We currently have 10 Governors of Woodbridge Primary School. The governors include parents of children at our school, as well as local retired and interested parties, each sharing the common goal of making our school the best it can be for the children.
The Governors
Matthew Gowen
Chair
(Co-Opted)
Appointed:
2018
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Behaviour, Teaching & Learning
Other Responsibilities:
None
Register of Interests:
Partner at Birketts LLP
About Matthew
Matthew is a Partner at Birketts LLP; he was brought up in Suffolk and returned with his wife, four boys and two dogs, to live on the outskirts of Woodbridge some years ago.
He joined Birketts five years ago following many years as a Barrister in private practice from chambers in London, where he specialised in Regulatory defence, fraud/financial crime and professional disciplinary work.
In his spare time……..what spare time with four boys?!
Sarah Tattoo
Behaviour, Teaching & Learning Chair
(Local Authority)
Appointed:
2018
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Behaviour, Teaching & Learning
Other Responsibilities:
None
Register of Interests:
None
About Sarah
Prior to retiring in March 2014, I worked for 40 years in public service as a teacher, deputy headteacher and local government officer. I taught in special schools in Bury St. Edmunds and Ipswich, worked as an Advisory Teacher for pre-school children with special educational needs for Suffolk County Council, and for nine years ran a private nursery school in Framlingham. For the final eight years of my career, I was a senior manager at Suffolk County Council leading on Sure Start Children’s Centres and Early Years. In the 1990s I was a governor for 12 years at both Framlingham Primary School and Thomas Mills High School. Since January 2015 I have worked as a volunteer at the CRUK retail shop in Woodbridge. I was an Associate Governor Sept 2017- August 2018 and am now a Local Authority Governor since September 2018. I volunteer two days a week. I am married to Dennis (also a teacher) and we have two grown-up children both of whom are teachers!
Sarah Dempsey
Resourcing Chair
(Parent)
Appointed:
2016
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Resourcing and Personnel
Other Responsibilities:
None
Register of Interests:
None
About Sarah
I grew up in Suffolk, moved away to study for my degree and stayed away for many more years whilst I enjoyed a career in HR with a successful retailer. I returned to the Woodbridge area a few years ago with my family and I am now responsible for HR in a local company. I am keen to use my business skills to support Woodbridge Primary School where my son is a pupil. We all enjoy coming to school – for school days, for the fun FOWPS activities, for assemblies and for the Willow Garden Wrap Around care. I became a governor in 2016 and I am a member of the Resourcing Committee. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the beautiful Suffolk countryside with my family and our dog.
Tom Walker
Resourcing Vice Chair
(Co-opted)
Appointed:
2018
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Resourcing & Personnel
Other Responsibilities:
Parent Forum Chair
Register of Interests:
None
About Tom
As a project manager at BT, I deliver to NHS and Government customers across the UK. My family and I moved to Woodbridge in 2012. My two daughters, Katie and Lucy, are both at Woodbridge Primary, and both love every minute of it. I chose to become a Governor for two reasons. Firstly, I wanted to use my skills acquired through work to benefit the school. Secondly, I saw this as a great opportunity to become more involved with the local community. My spare time is spent cycling, gardening, baking and teaching myself economics.
Karen McCormack
Governor
(Co-Opted)
Appointed:
July 2019
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Resourcing
Other Responsibilities:
None
Register of Interests:
None
About Karen
I work for Public Health at Suffolk County Council, as a Commissioner, working on specific pieces of work, to improve the health and wellbeing for the population of Suffolk. I hold both a BSc (Hons) and a Masters of Public Health (MPH). I am originally from Co. Tipperary in Ireland (and yes, I do know it is a long way) but have been living in Suffolk for 17 years.
I live with my husband, 8-year-old son and our little dog Sully in Kesgrave. In our spare time, we love getting out into the beautiful Suffolk countryside and coast for walks, we really are so lucky to live where we do. As a family we love travelling, and count Budapest as our current favourite destination, and we love visiting family who live outside of the U.K. too.
Tristan Childs
Governor
(Co-Opted)
Appointed:
April 2020
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
TBC
Other Responsibilities:
None
Register of Interests:
None
About Tristan
Tristan grew up in Suffolk and moved back to the area a few years ago with his wife and children. He has three young sons and the eldest two are students at Woodbridge Primary School.
Having previously worked as a paramedic and in medical research, Tristan has spent the last decade working in Public Health research. His interests vary from infectious disease surveillance to the fundamentals of practical wellbeing, such as eating a balanced diet, taking regular exercise and getting restorative sleep.
Belinda Deacon
Governor – Safeguarding
(Co-Opted)
Appointed:
2019
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Behaviour, Teaching and Learning
Other Responsibilities:
Safeguarding
Register of Interests:
None
About Belinda
Belinda was born and raised in South Africa, moving to Woodbridge when she was 15 years old. She now lives in Grundisburgh with her partner, her son and their dog Rosie. Belinda loves long walks at the coast and travelling to faraway places as she has family spread far and wide in South Africa, America and New Zealand.
Belinda worked in the office at Woodbridge Primary for some years before gaining experience in Finance and Safeguarding Lead roles at a Further Education College. She is now School Business Manager at Kesgrave Primary School. Her son previously attended Woodbridge Primary School and thoroughly enjoyed his time there before moving onto Farlingaye High School. It was at this time Belinda decided to give back to the school community by becoming a School Governor.
Helen Banham
Governor
(Parent)
Appointed:
2021
Term of Office:
4 years
Committees:
Resourcing & Personnel
Other Responsibilities:
None
Register of Interests:
None
About Helen
Helen grew up in Leigh on Sea and after University, spent 15 years working as a Marine Underwriter in London. After having her daughter, the family decided on a slower pace of life and made the move to Suffolk in 2019. Her 2 children are now both at Woodbridge Primary with her husband teaching at a secondary school.
Helen fell in love with the school and its amazing outdoor area from day 1 and hopes to support the school going forward to achieve its goals. Helen has a passion for sailing and tennis and in her spare time, can be found pottering in the garden and exploring the Suffolk countryside and coast.
Mark Krisson
Governor
(Head Teacher)
Appointed:
September 2008
Term of Office:
N/A
Committees:
Behaviour, Teaching and Learning, Resourcing and Personnel
Other Responsibilities:
None
Register of Interests:
None
About Mark
I joined Woodbridge Primary School as Headteacher in 2007. I qualified as a teacher in 1987 and have worked as a teaching professional at schools both in the UK and abroad. I have a first class honours degree in Geography and Philosophy and an MBA in Educational Management.
Lynsey Crossley
Staff Governor
(Deputy Head Teacher)
Appointed:
N/A
Term of Office:
N/A
Committees:
Behaviour, Teaching & Learning
Other Responsibilities:
Deputy Headteacher
Register of Interests:
None
About Lynsey
Lynsey was born and grew up in Suffolk. After her A Levels she decided to travel and left bound for Australia in 1993. Whilst away, she abseiled in the Blue Mountains, went white water rafting, explored the Great Barrier Reef, appeared in 3 episodes of ‘Neighbours’ and even did a bungee jump!
On her return, she trained as a teacher at Westminster College, Oxford and graduated in 1997 with a BEd (Hons) in English and Children’s Literature, where her favourite tutor was Philip Pullman of ‘His Dark Materials’ fame. She continued to explore new places and managed trips to Kenya, Turkey and Tunisia.
She began her teaching career at Wickham Market Primary School. During her 5 years there she taught throughout Key Stage 2. She joined Woodbridge Primary in 2002, and has taught for most of that time in Year 6.
Lynsey has two young children, a girl and boy who keep her on her toes when not in school. As a family they love being outdoors, exploring, making things and snuggling up with a good book. She still loves travelling but the destinations are little closer to home (camping in Norfolk) for the time being… until her children are older enough to carry their own ruck sacks that is!
Lynsey is also Deputy Headteacher at Woodbridge Primary School.
Governor Attendance Record
Download the Governor Attendance Record