Meet the Governors

Chair of Governors

Diana Holmes:  Parent Governor

Elected by Parents at the School

Term of Office: 4 years to June 2023

Head Teacher Performance Management Panel

Looked After Children 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

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 

Co-Safeguarding Governor

Pay Committee 

Deborah Matthews: Co-opted Governor

Appointed by the Governing Body

Term of Office: 4 years to Jan 2023

Inclusion/SEND Governor

Governor for Disadvantaged Pupils

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.

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

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.

Gaelle Blake: Co-opted Governor

Appointed by the Governing Body

Term of Office: 4 Years to Nov 2021

Member of Pay Committee

Head Teacher Performance Management Panel

I am very excited to be chosen as a co-opted governor and I want to support The Meads in Its vision to be a positive learning environment. My desire to be a Governor comes from wanting to give something back for the amazing state education I received myself, which took me through to Master Degree level.
 

In addition to being a local Mum of three young children (two of whom attend the Meads), I am also an Operations Director for a Large FT250 company in Belgravia.  I hope that some of the experiences which I have gained, both managerially and educationally can help support the school in reaching its visions of “challenge, ambition, community and resilience.”

Michelle Adkin: Co-opted Governor

Appointed by the Governing Body

Term of Office:  4 Years to Sept 2024

Data Protection Governor

Co-Finance 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 Katarina Lawrence: Parent Governor

Elected by Parents at the School

Term of Office: 4 years to Nov 2024

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.

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

Susan Smith

Co-opted

29 January 2019

4 years

11/11

-

Son in law is proprietor of a business that includes forest school activities.

Chair of Governors until 2/9/20

Nicole Essex

Staff (Headteacher)

n/a

n/a

Headteacher

11/11

n/a

-

None

Diana Holmes

Parent

(Chair of Governors)

7 June 2019

4 years

Chair of Governors

11/11

-

None

Co-Vice Chair of Governors until 2/9/20, Chair from 3/9/20

Deborah Matthews

Co-opted

29 January 2019

4 years

11/11

-

None

Jane Oxlade

Local Authority

(Chair of Pay Committee)

24 February 2016

Reappointed 12 March 2020

4 years

Chair of Pay Committee

9/11

Pay Committee

2/2

None

Reappointed 12 March 2020

Gaelle Blake

Co-opted

7 November 2017

4 years

8/11

 Pay Committee

2/2

None

Lisa Sheppard

Parent

22 June 2018

Resigned 1/9/20

4 years

4/11

-

None

Resigned 1/9/20

Paul Barker

Parent

3 December 2018

4 years

8/11

Pay Committee

2/2

None

Lisa Newhouse

Parent

(Vice Chair of Governors)

15 February 2019

4 years

Vice Chair of Governors

9/11

-

None

Vice Chair of Governors from 3/9/20

Meryl Walter

Co-opted

26 February 2019

Resigned 20/7/20

4 years

9/11

-

None

Resigned 20/7/20

Co-Vice Chair of Governors until resignation