Governors
Melvyn Allen
I am a chartered accountant by training but have spent most of the last 20 years working in IT within the financial services industry.
My wife and I have called Coulsdon home for over 10 years and both of our children were born here. It has been great to see how the school has helped them grow and develop since they started, and I hope in my role as a member of the governing body, that I can help support the school to offer the same opportunities to other children.
Gill Thaxter
I have lived in Old Coulsdon for 28 years. Both my daughters attended Coulsdon Church of England School where they flourished . The whole family received excellent support from the teachers when Lisa, my younger daughter, was diagnosed with cancer in year 6.
I now have 2 grandchildren in years 1 and 3 and am pleased to see the educational excellence continuing. I also have volunteered in year 4 for 2 years and am aware of it's caring and nurturing nature. I would like to be part of this school's future. I have been a trustee for The Lisa Thaxter Trust (a childhood cancer charity) and for CCLG which is the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group.
Trevor Meadowcroft
I and my family have lived in the Coulsdon area for over thirty years. Both my sons, now in their thirties, went to the school. I am a member of the congregation at St Johns and have served as a Churchwarden for six years. I was appointed as the Local Authority School Governor in September 2019. I am a Chartered Insurer and have just retired as an Insurance Underwriter in the City of London. I am keen to use my skills that I have learned in assimilating Information and managing several teams of people to the benefit of the school. In my spare time I run, garden and look to spend time with the family and especially the Grandchildren.
Chris Atkinson
I have lived in the surrounding Coulsdon area throughout much of my life. I am also a member of the congregation of St Johns. As a newly appointed Governor, I am keen to use my role on the Community and Faith Committee’s to continue to integrate both aspects into the School life.
By profession, I am a teacher and currently employed as Director of Learning at Reigate 6th Form College and am keen to bring my skills and experience to the role to help maintain the outstanding reputation already established at Coulsdon C of E. I have two daughters with the eldest having just started in Reception.
Darius Campbell
I have started as a Foundation Governor in 2019. I am married to Nancy and attend St Johns Church. I have a son in year 2 currently and a daughter in Reception, as well as two grown up children. We have lived in Old Coulsdon for 5 years now. I run the Secretariat of an intergovernmental organisation dealing with fisheries and the marine environment in the North East Atlantic, which I hope gives me a broad experience in managing organisations and committees which is of use to the school governors.
I am the chair of the Curriculum and Standards Committee which is an interesting committee covering the broad range of subjects in the curriculum at the school and pupil performance. It's great for me to be able learn how the children are taught and grow through their time at the school. I hope my input through the Committee helps support the staff of the school as they continue to challenge themselves to maintain and enhance standards in the School, and indeed through the challenges of educating the children through the COVID period.
Adrian Deller
I have been a Governor at Coulsdon C of E Primary since May 2014. I am chair of the Finance and Premises committee and also sit on the Community committee. I am also the Governor responsible for the school website.
I am married and have lived in Old Coulson since 2011. We have two sons who attend the school. Our eldest is in year 5 and youngest has just started in reception. I am a chartered accountant and work for a property investment company in London.
Anne Gledhill
I was appointed as a Foundation Governor by Southwark Diocese in November 2016. I am the SEND and literacy Governor and sit on the Curriculum Committee.
I have lived in Old Coulsdon since 1987 and I am an active member at St John’s Church, helping with the children’s work. I am married with two children. I am now retired but I was a teacher in a local school for 25 years. I now help in school for a morning most weeks.
Rector Paul Roberts
I have been Rector of St John’s Church, Old Coulsdon, since 2003. I have a degree in music and trained as a secondary teacher, teaching for five years before being ordained in the Church of England. I visit the Church of England School and Keston School regularly to lead Collective Worship, and I enjoy speaking with children and welcoming them to the church on visits. I am married, with two adult children.
On the Governing Body I chair the Faith Group, whose main function is to monitor the Christian character of the school, and to help prepare for Diocesan inspections.
Rebecca Ross
I am a Chartered Accountant by profession and having worked in large accountancy practices specialising in corporate tax, I am now finance director for a children's cancer charity, helping children in developing countries. I am keen to use my financial experience and so am a member of the Finance & Premises Committee.
I am married to Matt with 3 young children and we live near to the school. I grew up in Old Coulsdon and attended Coulsdon CofE school and am now very pleased that my two older children attend. I feel very fortunate that we have such an excellent primary school within our community and I wish to ensure its continued excellence.
Marian Russell
A recently appointed Foundation Governor (Nov 2020), I sit on the Admissions and Curriculum committees. I attended Coulsdon C of E Primary school, so am both honoured and excited to now be sitting on the board. As a pupil of the school there was strong engagement with St John’s church, of which I am a member of the congregation as well as serve as a member of the Sidesperson's team.
I have worked in further education (vocational training) for the past twenty years and am very keen to use my knowledge and experience of preparing for and participating in Ofsted inspections as well as quality assuring teaching, learning and assessments. I believe Coulsdon C of E to be a supportive, caring and nurturing school and I am delighted to be able contribute to their continued excellent work.
George Whicheloe
I have been a foundation governor at the school since April 2016 and I hope to bring my experience and enthusiasm for mathematics, computing and finance. I have a degree in Maths and Computation from the University of Oxford and work as a Quantitative Researcher in finance.
Our family moved to Old Coulsdon in August 2015. I am married to Zoe and we have two daughters who attend the school.
I chair the Personnel committee and am a member of the Finance and Premises committee.
Kirsty Wyatt
I have worked at Coulsdon C of E since 1999 when I graduated from Brunel University. I have taught across the age ranges and have been fortunate enough to follow my passion for SEND and become SENCO. By being the Staff Governor I hope that I can continue to make a positive contribution to the school in a different role.
If you wish to contact any of our governors please contact the school office or send a email to: