Alison Mayne
Chair of Committee
 

Alison is a Fellow of Winchester College and has been involved in education for over 25 years, with experience in both teaching and governance, largely in state schools.

Alison was previously Chair of the Board of Trustees at Perins Multi-Academy Trust in Alresford, where, amongst other roles, she had oversight responsibility for safeguarding, child protection and welfare. Prior to her involvement in the education sector, Alison was an investment banker, and has held various charity trustee roles over the years. She completed her MA in History & German and MSt in Literature & the Arts at Oxford University, and has the Bishop’s permission to preach from the Diocese of Winchester.

Alison is the Governing Body’s Fellow with responsibility for safeguarding and health & safety.

Professor Helen Higson
Committee Member

Helen is a Fellow of Winchester College and has worked in higher education for almost 40 years. She is currently Professor of Higher Education, Learning and Management at Aston Business School and interim Head of Mathematics in the College of Engineering.

Helen serves on a number of boards, including Ravensbourne University, London; the Society for Research in Higher Education; the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals; the Ikon Gallery, Birmingham, and Navitas UK Holdings Ltd. Helen was awarded an OBE in 2011 for services to Higher Education, and in 2020 was appointed Vice Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands.

Helen spent the first 25 years of her life living at Winchester College as her father was a don. She studied English Literature at Newnham College and her PhD was awarded by Birkbeck College, London.

Stuart Woodward
Committee Member

Stuart was previously the School’s Vice Chair of Governors. Stuart is a Chartered Accountant and brings 45 years of financial experience to the Governing Body from previous appointments, including a career as a ‘Big Four’ Audit Partner at Deloitte LLP, followed by eight years as a Fellow and Estates Bursar at Jesus College, Oxford where he was one of a team overseeing a majorproperty development project. Stuart graduated from Jesus College, Oxford with an MA in History. Married to Sue, they are former Pilgrims’ parents, and both play an active part in the local community.

Andrew Barnard
Committee Member

Andrew read Archaeology and Prehistory at Sheffield University before training as a teacher at King Alfred’s College, Winchester. His 32 years in teaching saw him specialise in English and history but also coach sport, direct plays and run school boarding. For the final 16 years of his teaching career, between 2006 and 2022, Andrew was Headmaster of Eagle House School in Berkshire. Andrew has a passion for history, the creative arts and the natural world. His educational philosophy is all about opening the eyes of young people to the world around them and focusing on the development of the whole child. Since retiring to Salisbury in 2023, Andrew has joined the board of two schools, is a trustee of an educational trust and is also an education consultant.

Julia Flory
Committee Member

Jules is a former Pilgrims’ parent and erstwhile Chair of the PPA until July 2014 when her youngest son left Pilgrims’. At that time, she had a powerful and fully deserved reputation as someone who got very good things done for the school, engaging her fellow committee members to great effect. By profession she has been a travel expert for many years and has worked with World Odyssey Travel since 2011since 2011. In the voluntary sector, she has been a Governor of Alton Infant School for the past decade and a founder member of the Development Team which raised funds to rebuild St Peter’s Church, Ropley, after it was destroyed by fire in 2014. Jules has a particular focus on safeguarding.

Canon Andrew Micklefield Committee Member

Canon Andrew was appointed as Winchester Cathedral’s Canon Treasurer in April 2025 and has responsibility for the learning teams and the cathedral’s education work as well as being President of the Guild of Guides and their work of welcome. He leads the relationship ministry between Cathedral and The Diocese and is a member of The Bishop’s Council, Diocesan Synod and is elected to General Synod as well. He is the Chapter Lead for Safeguarding. Andrew is married to Fiona, a headteacher, and has two children. He is a keen and able musician, playing both piano and organ.

Sarah Saunders
Committee Member

Sarah's son left Pilgrims' after the full nine years in 2021. She knows Winchester schools and the local community well, having lived in the area for over 20 years. In her professional life, Sarah has spent more than 25 years helping a range of organisations improve corporate governance and as an executive talent management consultant. She co-founded The Effective Board LLP in 2017 which supports directors of major listed companies, privately owned businesses and not-for-profits in improving the effectiveness of their board and their governance structures.

Iain Smith
Committee Member

Iain is Second Master of Winchester College. Previously, he was at Oundle School where he was Deputy Head Academic for six years. Iain is a Natural Sciences graduate from Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he was president of the college music society and a James Crowden Award Holder. In his spare time, Iain enjoys being in the outdoors, white-water kayaking, hill-walking or umpiring and coaching cricket; as well as pursuing his interest in music singing tenor and playing the bassoon in several different choirs and ensembles around the country.

Elizabeth Stone
Headmaster Winchester College
Committee Member

Elizabeth is Headmaster of Winchester College. She began her professional life in the law, specialising in commercial contract law, before commencing her teaching career. Prior roles include Principal of Queenwood School, Sydney, Vice Principal of Cheltenham Ladies’ College and Undermaster at Winchester College. She studied Maths, German and Law at the University of New South Wales before completing a master’s degree in law at University College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Her connection with Pilgrims’ began in 2009, when her son joined the School. She is a keen musician, holding a performance diploma in piano and singing in many choirs over the years.

Tim Butcher
Headmaster The Pilgrims' School

Rupert Bentley
Director of Finance and Resources