St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School

My name is Dympna Reed, and I am the Vice Chair of Governors at the school. I have been a foundation governor of the school since early 2017 when I was appointed a member of the Interim Executive Board and then Co-Chair of the Shadow Governing Board. Following our “Good” judgement by Ofsted and the successful appointment of Mrs O’Rourke, the school is going from strength to strength. I have also been Vice Chair of Governors at St Mary Magdalene school in Bexhill. My expertise lies in Early Years education and my career as a Deputy Head and a Local Authority consultant was in that field.  I am the Chair of the Admissions Committee and the Link Governor for SEND (Special Needs). I also chair Appeals Panels for the Local Authority and the Diocese. 

I have 3 children who all attended Sacred Heart School and then St Richards and I have 6 grandchildren. 

(Sep 2022)

Term of Office 1.10.20 - 30.09.24

Committee Member for: Admissions

I was the Principal of St. Richards Catholic College 1988 to 2008.

During the last 15 years of my Headship the College was the highest performing  maintained Secondary school in East Sussex , being placed in the top 5% of schools nationally.

This resulted in the school being rated ‘Outstanding’ overall and in every single category of the OFSTED report 2006.

I have had prominent roles at East Sussex County level, being a member of East Sussex School Education Committee 1992 – 1997 and the Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services 1997 – 2008.

I was also a member of East Sussex Standards Panel 1992-2008.

At present, I am a Trustee of the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton,  Vice Chair of East Sussex College Group  and Chair of Sussex Coast College, Hastings. 

In recognition of my contribution to education in East Sussex I was awarded an OBE in January 2007.

Following this I was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).

My contribution to Catholic Education locally and nationally was recognised in 2008 by a Papal Knighthood KSG ( Knight of St. Gregory) one of the highest and most prestigious a Pope can bestow on an individual. 

Term of Office 1.10.20 - 30.09.24

Committee: Pay Commitee

I am Anne Barry and following a long teaching career in the Secondary sector during which time I served as a Teacher Governor.  I was then invited to become a tutor for trainee teachers on the Graduate Recruitment Programme. 
Since ‘retirement’ some twelve years ago I have been active in both parish and school life - as Adult Formation Co-ordinator and for a time as a governor of a primary school. 
I have also visited many schools across the Arundel and Brighton Diocese as an Education Volunteer for CAFOD (the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development). 
Last summer I was invited by the Diocese to join the Shadow Governing Board and it has been a privilege to do so and to see the school continue to develop and flourish.
I enjoy developing my garden and gaining inspiration by visiting gardens across the country and further afield.

Term of Office 1.10.20 - 30.09.24

Committee Member for: Admissions

I am delighted to have been recently appointed Parent Governor. I previously held a role on the Shadow Governing Board 2019 to 2020. 

I am a company director of a nationwide fire protection company, I have several years experience in company finance, budgeting, organisation and strategic planning.

I grew up in Nottingham, moving to St Leonard’s 15 years ago to be closer to my wife’s family. We have 4 children, 2 currently at SMSS and 2 at St Richard’s. As a family we are active members of the Parish community. 

Our busy family doesn’t leave me with much time! However, I do enjoy playing football, cricket and running.

Term of Office 27.09.21 - 26.09.25

Committee Member for: Finance, Property and Health & Safety

I have recently been appointed as a  governor since March 2020. Being a mother of two young boys and a practising Catholic, I am proud to be part of a school that thrives to develop children on all three important levels (i.e. spiritual, academic and emotional) and I am looking forward to effectively overseeing the management side of the school with the governing team.

As an ACCA qualified accountant and Finance & Accounting graduate, I bring to the table my solid and relevant financial & commercial skills developed over the past 10 years in various private companies in London and East Sussex. I am currently part of the Parish of the Good Shepherd's Finance department and Finance Committee.

Although my family and I moved from London to St Leonards-on-Sea in 2016, we've quickly fallen in love with its beautiful surroundings and it's friendly and welcoming inhabitants. I am passionate about Faith, education and giving children a good start in life, ensuring they become strong valued citizens.

Term of Office 1.10.20 - 30.09.24

I am pleased to be appointed as parent governor, I attended St Marys Star of the Sea as a child and a so did my brothers, sisters nieces and nephews over a number of years.

My father was a local headmaster and  my mother was music teacher.

I have seen the school develop over the past years growing from strength to strength.

I am currently a serving police officer and also teach within the Sussex police.

I was previously employed as a IT network consultant and worked for a global airline and have extensively travelled the world installing and supporting the airline industry.

I have represented the county in rugby and the force in skiing in the national championships.

Term of Office 1.10.20 - 30.09.24

Committee Member for: Finance, Property and Health & Safety 

Committee Member for: Admissions, Finance, Property and Health & Safety

Committee Member for: 

Term of Office 1.10.20 - 30.09.24

Clerk for the Full Governing Board

clerk@st-mary-star.e-sussex.sch.uk

Contact emails for the Chair and Vice Chair can be found under the school's contact tab.