Profiles
My name is Victoria Abbott, and I am delighted to be the Headteacher of our school. I have lived in the local area for about ten years and joined Moss Lane in January 2011. When I first visited the school I was taken by the friendly children and happy atmosphere which continues to this day.
As a Headteacher, I have a few guiding principles which I wish to share with you:-
- My office door is always open!
- If parents and carers have issues or concerns, I am always happy to listen and to help. If I am unavailable at the time, I am more than happy for parents and carers to book appointments to see me via the school office.
- I expect excellence!
Our children only get one attempt at school and at Moss Lane we intend to give them the best education we possibly can. My aim is for our children to make excellent progress. As a school we work in partnership with the governing body, making changes to our provision, to make this happen.
Outside of work I am a mum to a teenager daughter. I spend most of my time enjoying long relaxing walks in the countryside and supporting two local cricket teams where my family are active members. I also enjoy horses, watching movies, and going out for dinner.
Moss Lane is the first school that I have worked in that is close to where I live. I now fully appreciate what being part of a community really means and feel privileged to work in a school that is at the heart of the community. I believe that a school can have a huge influence on not only a child's life but also on the lives of parents and the local community. I love being a part of Moss Lane School and look forward to taking it to new heights, working in partnership with you all, for the benefit of our children.
Kyra Mumford - Chair
My son joined the Moss Lane community in 2021 and I immediately saw what a nurturing environment there is at the school. My background is in biomedical science and drug development and I have a passion for sparking the love of learning of science in young children. I am proud to be part of the governing body and hope to make a positive contribution to the special place that is Moss Lane and to ensure the best of opportunities for the children.
Aaron Twaits - Vice Chair
My family and I relocated to Godalming in 2015 to set roots and begin our children’s education. We spent much of the prior decade living in Singapore and Japan where I worked in Banking. Weather aside, it didn’t take long to settle in and learn to love Godalming, the community and particular the local school which my son Freddie attends. Moss Lane is a wonderful school and now being so pivotal to my family life, I want to be as involved as I can be. I hope with a background in finance and business I complement the existing strong governing team and can add a little something new here and there.
Since arriving from Cape Town, South Africa in 2002, where I graduated as an Interior Architectural Designer, I have truly made Surrey my home. As an Estate Agent, I have worked in the local area for over 10 years and offer a wealth of knowledge from both the property and building industries. When not engrossed in the world of property, I can be found cooking up a storm in the kitchen, transfixed by a game of rugby or spending time with my wife Samantha and our two daughters.
I have been working in education since 2000, teaching in both SW and SE London before relocating in 2010 to Godalming to raise my family.
Joining the school community as a parent in 2010, it was apparent what a special place Moss Lane is. I was lucky to join the teaching staff in 2014 and have taught across the key stages over the years. Becoming part of the Governing body seemed a natural next step, allowing me to use my experiences in education to help guide the school through its many adventures. Working full time, whilst raising two teenage daughters occupies most of my time. When moments allow, I really enjoy watching cookery programmes or reading recipe books!
Tom Crees
Originally from Godalming I had the pleasure of attending one of the GLPs schools when I was a child. After having a brief hiatus to Rutland, I have now returned to the area I love. I am very passionate about sports and have been coaching/developing children for over 15 years. I now want to use these experiences within an educational context to continue the great work the existing governing team has done in recent years. Moss Lane is a fantastic school and I want to contribute wherever possible in providing the very best opportunities for every child.
Ben Cross
I’m a dedicated father of two, the oldest of which attends Moss Lane and having seen her thrive I am keen to advocate for the vibrant and inclusive learning community! Having lived in the area since 2000 I have built ties to the local community through a variety of local charities and sports societies, the Round Table and the Godalming Town Show. As a parent governor and with my background in product innovation and business development I am poised to bring passion, dedication, and a collaborative spirit to help shape and support the future of our school.
Kerry-Anne Dixon
I grew up in South Africa, where I graduated with a degree in Law and moved to the UK in 2018. Since arriving, I have held roles in multiple legal firms covering various areas of law. I have lived in Godalming since 2021 and fallen in love with the area. By joining the school governors, it allows me to be part of the wonderful community that is Moss Lane. Going forward, I hope to make a positive contribution to this school, working with the other governors to grow Moss Lane for the future. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the Surrey countryside with my partner and Cavapoochon puppy, Milo-Moose.
Nigel Freeman
My youngest daughter has followed in the footsteps of her older sisters by joining the Moss Lane School community this year. I hope that my experience in higher education, where I have worked in student support and management for international universities, and my passion for education, will help me make a meaningful contribution as a parent governor. I'm delighted to be part of the team, who all share a commitment to furthering the life chances of the young people we serve. On weekends, I spend quite a bit of time at Farncombe Youth FC, where I coach (or at least attempt to coach!) one of the girls' teams.
Timothy Hingston
I have lived with my family in Godalming since 2017 having taken up the role of Head of Science at Charterhouse. My wife and I are both originally from Cardiff, and moved to the area from Merchant Taylors’ School in Northwood where I was Head of Chemistry. Both of my children will have gone through Moss Lane by the end of this academic year; a school where both have thrived. With any spare time I can find I am most likely to be found playing hockey or taking my two year old Labrador/Pointer mix for a long walk.
Lucy Smith
I have lived in Godalming since 2004, and have two sons. Over the years I have worked in journalism, public relations and EFL teaching and been a local youth football coach. I trained with the first cohort of the GLP ‘Get Teaching’ program, and have experience of a number of local schools. Having long admired the ethos and community spirit of Moss Lane, I love being part of the close-knit staff team here, keeping the children safe and happy while encouraging them to aim high. In my free time I enjoy yoga, swimming, and walking in the countryside with my family.
