PHOENIX ST. PETER - Key Persons

Fiona Usher

Job Titles:
  • Opted Intervention Board Member - Pupil Voice Governor
Fiona was appointed in March 2023 as a community co-opted governor. Fiona has spent several months as a Volunteer at Phoenix St. Peter Academy, and also serves the community as our Road Safety Patrol person. Before moving to Lowestoft, Fiona lived in London and worked as a Teaching Assistant for many years. She is passionate about supporting our school and community and thoroughly enjoys both roles at Phoenix St. Peter Academy.

Julie Vingoe

Job Titles:
  • Trust Appointed Governor - Safeguarding Governor
Julie has joined the governing body following her 21 years as the school's Administration Assistant, continuing her loyal commitment and dedication to the school, and bringing her wealth of skills and knowledge to her governance role. Julie can be contacted by email at: julie.vingoe@phoenixstpeteracademy.org

Mr. C. Perry

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of Intervention Board / Phoenix St. Peter Academy
  • Chairman of Phoenix St. Peter 's Intervention Board / Head of Finance, Reach 2
  • Qualified Accountant
Chris is Chair of Phoenix St. Peter's Intervention Board with responsibility for Finance and Health & Safety. Chris is a Qualified Accountant with commercial experience and a history of making significant improvements resulting in both cost savings and improved customer service through sound practices in Accountancy; Performance Improvement; Financial Modelling and Analysis; Business Re-structuring and Cost Reduction; Recruitment and Staff Development. Chris can be contacted in writing at:

Mr. Matthew Jordan

Job Titles:
  • Executive Headteacher
Mr. Jordan is the Executive Headteacher of both Phoenix St. Peter Academy and Gunton Primary Academy, and responsible for the overall development and improvement of both schools. Matthew was appointed as Associate Headteacher on the 1st September 2021, to continue the school's ongoing improvement and development.

Mrs Kirsten Ward

Job Titles:
  • Business Manager
  • School Business Manager
Kirsten joined Phoenix St. Peter Academy in January 2021, having previously been an SBM for two local primary schools, before working at a central Trust as the Company Secretary and PA to the CEO. After a number of years in this post, she decided to return to school life and was delighted to be appointed at Phoenix St. Peter Primary, having grown up in Kirkley and Phoenix being her own Primary school, albeit many years ago!

Mrs Terri Freeman

Job Titles:
  • Deputy Head, DSL & SENDCo
  • Deputy Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead and SEND Coordinator
Terri was formally the Deputy Headteacher at Northfield St. Nicholas Primary Academy for many years and trained as a PE Teacher; she has a wealth of experience in supporting children with SEND, ensuring that every child, including those with SEND, achieve the very best they can. She is delighted to be at Phoenix St. Peter and is looking forward to supporting the school's continued development and improvement for many years to come.

Mrs. Emily Hayes

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Headteacher, EYFS & English Lead
  • Lead, Literacy Lead and Alternate DSL
  • Member of Staff
Mrs. Hayes is a long-standing member of staff and also our Assistant Headteacher. She is responsible for our school's curriculum, literacy, as well as for Early Years and Key Stage 1. Mrs. Hayes is also an Alternate Designated Safeguarding Officer and can be contacted by email at: emily.hayes@phoenixstpeteracademy.org

Mrs. Lianne Buck

Job Titles:
  • Maths & Music Lead
Mrs. Buck joined Phoenix in September 2022, having relocated to Lowestoft with her family from London. Mrs. Buck is an experienced senior teacher and subject lead for maths and music. She is very excited to be working in our small community primary school. Mrs. Buck can be contacted by email at:

Nicola Richards

Job Titles:
  • Deputy Director of Education, North )

Richard Stone

Job Titles:
  • Opted Intervention Board Member
Richard was appointed in September 2021 as a community co-opted governor and brings a wealth of experience to the role, including fifteen years in international business and 10years experience in Post-16 education, in the role of Course Leader in Business & Economics.

Tim Culpin

Job Titles:
  • Director of Education, North )

Tom Twort

Job Titles:
  • Vice - Chair Phoenix St. Peter 's Intervention Board
Tom is Vice-Chair of Phoenix St. Peter's Intervention Board with responsibility for Statutory Funding. Tom is an Executive Headteacher for two Reach2 schools and provides additional support and oversight for other Reach2 schools.