Individually known, communally nurtured, for personal success
Mission statement
In our small, welcoming school, we provide individualised learning for every child in our care. Every child is known and valued and every child is nurtured, encouraged and challenged to achieve their full potential. We aim to develop enquiring, resilient and respectful individuals who are adaptable and eager to learn, well prepared for the next stage of their education and for life. We offer a breadth and depth of educational opportunity, taught by an innovative, inspiring and motivated staff. St. Christopher’s is a safe and happy place, a thriving, diverse community with strong local ties and with the wellbeing of pupils and staff at the heart of all that we do.
Mrs Lindsay Curtis (Chair of Governors and Chair of Finance Committee)
Lindsay studied Modern History at Lincoln College, Oxford and went on to qualify as a chartered accountant with PriceWaterhouse Coopers, specialising in the charity and not for profit sector. Lindsay joined The Wellcome Trust in 1997 to work on its investment portfolio and was Head of Performance and Risk Management, responsible for the custody, accounting, compliance and performance and risk reporting arrangements for the portfolio, when she left to have her family.
Lindsay’s two sons both attended St. Christopher’s from LKG to Year 6. Lindsay was actively involved in the St. Christopher’s Association, undertaking the role of Treasurer for a number of years.
Mrs Helen Lowe (Vice Chair of Governors and Chair of Education Committee)
Helen grew up in Bristol where she was educated at Clifton High School, an independent girls’ school. She moved to Oxford to study at the then teacher training college, Lady Spencer Churchill College (now part of Oxford Brookes University). Following this, she attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Drama Studio, London, after which she worked as a professional actor.
Helen moved into teaching Drama and English, firstly in secondary schools, then at a wide range of state and independent primary and prep schools. Helen was also the Literacy Advisor for the London borough of Richmond-upon-Thames.
Helen became a Head at King’s House School Junior Department in Richmond, where she enjoyed three very happy years, before moving to become Head at Bute House Preparatory School from 2012-2021. Helen now works as an Education Consultant in a wide range of schools across the UK and is an ISI Team and Compliance Inspector.
Helen is married to Phil and has two adult children – Josh and Sophie – and a miniature schnauzer called Mishka – a gift from the girls of Bute House on her departure from the school.Helen joined the Board of Governors in 2022 and is the Chair of the Education Committee.
Dr Chris Martin (Chair of the IT and H&S Committee)
Chris became involved with St Christopher’s when his first son joined in 2001, and has had 4 children in the school. Educated at the Bootham, the Friends school in York, Chris went on to gain a 1st class honours degree and Ph.D. in Computing from Imperial College, London, and now runs a software development company in the city.
Chris joined the Governors in 2011 and is involved in the website, IT and information management within the school.
Mrs Claire Coulson (Chair of Safeguarding Committee)
Claire’s eldest child joined St Christopher’s Reception in 2008 and her two younger children started in Lower Kindergarten.
Claire studied Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Manchester before turning to Law, which she studied at the College of Law, and she also holds a postgraduate diploma in Intellectual Property Law from Bristol University.
On qualifying as a solicitor, she specialised in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patent litigation and pharmaceutical regulatory law. Claire now volunteers as a telephone assessor and trainee generalist advisor at a local Citizens Advice Bureau, assisting clients with a wide range of issues.
St Christopher’s The Hall School Limited is a registered not-for-profit company (company number 590877) and a registered charity (charity number 307917), and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The Governors are the Directors of the company and the Trustees of the charity; no governor gains financially from involvement with the School. The Governors meet regularly to determine the general policy for the school. The Governors operate through a number of sub-committees, including Safeguarding, Finance, Education, Health and Safety, and IT, which report to the main Governing Board, where all key strategic decisions are taken. The day to day management of the School is delegated to the Head and his staff.
The Chair of the Governors can be contacted via the School Office.
