Full Governing Board
Ross Settles – Chair and Co-opted Governor
| Date of appointment: 01.09.20 | Term: 4 years |
I am a retired schoolteacher, having taught Years 6-8 in the independent sector. For many years I held senior management posts with responsibility for the school curriculum and staff training. I also served as a team inspector for the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate, and am currently a GCSE assistant examiner. I also sit on East Sussex school admission appeal panels. In my younger years I played for Sidley CC in the Sussex League, and for MCC, so am particularly passionate about cricket, but also literature and the arts in general. Prior to joining the St. Michael’s Governing Board in 2018, and becoming chair in 2020, I was vice-chair of governors at a Hastings primary school. I am very much enjoying working with the other Board members and Mrs Marshall the Headteacher to help guide the school on its exciting development journey.
Tim Rowbottom – Vice-Chair and Local Authority Governor
| Date of appointment: 01.09.20 | Term: 4 years |
I live in Rye with my wife and young family, having moved to the area in 2017. This is my second spell as a school governor. I previously served a four-year term at a Church of England primary school in north London, two of which were spent as vice chair.
Professionally, I am a communications adviser in the financial services industry. Prior to that, I spent more than a decade as a public affairs consultant.
I care deeply about the education that my children and others like them will receive. Growing up in a rural area presents brilliant opportunities, but also significant challenges. I am dedicated to doing all I can to improve the experiences and life chances of all our children, and to giving them the best possible start in their critical formative years.
Cherane Marshall – Headteacher ex-officio
| Date of appointment: 01.02.18 | Term: Ex-officio |
Having had a varied career as a PR & Marketing Manager, then Podiatrist in the NHS, I took a career break to raise my children, eventually retraining as a teacher in 2008. I have experience of teaching across all phases of primary education, from Early Years to Year 6. I took up the Head of School position at St. Michael’s in 2016 and was appointed Headteacher in January, 2018. I have previously served on the board of Governors at another Sussex primary school.
Gerard Carlton-Blake – Parent Governor
| Date of appointment: 15.07.22 | Term 4 years |
I have lived in the local area all of my life moving from St Leonards to Rye in 2008, save for a 3-year break where I left to gain a degree and professional qualification but came back with a degree and 2 children instead. St Michael’s has played a part in our family’s life for many years in its various iterations. My wife attended the school, it’s where I completed my 2nd year teaching practice during my degree and now we are pleased that our own children attend in Year 5 and 3 respectively.
Professionally I have had various roles primarily based in the service industry, giving me insight into the vast differences as well as similarities in people’s lives. I then took my career into a different route in studying to become a primary teacher, which, due to caring and parenting responsibilities has me now working as a Teaching Assistant in a local independent school.
As previously mentioned, our family has long ties with St Michael’s School, Playden. In turn, the school has a special place in our hearts and I wanted to contribute to its ongoing success and the small community feel that I feel makes it stand out from the rest. I look forward to working with Mrs Marshall and the rest of the Governors in order to achieve this.
Shona Bishop – Co-opted Governor
| Date of appointment: 25.08.20 | Term: 4 years |
Having moved to Rye from London in Summer 2019 (and with my son at st Michael’s), I am proud to take on one of the governor roles at this school. Having previously been a governor at my son’s nursery in London I found the experience insightful and rewarding and look forward to contributing to the school and hopefully benefiting the wider local community.
Professionally I worked for a number of years in fashion marketing and truly believe in the importance of nurturing creativity in children. I now work at Google and hope that my day to day experience lends itself to bringing innovation and expansive thinking to the governing board to help provide the best education to all these brilliant human beings at St Michael’s.
Sophie Smith – Parent Governor
| Date of appointment: 01.09.20 | Term: 4 years |
My husband and I moved to the area in 2014 when we were expecting our son who is now in Year 2 at St. Michael’s.
I have spent my working life as an organiser; as a Project Manager, in the charity and sport sector and in the website build sector. However, since 2014 I have worked alongside my husband in growing our holiday letting business. I have experience in coordinating complex projects and working with people from many walks of life.
I believe in using the skills you have to play your part in society, and I am on the board of my local residents’ association and have sat on the board of parents at Beckley Preschool, as well as getting involved in various fundraising projects over the years.
Alongside work, I am an avid runner and am passionate about the importance physical activity has for mental health and wellbeing, as well as about how education and educational establishments play an integral and important role (alongside parents and guardians) in helping our young people grow into well-rounded, empathetic, healthy, curious, resilient and above all, kind individuals.
Peter Challans – Foundation Governor
| Date of appointment: 26.10.21 | Term: 4 years |
I have lived in Rye or Playden since 1978, and have two children, a boy and a girl, both of whom are now married and have children of their own. I have been involved with St Michael’s Church, Playden since 1996, including a long spell as Churchwarden. I am pleased to have been appointed by the Diocesan Board of Education to the Governing Body as the Foundation Governor, having served in this role previously (and then later as Vice Chairman of the Governors) a number of years ago.
I am a retired professional electrical engineer, having finally retired completely in March 2021 after a career of 26 years as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force, and then joining a Government Department as a civil servant and then part-time consultant.
As the Foundation Governor, my aim is to make a particular contribution to the effectiveness of the school through maintaining and developing the Christian distinctiveness of the school, building strong links with the local Churches and parishes (St Michael’s Church, Playden and All Saints Church, Iden), and offering support and appropriate challenge to school leaders.
Sam James – Staff Governor
| Date of appointment: 22.03.22 | Term: 4 years |
Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months
| Name | Type of Governor | Date from | Date ended | Reason |
| Jim Maxim | Co-opted | 25.08.20 | 26.05.21 | Resigned |
| Claire Harwood | Staff | 11.09.19 | 10.01.22 | Resigned |
| James Bennett | Parent | 01.09.20 | 29.06.22 | Resigned |
Should you wish to contact the Governing Body, please approach the school office or email the Clerk at clerk@playdenschool.com