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 Katarina Lawrence: Parent Governor

Elected by Parents at the School

Term of Office: 4 years to Nov 2024

Engagement Governor and Co-Health & Safety Governor

I have lived in East Grinstead since 2010 and married a local boy. We have two young children.

I am fluent in Czech and English and have years of experience as a nanny, and as a PA in a Japanese company.

I have organised and led many outings and summer camps in Czech forests. Children instinctively love contact with nature and do not notice that while having fun, they are learning things for their future in relation to natural history, sustainability and climate change.

I hope the experience I have gained throughout my life can help the school in reaching its goals.

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.

Miss Nicole Essex:  Head Teacher

Statutory Member of the Governing Body

Mrs Kate Bryant: Staff Governor

Elected by School Staff

Term of Office: 4 Years to Oct 2023

Administration of Medicines Governor

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

Remarks

Diana Claire Holmes

Co-opted

(Chair of Governors)

24 November 2020 

4 years

Chair of Governors

7/7

-

None

Lisa Newhouse

Parent

(Vice Chair of Governors until 16/5/22)

15 February 2019

4 years (resigned 16/5/22)

Vice Chair of Governors

5/5

-

None

Resigned 16/5/22

Nicole Marie Essex

Headteacher

n/a

n/a

Headteacher

7/7

n/a

-

None

Susan Katharine Smith

Co-opted

29 January 2019

4 years

5/7

Pay committee

2/2

Son in law is proprietor of a business (Polaris Outdoor) that includes forest school activities.

Term of office expired 28/1/23

Deborah Matthews

Co-opted

29 January 2019

4 years

7/7

-

None

Term of office expired 28/1/23

Jane Ann Oxlade

Local Authority

(Chair of Pay Committee)

12 March 2020

4 years

Chair of Pay Committee

6/7

Pay Committee

2/2

None

Paul Barker

Parent

3 December 2018

4 years (resigned 5/7/22)

5/6

Pay Committee

2/2

None

Resigned 5/7/22

Parent

(Vice Chair of Governors from 24/5/22)

4 years

Vice Chair of Governors from 24/5/22

Elected 21/6/22

Resigned 24/1/23

Voting Rights

yes/no