What is the role of the Governing Body?

The Governing Body works in partnership with the staff to promote high quality education for pupils. We appoint the Headteacher and work closely with her to make decisions that directly affect the education and well-being of the children.

Part of a school Governing Body’s responsibilities are to:

  • Promote high standards of educational attainment
  • Set an annual budget detailing planned spending
  • Make decisions on matters such as performance, targets, school policies and school development plans
  • Draw up an action plan following inspection reports
  • Appoint staff, ensuring the implementation of a range of personnel procedures
  • Ensure the health & safety of pupils and staff
  • The Governing Body is a ‘critical friend’, challenging and supporting the Senior Leadership Team, monitoring the outcome of policies and ensuring accountability

    Our School Governors are very supportive and actively take part in all areas of the school curriculum by visiting the school and attending regular governor meetings. If you would like to meet with any governors, please make contact with the school office.

    All Governors’ terms of office are four years (for information on previous members of the Governing Body, please contact the Clerk to the Governing Body)

Governing Body 2019/2020

Clerk to the Governors – Mrs Sue Butler: govsclerk@motcombe.e-sussex.sch.uk

Vacancy x 2 Co-opted

Vacancy x1 Parent

Name: Mrs Debbie Aggett

Appointed Body: LEA

Appointed Date: 27 March 2014 - 26 April 2022

Committees: Standards & Inclusion Pay

Office: Chair of FGB, Chair of S & I

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 5/5

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 5/5

Profession: Retired Teacher

Name: Mrs Liz Barker

Appointed Body: Co-opted

Appointed Date: 1 January 2015 - 31 Dec 2020

Committees: Standards & Inclusion, Finance, Premises and H&S and Wellbeing

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 4/5

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 5/5

Profession: Retired Teacher

Name: Mrs Lin Baxter

Appointed Body: Co-opted

Appointed Date: 28 Feb 2018 - 27 Feb 2022

Committees: Premises and H&S

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 3/5

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 5/5

Profession: Retired

Name: Dr Sally Threlfall

Appointed Body: Co-opted

Appointed Date: 1 January 2015 - 31 Dec 2020

Committees: Standards & Inclusion

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 3/5

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 3/5

Profession: Retired Head Teacher

Name: Mrs Sandie Howlett

Appointed Body: Co-Opted

Appointed Date: 1 January 2015 - 31 Dec 2022

Committees: Finance, Premises and H&S and Wellbeing

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 3/5

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 4/5

Profession: Councillor

Name: Mrs Felicity Starkey

Appointed Body: Co-opted

Appointed Date: 27 February 2017 - 26 February 2021

Committees: Standards & Inclusion

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 4/5

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 4/5

Profession: Retired Headteacher

Name: Mr Ian Pickard

Appointed Body: Co-opted

Appointed Date: 1 January 2-15 - 31 Dec 2022

Committees: Finance, Premises and H&S and Wellbeing, Play

Office: Chair of Premise, H&S & Wellbeing

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 3/5

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 4/5

Profession: H & S Specialist

Name: Mrs Jess Newby

Appointed Body: Co-opted

Appointed Date: 1 January 2015 - 31 Dec 2022

Committees: Premises H&S and Wellbeing

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 4/5

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 1/5 (Maternity leave)

Profession: Teacher

Name: Mr Matthew Grant

Appointed Body: Co-opted

Appointed Date: 3 November 2017 - 2 November 2021

Committees: Finance

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 2/4

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 3/5

Profession: Lawyer (Employment)

Name: Mr Jon Davies

Appointed Body: Co-opted

Appointed Date: 3 July 2019 - 2 July 2023

Committees: Finance

Declaration of Interest: Son at the School

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: n/a

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: n/a

Profession: Banking

Name: Mrs Tracy Robinson

Appointed Body: Headteacher

Appointed Date: 1 January 2015

Committees: All

Declaration of Interest: Son working at the School

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 5/5

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 5/5

Profession: Headteacher

Name: Mrs Jo Ansell

Appointed Body: Staff

Appointed Date: 12 October 2016 - 11 October 2020

Committees: Standards & Inclusion

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 4/5

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 5/5

Profession: Teacher

Name: Mrs Lavanya Vijendra

Appointed Body: Parent

Appointed Date: 6 December 2017 - 5 December 2021

Committees: Standards & Inclusion

FGB Meetings Attended 2017/2018: 4/4

FGB Meetings Attended 2018/2019: 5/5

Profession: Accountant