Our Governors

Message from the Chair - Jonathan Sharpe

The Governing Body at Newick is committed to doing all that it can to ensure that children here achieve the very best they can.

Governors are often referred to as “critical friends”, and our role is to support and question on all aspects of school life. We are involved in recruiting staff when the need arises. We also keep an eye on the school budget, the state of the building, and attendance & welfare as well as, most importantly, the curriculum. We work together as a team, sharing the load by focussing on our individual roles and coming together at regular Full Governing Body meetings.

Governing Bodies represent all parts of the community: Parents, Teachers and Support Staff, Community Governors who represent local organisations and businesses, as well as the Childrens’ Services Department. We are all volunteers, but it is very satisfying to know that we are playing our part in the development of the school and supporting children’s learning.

Usually Governors are asked to sign up for four years, which means that we are on the lookout for new Governors from time to time. We advertise, when new parent governors are needed, in the school newsletter and have an election. The teachers and staff have their own election.

Contact

Jonathan Sharpe - Chair of Governors - Chair.Govs@newick-ce-prm.e-sussex.sch.uk

John Philpott - Clerk to Governors - Clerk.Govs@newick-ce-prm.e-sussex.sch.uk

Newick School Governor Vacancy

Newick School is looking for a new governor to join the governing body this academic year. We are looking for an enthusiastic and energetic individual to join us in the work we do to support the school and children in our community. We have six governing body meetings a year and also carry-out other tasks through the school year.

If you would like to learn more about the role, please email: l.dobson@newickschool.co.uk

Governor Profiles

Jonathan Sharpe - Chair of Governors - Co-opted Governor

I have lived in Newick for over 20 years with my family and am very pleased to have joined the governing body. I was chair of governors of a primary school in Lewes until July 2019 and am delighted to now be able to support our village school. I believe strongly that education is very important for all children and am I pleased to be able to play a part in supporting that aspect of our community. I have worked in finance in London for my whole career but am happiest in Newick and its surroundings, often running or cycling, or walking our three dogs.

Rob Boswell - Vice Chair - Finance Link Governor

Our three children loved their time at Newick C of E Primary school and being a governor allows me to give something back. I thoroughly enjoy being part of a Board of Governors which helps (and challenges) the School to continue to provide the same experience and opportunities for today's pupils. It is insightful to see the effort and dedication of the staff and the Parent Community to maintain the School's standards. My working background is in Finance and Property so the Finance Committee was the obvious sub-committee when I joined over 13 years ago - committee structures have evolved over time and I am Chair of the Resources (Finance, Premises & Personnel) Committee. In my spare time I play golf as much as possible and with a young golden retriever we spend a lot of time on Ashdown Forest.

Mandy Watson - Authority Governor - ESCC

I have lived in the village for 15 years and have seen three of my grandchildren experiencing all the marvellous opportunities our school has provided for them. I look forward to seeing the school continuing to succeed and develop. I have spent many years as a teacher and Headteacher in England and in Africa and with five grandchildren now I have a special interest in education across all phases. Since 2016 I have worked as a Diocesan Senior Schools Improvement Advisor in Sussex. I was previously an Education Adviser in London for 13 years. I have been a school governor since 2006 in East Sussex and in London. My hobbies are walking, (preferably in the mountains or by the sea) and reading.

Caoimhe Dunlop - Parent Governor

I have been a parent at Newick since 2014 and was elected as a Parent Governor in 2021. All three of my children have attended the school, with one still remaining. My professional background is mainly in adult training and development and I have really enjoyed putting my skills and experience to good use in my governor role. I am currently the link governor for PE and Geography, which nicely combines my passion for sport and exercise with my university degree subject. I also work in the school office and am the Treasurer of the PTFA. I really enjoy this combination of roles and it means I have the privilege of supporting the wonderful children, staff, parents and volunteers in our school community in a variety of interesting (and very different!) ways.

Sue Berry - Associate Governor

All three of my children went to Newick School. I’ve been a governor at Newick School since 2015. I was Chair of Governors for 4 years until I moved away in 2019. Now I’m an Associate Governor. I was also a Governor of Chailey School for six years. I trained as a teacher in the late 70s at a time when there were too many teachers. I then re-trained in HR. I have led the human resource function in several firms, heading up and driving organisational improvement and change across chemicals, aerospace, education, and charities sectors in four continents. Currently I work as a management consultant. I am an alumna of Newcastle University, De Montfort University and the Open University in education, human resource management and psychology & economics. I am a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and have Qualified Teacher Status.

Caroline Smith - Foundation Governor - Parochial Church Council

I have lived in Newick for 40 years. I taught within the Primary Sector and in Special Education, including at Chailey Heritage. Our village is a special place and the school is an important part of that. I go into school regularly to volunteer in class and attend collective worship. As well as being a Foundation Governor, I support St Marys Church as the Safeguarding Officer. I have a variety of other interests. I am a member of Newick Badminton Club, the Horticultural Society and Chailey Commons Society. Also, I enjoy walking and support Mid Sussex Healthy Walks, as a participant and Walk Leader.

Annabelle McIntosh - Co-opted Governor

I have lived in the area with my family for over 25 years and have four grown up children. I have spent 15 years teaching young children which has been professionally and personally fulfilling, and I appreciate the importance of early education and the profound impact it can have on a child’s future. I am excited to have the opportunity to join the Governing Body at Newick School. My hobbies are walking our dogs in the beautiful Sussex countryside, swimming and playing tennis.

Rev Paul Munday - Ex-Officio - Foundation Governor

I live at the Rectory on Allington Road with my family and two very noisy Lurchers, who many of you will know from the school pick-up and drop- off. I grew up in Sussex, moving to the Lewes area in 1996, as part of my career in hospitality. After returning to study in Cambridge in 2010, I was ordained a Priest in the Church of England in 2013, and served my curacy over the hill in Barcombe, where I was also a Foundation Governor for the primary school there before moving to Newick in 2016.

I love being part of this amazing community and my greatest privilege is serving as a Foundation Governor to Newick Primary School, working with our incredible young people, teachers, teaching assistants, support staff and fellow Governors. Through my involvement with school, we run a St Mary's Youth Choir and our Kids Club at St Mary's on the first and third Sunday of each month, leading to our very popular year 7+ Youth Club NYC.

I love jazz, entertaining, rugby, hiking, cycling and skiing, though not always in that order, and I've been involved with our local Bonfire Societies for over 30 years.

Victoria Penfold - Parent Governor

I joined the Governing Body in 2023 as a parent governor having lived in Newick for 10 years and after my oldest child joined the school. I'm looking forward to working with the school and staff in continuing to provide excellent education and opportunities to all our children.

I'm a lawyer by profession, originally in London and now in Brighton working for a company that launches the careers of young people wanting a career in the tech industry. I hope to bring some of the analysis, challenge and supportiveness required in my day job to my role as a Governor.

In my limited spare time I enjoy running - mainly after my two children but ideally out in our local countryside!

Newick Church of England Primary School