Governors & staff

Relationships with parents and carers are truly valued at St Mary’s. We believe that a successful education rests upon strong partnerships between home and school. We are therefore wholly committed to establishing good parent/teacher relationships and we encourage parents to contact any member of staff at any time should they have concerns or simply want an interim report on progress.

St Mary’s are always happy to consider applications from prospective governors. If you are interested in finding out more please email the Clerk to the Governors, clerk@stmarycolchester.org.uk.

St Mary’s Governors

Mr Tony Bell

Position:

Chair of Governors

Qualifications:

MHCIMA, DipWSET

As a parent of a former pupil, my daughter journeying from Prep through to becoming Head Girl in Year 11, I felt that she had got so much out of St...

Mrs Kate Abbott

Position:

Governor

Qualifications:

BA (Hons) English Literature (University of Reading); PGCE

A former St Mary’s pupil – all the way from Kindergarten to Year 11 and taking GCSEs, before finally leaving in 1990 to go to The Leys for A levels. After...

Dr Nicole Baerg

Position:

Governor

Qualifications:

PhD Economics, Political Science and Quantitative Methods (Emory University)

Nicole Baerg is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Government at the University of Essex, where she specializes in political economy, institutions, and the use of data and technology in...

Mrs Esther Eddy

Position:

Governor

Qualifications:

BA (Hons) History (Hull University); QTS

As a local Primary School Teacher, Esther has a wide range of experience within the education sector. In addition to this, Esther is a member of SACRE and supports RE across...

Mr Samuel Flower

Position:

Governor

Qualifications:

LLB, Law (Anglia Ruskin University)

I may not come from an educational background, other than being a former student (although not of St Mary’s!), but I hope that I am able to effectively contribute to the...

Mrs Debbie Hamilton

Position:

Governor

Qualifications:

BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies (Suffolk College)

Debbie is a former pupil and has worked locally as a Children’s Nurse for thirty years specializing in SEND in a Special School. She is a member of a Royal College...

Mr Andrew Hampton

Position:

Governor

Qualifications:

MA (Education); NPQH

Andrew Hampton was a Headteacher for 18 years and was head at Thorpe Hall School in Southend from 2007 to 2021. He is the creator of Girls on Board and author...

Mr Graeme Lambert

Position:

Governor

Qualifications:

BComm (Commerce, University of Edinburgh)

Whilst not coming from an educationalist’s background, one still might say that I have spent a lifetime in the private education sector; in my youth on the receiving end and in...

Mr Jack Magill

Position:

Governor

Qualifications:

MA English (Christ’s College, Cambridge)

Jack is a retired Headmaster who spent a number of years in the 1980s as a Deputy Head at New Hall School, before becoming a Headmaster at Foyle College in Ireland...

Mr Craig Woods

Position:

Governor

Qualifications:

BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology (Anglia Ruskin University)

Craig joined St Mary’s School governing body in 2023. He brings professional experience in architecture and project management. Craig’s professional experience has equipped him with excellent problem-solving skills, a keen eye...

The Co-Chairs of Governors may be contacted via the Clerk to the Governors on clerk@stmaryscolchester.org.uk

Senior Leadership Team

Mrs Nicola Griffiths

Position:

School Principal

Qualifications:

MA PGCE NPQH

Educated locally, Mrs Griffiths attended Colchester County High School for Girls and The Sixth Form College, Colchester. She then went on to study at St Hilda’s College, University of Oxford, reading...

Mrs Emma Stanhope

Position:

Vice Principal

Qualifications:

G Mus PGCE NPQH

Mrs Stanhope is an experienced primary school teacher. She joined St Mary’s in 2002 as a senior teacher and in 2006, became Primary Curriculum Leader, responsible for the development of the...

Mrs Elizabeth Bevan

Position:

Head of Finance and Operations

Qualifications:

BSc (Business Administration, University of Wales)

Mrs Bevan is a former St Mary’s girl, who attended the Lower School between 1984 and 1991, before moving on to Colchester County High School for Girls for her secondary school...

Mrs Antonia Lovegrove

Position:

Head of Marketing, Admissions and Communications

Qualifications:

BA (English Literature, University of Wales)

Mrs Lovegrove joined St Mary’s in 2019 as Head of Marketing, Admissions and Communications. After successfully achieving a degree in English Literature at the University of Wales, Swansea, Mrs Lovegrove worked...

Miss Suzy Violett | Early Years Foundation Degree Level 3 Forest School | Kindergarten Manager
Miss Louise Bacon | CACHE Level 3 | Kindergarten Practitioner
Miss Emma Copping | Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development | Kindergarten Practitioner
Mrs Kerry Holmes | BA (Hons) QTS | Kindergarten Practitioner
Miss Carla Martins | NVQ Level 3 in Childcare | Kindergarten Deputy Manager
Miss Naomi Percival | Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development | Kindergarten Practitioner
Miss Rachel Pyke | CACHE Level 3 | Kindergarten Practitioner
Mrs Louise Stock | Early Years Foundation Degree | Kindergarten Practitioner
Mrs Jenny Vakalopoulou | Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator | Kindergarten Practitioner

LOWER SCHOOL TEACHING STAFF

Mrs Denise Adamson | BA (Hons) QTS NPQSL | Assistant Head of Lower School (Pastoral); SENCO Assessment Coordinator
Mrs Claire Bowell | BA (Hons) PGCE | Music Teacher
Miss Melanie Campbell | BA (Hons) QTS NPQH | Class Teacher
Ms Victoria Coleman | BA (Hons) QTS | Class Teacher; Art Co-ordinator; Science Subject Lead
Mrs Angela Folkerd | BA (Hons) QTS | PE Teacher
Mrs Jane Gavin | BA (Hons) QTS | Class Teacher
Ms Michelle Gray | HLTA | Teaching Assistant
Mrs Karen Howard | NNEB CACHE Diploma Level 2 | Teaching Assistant
Mrs Victoria Ingram | BA (Hons) PGCE | Prep Practitioner
Mrs Deryn Lilley | BA (Hons) PGCE | PE Teacher
Mrs Deborah McDonald | BA (Hons) PGCE | Lower School Language Teacher
Mrs Joanne Paisley | BA (Hons) Early Childhood Professional Practice | Teaching Assistant
Mr Neil Quilter | BA (Hons) QTS | Class Teacher
Mrs Sarah Rees | CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education Level 3 | Teaching Assistant
Ms Hannah Say | BA (Hons) PGCE | Class Teacher
Mr Benjamin Sutcliff | BA (Hons) PGCE | Class Teacher; Maths Subject Lead
Mrs Hayley Taylor-Howse | BA (Hons) PGCE | Class Teacher
Mrs Brogan Tuxford | BA (Hons) QTS | Class Teacher; DT Co-ordinator; English Subject Lead
Mr Stuart Wainwright | BA (Hons) QTS | Class Teacher
Mrs Zoe Wentworth | BA (Hons) QTS | Assistant Head of Lower School (Academic); Prep Class Teacher; Assessment Co-ordinator

LOWER SCHOOL NON-TEACHING STAFF

Mr Ivan Birchmore | Caretaker
Mrs Donna Connelly | Midday Assistant
Miss Claire Humphrey | Midday Assistant
Mr Mark Mangwana | IT Manager
Mrs Sarah Nicholls | Marketing Officer
Mrs Sarah Norman | Library Assistant
Miss Iona Pirret | GAP Assistant
Miss Elizabeth Rochford | Finance Assistant
Mrs Jenefer Rudling | Lower School Office Manager
Mrs Lizanne Shiret | Assistant Head of Finance
Mrs Louise Stevenson | Marketing Assistant
Mrs Molly Terry | HR & Compliance Officer; Clerk to the Governors
Mr Neil Thompson | Groundskeeper & Maintenance Caretaker
Mrs Justine Tierney | Registrar
Mr Alex Turner | IT Technician
Mr Ross Weaving | Assistant Head of Operations
Mrs Laura Wood | Lower School and Kindergarten Pupil Administrator

LOWER SCHOOL VISITING STAFF

Ms Karen Binks | Dip (Musical Theatre) | LAMDA, Acting and Performance
Mr Timothy Clapp | Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Popular Music, Certificate in Education | Drums
Miss Chantelle Cooke | BA (Hons) | Cheerleading
Miss Stephanie Cook | BA (Hons) | Ballet
Mrs Anneke Cullen | Gardening Club
Mr Tim Curd | BA (Hons) | Brass
Mr Gregory Eaton | BA (Hons), LTCL | String
Miss Karalyn Foord | Forest Schools Lead
Ms Nina Gorman | Street Dance
Miss Cheryl Jessop | Post Graduate Diploma in Early Music | Violin and Cello
Mr Adrian Johnson | BA (Hons) Music | Guitar
Mrs Victoria Lascelles | BMus (Hons) | Piano, Choir, and Performances
Mr Dan Mather | Football
Mr Colin Matthews | LLCM CertMusic Ed TCL | Brass
Mrs Kathryn Urand | BA (Hons) | Woodwind
Mrs Helen Wright | BA (Hons) Music | Singing

SENIOR SCHOOL TEACHING STAFF

Mr Mark Bainton | BEd (Hons) | Subject Lead – ICT
Mrs Deborah Bannister | BSc (Hons) PGCE | Head of Faculty – STEM
Mrs Angela Bush | BEd (Hons) | Subject Lead – Latin & Classics
Mrs Charlotte Chamberlain | BA (Hons) PGCE | Modern Foreign Languages Teacher
Miss Sian Chambers | BA (Hons) QTS | Subject Lead – Food Technology
Mrs Janette Cliff | BSc (Hons) QTS | Science Teacher
Miss Natalie Crewe | BA (Hons) PGCE | Assistant Head of Senior School (Pupil Development & Pastoral)
Dr Elisabeth Collier | PhD MA BA (Hons) QTS | Subject Lead – Drama & English Teacher
Miss Rebecca Doe | BA (Hons) | Subject Lead – Modern Foreign Languages; Phase Lead – Year 10 and Year 11 & Post 16 Transition
Mr Dominic Gosling | BSc (Hons) QTS | Subject Lead – Maths
Mrs Emma Hawkwood | BEd (Hons) | Head of Faculty – Sport & Outdoor Education
Mrs Rosemary Kelly | MA BA (Hons) PGCE | Head of Faculty – Languages
Mr Wilfred Kenning | BA (Hons) PGDE | Subject Lead – History; Humanities Teacher
Mrs Kathryn Kiernan | MEd BA) | Assistant Head of Senior School (Safeguarding & Wellbeing)
Mrs Florence Lazos | BA (Hons) PGCE | Head of Faculty – Creative & Performing Arts
Miss Lucille Long | LLB (Hons) PGCE | SENCo
Miss Joanna Middleditch | BSc (Hons) QTS | PE & History Teacher
Mrs Marina Mitchell | BEd (Hons) PGCE | English Teacher; Phase Lead – Years 8 & 9
Mrs Luminita Murray | BSc (Hons) MSc | Science Teacher
Miss Victoria Osborne | BSc (Hons) PGCE QTS | English Teacher
Mrs Katie Palfree | BA (Hons) PGCE | Subject Lead – Textiles
Mr Simon Parkinson | BSc (Hons) PGCE QTS | Assistant Head of Senior School (Academic)
Mrs Caroline Parry-Jones | CertEd FETC | Textiles Teacher
Mrs Claire Pullen | BSc (Hons) PGCE | Maths Teacher
Mrs Laura Riddell | BA (Hons) PGCE QTS | MFL Teacher
Mrs Rebecca Rose | BA (Hons) PGCE QTS | Science Teacher (Maternity Cover)
Mrs Lindsey Snow | BA (Hons) PGCE QTS | Modern Foreign Languages Teacher
Mrs Holly Tippett | BSc (Hons) PGCE QTS | Science Teacher
Mrs Laura Washington | MA BSc | Head of Faculty – Humanities
Mrs Sue Waxman | BA (Hons) PGCE QTS| Subject Lead – Music
Mr Daniel Williams | BA (Hons) PGCE | Maths Teacher; Co-Curricular Lead
Miss Victoria Wilson | BA (Hons) PGCE | Religious Studies Teacher; Phase Lead Year 6-7 Transition
Miss Heidi Wright | BSc (Hons) PGCE | Maths Teacher

SENIOR SCHOOL NON-TEACHING STAFF

Mrs Suzanne Arnold | Textiles Technician
Mrs Fi Baldwin | Principal’s PA & Data Manager
Mrs Kirsty Bartle | Senior School Pupil Administrator
Mrs Alexis Cornell | Textiles Technician
Mr Paul Donnelly | Caretaker
Mr Stephen Drage | Minibus Driver
Mrs Sarah Enright | Minibus Driver
Mrs Claire Evans | Midday Assistant
Mr Gary Evans | Minibus Driver
Mr Andrew Free | Minibus Driver
Miss Rebecca Girolami | GAP Assistant
Mr Alan Godley | Minibus Driver
Miss Emma Hayes | Cover Supervisor
Mrs Sheree Kitteridge | Exams Officer
Miss Melissa Linsell | Midday Assistant
Mrs Lucy Mackin | Senior School Office Administrator
Ms Pinky Mak | Food Tech Technician
Mr Mark Mangwana | IT Manager
Mr David Manson | Minibus Driver
Mrs Diane Mercer | Art Technician
Mrs Sarah Nicholls | Marketing Officer
Mrs Sarah Norman | Library Assistant
Mr Richard Pavitt | Minibus Driver
Miss Elizabeth Rochford | Finance Assistant
Mr Darren Rose | Minibus Driver
Mrs Lizanne Shiret | Assistant Head of Finance
Mrs Louise Stevenson | Marketing Assistant
Mrs Molly Terry | HR & Compliance Officer; Clerk to the Governors
Mr Stephen Terry | Minibus Driver
Mr Neil Thompson | Groundskeeper & Maintenance Caretaker
Mrs Justine Tierney | Registrar
Mr Alex Turner | IT Technician
Mr Gabriele Uliana | MSc | Science Technician
Mrs Karen Waddilove | Minibus Driver
Mr Ross Weaving | Assistant Head of Operations

SENIOR SCHOOL VISITING STAFF

Ms Karen Binks | Dip (Musical Theatre) | LAMDA, Acting and Performance
Mr Paul Button | Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator
Mr Timothy Clapp | Advanced Diploma in Contemporary Popular Music; Certificate in Education | Drums
Mr Tim Curd | BA (Hons) | Brass
Mrs Nicola Gawthrop | BA (Hons) | Singing
Mr Michael Iskas | BMus (Hons), MA, Post Graduate Advanced Diploma, LRAM, QTS | Violin and Viola
Mrs Olivia Iskas | BA (Hons), MA, Post Graduate Diploma | Cello
Miss Cheryl Jessop | Post Graduate Diploma in Early Music | Violin and Cello
Mr Adrian Johnson | BA (Hons) in Music | Guitar
Mrs Victoria Lascelles | BMus (Hons) | Piano, Choir, and Performances
Ms Joy Smith | BA (Hons) | Harp
Mrs Kathryn Urand | BA (Hons) | Woodwind
Mrs Helen Wright | BA | Singing

Admissions

Open Days

Reserve a place at an open day

prospectus

Download our prospectus here

Governors & staff

St Mary’s Governors

Mr Tony Bell

Mrs Kate Abbott

Dr Nicole Baerg

Mrs Esther Eddy

Mr Samuel Flower

Mrs Debbie Hamilton

Mr Andrew Hampton

Mr Graeme Lambert

Mr Jack Magill

Mr Craig Woods

Senior Leadership Team

Mrs Nicola Griffiths

Mrs Emma Stanhope

Mrs Elizabeth Bevan

Mrs Antonia Lovegrove

KINDERGARTEN STAFF

LOWER SCHOOL TEACHING STAFF

LOWER SCHOOL NON-TEACHING STAFF

LOWER SCHOOL VISITING STAFF

SENIOR SCHOOL TEACHING STAFF

SENIOR SCHOOL NON-TEACHING STAFF

SENIOR SCHOOL VISITING STAFF

Kindergarten and Lower School:

Senior School: