Meet the Governors
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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 Lisa Newhouse: Parent Governor Elected by Parents at the School Term of Office: 4 years to February 2023 Engagement Governor Governor for Disadvantaged Pupils |
I have two children at the Meads and have been a Meads parent since 2015. I have always been impressed by the commitment staff show to the children and the inclusive, happy environment they learn in. I currently work in general management for a leading pregnancy charity. My role finds me involved in numerous aspects of the charity day-to-day, but my particular focus is digital marketing and leading awareness campaigns. I’m delighted to be a Parent Governor and look forward to contributing towards the continual success of our excellent school. |
![]() | Susan Smith: Co-opted Governor Appointed by the Governing Body Term of Office: 4 years to Jan 2023 Mental Health & Wellbeing Governor Pay Committee |
All four of our children attended The Meads and have happy memories of their time at the school. I joined the Governing Body in 2005 and thoroughly enjoy working with the Head Teacher and her staff who are committed to giving a good quality education and school experience to every child, whilst keeping up with the rapid changes in our education system. I continue to learn as a governor and enjoy the challenge and the opportunity to give support to the school. |
![]() | Deborah Matthews: Co-opted Governor Appointed by the Governing Body Term of Office: 4 years to Jan 2023 Inclusion/SEND Governor |
I have had a long connection with the school – my two grown up children attended the Meads and I was a midday meals supervisor for many years. I am a Lay Minister in the Church of England working at St Swithun’s church with special responsibilities for children and young people. I am the link between the church and the school and visit the Meads to lead assemblies. I enjoy welcoming the school and parents to the church to celebrate Harvest and Christmas. My role as a Community Governor has broadened my understanding of the work of the Head Teacher and staff at school and made me more aware of the challenges they face. I always enjoy visiting as a Governor to see the school ‘in action’ and continue to offer my support whenever I can. |
![]() | 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. |
![]() | Paul Barker: Parent Governor Elected by Parents at the School Term of Office: 4 years to December 2022 Member of Pay Committee School Reopening and Recovery Governor
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My son joined The Meads in 2018, three years after my daughter, and I wanted to put myself forward for the board of governors to gain a greater understanding of how the school works and the challenges it faces, and to help push it forward for the benefit of all its children. I’ve always been impressed with the way the school instils a sense of community and responsibility in its pupils, and the dedication and enthusiasm of its staff. I have lived in East Grinstead since 2012, having grown up on the Sussex coast before moving to London. As a director of a small publishing company, I have faced and overcome a variety of challenges that I hope to learn from and use in my role as governor, and my role also gives me the flexibility to try and get as involved in school life as much as I, and my family, are able to. I believe I have the ability to see both sides of an issue and work hard to overcome problems, as well as an analytical mentality and willingness to ask questions. |
![]() | 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 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 Ginnie Batten-Evatt Elected by Parents at the School Term of Office: 4 years to May 2025 Co-Safeguarding Governor Co-Health & Safety Governor |
![]() | 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 |
![]() | Mrs Helen Salter: Clerk to the Governors |
Governing Body Details, Including Attendance for the Academic Year 2020-21
GOVERNING BODY OF The Meads Primary School. Our Governing Body consists of up to 11 members. There is one Committee, the Pay Committee
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 | 12/12
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| - | None | Chair of Governors since 3/9/20. Stepped down as parent governor 24/11/20. Appointed by the governing body as a co-opted governor and continuing as Chair from that date. |
Lisa Newhouse | Parent (Vice Chair of Governors) | 15 February 2019 | 4 years Vice Chair of Governors | 9/12 |
| - | None
| Vice Chair of Governors from 3/9/20 |
Nicole Marie Essex
| Headteacher | n/a | n/a Headteacher | 12/12 | n/a | - |
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Susan Katharine Smith | Co-opted
| 29 January 2019 | 4 years
| 9/12 | Pay committee | 1/1 | Son in law is proprietor of a business (Polaris Outdoor) that includes forest school activities. |
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Deborah Matthews | Co-opted | 29 January 2019 | 4 years | 12/12
|
| - | None |
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Jane Ann Oxlade | Local Authority (Chair of Pay Committee) | 12 March 2020 | 4 years Chair of Pay Committee | 12/12
| Pay Committee | 1/1
| None |
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Paul Barker | Parent | 3 December 2018 | 4 years | 10/12 | Pay Committee
| 0/1 | None |
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Kate Hannah Bryant | Staff | 15 October 2019 | 4 years | 11/12 | n/a | - | None | |
Michelle Adkin | Co-opted | 22 September 2020 | 4 years | 12/12 | Pay Committee from Sept 2021 | n/a | None | Member of Pay Committee from Sept 2021 |
Katarina Lawrence | Parent | 09 November 2020 | 4 years | 10/10 | n/a | None | ||
Eileen Virginia (Ginnie) Batten Evatt | Parent | 19 May 2021 | 4 years | 1/2 | n/a | None | Elected by parents 19/5/21 | |
Gaelle Blake | Co-opted | 7 November 2017 | 4 years (Resigned 24/11/20)
| 2/3 during time as governor
| Pay Committee
| 1/1 | None
| Stepped down as a governor 24/11/20. Appointed as an associate member of the Pay Committee 24/11/20 |
Full Name of Associate Member | Committee Membership | Voting Rights yes/no | Date of Appointment | Term of Office/Role on Comittee | Attendance at Committee Meetings | Attendance at FGB Meetings | Declarations on register of business & pecuniary interests | Remarks |
Gaelle Blake | Pay Committee | Yes | 24/11/2020 | 4 years | 0/0 (attended meeting as governor - see above) | 3/5 during time as associate member | None | Resigned 23/3/21 |
*Attendance during previous academic year to 31/8/2021