Slinfold CE Primary School and Pre-School
Caring for each other, learning from each other, achieving with each other…guided by God
Meet the Governors
Welcome from the Chair of Governors
As Chair of Governors, I would like to thank you for your interest in Slinfold Church of England Primary School and Pre-School. Our vibrant and successful school is set in the heart of this attractive West Sussex village and is the focal point for several community events including our annual Summer Fair, held in May. Our ethos is firmly grounded in Christianity and we enjoy strong links with St Peter's Church and Rev. Sandra, who holds a weekly worship for all classes.
The school is lucky to benefit from extensive grounds, including a wonderful environmental area, where we run our Forest School programme for all pupils with a dedicated, trained practitioner.
We pride ourselves in treating all children as individuals and really strive to get the best from every pupil. We are small enough to know and value every child and encourage them to aim high in all areas of the curriculum, whether that be athletics, algebra or art! Everyone can excel at something and we endeavour to uncover the talents of every child and enable them to flourish.
We also have a thriving Pre-School on site which shares our facilities. This close physical relationship ensures excellent communication between staff, making the transition to Reception seamless and easy for the youngers children.
I look forward to welcoming you and your family to our school so please come and visit us to find out more and meet our staff and children.
Sarah Elphick, Chair of Governors.
What is a Governing Body?
The Government requires that each school has a management team known as a governing body. This team is made up of the various stakeholders that the school serves (parents, local authority, staff, diocese and community). Governors are either elected or appointed, e.g. parent governors are elected from the parent body; the local authority appoints LA governors, the governing body appoints community governors and foundation governors are elected by the diocese.
The Governing Body has three core functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff;
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Structure of our governing body:
At Slinfold CE Primary School, we meet as a Full Governing Body (FGB) on at least six occasions throughout the year. Like most schools, we operate without separate committees but as a full GB working collaboratively. In addition, where working parties are required to monitor particular areas of school life, these are formed as necessary. We do however operate a pay panel and a headteacher’s appraisal committee.
Meet Our Governors:
Name: Sarah Elphick Position: Chair of Governors, Foundation Governor Responsibilities/Committees: Lead Governor for Safeguarding; Pay Panel Date Appointed: 1st November 2021 Term of Office: 4 years, end date 31st October 2025 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions: None Meetings Attended 2021/22: 100% (5 of 5. January 2022 meeting cancelled. |
Sarah has lived in Slinfold for over thirty years. She is married with three children, all of whom attended Slinfold School. She worked as a lecturer at Chichester College on the Brinsbury Campus near Pulborough. She taught animal care, horticulture and environmental studies to students with special needs who attended college in preparation for leaving school and moving on to the next stage of their education. Sarah volunteered as a foundation governor because she firmly believes that a thriving and successful village school should be at the heart of our community. Her skills and background in education will be put to good use to help achieve this alongside her links to the church and wider community.
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Name: Paul Stacey Position: Vice-chair of Governors, Parent Governor Responsibilities/Committees: Chair of Finance Committee; Pay Panel Date Appointed: 18th October 2019 Term of Office: 4 years, end date 17th October 2023 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Children at Slinfold School Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions: None Meetings Attended 2021/22: 100% (5 of 5. January 2022 meeting cancelled | Paul Stacey MSc, BSc (Hons), MIHort. Paul is Vice Chair of the governing body with responsibility for Finance. Paul's career background is in local government - managing services, assets, major projects and working with communities. Paul, a qualified horticulturist and landscape manager, also volunteers for the Royal Horticultural Society assessing plant trials and supporting the Campaign for School Gardening
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Name: Carly Tingley Position: Staff Governor Responsibilities/Committees: Date Appointed: 21st September 2021 Term of Office: 4 years, end date 20th September 2025 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Employed at School Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions: None Meetings Attended 2021/22: 60% (3 of 5. January 2022 meeting cancelled
| Carly has been a part of the Slinfold community since she was five years old, when her family moved here from Chichester. Carly and her husband were married at St Peter’s church in 2014 and she was offered a teaching position at Slinfold School in 2017. Carly says, ‘being part of the Governing Body will allow me to give something back to the community I care so much about. I am a very hardworking and reflective individual who is passionate about education, particularly the early years and how children learn. I’m really looking forward to working with the Governing body and being a part of the supportive team.’
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Name: Timothy Canham Position: Associate Member (no voting rights) Responsibilities/Committees: Pay Panel Date Appointed: 20th October 2022 Term of Office: 1 year, end date 19th October 2023 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions: None Meetings Attended 2021/22: N/A | Before being voted an Associate Member by the governors, Tim was a parent governor for nearly four years. Tim works in London for an equipment leasing business.
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Name: Iain Campbell Position: Headteacher Responsibilities/Committees: Date Appointed: 1st September 2022 Term of Office: Ex officio Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions: Employed at School Governance roles in other educational institutions: None Meetings Attended 2021/22: N/ | Before joining the great team here at Slinfold C of E, Iain worked in a SEND setting for children with Autism and associated difficulties. He has also worked in two other primary schools holding various positions and responsibilities. Throughout his career, he has enjoyed the challenges and excitement that each day in education brings.
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Name: Nicola Lewis Position: Foundation Governor (Parent Governor until 25th November 2020) Responsibilities/Committees: Date Appointed: 26th November 2020 Term of Office: 4 years, end date 25th November 2024 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Child at school until July 2022 Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions: None Meetings Attended 2021/22: 80% (4 of 5. January 2022 meeting cancelled | Nic has come to the Governing Body with a good knowledge of the school and the village: she has lived here since her son was 6 months old - he attended the school and pre-school and Nic has been on the PTA all of that time. Nic has been Treasurer of the PTA and a Parish Councillor - she is currently involved with Sunday's Cool and edits the Parish magazine. Nic spent 15 years in the wine trade and duty free industry before finding herself working in the Defence Industry, heading up a Project Governance team. She does a lot of work in data analytics, process improvement and team development and brings many skills to the governing body.
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Name: Sally Westwood Position: Local Authority Governor Responsibilities/Committees: Lead Governor for Inclusion Date Appointed: 8th September 2020 Term of Office: 4 years, end date 7th September 2024 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions: None Meetings Attended 2021/22: 80% (4 of 5. January 2022 meeting cancelled. |
Sally lives in Slinfold and spent 30 years working at Heathrow Airport in both HR specialist roles as well as operational management roles. Her last role before leaving in 2020 was HR Director for Operations and Employee Relations. Whilst at Heathrow Sally was a governor at Harrow & Uxbridge college for a number of years. Sally was keen to join the team of governors at Slinfold school to broaden her knowledge and use her HR and business skills to support and contribute to the success of the school. She has been impressed by the leadership team at the school and is excited to work with the newly appointed Head teacher.
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Name: Edward Hogarth Position: Parent Governor Responsibilities/Committees: Date Appointed: 1st October 2021 Term of Office: 4 years, end date 30th September 2025 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Children at Slinfold School Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions: None Meetings Attended 2021/22: 80% (4 of 5. January 2022 meeting cancelled.
| Ed has three children at Slinfold school and therefore has experience of being a parent at all stages of the school. Ed has a good understanding of education having been a teacher for 16 years, in a variety of environments - international, state and independent - in a number of roles including head of teaching and learning, leading the Duke of Edinburgh award and head of department. Ed currently works in a Surrey secondary school
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Name: Laura Dexter Position: Parent Governor Responsibilities/Committees: Date Appointed: 20th October 2022 Term of Office: 4 years, end date 19th October 2026 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Children at Slinfold School Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions: None Meetings Attended 2021/22: N/A | Laura’s daughter started Reception in September 2022 and she quickly took up the vacant post of Parent Governor in October 2022. With two children and all of primary school ahead of them, Laura decided that she wanted to contribute in a meaningful way and help make the school experience the best it can be for every child. Laura has a Joint Honours degree in Economics and Marketing and lots of experience in Brand Management and Marketing Communications. She’s a working mum who understands the daily juggle. She cares deeply about education and believes it plays a fundamental role in the opportunities that will be available to our children in their respective futures. Laura says she’ll ‘do her very best to contribute to Slinfold becoming the outstanding school I believe it has the potential to be.’ |
Name: Davie Robertson Responsibilities/Committees: Date Appointed: 14/05/2023 Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Governance Roles in Other Educational Institutions: None Meetings Attended 2021/22: NA | Davie moved with his family to Slinfold in 2004 and his two children attended the primary school with many happy memories. He was a governor for two years at the time. He says, "I appreciate that schools and education have changed significantly over the years and we face many more challenges. I am a retired GP. I have had a varied career, having worked in Australia, Madagascar and Kenya. I was a GP in Glasgow for a number of years and then spent the last 15 years at Ford open prison where I set up a GP practice within the prison (The new fence may make me feel more at home !) I’m a keen golfer, mindfulness teacher and am enjoying the new found freedom of retirement. I feel very privileged to be part of the Slinfold community and as the school is one of the most important facets of this great community, I hope to contribute in a small way to it continuing to thrive and flourish."
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