Chair of Governors

Diana Holmes:  Co-opted Governor

Appointed by the Governing Body

Term of Office: 4 years to November 2024

Head Teacher Performance Management Panel

Looked After Children Governor

Equality & Community Cohesion Governor

I have been a parent at The Meads since we moved to East Grinstead in 2006. We were immediately struck by the warmth, enthusiasm and commitment of the staff and school community. As a governor, I am pleased to be able to support the school to provide a high quality, wide ranging education and school experience to enable all children to reach their full potential.

I have worked as a PA in Human Resources in local authority, and leisure, retail and construction sectors. I have also trained and taught as a registered Royal Academy of Dance ballet teacher. In recent years my organisational skills have been used to raise a large family and to facilitate the home education of one of our children. This has certainly developed my interest to learn more about education and I have enjoyed the opportunities and experience I have gained as a governor. As Chair of Governors, I look forward to working with the Head Teacher and staff to support the school and to deliver the very best for all our children.

Vice Chair of Governors

Mrs Ginnie Batten-Evatt

Elected by Parents at the School

Term of Office: 4 years to May 2025 

Co-Safeguarding Governor

Co-Health & Safety Governor   

Ms Jane Oxlade:  Local Authority Governor 

Nominated by the LA.

Term of Office: 4 years to March 2024

Co-Finance Governor

Chair of Pay Committee

Head Teacher Performance Management Panel

Co-Safeguarding Governor                                      

For the last 10 years I have worked in schools in Surrey and Sussex as a Business Manager in both the primary, junior and secondary sector.

I have always been interested in schools finance and developing schools to develop to their full potential both in operating on a day to day basis and developing their facilities to maximise the teaching and learning experience of the whole school community.  I have both financial and legal experience which has enabled me to undertake a pro-active and hands-on role within schools.

My interests outside of the school environment include  volunteering roles with Standen a local National Trust Arts and Craft property where I am a tour guide  and assist in the busy visitor ticket office.

I am a member of a local Health Club where I participate in a variety of fitness classes. I also enjoy walking and playing Tennis and Racketball at East Grinstead Tennis Squash and Racketball Club. When time allows I like gardening and pottering in my greenhouse.

This will be my first role as a Local Authority elected school governor and I am excited and keen to make a positive contribution to the whole school community and give pupils the best possible learning environment in which to fulfil their potential in a relaxed and friendly learning environment.

Michelle Adkin: Co-opted Governor

Appointed by the Governing Body

Term of Office:  4 Years to Sept 2024

Data Protection Governor

Co-Finance Governor

Member of Pay Committee

I have been a resident of East Grinstead since 1999, and live very close to The Meads with my two children, husband and small but confident dog!

My eldest started at The Meads in 2019, and I was immediately taken with how supportive and encouraging the staff are. I am excited to have been appointed co-opted governor, as this will be my way of contributing to the ongoing success of our school.

I have a number of years’ experience working within finance, in a variety of roles of both a statutory and an analytical capacity,

and I look forward to using my skillset to benefit the school.

Mrs Julie Fleming: Co-opted Governor

Appointed by the Governing Body

Term of Office: 4 years to January 2027

 I have been working in local secondary education for the past 15 years and I have also worked as a learning support assistant. I have run student and staff equalities groups and extra curricular public speaking, debate and enterprise clubs for students. As a parent, my own children attended East Grinstead schools and as a grandparent I am looking forward to going through it all again! 

Mr Jonathan Thompson

Elected by Parents at the School

Term of Office:  4 years to March 2027

I moved to East Grinstead in 2019. I am really passionate about children getting the best start in life possible. I was already aware of how committed The Meads is to providing the best learning environment for the children and how much they strive to improve the curriculum year on year.

My background is in Finance and my current role is within Share Plans.

I am in the process of becoming a Forest School Leader Level 3 and I will soon be a Volunteer Children’s Worker at Jubilee Community Church.

Mrs Gaelle Blake

Co-opted Governor

Term of Office: 4 Years to May 2027

Ms Sandra Devine

Parent Governor

Term of Office:  4 Years to January 2028

Miss Nicole Essex:  Head Teacher

Statutory Member of the Governing Body

Mr Paul Tippett: Staff Governor                                                            Elected by School Staff

Term of Office: 4 Years to Oct 2027

I am of British (Scottish and Cornish) parentage, but was born abroad, growing up in a variety of countries.  

My later childhood was spent in Edinburgh, latterly studying for an M.A. in French and History of Art at Edinburgh University, with one year included studying in Paris. I then studied for a Post Graduate Diploma in Decorative Arts at the University of Glasgow, before lecturing in History of Art at that University.  I then went on to work for auctioneers Christie’s for nearly twenty years, specialising in European Ceramics and Glass. 

Once again drawn to teaching, I studied for a PGCE at Goldsmiths College in 2008. This included teaching placements in both London and south-west France. As an NQT, I then began my primary teaching career in London, working at a wide variety of schools in order to broaden my teaching experience. 

I moved to Sussex in 2010, continuing to teach in primary education. I continue to explore my hobbies, which include travel, baking, gardening, keeping hens, antique dealing, walking my dogs and writing. 

Full name of Governor

Governor Category

Date of Current Appointment or Election

Term of office/Roles within GB

Attendance at full GB Meetings*

Committee Membership

Attendance at Committee Meetings*

Declarations on register of business & pecuniary interests/

governorships at other schools for the year 2023/24

Remarks

Diana Claire Holmes

Co-opted

(Chair of Governors)

24 November 2020 

4 years

Chair of Governors

7/7

-

Daughter works as a TA at The Meads (declared 20/02/24)

Nicole Marie Essex

Headteacher

n/a

n/a

Headteacher

7/7

n/a

-

None

Susan Katharine Smith

Co-opted

29 January 2019

4 years

3/3

Pay committee

2/3

n/a

Term of office expired 28/1/23

Deborah Matthews

Co-opted

29 January 2019

4 years

3/3

-

n/a

Term of office expired 28/1/23

Jane Ann Oxlade

Local Authority

(Chair of Pay Committee)

11 March 2024

4 years

Chair of Pay Committee

7/7

Pay Committee

3/3

None

Re-appointed on 11/3/24 for another 4 years.

n/a

Pay Committee 

n/a

Parent

(Vice Chair of Governors)

4 years

Vice Chair of Governors 

Pay Committee 

Pay Committee

Resigned 24/1/23

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Voting Rights

yes/no