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

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.

Tim Chapman

Governor
(Parent)

Appointed:
2019

Term of Office:
4 years

Committees:
Resourcing & Personnel

Other Responsibilities:
None

Register of Interests:
None

About Tim

Bio Coming Soon!

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.