Who are our Governors?
Justin Philcox
Headteacher.
I was appointed Headteacher of Churchfield Church School in September 2017, having previously been Principal of an Outstanding all through special school near Bath. My teaching career has spanned nearly 30 years and I have taught on the Isle of Wight, in East and West Sussex and for 5 years led the Regional Development team of the SSAT. During this time I worked closely with schools across the country and directly with the DfE.
I have also been the Chair of Governors of a large primary and special school in Somerset. One of my sons has additional needs and as a consequence I have a very keen interest in SEN and autism. Outside of school, I enjoy living in a village on the edge of the Somerset Levels, taking an active part in village life; playing in ukulele in the village band and serving on the church PCC. Since 2018, I have developed a passion for beekeeping and enjoy the challenge and frustration of trying to keep bees.
David Amos
MAT Appointed Governor
Chair of Governors
14.12.2019
Paul Simpson
MAT Appointed Governor
Vice Chair of LGB
19.04.2021
My working life has been mostly in IT, beginning in Bridgwater as a computer programmer then moving to systems administration for a Highbridge-based company and, later, IT management amongst other responsibilities for a company based in Cheddar but now part of a larger group of companies for which I am also a member of the pension scheme governance committee.
I decided to seek to become a school (parent) governor in 2005/6 while my oldest daughter was a pupil at what was then St. John’s Church of England Junior School. My oldest daughter moved on from St. John’s in the same years that my youngest daughter started there. I was delighted to be able to remain a parent governor through the amalgamation of Beechfield Infants School and St. John’s to become Churchfield Church School. My youngest daughter moved on to King Alfred School a few years ago and my time as a governor here might, sadly, have come to an end at that point. However, Churchfield Church School being an academy within the Diocese of Bath and Wells Multi-Academy Trust allowed me to remain as a MAT-appointed governor and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to show that I feel just as strongly now about the school’s importance to children as I did when my own daughters were pupils here.
Outside of work and school I’m an unashamedly “chill-out at home” kind of person, though my wife and I like to try to enjoy UK city breaks, comedy shows and, on the (rare) occasions that our musical tastes meet, even the odd pop/rock concert together.
Rev Sharon Crossman
MAT Appointed Governor
Ethos Committee Member
05.06.2021
Hi, I’m officially Reverend Prebendary Sharon Crossman…. But known as Rev Sharon. I’ve been a Foundation Governor at Churchfield Church School for eight years, but have been involved with Governance in Education for over 25 years. I live next door to the school, in the vicarage because I’m also Vicar of Highbridge. I’m often in school, but also enjoy welcoming the children over to St John’s Church for either worship or for parts of the curriculum. As a Governor I want to see every child be given the best chance they can possibly have to achieve their full potential. That means different things for each child. Every child has so much to offer. I enjoy being part of the Ethos group, ensuring the wider vision of the school, and being at the heart of our community, is kept fresh and relevant. My interests include anything to do with being out in the countryside either walking, running, cycling or bird watching. I also take time to read, write and attempt to play various musical instruments.
Francis Frost
MAT Appointed Governor
Vice Chair of LGB
30.05.2021
After leaving school I trained as an aircraft electrician in the RAF. I assimilated general instruments and was then appointed a trade training instructor. I was living in Wales when I left the service and became self-employed working on house and commercial electrics, domestic appliances and audio/television repairs. I returned to Somerset to work in factories on production, maintenance and quality control.
Moving away from engineering I worked for the probation service as a skills tutor, community service supervisor and an assistant warden in a bail hostel. I moved on to another homeless unit as a supervisor responsible for key working with individuals and took on the health and safety responsibility for the association. A few years later I was offered the opportunity to manage a young people’s unit in Highbridge and stayed there until that association was taken over.
I moved back into factory work and not long after this returned to the flexibility of self- employment as an electrician. I ran a small business mainly undertaking breakdown work on machinery in various factories as well as some domestic work.
I decided to retire early and was encouraged by my family to apply to my daughter’s school to be a governor. I was appointed as a parent governor at Churchfield School after the amalgamation and I took on responsibility for health and safety. When the school was taken over by the Mat and took on academy status I was retained as a governor with responsibility for child protection.
Helen Meager
Elected Parent Governor
18.03.2020
I have recently returned to work as a secondary school Maths teacher, having previously taught Maths and PE in schools as far apart as Leeds and Cornwall. I was elected a Parent Governor in 2016 and both my boys are at Churchfield. I really enjoy being a Governor as it has given me the chance to see a school from the other side - it is real privilege to be able to work alongside the staff whilst supporting and challenging them to move the school forward so that all of our children have the best opportunities to learn and develop their experiences. I'm a member of the Ethos committee and am really keen to see the school develop stronger relationships with the local community to benefit everyone.
Outside of school I enjoy a variety of sports, mainly outdoor sports including walking, climbing and surfing and I'm trying hard to ensure that my boys enjoy them just as much.
Alison Ridley
Elected Parent Governor
SEN Governor
15.05.2018
Peter Selby
Elected Staff Governor
Ethos Committee Member
19.05.2017
Elizabeth Malaiperuman
MAT Appointed Governor
10.01.2021
I started my career over 10 years ago pursuing a specialism in human resources, I currently work for a national charity covering the West of England. Working for a charity has enabled me to develop a strong understanding of managing services on a tight budget, something that is reflected in the role of Governor.
I have lived in Somerset for over 25 years and love the community in Highbridge and surrounding area, we have a lot of great places that I enjoy including Apex Park, the beach, quantocks and mendip hills. I am keen to make a difference to the local community as a Member of Burnham On Sea Community Church and Girlguiding I engage with many in the local area.
As a Mum of 2 children in nursery and school I love to see the children developing and gaining skills, experience and confidence through quality teaching, spending time in the school has helped me develop a better understanding of education. I am delighted to have the opportunity to be Governor and look forward to working with the Board and school to ensure it continues to improve.
1 x MAT Appointed Vacancy