Committee

The CISC Committee consists of representatives from a broad and diverse range of leading Catholic independent schools. Each representative brings with them a wealth of knowledge and experience to help direct and lead the work of our charity.

Antonia Beary (Chair)

Mayfield School
The Old Palace, High Street, Mayfield,
East Sussex, TN20 6PH
W: www.mayfieldgirls.org

Antonia Beary's Biography

Antonia read English at Trinity College, Cambridge where she was President at Fisher House (the Catholic Chaplaincy) and rowed for the University. Loathe to leave, she continued her studies in Cambridge with a PGCE then an MPhil in Catholic Education. After beginning her teaching career at the Leys, Cambridge, she moved to Ampleforth and was there for seven years, latterly becoming the Housemistress of the first girls’ house. After two years as Head of Sixth Form at New Hall, she moved to Mayfield as Pastoral Deputy and Head of Boarding then was appointed as Headmistress at Mayfield in the next year. Committed to the values and challenges of Catholic education, she is a steadfast supporter of single sex education and is also a Governor at St Teresa’s, Effingham.

Antony Hudson (Treasurer)

St George’s Junior School
Thames Street, Weybridge,
Surrey, KT13 8NL
W: www.stgeorgesweybridge.com

Antony Hudson's Biography

The youngest of 5 brothers, Antony was educated at Donhead & Wimbledon College, before reading History at Jesus College, Cambridge. After studying for the priesthood at the English College, Rome for 2 years, he discerned that his vocation lay in the classroom and has taught in various CISC schools since then, including 6 years as Head of Sixth Form at St Mary’s, Ascot and 3 years running an Upper Sixth Boarding House and as Head of History at Mount St Mary’s College. He became the first lay Head of St George’s Junior School, Weybridge in 2003 and is currently a Governor at Barrow Hills School & Holy Cross School. He is married to Helen, a teacher, whom he met in Lourdes and has 2 sons, Dominic & Jack who are both very musical!

Hilary Blake

Sacred Heart School

Mayfield Lane, Durgates

Wadhurst, East Sussex

TN5 6DQ

W: www.sacredheartwadhurst.org.uk/

Hilary Blake's Biography

Hilary studied French and German at Liverpool University and was a late entrant to the teaching profession, obtaining her PGCE following a career in banking. She has worked in both the state and independent sectors, taking up headship of Sacred Heart School in Wadhurst in 2006, during which time she has drawn on the support of the A&B Diocese, CISC and the ISA. She believes firmly in the value of Catholic education and equality of opportunity and aspiration.
She has three children who were educated in state and independent Catholic schools and now work around the world. Her spare time is taken up with the family dog, reading and being creative in the kitchen!

David Buxton

St Columba’s College
King Harry Lane
St Albans AL3 4AW
W: www.stcolumbascollege.org

David Buxton's Biography

Originating from the Potteries, David was educated at St Joseph’s College, Stoke-on-Trent, by the Irish Christian Brothers. He read Theology at the University of Durham and remained in the North East to complete his PGCE. David taught at St Bede’s College, Manchester, before studying for a Master’s degree at the University of London. He was then appointed Head of Theology and Assistant Housemaster at Worth School, a Benedictine boarding school in Sussex.

David then became Deputy Head at Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove, one of the country’s largest Catholic State schools. David is currently Headmaster at St Columba’s College in St Albans, a position he has held since 2008. He is married to Marta and they have two sons – both Columbans, of course! David enjoys theatre, museums and sports, particularly hillwalking, and following the fluctuating fortunes of Stoke City FC.

Sarah Conrad

St Teresa’s Prep School
Beech Avenue, Effingham Hill, Dorking,
Surrey, RH5 6ST
W: www.st-teresas.com

Sarah Conrad's Biography

Sarah Conrad (BA Hons Dunelm, PGCE, NPQH) graduated with a degree in English, German and Theology from the University of Durham. After completing her PGCE, she began her career in primary education, teaching in a variety of schools including a four year post in the renowned British International School, Tanglin Trust School, in Singapore. On her return to the UK, Sarah worked as Director of Music at St Cedd’s School in Chelmsford before moving to New Hall where she worked for 10 years – 3 years as Deputy Head and Director of Music and 7 years as Headteacher. She has now taken up the Headship at St Teresa’s Preparatory School in Effingham, Surrey. Sarah is passionate about Catholic education and the important part it plays as part of the Church’s mission to “proclaim the Gospel in today’s world” (Pope Francis). She is married with 2 daughters and the whole family are actively involved in their Cathedral Parish of Brentwood. Sarah has a passion for music and liturgy and often runs workshops for the Diocese of Brentwood. In her free time she enjoys reading, dancing, trips to the theatre and scrapbooking.

Dr Nicholas Cuddihy

Mount St Mary’s College
Spinkhill Hill
Nr Sheffield S 21 3YL
W: www.msmcollege.com

Dr Nicolas Cuddihy's Biography

Dr Nicholas Cuddihy is the Headmaster of Mount St Mary’s College in Derbyshire and CEO of the Mount Trust which manages the College and its preparatory school, Barlborough Hall. Prior to his arrival at the Mount in 2014 Dr Cuddihy amassed considerable experience as a school leader having been Headmaster at Crescent College SJ
Limerick and the Dominican College in Cabra, North Dublin. Before taking up his first Headship, Dr Cuddihy worked in senior leadership positions in two different schools in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman.

Dr Cuddihy trained as a teacher in Ireland taking a primary degree in Theology, Education and English from the Mater Dei institute in Dublin. He holds an M.Sc. in Education and Training and completed his Doctoral studies in Education Leadership at Dublin City University in 2012.

Since taking over as Headmaster at the Mount he has led the school through a period of growth and recovery. Dr Cuddihy brings a wealth of experience to the Committee. Nicky, as he likes to be known, excels at engaging stakeholders and leading teams. By focussing on the core values, mission and purpose of Catholic Education especially he has succeeded in aligning planning and action throughout the organisations he has led to ensure successful delivery of strategy.

Dr Cuddihy is married to Grace, also a teacher and school leader. They have two children, Luke and Ruth who are thriving in the excellent nurturing environment of Barlborough Hall School.

Michael Kennedy

St Mary’s College
Everest Road, Crosby, Liverpool,
Merseyside, L23 5TW
W: www.stmarys.ac

Michael Kennedy's Biography

Mike has taught and led in a variety of Catholic schools for the whole of his career to date. He graduated in Macromolecular Chemistry and Industrial Management from Liverpool University and gained his PGCE from Christ’s College (now Liverpool Hope). The first three years of his career were spent at St. Thomas More’s in Stoke-on-Trent before moving on to Stonyhurst to teach Chemistry and Physics, eventually becoming a House Master. In 1994 he gained the post of Head of Science at St. Anselm’s College, Birkenhead and progressed over the next twelve years to Senior Teacher and then Deputy Head. After two years as Head of Oakhill College, Whalley, he was appointed Principal of St. Mary’s College Crosby in 2008 where his four children are pupils. His wife, Catherine, is a solicitor at a large firm in Liverpool.

Alexandra Neil

Farnborough Hill School
Farnborough
Hampshire, GU14 8AT
W: http://www.farnborough-hill.org.uk/

Alexandra Neil's Biography

Alex studied History and Politics at Southampton and followed this up with PGCE at Christ Church, Canterbury. She has held a variety of roles from Teacher of History, Head of Department and Head of Faculty, as well as Senior Mistress. Prior to her appointment as Head of Farnborough Hill she was Deputy Head of Rye St Antony.

Alex is particularly committed to developing character and empowering girls to seize opportunities and to be agents of change.

Alex’s interests include horse riding and swimming.

Stephen Oliver

Our Lady’s Abingdon
Radley Road, Abingdon,
Oxfordshire, OX14 3PS
W: www.olab.org.uk

Stephen Oliver's Biography

Stephen was educated at St. Mary’s College, Southampton followed by a degree in Classics at Birmingham University. After completing his PGCE at Queens’ College, Cambridge, he taught for three years at the Haberdashers’ Aske’s School in Elstree and then at Uppingham School and the Royal Grammar School, Guildford. After trying his vocation at Downside, he moved to Stonyhurst College where he taught from 1998 to 2008, broken by a year at St Andrews where he completed an Mlitt in Ancient History. At Stonyhurst Stephen worked in the Syntax Playroom before becoming Lower Grammar Playroom Master from 2004 to 2008. Between 2008 and 2012 he was deputy head at St. Benedict’s, Ealing and since then has been Principal at Our Lady’s, Abingdon (OLA).
Stephen is married to Caroline and they live in Abingdon with their three young children who all attend OLA.

Dr John Patterson

St Vincent’s School
Ewe Tree Lane,
Liverpool, L12 9HN
W: www.stvin.com

Dr John Patterson's Biography