John Westnedge

Chair of Governors

I worked for Tesco, latterly as an IT director, for 31 years and retired in 2013. During that time I was based in Hertfordshire but was also fortunate to work in Prague, Dublin, Bangalore and Tokyo managing IT projects and business change programmes. We lived in Prague for 3 years and moved to Saffron Walden in 2000 when my wife and I returned home. We have always been regular church goers and have attended St Mary’s church since we came to Saffron Walden.

I was a school governor at a large independent school for 18 years and also sat on the Board of a Multi-Academy Trust for 5 years. Helping out with planning and delivering projects was my main role there.  I retired from these positions in December 2018  and joined the Governing Body at St Mary’s where I am now the Chair of Governors. It's great to work as part of a team of people all committed to helping the school’s development for the benefit of the children and their education.

Richard Peet

I moved to Saffron Walden in December 2006 and I have three children and four grandchildren.  I am a regular attendee at St Mary's Church, a member of the Guild of Servers as well as the head co-ordinator for the Church sidesmen teams.

I am an Authorised Local Preacher in the diocese of Chelmsford, Deputy Warden  and an active member of the Family Service team at St John's Church in Little Walden.

In my business life, before I retired, I was the Head of Purchasing and Contracts for Mettler-Toledo, the European Supply Chain Manager for TNT Express as well as Fleet Material Manager for a number of long haul fleets for British Airways. I have been a member of the Chartered Management Institute, an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and an associate member of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

I am currently serving the school as Vice Chair of governors, Chair of Admissions and Chair of Pay and People. 

Gill Gibson

I worked in primary schools as a children’s Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and before that as a Class Teacher in Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and East London. I’m interested in children’s emotional well-being and in particular how it affects their ability to learn. I believe my experience will be a help to the school. 

I have lived in Saffron Walden for over 25 years and been involved with the life of St Mary’s  Church in different capacities throughout that time, including safeguarding and charity coordinator. Currently I sing in the choir and help out in practical ways. 

Ellen Ricketts

Parent Governor
 

I am mum to two strong willed girls at St Mary's and I am an ex pupil of the school too!  I am a Chartered Management Accountant currently working for Cambridge Assessment.  I previously trained as a Secondary School Science teacher and have always had a keen interest in education.

I endeavour to use my experience, principles and finance background to help ensure St Mary's continues to grow as a great school and as a great asset to the local community.

Carey Dickinson

I am delighted to be coming back to be a governor at St Mary's. I have previously served as a church governor for one year in 2015-16. 

I have lived in Saffron Walden for many years and have spent my life teaching Primary aged children; for nineteen years I taught in Saffron Walden at Dame Bradbury's School. I have also been a Deputy Head, an Assistant Head and the Membership Officer of the Independent Schools Association; I have extensive experience both of teaching  and of leadership and management. I am now semi-retired and teach three days a week at St Mary's, Stansted. I am still passionate about education.

I am a member of the congregation of St Mary's and enjoy serving the church and the community in a variety of ways. I look forward to working with you all in promoting a thriving, happy school with a Christian ethos.

Rob Twell

I am very pleased to sit on the board of governors as the Local Authority delegate and I currently have 2 children at the school with a 3^rd due to start in September 2022 hopefully. The school has worked wonders with the children over the last 2 years of COVID and I see my role as a governor to monitor and help the school continue its progress with the children and ensure stability of that progress.  

My primary job is a Director of Fleet Operations for a shipping company that installs, monitors, and maintains telecommunication and power cables around the world. All these areas of responsibility are transferrable to a school environment. As a side-line, I am the Chairman of the War Committee at the UK Chamber of Shipping, a Director of the Sea Safe Training Group (SSTG) which funds, trains and mentors sea going cadets, and finally I Manage 2 U9 Cricket teams at Saffron Walden Cricket Club.

You might wonder what an ex sailor has to offer a board of governors, well my role as a Director is to manage a seafarer pool of around 650 sailors worldwide, as well as a sizeable team shoreside. The specialities include crewing and HR, technical management, contract management, large budget control, project management, auditing, and assurance. My volunteering roles offer much more besides.

     Jeremy Trew

Having recently taken up the post of Rector at St Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden, I am enjoying getting involved at St Mary’s School, where I serve as a governor and join in some assemblies.  I am married to Alison, a teacher, and have to young adult children.

 Will Coldwell

 Associate Governor

I started out my professional life in the military before moving into civil aviation where I have been a commercial airline pilot for the last 15 years.  During this period, I also started, grew, and sold a small tech company.  I currently work with several technology start-ups in Cambridge, helping them through initial periods of growth.

I currently have two children at St Mary’s, my eldest in Year 3 and my youngest in Year 1.  As parents, my wife and I are humbled by the holistic approach the staff at St Mary’s have towards education. We have been particularly impressed by the support and nurture given during the pandemic and I would like to play a part in supporting the school, wherever I can, in my role as an Associate Governor.

Conor Clarke

Staff Governor

I am very pleased to join the board of governors as the staff representative. This is my seventh year at St Mary’s and I was a Teaching Assistant at the school before getting my PGCE. I have taught a range of age groups while at St Mary’s, across KS2 and KS1, and am currently the Year 6 teacher. I am also the Key Stage Two Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Lead.  

As a member of the Senior Leadership team, I feel passionate about delivering the best education for all the children that attend St Mary’s, both academically and in developing them as unique individuals. I am looking forward to working with the other members of the board to continue to improve St Mary’s school and to strengthen ties with the diocese.   

Libby Coldwell 

Parent Governor

I am Mum to two children, both of whom currently attend St Mary’s. I am looking forward to supporting the school in my role as Parent Governor and believe that my background in teaching will stand me in good stead. 

During my time teaching in local Primary Schools, I have held various roles, including SENCO and Inclusion Leader. I am passionate about children’s social, emotional, and spiritual well-being and understand how this impacts their ability to learn.  I am looking forward to working with Staff, and other members of the Governing Body, to ensure that St Mary’s continues to nurture and inspire the children, whilst offering a rich and varied curriculum.

Jane Rolfe

Associate Governor

My name is Jane Rolfe.  I moved to Saffron Walden one year ago from Stanstead Abbotts in Herfordshire.  Two years ago I retired from my role as Business Manager at Whitehall Primary School in Chingford, East London.  I became a staff governor whilst working at Whitehall Primary and held that role until 2014 when the governing body was re-constituted.  I then became an Associate Governor, reporting to Governors on budget, premises and health and safety monitoring.

When I retired, I aimed to become a school governor as I feel I have a lot to offer and dearly want to stay involved in the education system.

On a personal note, I now very much enjoy being involved in the lives of my 3 grandchildren.  I swim regularly and have embraced dancing for the past ten years, taking lessons once per week.  I also love reading and have recently joined a local book club.