Elaine Joyce

South London and Surrey have been home for most of my life. For the last 11 years Farncombe has been our home, moving to be closer to our two daughters and their families so that we could be on hand for childcare and, now the grandchildren are older, we are more of a taxi service! All four grandchildren are in local Surrey state secondary schools /6^th form college.  My career has been in education, working as a teacher, and head teacher, in Inner London, Merton and Kingston & eventually moved into Local Authority school improvement, advisory, inspection and training work, including Initial Teacher Training.   Governance has taken up a part of my life since 1986 in a parent governor role.  I have also been a staff governor and a co-opted governor. I have been chair at two other Surrey school and am now a Local Leader of Governance (LLG).  Gardening, reading, theatre, cinema, guinea pigs and walking keep me occupied when not enjoying the lively company of my family and friends or being a governor!

The Revd Fr Neil Roberts

As Rector of Guildford St Nicolas I am, together with the Headteacher, the other ex-officio Govenor of our Church School.  I am Chariman of the Guildford Diocesan Educational Trust and a member of the Diocesan Board of Education.  After degrees in Theology and Education from London and Cambridge I was a schoolmaster for twenty two years including training teachers how to teach in Surrey!  Education is in my blood.  One part of my role, as the ex officio Foundation governor, is to monitor how well the school lives the Christian values that have been set and and agreed by the Governing Board and that these are in line with the Church of England.

Robin Holdsworth

I trained as an analytical chemist in London.  My wife and I moved with our two young children to Guildford in 1973. I have worked for over 50 years in the construction industry in which I have managed companies at home and abroad. During my expat life I helped to set up a primary and junior school in Dubai. In between my overseas appointments I have been a regular member of All Saints’ Onslow Village holding various posts as Churchwarden, PCC Secretary and am currently chairman of the Premises Vision Group. I maintain a keen interest in cricket and hockey although I have retired as a player, trainer and umpire.

James Armstrong

I became a Foundation Governor in November 2018 and am excited to have joined a talented team of governors. I live locally and have 3 children with the eldest loving year 1 and the second itching to start in reception next year. St Nics is a small school but it plays a large part in local life, its values radiate through everything and makes it a really special place. I look forward to supporting the school in any way I can to ensure the best possible experience and outcomes for all of the children as they start their education. Away from St Nics, I work in London as Finance Director of a technology consultancy. And away from work I enjoy being active and outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

David Sharpin

My name is David Sharpin. I have recently retired having been a banker in the City for the last almost 40 years. Whilst I am at heart a Large Corporate banker, I have also spent a lot of time in Strategy Risk, Finance and Corporate Governance roles. Clearly, banking has changed enormously during that period and had its fair share of crises. I was heavily involved in minimising the fallout from some of those crises, ensuring that lessons were learned and acted upon and spearheading some of the technological advancements in the current banking system. Constant change became a way of life! Having seen our children grow up, and recently become a grandparent for the first time, I am keenly aware of the importance of a quality infant school education when enthusiasm can be enhanced and confidence and an attitude to learning can be instilled, which will stay with them for life. I am also keen to see traditional Christian values kept at the heart of the education system from which our future leaders and influencers will emerge. 

Ben Evans

I am a proud father to two wonderful children and am extremely fortunate to have an incredible wife with whom I get to share life in all its fullness. I enjoy keeping fit, am an avid DIYer (when time permits) and am passionate about older cars. I am from a family of Educators with my Grandfather being a headmaster for over 30 years and both my parents being teachers and housemasters for 40 years. I hope that some of the knowledge gleaned from my upbringing when combined with the decision making processes and structure of my day job will enable me to be a valued member of the Governing Board of St Nics'. If you spot me out and about please do feel free to say hi. 

Kirsty Ayres

I am Kirsty Ayers.  I have lived in Guildford since 2011 with my husband and two wonderful children.  Josh was at St Nic's and is now in Year 6 at Queen Eleanor Junior School, and Abby is in Oak class at St. Nic's.  I became the local authority govenor in March 2023 because I wanted to use my professional services experience in a community school contect to serve the school for the next generation.

Dina Pandis

I am the Year 2 class teacher and am also on the Senior Leadership Team.  I have been at St Nics' for several years and enjoy being part of such a wonderful school community.  During my time at the school, I have seen many positive changes and I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with the Governing Body to continue to make our school the best place it can be.

Hannah Melville-Smith

I have spent nearly twenty years working in project management within the classical music and broadcasting industries and am passionate about education and childhood mental health, having attended many courses and webinars on childhood behaviour and emotional wellbeing.  I began my journey as a school govenor in October 2023, having been a parent at the school since my eldest of three children started in 2017; my youngest is currently enjoying Chestnut class.  I have been an active member of the school community, holding the rose of PSA Co-Chair, regularly volunteering for school trips and running a weekly book club with Year 2 children.

Verity King

I am a mum of three - my eldest is currently in Year 1 at St Nics' and my middle child will start in September.

I'm currently on sabbatical from my teaching job (and former Head of Department) at a local state secondary school. I was previously Head of House and teacher at a state secondary school in East London. I have a PGCE and an MSc in Learning and Teaching from Oxford University. I am passionate about the education and welfare of each child.

I was one of the secretaries on the school PSA last year and loved helping to run events to build community and raise money for our lovely school.

I love St. Nics' - it is not our closest school but as soon as we looked around it, we knew we wanted our children to grow and learn here.