Our Governing Body

CONSTITUTION AND INTERESTS   

The Governing Body is made up of:

• Two (elected) parent governors
• One Local Authority governor 
• One (elected) staff governor
• One Headteacher (Executive Headteacher)
• Seven Foundation governors appointed as follows:
  - Two by the Parochial Church Council of St Matthew’s, Westminster
  - Two by the London Diocesan Board for Schools
  - Two by the Deanery Synod of Westminster (St Margaret)
  - The parish priest of St Matthew’s, Westminster (ex officio)
  
  Click on the link below to see:
• Governing Body Details
• Declaration of Interests
• Attendance register 
  St Matthew's Governing Body Detail 2023-2024
  Instrument of Government

The Rev'd Prebendary Philip Chester

Chair of Governors Ex officio Foundation Governor (Incumbent)
Fr Philip is the Vicar of St Matthew's, Westminster.  He read Law at Birmingham University, trained for ordination at Durham University, and served as a curate in Shrewsbury before joining the team at St Martin in the Fields in 1985.From 1988 he was Chaplain to King's College, London, until his appointment to St Matthew's in 1995.In addition to his responsibilities to the church, parish and school, Fr Philip is the Area Dean of Westminster (St Margaret's) and so is part of the senior leadership team in the Diocese of London.  Fr Philip is a trustee of a number of charities. 

Elizabeth Lyle

Foundation Governor Appointed by the Parochial Church Council of St Matthew’s, Westminster (September 2021 to August 2025)
Liz is the Development Director of Corpus Christi College at the University of Oxford.  Her career has spanned both private and voluntary sectors.  After six years at American Express Liz took her marketing expertise to a local charitable organisation in Mumbai, India, and spent two years volunteering with VSO.  On her return to London, Liz became a member of the St Matthew's Westminster community becoming both a member of the Parochial Church Council and a governor of the school, alongside pursuing a career in fundraising for both international and UK charities.  Liz is married to Sebastian, and has two children.

Susan Lowson

Foundation Governor Appointed by the Parochial Church Council of St Matthew’s, Westminster (March 2023-March 2027) Susan is the lead governor for Health & Safety and Child Protection & Safeguarding.
Susan has a clinical background with qualifications in both paediatric and adult nursing.  She has held senior nursing posts at St Thomas’ Hospital, and at Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust.  Most recently, she was the Lead Clinician for the Health Service Ombudsman recruiting and heading up a team of NHS clinicians who provided advice to the Health Investigators in respect of complaints about NHS care.In retirement Susan has built up a portfolio of posts including:

• trustee of the Demelza Children’s Hospice and chair of its Clinical Governance Committee
• Foundation Governor of the Grey Coat Hospital School, serving on its Nominations Committee
• Co-Opted Trustee of the United Westminster & Grey Coat Foundation, of which she is the Vice Chair and serves on the Remuneration and Nominations committees

She is a member of the Parochial Church Council at St Matthews Church where she has also served as churchwarden.  To Susan the importance of the school as part of the St Matthews community is something very special and she ensures that the PCC and members of the congregation are briefed about developments and news at the school. She believes passionately in the rights of children. Susan has two grown up children and her husband is a bishop in the Church of England. 

Mark Greenhorn

Foundation Governor Appointed by the London Diocesan Board for Schools (1st June 2023 - 31st May 2027) Mark is the lead Governor for Finance
Mark is a career Civil Servant with over 30 years of experience in the Home Office as a statistician and business manager.  He currently works for the Home Office Chief Scientific Adviser and also supports various teams covering matters relating to forensic science, forensic pathology and corporate services.  He is the Lead Governor for financial matters and the Science curriculum at the school.  His other interests include genealogy, enjoying watching the England cricket team, and singing. 

Sarah Maltese

Executive Headteacher (Ex officio governor) 

After completing a degree in Politics and Social Sciences, Sarah switched from a career in law to the teaching profession.  After completing a PGCE in 1994, Sarah started her career in Camden, later moving to Haringey and Barnet, where she stayed for 20 years. During her career, she was a SENCo for 10 years before moving in to headship and executive headship. Her particular passions include art, reading, the natural environment and running. 

Sarah Green

Elected Staff Governor 2024-2025

Yinka Alalade

Elected Parent Governor: 2024 - January 2025

Mr Ehsan Razavizadeh

 Elected Parent Governor: February 2022-February 2026

Mr James Leighton

Foundation Deanery Governor: January 2023-January 2027

 Nicola Cottier

  Foundation Deanery Governor: March 2024-January 2025