Meet the Governors

Our governors have a wealth of experience and expertise in many different areas, not just education and are committed to helping St. Nicholas CofE Primary School become the best it can possibly be.  

School Governors play an important role in the strategic leadership of the school.  

The Federation has a single governing body that strategically leads Canewdon and St. Nicholas Primary Schools.  

Our Governor's may be contacted through the school office. 

James Bennett

My Son, Charlie, started at St. Nicholas in September 2014 and I became the Parent Governor for St. Nicholas at the same time. My experiences of governance have been exciting and I have learnt how busy life can be as a school governor! Within the last year I have become Chair.

My wife and I moved to Rayleigh in 2009 and we chose the town on the recommendation of work colleagues and because of the friendly environment we found on our numerous visits before moving here.

I am a qualified accountant and worked in London for 10 years, I now run a bookkeeping company.

I believe that by working together with the local communities, both schools can become "outstanding". Places where pupils continue to be eager to learn, develop and places that pupils leave with fond memories.

Revd. Richard Jordan

I have been the vicar at Rawreth since 2017 and recently also took responsibility for St Thomas’ at Hullbridge and All Saints at Rettendon, I am also Area Dean for Rochford area. I was a governor at St. Nicholas School for nearly four years before joining the new Governing Body for the federated schools.

I thoroughly enjoy being involved in the life of the schools and find that children often ask more searching questions than adults, and they don't accept easy answers!

I have two grown up children and my hobby is sailing.

Martin O’Rourke

With my son started at St. Nicholas in September 2016 and my daughter not too far behind, I am keen to take an active role in supporting the school federation and excited at the opportunity of joining the Governing Body.

I feel I bring ideas, drive and enthusiasm and look forward to helping the school federation to grow.

In my professional life, I having worked in the IT industry since 2001, in large corporates and small consultancies as a HR & Payroll technical specialist.

Gary Pitt

I’ve lived in Rayleigh since 1995 and have three grown up children who benefitted from excellent education at local schools. One is now a primary school teacher.

I worked in the City as an insurance broker for over 40 years but am about to become semi retired and was delighted to have been approached by Essex Education regarding the governor vacancy at Canewdon and St Nicholas.

I enjoy cooking, long country walks with my wife and our cocker spaniel, all sports and have a Tottenham Hotspur season ticket.

James Hay

I became a co-opted Governor recently and have always very keen to be involved in my children’s education. I have 2 daughters at the school and a wide circle of friends whose children also attend St Nicholas. I thoroughly enjoy being involved in education and it is a huge privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals in our school and see the progress and achievements of the children.

I have lived in Rayleigh since 2006 and have been a serving Police officer in London for the past 28 years.

My strengths lie in my enthusiasm and desire to help in ensuring our school provides the best opportunities for every child in school.

Sam Willis

I am the Executive Deputy Headteacher of Canewdon Endowed (CofE) VC Primary School and St. Nicholas (CofE) VC Primary School. I am also a Staff Governor which means that I represent the voice of staff members.

It is a joy to work with the children at both schools and I look forward to each opportunity that I get to work with the Governing Body.

Before I was appointed as Deputy Headteacher of Canewdon (the role I had before becoming the Executive Deputy Headteacher), I was a teacher at Downhall Primary School.

I am married and have two super, young children.

Lorna Pigram

I feel very lucky to be the Executive Headteacher of Canewdon and St. Nicholas which are both fantastic schools and are supported by wonderful communities.

I started my teaching career in Thurrock and worked in two schools in there before moving to Essex. I was the Deputy Headteacher of a large primary school in South Essex before becoming the Headteacher of St. Nicholas in January 2010 and the Executive Headteacher of Canewdon and St. Nicholas in September 2013. Prior to becoming a Deputy Headteacher, I was a member of Senior Leadership and Management Teams in the school that I worked in.

The Executive Headteacher, by nature of the job, is a member of the Governing Body. It is vitally important for the schools to have a Governing Body that is both supportive and challenging. To do this effectively, the Governing Body needs to contain members that have a wide range of interests and expertise. This, we are lucky to have. As a result, our Governing Body is able to bring different dimensions and viewpoints to our work to help us become the very best that we can possibly be.

I have two, wonderful, children who also regularly remind me how important it is that I do my best to make sure that the schools are the best that they can be!