J phillipson

Letter from the Chair of Governors

A warm welcome from the Governors of St. John’s C of E Primary School.

As a governing body we are very proud of our children and the school community to which they are central. As a Christian school we are keen to support the head teacher and her staff not only in creating a centre of excellence in Christian learning but also in developing our children into young adults who enrich our society.

We are very grateful for the support of our current parents and are blessed by an active and energetic school association who work really hard to raise funds for the school and promote the sense of belonging that we hope all families feel.

As Governors we are aware of the pressure for primary school places in Croydon and also the importance of the role of our governing body as its own admissions authority.

We are very diligent in our annual review of our admissions policy, constantly looking to ensure it is as fair as possible to as many as possible. We are equally diligent and careful when applying the policy to applicants. If you are on this web site as a prospective parent then I am grateful that you have taken the time to look at our school and hope you will feel it worthwhile to list St. John’s amongst your preferences.

The school has a close and valued link to St. John the Evangelist Church, Shirley and also works with other local clergy and churches which greatly enriches school life.

As a parent of three children who have recently gone through the school, I have been delighted with the progress they made at St. John’s and the support they received in preparing them for senior school.

I feel privileged to be Chair of Governors at St. John’s C of E Primary School and to lead such an experienced team of governors who work hard to share their various fields of expertise to guide the schools strategic direction.

J R Phillipson

Chair of Governors

  • John Phillipson

    Chair of Governors, Policy and Finance Chair, Ethos Committee, Premises and Expansion Committee

  • Julian Timm

    Admissions, Policy and Finance Committee, Curriculum, Quality and Standards Governor

  • Tia Baker

    Ethos Committee

  • Reverend Lu Gale

    Ethos Chair, Policy and Finance Committee

  • Jo Iyashere

    Personnel Committee, Safeguarding, LAC and SEN Governor

  • Whitney Andrews

    Deputy Head Teacher - All committees

  • Andrea Marshall

    Curriculum, Quality and Standards Chair, Policy & Finance Committee

  • SUSAN CANDLISH

    Premises and Expansion Chair

  • Martina Martin

    Head Teacher - All committees

  • Emily Matheson

    Personnel Chair, Policy and Finance Committee

  • Mark Adams

    Staff Governor

  • Eamonn Prendergast

    Parent Governor

  • Richard Thorn

    Premises Committee

  • Liz Parry

    Clerk

John Phillipson

Chair of Governors, Policy and Finance Chair, Ethos Committee, Premises and Expansion Committee

Hello, what’s your name?
John Phillipson.  
What do you do on the Governing Body?
I Chair the Governing Body and I also help on the Premises committee that looks after the school building.
Why did you become a Governor at St. John’s?
Because my three children had such a happy time here and I wanted to help keep it a brilliant school.
Did you go to St. John’s when you were a child?
No, I went to a school nearby called Ashburton.
What is your favourite thing about our school?
Seeing the children of the school turn into really nice and kind young people.
Is there anything you would change about our school?
I would not like to see anything change which would stop St. Johns being the special place it is but I do want the school to keep evolving as education changes and we need to ensure we are always the best we can be for the children we care for.
What do you do when you’re not helping our school?
I travel more now and really enjoying seeing new cities and countries. I like to cycle and ski (not at the same time) to keep fit. I also help other governing bodies to be outstanding. I love to sing as much as I can and also help with a number of homeless projects. When I’m not doing all that, I occasionally turn up for work as a surveyor.

Julian Timm

Admissions, Policy and Finance Committee, Curriculum, Quality and Standards Governor

Hello, what’s your name?

Julian Timm

What do you do on the Governing Body?

My general role is to bring some of my experience as a teacher and a former St. John’s parent to our discussions about how St. John’s operates. More specifically, I chair the Admissions Panel, and I also sit on the Policy and Finance, Curriculum, Quality and Standards Committee. In that group we look at what is being taught, and how, and also consider how much progress is being made by pupils. I’m also vice chair of the Governing Body, which basically means that if Mr Phillipson is ever kidnapped by aliens, I get to take over for a bit.

Why did you become a Governor at St. John’s?

When my children started at St. John’s I realised that I didn’t really know much about what went on in primary schools. Being a governor has given me a great insight into how the school operates, and how younger children learn, and hopefully gives me the chance to offer something back to this great school.

Did you go to St. John’s when you were a child?

No – I grew up in a lovely little town called Stamford in Lincolnshire. My dad was Head of my school which may have made a difference to how I behaved.

What is your favourite thing about our school?

I love the fact that whenever I visit it always feels like a big family where everybody knows and cares about everybody else.

Is there anything you would change about our school?

Given what a big fan I am I couldn’t then start suggesting lots of changes. I love sport, so even though it’s something then school has really built up in the last few years, I suppose I would always say that I’d love more children out playing sport every day, but I also know how much else there is to fit in. I also wish there were better cycle routes in Croydon so that we could be a school where hardly anyone has to come in by car.

 

Tia Baker

Ethos Committee

Hello. What is your name?

Tia Baker

 

What do you do on the Governing Body?

I’m a member of the Ethos Committee. I am also the Equalities & Diversity governor.

 

Why did you become a Governor at St John’s?

I think St. John’s is a truly special place and a first class school. It’s a privilege to work alongside and support the excellent staff team here. My own children benefited greatly from their time at St. John’s and it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to give something back.  I also used to be a secondary school teacher so it’s interesting and challenging to be part of another side of school life.

 

Did you go to St John’s when you were a child?

No, but I did go to a small Church of England primary school, Christ Church Streatham.

 

What is your favourite thing about our school?

The sense of community here and that everyone is known as an individual and valued.

 

Is there anything you would change about our school?

Not really. However, being an “outstanding” school isn’t a static thing. We need to continue to push forward and explore new ways to enhance every pupil’s education and experience of school life.

 

What do you do when you’re not helping our school?

Over the years I’ve been involved in various areas of life at my church including youth/children’s work, leading worship and serving on the leadership team.

I volunteer for the Croydon Refugee Day Centre and enjoy meeting and helping people from many different backgrounds.

I also enjoy making art, Doctor Who and generally enjoying family life in all its colours!

Reverend Lu Gale

Ethos Chair, Policy and Finance Committee

Jo Iyashere

Personnel Committee, Safeguarding, LAC and SEN Governor

Hello what’s your name?

Jo Iyashere.

What do you do on the Governing Body?

I sit on the Curriculum and Standards committee. I also have two specialist roles as the Looked After Children (LAC) and Safeguarding Governor.

Why did you become a Governor at St. John’s? 

When my son Theo started at St. John’s I was thrilled to be asked whether I would like to become a Foundation Governor. I hope I can give something back to the school and the wider community.

Did you go to St. John’s when you were a child?

No I attended Spring Park School.

What is your favourite thing about our school?

There are so many things I love about St. John’s it is hard to pick a favourite!! I love the vibrant classrooms and displays in the corridor, how well behaved everyone is and the fact that St. John’s cares about its wider community.

Is there anything you would change about our school?

I would like more children to have the opportunity to attend St. John’s. 

What do you do when you’re not helping our School?

I am a social worker and help manage a Children and Young People team. I am also the Parish Safeguarding Officer for St. John’s church but above all I am a mum to Theo and Grace.

Whitney Andrews

Deputy Head Teacher - All committees

Andrea Marshall

Curriculum, Quality and Standards Chair, Policy & Finance Committee

SUSAN CANDLISH

Premises and Expansion Chair

Martina Martin

Head Teacher - All committees

Emily Matheson

Personnel Chair, Policy and Finance Committee

Hello, what is your name?

Emily Matheson.

 

What do you do on the Governing Body?

I chair the Personnel Committee and sit on the Policy & Finance Committee.  I am also the GDPR (data protection) Governor.

 

Why did you become a Governor at St. John’s?

When I retired I wanted to use my experience and skills to support a local school and I was delighted that there was a governor vacancy here at that time.

 

Did you go to St. John’s when you were a child?

Yes I did and have extremely fond memories of enjoying church services, summer productions and the sports days with egg & spoon and slow bicycle races.  I still have a couple of friends who were at St. John’s with me.

 

What is your favourite thing about our school?

I always leave feeling enthused.

It’s a privilege to be a part of St.John’s school community again and I definitely recommend it.

 

Is there anything you would change about our school?

Yes – if I could – I’d have a higher level of government funding.

 

What do you do when you’re not helping our school?

Gardening is my favourite outdoor hobby, it’s very satisfying to nurture plants and to watch them grow and change with the seasons; I find tidying up in winter and weeding in summer a pleasure.

Theatre, cinema, museum and art gallery trips are my favourite indoor activities, with the opportunity to catch up with friends and family at the same time.

Mark Adams

Staff Governor

Eamonn Prendergast

Parent Governor

Richard Thorn

Premises Committee

Hello, what is your name?
Richard Thorn.

What do you do on the Governing Body?
Being new, I’ve been appointed to the Personnel committee and I will also be heading up the Income Generation committee.

Why did you become a Governor at St. John’s?
I knew this was a fantastic school and I wanted to be part of its future.

Did you go to St. John’s when you were a child?
No I didn’t actually. I went to Selsdon Primary School as that was nearer to my childhood home.

What is your favourite thing about our school?
The atmosphere and positivity around the place. It’s infectious and it inspires everyone to do a great job.

Is there anything you would change about our school?
Nothing that I’ve noticed yet!!
I’m sure there will be things over the next few years which we will work on together to help keep St. John’s being the great school it is today.

What do you do when you’re not helping our school?
I am a Digital Account Manager for a company called Pepsico; you’ll best know them for the company that makes Walkers Crisps!
I do also play a LOT of golf (badly!), spend a great deal of time at Selhurst Park following Crystal Palace and I do also try to squeeze in the organisation of numerous charity events throughout the year.

Liz Parry

Clerk

Please note that any written correspondence for the Chair of Governors can be sent to the school address.

Roles & Responsibilities

The Governing Body works in close co-operation the Head Teacher in taking general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards.
The statutory role of the Governing Body includes:

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
  • Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making
    sure its money is well spent.
  • Making sure the curriculum is balanced and broad based (as a Voluntary Aided school we take particular responsibility for the Religious Education)
  • Appointing the Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher and determining how other appointments will be made and staff are managed.

Governors have an important role in maintaining the distinctive Christian ethos of the school through developing and maintaining links with St. John’s Church and other local churches.

As a Voluntary Aided school the Governing Body is also the Admissions Authority with responsibility for setting and implementing the admissions criteria.

The Governing Body normally meets four times a year as a whole group and in committees during the intervening times. The committees are responsible for the school premises, finance, admissions, personnel, curriculum and standards.

Governor Information

The Governing Body of St. John's C of E Primary School consists of 16 Governors including the following:

  • Two parent governors
  • Two Co-opted governors
  • One LA governor
  • One head teacher
  • One staff governor
  • Nine foundation governors (including two appointed by Southwark Diocesan Board of Education)

The Governing Body operates by holding a minimum of 4 full Governing Body meetings per year, and holding sub committee meetings once per term to cover the detailed business, under the key headings of Personnel, Curriculum & Standards, Premises, Policy & Finance, reporting back to the Full Governing Body.

There are currently no associate members serving on the Governing Body.

Please click here to view the Governors' School Development Fund Letter

A4 School Development Fund Poster