Chair (LA)
I have been fortunate to live in the village for over 25 years. My son, James, went to Wivelsfield Primary when the school was located in Church Lane, and he had to walk to the Church Hall for lunch! He was fortunate to have spent his last two years at our current site and enjoyed representing his school in football and swimming.
I have been involved with the school firstly as a ‘parent helper’ member of the PTA and then as a Governor from 2008. I have enjoyed being part of the Governing Body - working with the teachers and watching the school grow in size and strength.
My background is in IT working at Heathrow, Gatwick and Scottish airports until last July. I am part of the School’s Finance and Premises committee, as well as overlooking eSafety and GDPR. You may have seen me sitting with my computer beside the sports field collecting the house points for our Sports Day!
Governor (Co-opted)
It has been a privilege for me to be a member of the Governing Body for many years. I joined the board on my retirement from teaching, and I trust my experience and interest in education is of some value as we move forward.
Vice Chair. Governor (Co-opted Parent)
Katie Wollaston has two children at Wivelsfield School and two who have now moved onto Chailey. A journalist for more than twenty years now, she has focused on SEN provision and Equality and Diversity in her role as a Governor. She is also always keen to hear about what books are catching the children's imagination as she's a fervent bookworm.
Governor (Parent)
oliverw@wivelsfield.e-sussex.sch.ukThe experience of having both my children at Wivelsfield Primary has been exceptional, and so when the opportunity came to give something back as a governor, I absolutely wanted to support the school. Equally, some of my family are current or retired teachers, so I have an appreciation of the challenges and joys of education!
It is my first governor role but one I am looking forward to, especially as the children have been so impacted since 2020. I work in the Financial Services Industry and in my spare time I enjoy playing a variety of sports and coach U6’s and U7’s football at Plumpton Athletic Football Club.
Governor (Co-opted)
Giles is delighted to bring his experience and enthusiasm to help benefit everyone involved with Wivelsfield School and support it to thrive. He has lived in Wivelsfield Green for 14 years. He finished his career in policing in 2020, having worked in Kent, South Wales and Sussex. He is a champion for promoting diversity and inclusion with a track record for supporting under-represented groups. He is now on the Board of our local NHS Community Trust and County President for St John Ambulance. He is married to Sally with 3 grown up children and 2 spaniels.
Governor (Parent)
lwhite@wivelsfield.e-sussex.sch.ukI have two wonderful daughters, one having recently started at Wivelsfield and another hoping to attend in the future. Therefore, I am wanting to be part of the governing body for many years.
I am a teacher at a local school, that is part of the Hurst Education Trust and can therefore contribute my knowledge of education, the curriculum, special educational needs and safeguarding. I adore working in a team and feel my interpersonal skills will be a huge benefit.
Wivelsfield is a terrific school with a good OFSTED rating, and I would love to help the school continue to improve and develop.
Governor (Parent)
islade@wivelsfield.e-sussex.sch.ukI am so pleased to be part of the Governers at Wivelsfield Primary School and look forward to seeing the School thrive.
I have two children who have recently started at Wivelsfield Primary. One being at the Wren nursery which is a fantastic place for the transition into the School and the other in early years.
Having been born in Kenya and raised in the UK, I believe that my cultural experiences will benefit the school with diversity and inclusiveness.
My background is in Mental Health Social Work where I have worked with both Children and Adults for over 12yrs. I hope the experience I have gained from this role will help the school develop further.
Governor (Co-opted) Finance Chair
ianp@wivelsfield.e-sussex.sch.ukIan is a portfolio non executive director and consultant with roles in the public and private sectors, where he invests in, chairs and advises a range of organisations with themes in social purpose, data analytics and sustainability. His current roles include chairing the UK Health Security Agency, and he was formerly Chairman of Barts Health Trust, the UK’s largest hospital group. Ian also has roles at Legal and General Affordable Homes, a for profit social housing business; Canal and River Trust; Sagacity Solutions, a data analytics company; IMServ, an energy data and metering company; Bain & Co; Baringa Partners. He also chaired several energy transition and growth technology companies. Ian also advises a wide range of private equity funds on buy side transactions.
Ian has lived in the village for 20 years, and holds an MA in social anthropology from Cambridge, where he chairs his College Alumni association, has an MBA from Warwick Business School, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Financial Services and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He is Governor of his local Primary School.
Governor (Co-opted)
John Willett has spent the last 46 years of his career in public service, with experience of leadership at a strategic level across many sectors of criminal justice and community safety. John has represented the United Kingdom in China, Africa and across the Middle East and more locally in Sussex. John was previously a school governor when his children were of school age and recognises the important fundamental role primary education and local schools have within their community. John’s public service achievements were recognised in 2023 in the first Kings Birthday Honours and when he was awarded a Member of the British Empire (MBE).
John is now retired and resides in Wivelsfield Green and is excited to become a school governor once again.
Clerk of Governors
clerk@wivelsfield.e-sussex.sch.ukTo contact any of the Governors, please email the clerk@ email address above.
Wivelsfield Primary School Governing Body
|
Name of governor |
Committee Membership |
Term of Office |
Declaration of Interest |
Date of Entry |
|
Ian Peters Co-opted Governor |
Finance & Staffing |
01/09/23 –01/09/27 |
|
|
|
Susan Halliwell LA Governor appointed by the Local Authority |
Finance & Staffing Performance Management |
27/09/21 – 26/09/25 |
IT Contractor Atkins Heathrow Airport. IT Administrator for Archer Specialist Ltd. |
19/10/22
|
|
Immaculate Slade Parent Governor appointed by the parents of the pupils |
|
30/04/24 –29/04/28
|
|
30/04/24
|
|
John Willett Co-opted Governor |
|
01/09/23 –01/09/27 |
|
|
|
Craig Pickup Staff Governor Appointed by the staff |
|
03/09/20 – 02/09/24 |
Class Teacher |
05/09/22
|
|
Helen Smith Staff Governor as Head Teacher |
Finance, Staffing and Premise |
01/09/2015 - Present |
Head Teacher |
05/09/22 |
|
Marion Whear Co-opted Governor
|
Performance Management |
21/01/23 – 20/01/27 |
None |
07/09/22
|
|
Oliver Wilson
Parent Governor appointed by the parents of the pupils
|
04/01/22 -
03/01/26
|
Parent of children at school
Works in Financial Services
|
12/10/22 | |
|
Katie Wollaston Vice Chair Co-opted Parent Governor appointed by the parents of the pupils |
Performance Management |
25/03/24 – 24/03/28 |
Parent of children at school Freelance Journalist |
12/10/22
|
|
Giles York Co-opted Governor |
Safeguarding |
03/09/22 - 02/09/26 |
12/10/22 |
|
|
Laura White Parent Governor appointed by the parents of the pupils |
30/04/24 - 29/04/28 |
30/04/24 |
| Name of Governor | Board Meetings Attended |
| Helen Smith | 5 of 5 |
| Craig Pickup | 5 of 5 |
| Giles York | 5 of 5 |
| Ian Peters | 5 of 5 |
| John Willett | 5 of 5 |
| Susan Halliwell | 3 of 5 |
| Immaculate Slade | April & July |
| Marion Whear | 5 of 5 |
| Katie Wollaston | 5 of 5 |
| Oliver Wilson | 5 of 5 |
| Laura White | April & July |