Frances Parr - Foundation Governor (Chair of Governors)

A recently retired Head Teacher,  I want to volunteer as a Governor at a local school as I appreciated the hard work, dedication and support that an effective Governing Body can contribute. As a teacher, my particular interests and areas of expertise are Early Years and children with SEND. My Christian faith is very important to me and will shape my contribution as a Foundation Governor through an emphasis on creating a positive, inclusive and caring learning environment. At home there are 9 grandchildren who keep us fit and busy, Lego and baking being firm favourites.

I am looking forward to working with the children and staff as we journey together.

Nicola Warwick - Parent Governor - (Vice Chair of Governors)

I have a daughter in Key Stage 1 and my son is due to join Reception next September. My professional background is in primary school teaching where I was full time until my daughter was born. During my teaching career, I have taught in Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Recently, I have returned to primary teaching in a part-time role. I am committed to improving outcomes for all children.  At home, I enjoy walks in the countryside with my family and I am a keen reader. For the past few years, I have run a local playgroup and I am particularly interested in maternal mental health and strategies to reduce social isolation.

As a parent governor, I am eager to support the children and staff of St Edmundsbury now and in the years ahead.

Alice Sheepshanks - Foundation Governor

With a background in Modern Languages, I now work as a Literacy Tutor at Howard Community Academy.  I focus not only on academic improvement but on encouraging the children to show courtesy and respect to others.   I love all forms of drama, regularly performing in amateur productions  and I read avidly, with a particular interest in children’s literature.  As a member of the congregation of St Edmundsbury Cathedral I leapt at the chance to become a Foundation Governor and to try to make a difference.  

I believe very strongly that every child has the right to a good education, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in helping every pupil at St Edmundsbury School to receive a wonderful start in life.  

The Very Reverend Joe Hawes - Foundation Governor

I was installed in July 2018 as the Dean of St Edmundsbury.  A former Durham University graduate who studied theology at St Stephen’s House, Oxford, I came to St Edmundsbury Cathedral from All Saints’ Fulham and was previously Team Vicar for eight years at St Michael’s, Barnes Team Ministry, in London.  I served my curacy within the Clapham Team Ministry, was a primary school governor for 28 years and a secondary school governor for five.  As well as being on General Synod, representing the College of Deans, and a Trustee of the United Society Partners in the Gospel, I am a Foundation Governor at King Edward VI school and Governor of Framlingham College.  

Stephen King - Local Authority Governor

I am a practising lawyer and a local authority appointed governor. Having held a position as governor in another school some years ago, as part of the Government ALLIES initiative (a local lawyer in every school) I volunteered to join the governors at St Edmundsbury in order to offer my skill sets. My experience is of managing and developing legal professionals and support staff in a large multi-site national law firm combined with the oversight of a large department of legal professionals specialising in insurance, healthcare and dispute resolution.

Lara McMurray - Staff Governor

I am the staff representative on the governing body.    I trained as teacher in 2013 and taught in Hackney schools for 5 years before moving to Bury St Edmunds in 2019.  My degree is psychology so I was delighted when the opportunity arose at St Edmundsbury to take on the role of SENDCo and complete my SENDCo Award.  

Revd Andrew Miller - Foundation Governor
I am the Team Rector of the Lark Valley and North Bury Team of Churches and have been since August 2021. St Edmundsbury School is found in one of my parishes and I am pleased to be a governor at the school. Alongside this I am also delighted to be a part of the life of the school in other ways such as leading Collective Worship and lessons in school and hosting services in Church with and for the school. As well as being a minister in the Church of England, I have a past in science, enjoy reading, walking and film and hope that these and other qualities will help staff and pupils at St Edmundsbury School.

Caroline Sadler - Co-opted Governor

I am currently a Senior Lecturer and Course Lead in Primary Education at a local university training students to become excellent primary school teachers of the future. Prior to relocating to Suffolk, I was a Headteacher for ten years in Kent and I have experience of leading a school out of special measures, plus leading both good and outstanding Ofsted rated schools in this role too. Two of the schools that I was a Headteacher of had specialist provisions attached to them, which included an ASD provision and Hearing Impaired provision, which is where I learnt British Sign Language.  This fostered my interest in teaching children with Special Educational Needs and ensuring children's mental health and well-being is at the forefront of education.  I am passionate about teaching and learning, espcially teaching English, with a focus upon reading skills and promoting opportunities for experiential learning.    

Apart from being an active researcher and training to become a counsellor, in my spare time, I enjoy being with my family and pursing my interest in the creative arts, plus enjoying walks in tge beautiful Suffolk countryside with my gorgeous rescue dog. I also like to take part in charity events, which has included completing the Thames Challenge Ultra Trek to raise money for cancer charities. 

I am delighted to have become a co-opted governor at St. Edmundsbury and I look forward to supporting the leadership team at the school to ensure all of the children have the very best education. 

Scarlett Blacker - Foundation Governor

I work as a researcher for the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich supporting his work in the Diocese and the House of Lords. I have previously worked as a quality and development officer for an exam board working on the development of new units and courses, training teaching staff and analysing achievement and retention data amongst other things. I also worked for the Bishop of Ely as a parliamentary assistant when he was the lead bishop for education alongside the national Church of England education team. 

I am excited to be a governor at St Edmundsbury School and I am looking forward to what I can contribute to the life of the school. 

Will Bishop - Parent Governor

A parent of two and our eldest Son in Key Stage 2. My clear aspiration is to help the school and children. New to the role as parent governor, my belief is that life is a precious opportunity where we all play a part, and we play that part together. I'm keen to listen, learn and respond where I can. Outside of school I work in engineering, and enjoy being creative. Our spare time as a family is spent being outdoors in the fresh air, walking and exploring.