Lorna Buckwell

Foundation Governor & Acting Co-Chair

I am a foundation governor in my second term of office on the board at St Mary’s.  

My children attended St Mary's and so becoming a governor allowed me to use my professional skills to give something back to the school community.  For 4 years I took the Chair role and am now co-vice chair of governors. I enjoy being part of a team who all care deeply about our children, staff and school community.
I qualified as a solicitor in 2007 and practised at a law firm in Tunbridge Wells for over a decade specialising in personal injury law.

After taking a break from my legal career I worked as a governance professional for another local school and for the local authority in Governors and Clerking Services supporting clerks and governance professionals across the county.  

In 2022 I returned to working in the law and am now at a law firm in Tonbridge in the Court of Protection team assisting elderly and vulnerable clients with the management of their financial affairs and making court applications on their behalf.  
Outside of work, I enjoy keeping fit, running and attend kickboxing and kettlebell classes. I also like taking long walks with my dog Buddy.

Cathy Gregory

Local Authority Governor & Acting Co-Chair

I am the local authority governor and I have two children at the school. 

For the last 17 years I have worked in Social Housing, predominantly in dealing with high level anti-social behaviour and safe guarding issues. I hope to bring some of this knowledge when looking at the well-being of our children and staff at the school.
I have experience of being a governor for a primary school previously in Hastings, where I served for 7 years before moving to Crowborough. 
Outside of work and home-life I enjoy playing netball, going for dog walks, going to concerts, festivals and comedy shows.

Hilary Blake

Foundation Governor & Chair of Governors

My links to St Mary’s date back to my children’s primary education and the start of my teaching career. Fast forward a few years and my recent retirement from Catholic headship finds me with (a little) time to spare. 

I am delighted to serve as a foundation governor and hope to use my experience in primary education, and in Catholic education specifically, to support the head and her team in their stated aims for the benefit of every child. 

St Mary’s is my parish family and I look forward to putting names to familiar faces as I work with the latest generation of St Mary’s pupils and staff. 

Miles Dyton

Foundation Governor 

I am trained as a geologist, and spent many years working in places as far- flung as Angola and Norway.

For the last 16 years, I have worked in sales, business development and management roles in the UK.

My hobbies include cooking, camping and running.

For me, serving on the governing board is all about St Mary’s: the children; the staff; and the community. Seeing children thrive in a diverse, friendly and nurturing environment is what it’s all about… and being part of that community.

Brian Cornford

Foundation Governor

I am retired. I have worked in science, and as a teacher, gardener, postman, and administrator. 

Voluntary roles have previously included school governor.

Carol Scanlon

Headteacher

Ex-officio

Sarah Cook

Staff Governor

I am the staff governor at St. Marys. I am also the Year 3 teacher and have a keen interest overseeing the delivery and development of maths across the school. I have over 20 years experience, working in London, international schools, and now Crowborough.  I feel very settled at St. Marys  - the warm welcome I receive everyday from the children and colleagues is wonderful, and the parent community is supportive and helps enhance my role. 

I am excited by the challenges of being a school governor, helping to shape and direct our wonderful school on it's journey forward.​

When not in the classroom, I enjoy swimming and cycling, and although I'm trying to get into running to complete the triathlon set - I'm not sure I ever really enjoy it. I am certainly loving exploring the Ashdown forest though and am glad this wonderful resource is on our doorstep. I also love cake!

Freddie Piper

Parent Governor

Clare Satchell

Parent Governor

I am a parent governor with two children in the school. 

My background is in Science but having completed my degree I realised I much preferred talking about science to being in the lab and went into Science Communication. I spent time at both large and small science charities working across the communications field from PR to magazine writing and editing and email marketing.

I eventually specialised in Public Engagement running activities for adults and children at events such as the Big Bang Fair, Cheltenham Science Festival and the Green Man Music Festival. I hope to use my professional experience and knowledge to ensure good communication continues to enhance the school experience for the whole school community. 

David Barton

Associate Member

First and foremost, I’m a dad to my wonderful 3 daughters, all of which now attend St Mary’s.

​I work as a Commercial Manager for a construction management company and with my free time I love to try my hand at almost any sport, socialize and am currently involved in helping a number of charitable organisations. I am also very passionate about developing young people as this was something that benefitted me in my younger years.

​I’ve been on the St Mary’s Governing board for several years now and have been delighted to be heavily involved with the improvements recently made to the premises and the change in financial reporting to ensure the long-term future of the school. I am also very pleased to have been part of the recruitment of 2 of the 3 new senior leadership positions appointed at the school. 

​What I value most at St Mary’s is its caring ethos. It can be clearly seen in every person in the school and comes through in all aspects of what the children learn and what staff and governors hold in such high regard.

David Neill

Assistant Headteacher 

Ex-officio

As Assistant Headteacher, I am an Associate Governor and work closely with the Governing Board and Mrs Scanlon as Headteacher in providing strategic leadership for the school. I meet regularly with members of the Governing Board to share the work happening within school and to liaise on the implementation of the School Development Plan. It is a privilege to work with the Governing Board to ensure St Mary's continues to be a forward-thinking, exciting school for the wonderful children and families we serve.

Anna Crossley

Associate Member

As a parent with two children at the school, I’m passionate about helping our school provide the best possible environment for all our students. I’ve spent over five years on the governing panel as a foundation and associate governor, supporting the school through an Ofsted and Catholic Schools inspection, both of which achieved a ‘Good’ rating. My career has taken me from leisure management and swimming pool operations to my current role in NHS management at a GP practice, where I’ve gained valuable skills in leadership and teamwork. I’m also involved on the finance panel, pay review panel, and as the Health & Safety link governor, focusing on keeping our school a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Outside of school, I love spending time with my family, taking coastal walks, and helping my daughter prepare for her First Communion, all of which keep me grounded and connected to our community.