Governor profiles
Victoria Boraster-Sharpe
Chair of Governors
As a parent of two children at the school, I am impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff at St Marys. I become a parent governor in November 2016 as I wanted to play an active role in the continued improvement of St. Mary’s in providing both a great education and a sense of social responsibility in all pupils.
I am a qualified management accountant with several years of experience across various companies and industries. I believe I can utilise my extensive knowledge in my role of governor to the benefit of the School. I have lived in Saffron Walden since 2009 and I have another child who be due to start school in September 2021.
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.
Katie Pieri - Parent Governor
I have enjoyed living in Saffron Walden since 2012, when I relocated here from north London with my family. I have two young sons, one of whom already attends St. Mary's, so I am a parent at the school too. I have over 10 years experience as a class teacher and in September 2013 I became the inclusion leader at St. Mary's until Summer 2018. This was a new role for me, one from which I have learned a great deal and enjoy immensely.
As parent governor I hope to be able to be a link between the parents and the governing body and support the school to continue on its journey to excellence.
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.
Mark Ferland
I have spent most of my professional life in Primary schools. I have enjoyed two Headships in C of E Primary Schools including St Mary's! I have also worked in the aviation industry and am currently working for a Pipe Organ tuner. I am a regular volunteer at IWM Duxford and an Organist.
Alastair Knights
I’m one of the church governors and have a long association with St Mary’s Church and Castle Street, where I lived for many years. My other connection is through my wife who taught at St. Thomas More for more than 20 years and now has a strong link with St Mary’s leading some of the school assemblies.
In my professional life, with a degree in electrical engineering, I’ve been an engineering director in the rail sector for too many years until my early retirement in 2017. I hope that I can help with the mundane jobs that need doing, to allow our teaching team to concentrate on providing the best possible education with a strong Christian ethos.
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.
Richard Freeman
I have lived in Saffron Walden for 20 years, and have become involved in many voluntary activities. Having served as a Saffron Walden Town Councillor for twelve years, representing Castle Ward, and serving as Mayor. I currently serve as a Saffron Walden Castle Ward Councillor on both the District and Town councils.
I am a founder member of Essex Healthwatch, and I serve as their representative on NHS England and the West Essex Clinical Commission Group.
John Westnedge
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 now chair the People and Pay Committee. Its 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.