School Governors (ID 1012)

• Mr Peter Christie
  Chair of Governors
  Mr Peter Christie

  I became a School Governor at the end of 2019 when I joined the Kimpton, Thruxton and Fyfield C of E Primary School governing body. I have long held the ambition to participate in school governance and now that I am semi-retired I have the time to devote to the role. I have had a long career in Human Resources management, initially working in the hi-tech sector and then banking as a Human Resource Manager and for the last 30 years working as a Consultant on people management issues. My work has taken me around Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas, including a period of 7 years leading a consulting company in Dubai. I have advised several governments on their education systems and on school leadership and my work has also involved the university sector.

  I am married with 2 adult children, one of whom used to be a primary school teacher; my wife was a Governor of 2 schools in Mitcham, south-west London, my grandfather was a primary school headteacher and my sister used to teach secondary children. I am fascinated by the impact that a well-run school with talented and committed staff can make to the lives of young people. I still do some consulting but I also enjoy sport (rugby and cricket especially), theatre, travel and reading. We moved to Thruxton in 2017 and are enjoying the wonderful environment that this part of the country offers.

• Mr Shawn Manning
  Vice Chair / Foundation Governor
  Mr Shawn Manning

• Mr Edward Bailey
  Foundation Governor
  Mr Edward Bailey

  I attended an LCC infants and primary school in the 1950s and then moved to Canterbury Cathedral Choir School, where I was a choirboy for 4 years. I completed my education in Canterbury, spent a gap year as a Lay Clerk at Ripon Minster and teaching at Ripon Choir School, and then went to University where I was a Choral Exhibitioner and Senior Scholar. I read Economics and Law. After graduating I was for two years a University lecturer, while also completing a further degree and undertaking pupillage, and I then spent 28 years at the Bar. Meanwhile I continued my interest in music. I became a Circuit Judge in 2000 sitting essentially at the RCJ in London (although I had a short stint at Winchester Crown Court and Southampton County Court) retiring in 2019 when I reached the statutory retirement age of 70. I have lived in Little Shoddesden since 1988 and have now retired here. I play the organ at Kimpton church and run the De Fakto Singers. I was asked to become a School Governor in Summer 2020 to take the place of former Kimpton School governors who were resigning after Kimpton voted to federate with Appleshaw. I come to School Governorship with an open mind, and wait to see what (if anything) I am able to bring to the party. Education is in the family. My father was a schoolmaster teaching English at St.Marylebone Grammar School in Central London; he took great pride in helping inner-city school kids get into ‘smart' universities. My mother was a Reader at Birkbeck College, London University teaching French and Philosophy. My sister is a special needs teacher with responsibility for dyslexia teaching in Ealing. I am married with two grown-up daughters.

• Mr Tom Featherby
  Foundation Governor
  Mr Tom Featherby

• Mrs Sarah Sharland
  Ex-Officio Governor
  Mrs Sarah Sharland

• Mrs Helen Norstedt-Girling
  Foundation Govenor
  Mrs Helen Norstedt-Girling

  Hello, my name is Helen Norstedt-Girling, and I am delighted to be serving as a Foundation Governor since summer 2025. I grew up in Sweden with a British mum and Swedish dad, and moved to the UK for university, where I studied European Culture and Tourism. Since then, I've worked in various roles within the travel industry.
  
  

  I moved to Kimpton village in 2023 with my husband and our son, who is now in Year 3 at Kimpton. I am passionate about education and ensuring that all children receive the best start and the right support throughout their learning journey. As a governor, I want to help our schools continue to achieve this and provide an environment where every child can thrive. I'm excited to work with staff, parents, and the wider community to support the school's success.

• Mrs Emma Lambert
  Foundation Governor
  Mrs Emma Lambert

  I decided to become a school Governor when I left my part time teaching role at Kimpton in the summer of 2024. I wanted to maintain the relationship I had with the school and to be able to continue to contribute to the education of our children across the federation, bringing my educational experience to this role. I have over 28 years of experience teaching in schools including leadership, supporting and mentoring students from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Special Educational Needs (SEN) students through to Higher Education. More recently this has involved teaching on a range of courses; apprenticeships, support work in schools and teacher training from Level 2 to Level 5, including training in the military. In a variety of leadership roles I have been Early Years & KS1 lead, Literacy lead, Deputy Head at a large London primary, curriculum and CPD lead, parental links and Children's Centre advisor, programme lead for adult education as well as mentored and coached trainee teachers with extensive experience in supporting and developing learners and families from a range of backgrounds.

  I am hoping that this broad range mens I can contribute and collaborate well with the Governing body and the wider community, ensuring the best possible outcomes. I have taken on the key area of safeguarding support to work with Mr Hickman and the staff to ensure we are robust with our child protection and that safeguarding priorities are embedded across the federation.

• Mrs Amelia Norman
  Parent Governor
  Mrs Amelia Norman

• Mrs Jenny Hiscock
  Staff Governor
  Mrs Jenny Hiscock

  I have been a teacher for 19 years, having known from a young age that I wanted to work in education. After completing an English degree at Winchester University, I trained through the Graduate Teacher Programme and have since worked in four schools across Hampshire, taking on a wide range of roles and responsibilities that have given me valuable experience.

  I joined Kimpton, Thruxton and Fyfield Primary School in 2018 and currently work as Assistant Head of School, Year 1 Class Teacher, and Federation English Leader. I feel very proud to be part of the Skylark Federation – our schools have dedicated staff, wonderful children, and a strong community spirit.

  Outside of school, I enjoy family life with my husband and two children – one in Key Stage 2 at Kimpton and the other now at secondary school. We live locally and love spending time outdoors, whether walking our dog or going on bike rides together.