Chair of Governors

Diana Holmes:  Co-opted Governor

Appointed by the Governing Body

Term of Office: 4 years to November 2028

Head Teacher Performance Management Panel

Anti-Bullying Governor

I have been a parent at The Meads since we moved to East Grinstead in 2006.  I was immediately struck by the caring community and warmth of staff, and my children have been very happy during their time here.  I have been a member of the governing body since 2011 and became Chair of Governors in September 2020.  The school has grown and changed considerably over the years, but wellbeing, inclusivity and the strive for ambitious outcomes for all pupils remain at its heart.  It is a privilege to help strategically lead the school on its continuing journey to outstanding.

Away from The Meads, I work in an admin role at a local school for children with Autism and am also Clerk to their Governing Body.

Vice Chair of Governors

Mrs Ginnie Batten-Evatt: Parent Governor

Elected by Parents at the School

Term of Office: 4 years to May 2025 

Safeguarding Governor

Inclusion/SEND Governor   

Michelle Adkin: Co-opted Governor

Appointed by the Governing Body

Term of Office:  4 Years to Sept 2028

Chair of Pay Committee

Co-Finance Governor

Data Protection Governor

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

Equality & Community Cohesion Governor

 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! 

Mrs Gaelle Blake

Co-opted Governor

Appointed by the Governing Body

Term of Office: 4 Years to May 2027

Co-Finance Governor

Head Teacher Performance Management Panel

Ms Sandra Devine-Sullivan: Parent Governor

Elected by Parents at the School

Term of Office:  4 Years to January 2028

Vulnerable Groups Governor

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. 

Miss Nicole Essex:  Head Teacher

Statutory Member of the Governing Body

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)

12 November 2024 

4 years

Chair of Governors

6/6

-

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

Nicole Marie Essex

Headteacher

n/a

n/a

Headteacher

6/6

n/a

-

None

Jane Ann Oxlade

Local Authority

11 March 2024

4 years

4/6

Pay Committee

1/1

None

Resigned with effect from 31/12/24

n/a

Co-opted

(Chair of Pay Committee)

4 years

Chair of Pay Committee

Pay Committee 

n/a

Parent

(Vice Chair of Governors)

4 years

Vice Chair of Governors 

Pay Committee 

n/a

Pay Committee

Pay Committee

n/a

Voting Rights

yes/no