Governing Board
The Governing Board provides strategic leadership and accountability for the school. Its purpose is to ensure high standards of education, oversee financial performance, and support the headteacher in delivering the school’s vision and values.
Our Governing Board has 14 members: 2 Parent Governors; 1 Local Authority Governor; 1 Staff Governor; 1 Headteacher Governor and 9 Co-opted Governors. It operates through a hybrid 'circle model', with a Finance, Resources and Personnel Committee which has some delegated authority.
Michael Webber - Chair of Governors: Local Authority Governor
Appointed: 29/04/24
Term: 4 Years
2024-2025 Attendance: 71%
Responsibilities: Chair of Governors; Health & Safety; Safeguarding; Attendance; Cybersecurity; Pupil Premium; Wellbeing
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: Trustee, The Learning Disability Network London (LDN London)
Emma Burns - Vice Chair of Governors: Co-opted Governor
Appointed: 16/10/24
Term: 4 Years
2024-2025 Attendance: 86%
Responsibilities: Vice Chair of Governors; Training and Development; Curriculum and Teaching; OPAL Representative; SRSA Representative
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: None
Jenner Elliston: Co-opted Governor
Appointed: 16/10/24
Term: 4 Years
2024-2025 Attendance: 100%
Responsibilities: Inclusion
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: None
Rachael Hosier: Co-opted Governor
Appointed: 22/05/24
Term: 4 Years
2024-2025 Attendance: 100%
Responsibilities: Safeguarding; Attendance; Cybersecurity; Wellbeing
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: None
Sarah Miles: Headteacher
Appointed: 01/09/2014
Term: Duration of Employment
2024-2025 Attendance: 100%
Responsibilities: Headteacher
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: None
Jamie Owen: Co-opted Governor
Appointed: 23/01/22
Term: 4 Years
2024-2025 Attendance: 86%
Responsibilities: Chair of Finance Committee
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: Head of Finance, Skinner's Academy Trust
James Thain: Co-opted Governor
Appointed: 06/12/22
Term: 4 Years
2024-2025 Attendance: 86%
Responsibilities: Early Years
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: Deputy Headteacher, The Vine School
Abby Robbins: Staff Governor
Appointed: 03/12/24
Term: 4 Years
2024-2025 Attendance: 86%
Responsibilities: Early Years
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: None
Paul Soan: Parent Governor
Appointed: 27/02/24
Term: 4 Years
2024-2025 Attendance: 86%
Responsibilities: Pupil Premium; Sports Premium
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: None
Catherine McCarthy: Parent Governor
Appointed: 29/11/24
Term: 4 Years
2024-2025 Attendance: 75%
Responsibilities: SEN/D
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: None
Daisy Robinson: Co-opted Governor
Appointed: 28/01/26
Term: 4 Years
2024-2025 Attendance: n/a
Responsibilities:
Business Interests
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of each governor: None
Employment, office, trade, profession or vocation of spouse or partner: None
Other interests, including relationships and governorships of other schools: None
LEAVERS
Olly Swann: Co-opted
Appointed: 25/01/25
Term Ended: 31/08/25
2024-2025 Attendance: 71%
Responsibilities: Co-Vice Chair of Governors; Inclusion; Health and Safety
Current Vacancies
Looking for a rewarding and fulfilling voluntary role as part of a committed team of governors? Or do you know someone who is? We currently have opportunities for new governors to join the Sussex Road Primary School Governing Board and would be delighted to hear from members of the local community.
Our Governing Board is made up of people from a range of backgrounds who come with a variety of different skills and experiences. What we have in common is that we are all volunteers who work together with school leaders for the benefit of Sussex Road children; our aim is to secure the best possible education and outcomes for every child.
The Board already has a number of representatives from the parent and staff community, so we are currently looking for ‘co-opted’ governors from our wider community. Co-opted governors are individuals appointed by the board for the skills and experience they can bring. First and foremost, we are looking for people who:
- Are interested in the quality of children’s education,
- Have time, energy and commitment to give to the role,
- Can work as part of a team in supporting the school,
- Have an enquiring mind and the confidence to ask questions and debate issues, and
- Can consider matters objectively and make informed judgements.
The most important attributes we are looking for are enthusiasm, interest and the willingness to learn. Although not essential, we would be particularly interested in hearing from people with skills and experience in, or knowledge of any of the following areas:
- Previous governor or chairing experience, either within school or another sector,
- Understanding of education policy and framework,
- Working / volunteering with young people and an understanding of safeguarding practice,
- Links with the local community and/or businesses,
- Premises and facilities management,
- Financial planning and budget management.
If you don’t have these skills and think you could contribute to the governing board, we would still be interested to hear from you. We have access to various free training sources that can help you develop the skills needed and would provide a full induction process to start you on your journey into governing.
What is the role of the Governing Board?
Governors are essential for the effectiveness and success of the school. Together with the Headteacher, the Governing Board has overall responsibility for the running of the school. The Board has three core functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
What does the role offer?
- A chance to develop your own personal skills,
- Access to a programme of free training in respect of education/governance matters,
- A sense of achievement in helping make a difference to children reaching their potential,
- The support and guidance from fellow governors.
What is the time commitment?
The Board has evening meetings 7 times a year (at least once a term), with papers circulated a week ahead. In addition, governors will perform monitoring roles within the school relating to areas such as health and safety, safeguarding of pupils, delivery of curriculum priorities and pupil wellbeing and outcomes. These visits usually take place during the day and the average commitment is for each governor to attend for a few hours on about 4-5 occasions during the year. Governors prepare written reports back to the full Board on the findings of their visits.
How to apply:
If you are interested in applying, please contact our Chair of the Board at chairofgovernors@sussex-road.kent.sch.uk who will be in touch with you to arrange for an initial discussion about the role. We would then ask you to complete a short application form confirming your details and interest.
We look forward to hearing from you.