“The quality of leadership and management, including links with parents, carers and guardians, is excellent. Leaders and managers at all levels are highly successful in promoting the aims of the school.” ISI Inspection Report 2016

“The contribution of teaching is excellent. Teachers throughout the school are well supported by knowledgeable assistants who provide excellent support with activities and in lessons. The teacher’s enthusiasm and strong rapport with their pupils create a highly productive learning environment in which pupils can flourish.” ISI Inspection Report 2016

“The governance of the school is excellent. The governing body exercises highly effective oversight of the school. Governors play a key role in school improvement, reviewing the development plan termly with management, and providing an invaluable combination of support and challenge to leadership. They are well known to staff, parents and pupils, who feel able to communicate freely with them.” ISI Inspection Report 2016

The chair of Governors Mrs Helen Crossley can be contacted directly at h.crossley@st-christophers.surrey.sch.uk

Helen Crossley – Chair, Academic & Curriculum, School Development, Child Protection & Safeguarding, Bursaries

I became a governor in 2012 following my retirement as Head of Junior School at Ewell Castle. I previously held the post of Deputy Head of the Junior School at City of London Freemen’s School. I still work on a part-time basis, mentoring BA and PGCE student teachers when they are working in schools. I took over as Chair in November 2016.

My role as a governor at St Christopher’s is especially concerned with curriculum matters, bursaries, Child Protection and Safeguarding and School Development.

It is a pleasure to be able to use the experience I gained, throughout my career, in a strategic role within such a high achieving school. A school in which everyone is working together to give an outstanding start to the journey through life for our young pupils.

Nigel Field – Parent Communication, School Development

I have had the pleasure of being a governor of St Christopher’s since 2013.  For the past twenty-four years I have been working as an estate agent in Kennington, South London where I run my own franchised business.

I spent most of my early years living in the local area and moved away in my early twenties and returned to Ewell in 2007. I am married with three children, who all attended St Christopher’s and we have many happy memories of their start to education there. We feel the school contributed a huge amount, building a solid foundation for their future.  Returning as a governor to the school is a small thing I can do to repay the kindness and dedication they gave to our children.

My role is Parent Communication and School Development. I also chair the Parent Forum and liaise with the Chair of Governors regarding the parents’ questionnaires. I also attend a number of meetings and school events. It is always a great pleasure seeing the pupils fully engaged in an array of school activities.

Colin Lott – Premises, Health & Safety

I am married with three sons, each of whom enjoyed and benefited from their time at St Christopher’s between 1999 and 2005.  They all have very happy memories of their time at the school and their closest friends today are the ones they made at St Christopher’s.

I am an architect in private practice and was invited to join the governing body following close involvement in a successful project to build two new classrooms above the Hall, some ten years ago.  Since then, I’ve been delighted to contribute my particular area of knowledge and expertise to the enthusiastic team of governors, staff and parents who make up the family that is St Christopher’s.

As a member of the team overseeing the school’s future direction, I continue to enjoy playing a small role in the vision of constant improvement and development of St Christopher’s.  It’s a vision that has seen the school cement its reputation in the local community and it’s a privilege to be part of a school that creates such a strong foundation in education.

Richard Harris – Finance

I have been a governor of St Christopher’s since 2016.  I am a qualified accountant working primarily in the music industry   .

I have two children and have lived in the Epsom area for 27 years.

I am the Finance chair and attend the Governors meetings  and the  Finance sub-committee.  As part of the small team of Governors we work closely with the Bursar and Headteacher to ensure that the school’s finances are sound and robust enough to meet the various demands from constant  changes within the education sector.  It has been very interesting learning from the experienced and committed finance team the many different skills needed to run a successful school.

Kirsty Park – Child Protection & Safeguarding, Compliance, School Development and E-Safety

I became a school governor in 2017 just after our daughter left St Christopher’s.

Having so recently experienced and appreciated the exceptional all-round education and positive impact St Christopher’s has had on our daughter, I was delighted to be invited onto the Board of Governors and volunteer my time which has allowed me to continue being involved with the school.

My role on the Board focusses on the important areas of Child Protection & Safeguarding, Compliance, School Development and E-Safety.

I have over 20 years policing experience in the Metropolitan Police working in a diverse range of roles. I am really enjoying using my skills and experience to work collaboratively with the team of dedicated governors, hard-working staff, supportive parents and of course the lovely children that make St Christopher’s the inspirational and successful school that it is.

Stephen Mainstone – IT

It was a great honour for me to be invited onto the Board of Governors in 2018. As a parent I felt hugely privileged to have been part of the St Christopher’s family for over 7 years. I have two daughters who both attended St Christopher’s from nursery through to Year 2; the youngest of whom departed in the summer of 2018. Both thoroughly enjoyed their time and therefore it is with great pleasure I now have the opportunity to continue that relationship and help the school moving forwards.

I am a Technologist with over 15 years experience in technology consulting and software development. I currently specialise in electronic trading automation for an investment bank.

I look forward to supporting the school with the same drive, dedication and enthusiasm that was given to my daughters during their wonderful journey at St Christopher’s.

Bryan O’Callaghan – Data and Finance

I was delighted to accept the invitation to join the school’s Board of Governors in 2019.

Originally hailing from Dublin, my wife and I chose Epsom as our home in 2006. Our daughter absolutely loved her time at St Christopher’s, thriving in its warm, productive environment until her departure in 2019. During this time, as a Class Representative for her year, I enjoyed liaising with the parents, the school and the PTA.

Professionally, I consult on business transformations across many industries (including professional services, new media, broadcasting, charities and environmental solutions) but primarily within financial services. These roles allow me to engage with people from Board level to new starters, improving their organisations – for the business, its staff and customers alike – through changes in operational process and technological advancements.

As Governor, my role covers finance and across the Board’s remit. It is my pleasure to work with the school’s wonderful team to further enhance the already outstanding experience enjoyed by the children and parents who join the St Christopher’s family.

Dawn Bhoma – Legal Matters

I felt absolutely honoured to be invited to serve as a governor to St Christopher’s school. My son and daughter both attended the school from the nursery through until Year 2 and the only negative was how quickly the time went. I am therefore delighted to stay connected with the unique St Christopher’s school community. My two children are extremely privileged to have attended such a wonderful school and I look forward to being able to help the school in any way that I can in my capacity as governor.

I was a lawyer at City law firms for 12 years before I left to join the insurance industry. I now run my own underwriting business which specialises in Mergers & Acquisitions.

I can’t wait to come back to the school to see some of the legendary, West-End standard St Christopher’s performances! My role as governor will be to assist on any legal issues that arise but also to help the school to evolve as all good schools should.

Elizabeth Hibbert –  Marketing, School Development

My St Christopher’s journey started in 2014 as a prospective parent attending my first Open Day.  Since that date St Christopher’s  has continued to impress me with its exceptional standards across every area of school life. I became PTA Chair in 2017, which was a fantastic experience, enabling me to be closely involved in the school community and make a contribution. This year, now that both of my daughters are on the next stage of their academic journey, I was delighted to receive an invitation to continue my association with the School as governor responsible for Marketing and the School Development Plan. I shall bring my knowledge as a parent together with my skills in marketing and communication to this role. Formerly an Agency Director in a leading recruitment communications agency, I am now a writer, with my own copywriting and marketing consultancy business.

I am very much looking forward to my continued involvement in a school which is truly special and has given our two girls such a wonderful start in life.