course, drawing.

My name is Michelle Leach and I am a Foundation Governor. I spent 15 years as a parent at St Mary’s where all four of my children attended and I am excited to return to the school in this new role. Having been a governor elsewhere for a number of years, I look forward to using my prior governance experience to support the school on its journey to flourish. Outside of being a governor, I am the director of Splash! for Schools and Communities, where we work with churches and schools in the South Downs area to deliver workshops, assemblies and holiday clubs.

I recently retired following a career in education and 20 years as a Surrey primary school head, being appointed to the Governing Body in July 2019. A Keele Music and French graduate, I trained as a teacher at Westminster College, Oxford. I am excited to be involved with St Mary’s at such an important time in the school’s development. I am a member of the Resources and Children and Learning Committees and Lead Governor for Maths. In my leisure time I enjoy travel, skiing and playing squash.

I am the Head teacher at St Mary’s and teaching and Learning is my passion, with a focus on Special Educational Needs, Disability and Safeguarding as well as liaising with the staff at the school. I spend my weekends with my family and love being outdoors, with a keen interest in water sports and walking.

Hi, my name is Julian and I'm the father of three girls, all of whom attend or have attended St Mary's. I sit on the Teaching & Learning committee and I also hold the Governors’ responsibility for the Higher Attaining pupils’ policy. My day job is flying for an airline and my passion is horses which is why I often look like something the cat has dragged in at pick up time.

My name is Judith Ellis. I am the new minister at Pulborough Brooks Baptist Church and I have been appointed by the diocese as a Foundation Governor. I spent my first 35 working years in education, both in the UK and in Nepal. From 2000-2014 I was the CEO of a 4-18 year old Christ-centred Mission School, where we set up a program to work with other Nepali schools, to equip them and introduce creativity and discipline through love rather than fear. I have been on international schools' inspection teams, as well as successfully leading the primary and secondary school through a number of inspections. On returning to the UK I completed an MA in Kingdom Theology, ministers' training at Spurgeon’s College and was ordained last year. I look forward to being on the Ethos and Worship Committee and part of the Governing Team at St Mary’s School. I love to garden and enjoy God’s creation through walks.

My name is Alyson Heath and I am a Foundation Diocesan Governor, which means that I have been appointed to the governing body by the diocese because of my links with St Mary’s Church. I have lived in Pulborough for many years and I have been a teacher for all of my professional life, including holding the post of headteacher in Cowfold and at St Mary’s in Pulborough, where I spent 13 happy years. I sit on both the Teaching & Learning and the Ethos & Worship Committee. I gained my Masters in Education with the Open University (MA.Ed) in 1999. When I retired in 2015, I became a governor at two schools, All Saints in Horsham and Barns Green Primary School, standing down in 2018 and 2019. I was also a trustee for many years for a charity called’ Just Different’ which carried out workshops in schools, raising awareness of people with disabilities, standing down in 2019. During my time as a headteacher of church schools I sat on the Chichester Diocesan Board of Education, chairing several sub-committees and was a SIAMs inspector, inspecting church schools across East and West Sussex. Upon my retirement, Bishop Martin invited me to become Chairman of Family Support Work (FSW), a charity that works across East and West Sussex. I am the Safeguarding lead for the trustees. I also sit on the local Deanery Committee for Storrington. I became Churchwarden of St Mary’s Church Pulborough in 2019 and I sit on the Diocesan Deanery Synod. I am also the Safeguarding Lead Recruiter within our church, dealing with everyone’s DBS checks. I am also vice chair of EWA (Education West Africa) a charity which helps schools in Sierra Leone. I first visited in 2018 and recently visited in 2024. In my spare time, I enjoy walking and looking after my two active grandchildren.

Hi. I am Rebecca Henderson and I am one of the newest members of the governing board at St Mary's. I have one daughter who has just started her journey through the school and my son will be joining in 2026. I have lived in the surrounding area for just over 14 years now, with my family roots being in Cuckfield. I have a passion for innovation and a futuristic approach to strategy and resources. In my spare time I enjoy content creation for board gaming as well as having a keen interest in escape rooms. I'm also a member of Pulborough Rugby Club, which my children will be joining very soon.

My name is Isla Moran and I joined the St. Mary's team in April 2021, as the Clerk to the Governors. I have a son and daughter at the school. I was born in South Africa. I have been many things in the past - a wedding and event planner, a nanny and housekeeper, a casino staff trainer and now I am a carer and a mother! In my spare time, I enjoy being outdoors, playing stoolball for the Pulborough team, spending time with family and friends, watching rugby, tennis and snooker on TV and listening to music. I am thrilled to become an active staff member and I look forward to seeing what the future brings!

I became the Rector of St Mary’s Pulborough in 2017 and by virtue of my office I am a governor of St Mary’s School (Ex-officio). I am enjoying being a member of a group of committed and well-motivated Foundation Governors who particularly represent the interests of the wider church in our school. I moved from East Grinstead where I was involved with another Church of England school in my role as Vicar of that parish. Before ordination I trained as a primary school teacher and taught for a short time before going to theological college. I very much enjoy being involved in the life of the school and working with all members of the school community, the school is an important part of the St Mary’s church family.

Hello! My name is David Shepherd (spelling as in sheep), I was a Parent Governor by virtue of my daughter having just spent a very happy 7 years at St. Mary’s, but am now a Foundation Governor. I was originally appointed back in 2013 and I find that being a Governor is a challenging but immensely rewarding role, especially given the opportunity to work so closely with such wonderful staff and fellow governors. I have specific responsibility for overseeing various aspects of school data and performance, and take a close interest in Finance and Health & Safety matters given the experience I bring from my day job in housing development. I devote what spare time I have to photography and trying to keep the garden tidy, and am a passionate supporter of a certain football team (which, in the interests of impartiality, I won’t name!).

Hi, my name is Beccie Sheppard and I have recently joined the governing body as a Staff Governor. I have four children, 3 of whom currently attend St Mary’s in years 6, 3 and 1, with our 4th child moving on to secondary school. I am also an active member of the PTA. For my day job I work as an Administrative Assistant now at the school. Aside from being a PA and taxi to our children, in my spare time I enjoy sewing and being creative.