Nicky Anslow - Parent Governor

As a parent governor, I am committed to supporting our school in providing an inspiring and inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive. With extensive experience in healthcare leadership and system improvement, including safeguarding, urgent and emergency care, and digital transformation, I bring a perspective focused on collaboration, strategic planning, and effective communication. I am passionate about promoting wellbeing, inclusion, and ensuring that all students feel supported to achieve their full potential. I look forward to working closely with staff, students, and families to help our school continue to grow and succeed.

Graham Brownett - Co-Chair of Governors

I first joined the Local Governing Body as a concerned parent governor back in 1996 when things were very different. For most of that time, I have chaired the Finance Committee in its various guises. I have worked closely with the Headteachers and Business Managers during that time to ensure financial stability and value for money for the various stakeholders.

I am a retired Company Director and bring strategic thinking, leadership, finance and personnel experience to the Board as well as an unflinching desire for continuous improvement.

Ian Coombes - Parent Governor

I have been a parent governor at a local school for over four years and an opportunity to join St Catherines board which I wanted to join.

I have children at the school and I wanted to be able to add my ideas to the governing board to drive the school forward.

Being part of the governing board is a great chance to see how the school is being run and being able to add my views is important to me.

Stuart Cox - Foundation Governor

I am a Foundation Governor at St Catherine’s College and am passionate about supporting the school and its Christian foundation. I have four children, two of whom currently attend St Catherine’s, giving me a strong connection to the school community.

I am Director of Operations and Staff at King’s Church Eastbourne, with responsibility for areas including staff, finance, safeguarding, facilities and organisational development. I hope to use my experience in leadership, governance and operations to support the governing body and help St Catherine’s continue to grow and succeed.

Simon Fermor - Foundation Governor

I have become a Foundation Governor of St Catherine’s College as I firmly believe in the Christian ethos used in developing the youth of today for tomorrow’s world and am pleased to offer my time and life experiences in achieving this goal.

I have worked for the last 40 years within the NHS in various roles, of which 35 was for Sussex and South East Coast Ambulance Service.

Catherine Finn - Foundation Governor

I have been involved with St Catherine's College for over 15 years, initially as a parent. I then served as a Parent Governor as I wanted to give something back to the school and influence changes from a parental perspective. My 5 children benefitted from attending St Catherine's, both academically and from being part of a supportive community. Now that all my children have left the school I am excited to be serving as a Foundation Governor.

Elizabeth Foster - Co-Vice Chair of Governors

I have been a governor for many years following my children through school, both primary and secondary. Both children have now completed their time at St Catherine's and are in further education, having both achieved excellent results at GCSE.

William Holland - Staff Governor

I joined St Catherine's College in September 2025 as a maths teacher. I have been teaching for over 30 years and my roles have included Head of Science, Assistant headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Acting Headteacher at schools in Eastbourne and Brighton. I have been responsible for overseeing the school curriculum, timetable, data and exams and have line managed heads of year and heads of faculty. I have previously been a school governor, attending governor groups for curriculum and standards.

David Linsell - Co-Chair of Governors

I have worked in education for over 40 years.  My experiences include a number of Primary and Secondary Headships.  I have also been responsible for Local Governance, Curriculum, Pupil Premium, complaints and communications in a large Multi Academy Trust. I am an active member of the Church of England.  I have become a Governor at St Catherine’s because it is a Church of England school and the school I hope my grandchildren will attend.

Colin Newall - Business and Community Local Governor

I am a semi-retired Company Director, having run a local company for the past 35 years. I hope to support the school in its aims, objectives and any areas where I can be of help utilising my experience in business, finance, and organisational knowledge. 

As a former pupil of Bishop Bell, now St Catherine’s College, the school has always had a long-term connection to me.

Alan Powell - Business and Community Local Governor

I joined the Board of Governors in September 2018. I am now largely retired following a long career in education. I graduated with a BA in Modern Languages and went on to undertake a MA in Education. I started my career in Inner London, before moving to Kent and subsequently to East Sussex in 2004. I was a headteacher for 17 years, leading a school in Kent before moving to East Sussex.

I was a National Leader of Education and have been seconded to schools in challenging circumstances twice as well as carrying out school improvement work for the Local Authorities in both Kent and East Sussex. I still undertake some consultancy work in schools and, until recently, school inspections in the south east.

My other interests are principally based around sport but more now as a spectator rather than as a participant. My aim is to play an active role as a trustee providing both support and challenge to leaders as well as helping the school achieve its ambitions in any way I can.

Mark Robinson - Foundation Governor

I became a Foundation Governor because I want to make a meaningful contribution to the life and future of St Catherine’s. I bring over 25 years’ experience in communications, marketing and creative media, working across the charity, church and corporate sectors. I lead communications for Fresh Expressions alongside my work as an independent consultant, with past clients including Tearfund, HTB/Alpha, Tesco, Eurotunnel and UK Government agencies.

My Christian faith is an important part of who I am, and I’m passionate about helping young people come to know Jesus and become the people he has created them to be. I value the opportunity to support the school’s Christian ethos while bringing my professional experience and strategic thinking to the governing body. I’m married to Ruth, Vicar of St John’s Meads, and our twins are both pupils at St Catherine’s.

Elizabeth Still - Business and Community Local Governor

I am new to St Catherines College in the role as a Community Governor. I have a background in clinical health research and education, senior NHS management and governance - including both national and regional boards. 

I have lived locally since 2001 and had 2 children who benefitted from education in local schools and colleges. 

I hope to be able to bring expertise that will support SCC and its aims.

Chris Tuppen - Parent Governor

I became a governor to support St Catherine’s and contribute to the continued growth and success of the school. My background includes procurement, finance operations, process improvement, team management and stakeholder engagement, roles that have required attention to detail, fairness and collaborative working. I hope to use these skills to support the governing body, contribute constructively to discussions and ensure that my contribution always places students’ wellbeing, progress and opportunities at the centre. I am proud to be part of the school community and look forward to supporting its continued success.

Sandy Wooton - Co-Vice Chair of Governors

With five of my children having benefited from attending St Catherine's College and the ten years of working at the school, I understand its importance and long-term impact on the local community. 

Serving as a governor helps me to give something back to the school. It enables me to bring my experience of working as a Senior Leader in several different school contexts, together with volunteer experience within Governance and Trustee positions, and use it to help the school achieve its vision.

As the only Church of England Secondary School in East Sussex, I believe the Foundation Governor role is important so as to maintain this school’s unique standing as a Church School.