Skip to content ↓

Governance

The Role of the Governing Board

The school’s governing board is responsible for providing confident and strategic leadership.

They also help hold the school to account for its educational and financial performance. The board is passionate about education and committed to continuous school improvement to ensure the best possible outcomes for our pupils.

For further information on our Governance framework, please visit the Southwark Diocese Board of Education Multi-Academy Trust's website by clicking here

Furthermore, our Scheme of Delegation attached below provides greater detail on the roles of our Local Governing Body (LGB) and each governance tier within the Trust. 

The Chair of Governors can be contacted at the school address, which can be found here.

Meet the Governors

Joanna Goodrich - Chair of Governors

I have lived in Forest Hill for over 20 years and I was a parent governor when my children were at primary school. I became a governor at St George’s 10 years ago and Chair of Governors two years ago.

My ‘day job’ is as a researcher at King’s College hospital.

I am a member of St George’s church - we have a mix of Governors from the church and the local community, including parent governors. I believe governors have an important role to play in supporting the headteacher and all the teachers and staff to achieve the very best for the children in their school.

I am proud to be part of such a great school!

Jill Bray - Vice Chair

I have lived in Forest Hill for nearly 40 years, during which time I have brought up a family and taught in secondary schools in Lewisham. I have a strong commitment to the area and its diverse community and also to the opportunity for children to get a good education and a positive start to their lives.

For thirteen years I have been a governor and for eleven of those I was Chair of Governors. I have seen and been part of the school’s development into the great place it is today.

I am a member of the community at St George’s Church and have welcomed the strong link that continues to develop between the church and the school.

Richard Lane - Parish Rector

I have been the parish priest at St George's in Vancouver Road for 7 years. Before moving here for work, I didn't know Forest Hill or Catford at all beyond plodding round the South Circular!

One of the most important parts of my job is to make sure that the church congregation is deeply rooted in the wider community it exists to serve. To that end our close bonds with the school are essential.

One of my other delights as Rector is the opportunity to talk to our children and in gently offering teaching about Christianity, making sure that the love and support of the church is known and experienced by the whole school community.

Cheryl Campbell - Parent Governor

I have lived in Forest Hill, locally to St George’s, since 2013 and my oldest child joined the school in 2016. 

I have worked in education since 2003, firstly in a local council and then from 2015 in school business management, both in primary and secondary schools. With a long-standing interest in education, being a school governor is a natural step for me to take. I am happy to be able to contribute to the success of the school which in turn will have a positive impact on so many children. 

I became a school governor for the first time in 2006. I served as a governor there until 2015. I then served at another school from 2017 to 2020 before joining the St George’s governing body in 2022. 

Patrick Clarke - Foundation Governor

I have lived in Forest Hill and Sydenham for almost 35 years and have a strong attachment to the area. I work as a Town Planner and have a close interest in the role the school plays in our neighbourhood and in the quality of the school buildings and facilities.

I have been a Governor at St Georges since 2006 and currently chair the Resources Committee which looks at staff and financial resources as well as the school premises. It has been fantastic to see the recent investment in the construction of the new teaching facilities and the improvements to the outdoor areas and play equipment.

I am married to Rosie, a retired nurse and clinical educator at Lewisham Hospital and have two grown up children.

Susan Wise - Coopted (Community Link)

 

 

My working life has been in the NHS and I have lived in the Perry Vale part of Forest Hill since 1988. I was honoured to become a Lewisham ward councillor in 1998. Since then, I have had various council roles and led on many important issues for both the council and my constituents.

I first represented Forest Hill ward where I enjoyed being an Eliot Bank school governor for 8 years. Since 2006, I have been privileged to represent Perry Vale and the community where I live.

I am a fairly regular visitor to St. George’s church events, therefore when I was asked it seemed a natural progression to become a St. George’s School governor and to support the community in a further way.

Rebecca Wilkins - Foundation Governor

I am a rarity, having been a parent governor during Covid and now being a foundation governor (appointed by the church).

I have lived in Forest Hill since 2007 and my son has attended the school from 2016 - summer 2024.

As a nurse, I have worked in HIV for the last 30 years, predominantly in hospitals around London - presently at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust.

I was very moved by my experience of visiting the school to apply for my son to attend the nursery and have always liked the ethos of the school, its inclusive and nurturing environment with a commitment to aspiration, and am proud to support the school as a governor.

I am a regular member of St George’s church and enjoy the link between church and school.

Peter Akinbowale - Foundation Governor

I have a deep interest in the community of Forest Hill as I used to live with my family off Dacres Road. I and my family attended Christ Church when it was situated on Church Rise and now attend St George’s Church. 

My connection with the school goes way back as my daughters attended the school in the 80’s/90’s. 

I have appreciated greatly being involved as a governor for over 5 years now, as I can see the progress made by the school in the higher standard of education and improved infrastructure in terms of beautiful buildings. I look forward to working with the school to continue making sustained progress over the years ahead.

Thomas Bayne - Staff Governor

I have taught at St George's since 2014 and moved into the local area in the last 5 years. I am currently the Year 6 teacher and lead on Science and Geography across the school.

I am the wider-curriculum co-ordinator across the school and have supported in creating the school's vision and teaching touchstones. I lead science across the multi-academy trust supporting other schools with teaching and learning as well as leadership.

My passion in education stemmed from a young age of wanting to be a sports coach to doing Sports Development and Coaching as a degree. I realised I didn't want to just do sport and took on a PGCE to get into teaching.

I hope to make a difference to children's lives helping them achieve all they can through confidence and self-belief. 

Yvonne Wheeler

 

I have lived in Forest Hill for over 20 years and am a member of St George’s Church.

My son grew up in St George’s Church and went to primary and secondary school in the area. I have a strong commitment to the area and its inclusivity.

I am a strong believer in all children and young people being given the right opportunity and educational provision so that they can reach their full potential.

I currently work for the Department for Education as a Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) policy writer. Prior to that I worked on the educational policy for pupils who cannot attend school because of health reasons and I have also worked on several other areas of educational guidance.

As a School Governor at St George’s, I am proud to be a part of the school’s inclusivity with its SEND pupils and all pupils at the school.