Management

St. Mary’s School is a charitable trust run by a board of Governors. It is built on Christian foundations but accepts pupils of all denominations and does not discriminate on grounds of race, religion or disability. Pastoral care is important and we stress the importance of social, moral and spiritual development. We are members of the Girls Schools’ Association.

Hilary Vipond B Sc (Hons), PGCE, Dip Ed, M Ed, NPQH School Principal

Mrs Vipond has overall responsibility for the school. She joined St. Mary’s in 1996, becoming Vice Principal in 2001 and gaining promotion to Principal in September 2006. Her background is as a Geography and Careers teacher and she still teaches Personal and Social Education and Citizenship. She is passionate about school activities and trips and believes fervently that if young people enjoy their education, they will go on to achieve excellent results all round. She is married with two sons.

Anwen Mullen, B Ed ,NPQH
School Vice-Principal

Mrs Mullen has overall responsibility for pastoral care. She has worked extensively in both the Primary and Secondary sectors in Essex, teaching Geography and Maths and working as a class teacher and Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. She joined St. Mary's in 1998 becoming Senior Teacher in 2004 before being appointed Vice Principal in September 2006. She is committed to ensuring that the girls are given the opportunity to develop their full potential in a stimulating, safe and happy environment, providing them with the skills to embrace the challenges of the future. She has three grown up children.

Paul Burgoyne B ED
Director of Studies

Mr Burgoyne has overall responsibility for curriculum at the school. After extensive experience in marine engineering, agriculture, business and management, he began his teaching at Colbayns, joining St. Mary’s in 2002. He teaches science and was a Senior Teacher before his appointment as Director of Studies in 2006. His vision is for the girls to be given the best educational opportunity to meet the challenges of today. He is married with three daughters and a son.

Emma Stanhope GMus, PGCE,NPQH
Director of Lower School

Mrs Emma Stanhope is an experienced primary school teacher. She began teaching at St. Mary's in 2002 when she was appointed as a senior teacher. In 2006, Mrs Stanhope became Primary Curriculum Leader, responsible for the development of the Lower School. Mrs Stanhope's new role is Director of Lower School and she is committed to ensuring the girls learn though an exciting and challenging curriculum where opportunities are met to the full. She is married with a son and a daughter.

Sarah Heath-Brook, BA Hons                                   Chairman of Governors

Mrs Heath-Brook studied German and Chinese at York University and has worked for a number of large British Corporations in middle management, particularly Human Resources. She has also lived abroad, worked for small commercial companies and now runs a school library consultancy. Living in Colchester, Mrs Heath-Brook is married with one child.