Meet the Governors

About our Governors

Paul Thirkettle – Parent Governor – Chair of Governors

I have been a parent governor at St Giles’ School since 2015 and in 2020 I was voted in as vice chaired the governing body.  I took on this role as I was intrigued to find out how the school runs behind the scenes and help out the school in any way I can.

My professional background is in  Catering and hospitality  where I qualified as a professional Chef in 2007.  I have worked in various types of restaurants from bistro pubs to fine dining and have done quite a few banquets in my time!  My favourite cuisine is Italian.  As well as cooking, I have also worked as a youth worker for Croydon Council.  I found helping the young people in my community very enjoyable and rewarding. 

I am married with 2 children, one of whom is currently in a Primary Class at St Giles’.   I  also enjoy playing and coaching  rugby at the weekends where  I  am currently the 2nd Team Captain and in 2019 I’ve helped set up a thriving  girls rugby teams  at my local Rugby Club. 

Kathleen Shields – Vice Chair of Governors

Lead Governor for Safeguarding.

I became a Governor at St Giles in October 2017. I am a barrister practising in different areas of law.

Before training as a lawyer I qualified as a teacher: I taught English and French in a secondary school in Leeds. I enjoy working with young people and wanted to be involved with education after I left the classroom, so I decided to become a school governor. I believe all children should be well-served by their school and given support to fulfil their potential. Being part of St Giles’ governing body is a way for me to help achieve this goal and to give back to my community.

I enjoy travelling, cooking, going to concerts and hiking. 

Beverley Hayllar – Community Governor

I have taught for twenty years, initially as a history teacher but then head of sixth form in a SEN School, setting up work experience and travel training programmes for my students. We ran a cafe ‘The Beach Hut’ which generated money for the group and which was used to buy equipment of their choice ( TV, karaoke machine, playstation etc) and for days out.

I am a passionate football fan and my team is Arsenal. I also steward at Twickenham, luckily watching all of the World Cup matches.

I love going to the cinema, to see bands and concerts and to the theatre and am in a book club.

Curlita Campbell – Co-opted Governor

I have worked for over 25 years with children and families in Education, Social Care and Health. 

I previously was a parent governor, vice chair then Chair of Governors for a LA Primary School. I thoroughly enjoyed the different aspects of the role, being strategic and working with the children and parents/carers and stake holders to enable children to reach their full potential. 

My interests are nurturing a wide selection of house and garden plants, reading and knitting.

Peter Denman – Parent Governor

I volunteered to be a parent Governor since 2018 as I felt I had the hands on experience of the needs and requirements of children with disabilities and of course their parents’ teachers and carers.  My background is Commercial Property Management and Investment primarily gained in sizeable companies in the private sector and also in Local Government. I have extensive experience in project and people management, financial budgeting, forecasts and valuations. I am very keen to make a contribution to the education and wellbeing of children and young adults with disabilities.

I have a degree in Estates Management and have attended a wealth of management and people skills courses. I take a particular interest in local community affairs from transport to preserving the countryside. Leisure wise I am a keen walker and dabble with tennis and golf. I am married with two children.

Callton Young OBE – Associate member

I am a retired Senior Civil Servant with extensive experience of policy development, people and project management, and networking to deliver corporate outcomes. I have a BA honours degree in politics and am passionate about the provision of good quality learning for others to enhance personal fulfilment and maximise life chances.

Since retiring I have endeavoured to give something back to my local community. I chair two local charities, one with a small independent day school, and am an active member of Croydon Council’s Stronger Communities Partnership Board among other things. Making an additional commitment to serve at St Giles was an easy decision for me because I strongly believe that good schools are the heart and soul of good communities. We all want the best for our children – and St Giles turns that aspiration into a reality.

I am married with three children. I enjoy travelling, playing tennis and am passionate about promoting a fairer society with equal opportunities for all.

Full Governing Body Details

NoneN/ANoneN/A

Meeting Minutes

Please click on the links below to download an item of interest:

Governors Attendance

Please click on the links below to download an item of interest:

Governor’s Attendance 2019-20 Final

Governors-attendance-2018-2019

Governor’s Attendance 2017-18

Governors-attendance-2015-16M 2018 12 05 Final – full board

FGB Governor Attendance 2014-2015