Full Governing Board

Ross Settles – Chair and Co-opted Governor

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 the Headteacher to help guide the school on its exciting development journey. 

Shona Bishop – Co-opted Governor

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

My husband and I moved to the area in 2014 when we were expecting our son, who is now 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

Jacques Desrosiers – Temporary Ex-officio Foundation Governor 

I am a recently retired Church of England minister having served as a parish priest for over 20 years.  Prior to that I worked for over 15 years as a financial officer for charities in the field of international development both here and in Canada.  I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Canada in the early 1980’s. 

I have been a school governor in state primary schools for the past twenty years, both church and community sector.  I served four years as chair for a community school in Rolvenden.  I also spent six years on the board of the Canterbury Diocese Board of Education, an organisation which had the oversight of church schools in that diocese.  I have always valued my time working with schools both as a governor and a parish priest. I think the role of the Church of England in education is one of its most vital contributions to the life and care of the people of this land.  I believe in a holistic vision of education in caring for all aspects of the nurture of our children.  Though born and bred in Canada, Susan and I and our three children (now all in their 40’s) have lived in the UK since the late 1980’s.   All our children have received virtually all their education in this country. 

I am an avid reader and a keen walker.  I love music including playing it (if not very well), the occasional game of golf (even worse) and in retirement I have re-kindled an interest in photography. 

Fay Churchill – Staff Governor

Date of appointment: 18.9.23                                                                 Term: 4 years

As an educator for the past fifteen years, working in all year groups across the primary phase, undertaking the role of SENCo for four years and working with a cross county training group to improve phonics outcomes, I have a wide range of experience to bring to the school and the role of staff governor. 

Prior to teaching I was a management consultant, working in project management with a range of public sector clients across the country; following this I took time out to raise my own young family and returned to work in the education sector once they began to “fledge” and start their own school journeys. 

I am passionate about school as an holistic experience that provides robust education in academic areas, a sense of adventure and risk in learning, and a nurturing environment that enables all in the school community to reach their potential.  I am looking forward to working with the governing body to enable the school to continue its journey.

Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months

Should you wish to contact the Governing Body, please approach the school office or email the Clerk at clerk@playdenschool.com