Governors

Governors provide strategic leadership and accountability in all St Christopher’s Multi Academy Trust schools however the ultimately responsibility for the school lies with the Board of Directors with much of the work delegated to the Local Governing Body (LGB).

The LGB has three core functions:

• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

Governors set the aims and objectives for the school and set the targets/policies for achieving those aims and objectives. They monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making and act as a source of challenge and support to the headteacher. 

Governors bring a wide range of skills and expertise from their professional lives to the governing board and schools benefit greatly from working with skilled volunteers. 

If you are interested in hearing more about becoming a governor please contact us.

Andrea Sedgewick

Role: Chair of Governors

Category: Foundation                                               

Term of Office: 19.01.21 - present

Hello I’m Andrea Sedgewick

For over 38 years I have worked with children from 3 -13 in schools as a teacher and Deputy Headteacher in East Anglia, and as an advisor working in school improvement with Local Authorities in West Berkshire and North Yorkshire before moving to Devon 4 years ago. I am particularly interested in early years and have also worked in the Surestart Strategy to create support services for young children and their families in Children’s centres.

I have been a Governor for two schools previously and was thrilled to be asked to represent the Church on the Governing Body as my husband is the Rector of the Axe Valley Mission Community. I see being a governor as an important way to support the staff in school to give their very best for every child and family. and to help to ensure that future plans are carefully made.

I have recently been asked to act as Chair of Governors and to work with other Governors and the St Christopher’s Trust to continue the journey of All Saints School in its service to the children of the community.

During the past 4 years, you may have met me at one of the community breakfasts, a quiz, concert, or a village show, and I am hoping to meet many families at these events, and the school events in the future as circumstances allow.  Please do say hello, introduce yourselves and share your thoughts and ideas with me. I look forward to meeting you.

Claire Petts

Roles: Headteacher
Category of Governor: Headteacher
Appointed by: Full Governing Body
Term of office: 01.01.2021 – present

Karen Chape

Roles: Humanities, English, RE and PSHE.

Category of Governor: Foundation

Term of office: 01.04.2020 – present

Karen has been a parent at All Saints School since 2017 and has one daughter who attends the school.  She lives in Axminster and is an active member of the local Baptist Church, where she has been involved in leading many different areas of the children’s’ and youth work over the last eight years. 

Karen has been a Secondary School Teacher for nearly twenty years, specialising in Religious Studies.  She is currently teaching RS part time at a Secondary School in Somerset. 

Karen is keen to use her experience in both the education and voluntary setting to contribute to the governing body at All Saints.

Interests:  Karen enjoys gardening and you will often see her out walking her dog in the local area.

Nic Hare

Roles: EYFS, SEND, Safeguarding and Health & Safety.

Category of Governor: Foundation

Term of office: 01.04.20 - present

Nic lives in Axminster and her son Dylan has attended All Saints since September 2019.

Nic manages the pre-school which is situated on the school site.

Professionally, Nic has experience working in the Early Years since 2005. She has a Degree in Early Years and her passion is to support families and to help make a difference in young children’s outcomes.

Nic is keen to be more involved with the school, supporting the school as much as she can. She hopes that her Early Years’ experience and management experience will come in use in fulfilling her Governor Role.

Catherine Lodge

Roles: Writing, Science and Foreign Languages.

Category of Governor: Parent

Term of office: 01.04.2020 - present

Catherine lives in Smallridge and her daughter has attended All Saints since 2017.  She has worked for over 20 years in the payments industry and currently leads a team responsible for developing new technology.  Catherine is excited to have this opportunity to contribute to and support the school and she hopes to be able to bring some of her professional experience to her role as Governor.  In her spare time, she enjoys travelling to far flung places, pitching a tent in the beautiful Devon and Cornwall countryside and swimming and walking along the stunning Jurassic coastline.

Vicky Mills

Roles: Safeguarding and Literacy

Category of Governor: Foundation

Term of office: 01.02.2021 - present

I live in Colyford where I have been Chapel Warden at St Michael’s Chapel of Ease in the parish of St Andrew’s Church, Colyton since 2013.

I am a retired teacher having enjoyed a career in six different primary and middle schools from 1971 – 1979 and then from 1987 – 2008. At the start of my teaching career I spent 8 years as a Scale 1 teacher and then moved to Scale 2 before leaving teaching to have my family of three children.

After my children were all at school I returned as a Scale 1 then Scale 2 teacher before moving on to a Deputy Headship in a Church School.

I then worked as Head of two different schools before finishing with 9 months as Acting Head in a school which was in difficulties following the loss of their Headteacher.

I retired in 2008 in order to be free to spend time looking after my grandchildren and as my husband had also retired by then.

After a while I was invited to take on the role of Clerk to Governors at a local school and I held this post for five years before retiring from working in schools in order to take up other interests and help with care of grandchildren who had increased in number by then.

Charlotte Searle

Category of Governor: Foundation

Term of office: 28.02.2021 - present

Charlotte lives in Axminster and her daughter Sophia has attended All Saints School since September 2021. Her younger son is at Wise Owls Preschool on the school site and will also follow in his sister’s footsteps.

Charlotte works at Wise Owls and has worked with children for ten years, she holds a degree in childcare and is passionate about equal opportunities for all children both professionally and personally. She is also the leader of the 1st Axminster Rainbows group.

Charlotte enjoys beach walks with her family and new addition Mabel the Cockapoo, baking, calligraphy and knitting! She’s looking forward to being a part of the school that will be such a huge part of her family for many years to come!