Governing Body
Every school has a governing body whose members work as a team. Governors are responsible to parents, funders and the community for making sure the school provides a good quality education. Governors also promote high standards of educational achievement. They do this together with the Headteacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management of the school. Governing bodies may also include representatives from the church, charitable trust or business interests. The term of office is four years for our Governors at the school.
Governing bodies may include :
- Parent Governors who are elected by other parents/carers at the school
- A Staff Governor who is elected by school staff
- A Local Authority Governor who is nominated by the Local Authority but is appointed by the Governing Body
- Co-opted Governors who are appointed by the Governing Body
- Foundation/Trust Governors who are appointed by the Lewes Co-operative Learning Partnership (LCLP)
The Headteacher is a member of the Governing Body by virtue of their office.
The purpose of our Governing Body is to help the school provide the best possible education for its students. To be achieved by strongly focussing on:
- Setting the vision and strategic direction of the school
- Holding the Headteacher to account for its educational performance
- Ensuring financial resources are well spent.
At Priory most of the formal governor business is conducted at the full governing body meetings - held seven times per academic year. Supporting the full governing body we have two committees, Teaching and Learning who meet once per term and Strategic Organisation (finance) who meet once per term during terms 1-5.
If you have an enquiry for the Governors please email the Clerk in the first instance; she will then forward your query as appropriate. Alternatively please post your enquiry marked for the Chair of Governors, c/o Clerk to the Governors, Priory School, Mountfield Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2XN.
Priory School will always advertise if they have a vacancy on their governing body.
You could also discover more about the role, or register your skills and find a local governor vacancy, at Inspiring Governance or Governors for Schools.
Or if you are interested in becoming a governor, apply to be matched with a school in your area using the Governor Expression of Interest form.
The following link will take you to East Sussex County Council’s I’m a Governor video which may be of interest.
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/educationandlearning/supportforteachers/schoolgovernors/becoming/
The current Chair is Mr Peter Colebourn.. The current Co- Vice Chairs are Mr John Griffiths and Mr Noah Curthoys.
All Governors have had a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Governors that resigned within the school year :
Mr Ken Caplan (LA Governor) Term of Office :08/02/2019 - Stepped down 31/08/2021
Mr Arif Said-McCullough (Staff Governor) Term of Office: 8/11/2019 - Stepped down 20/02/2022.
Kaveri Sharma (Parent Governor) term of office: 04/02/2021 - stepped down 22/02/2022.
Professor Jim Endersby (Parent Governor) Term of office : 04 Feb 2021 - Stepped down 21/03/2022
Mr David Conway (Co-opted Governor) 02/05/2018 - Term ended and stepped down 01/05/2022
Mr Martin Penrose (Co-opted Governor) Term of office : 03/05/2018 - Term ended and stepped down 02/05/2022
|
NAME OF GOVERNOR /ASSOCIATE GOVERNOR |
BUSINESS INTEREST |
|
Andy Warren |
Deputy Curriculum Leader, English at Priory School |
|
Gaydree Wrigley |
School Business Manager at Meridian Community Primary School in Peacehaven |
|
Graham Arr-Jones |
Nil |
|
Hannah Clay |
Employee of Sussex Community Foundation as their Head of Grant Programmes. I am related to a student in year 7 and 9 |
|
John Griffiths |
Director/Consultant of JRTZ Ltd consultancy firm Director of Mansell Park Residents Association Member of Local Authority’s school placement appeals panel list Trustee of the Lewes Priory School Memorial Chapel Trust Chair of the Lewes Co-operative Learning Partnership (LCLP) |
|
Liz Webb |
Director at Liz Webb Management - concert and composer consultancy and management. Occasional music education projects in East Sussex Schools I am related to a student in Year 11 |
|
Peter Colebourn |
Part time guide/room steward at Firle Place, Firle, Lewes. |
|
Sarah Hinks |
Careers and Skills Lead at Cultureshift. Member of the ESCG Lewes Board Vice Chair Now Charity Group |
|
Sarah Roberts |
Learning Assistant at East Sussex College Group in Lewes |
|
Suzy Carpenter |
Senior Science Technician at Priory School Has a relation who works for Hurstpierpoint College as Chief Financial Officer |
|
Tony Smith |
Headteacher Priory School |
|
Julia Blake-Madigan |
Run my own property business. I am related to a student in Year 8. |
|
Noah Curthoys |
Director/Owner, Bridgenor Associates-communications consultancy Director/Owner,Northshott Consulting- research/insight consultancy. Lay Member, NHS North East london(formerly NHS Tower Hamlets CCG)-non executive role Council Member, Democratic Society- no executive Belian NGO role, unpaid Spouse works for Medical Justice, human rights charity Parent of child in Year 7 |
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GOVERNORS’ ATTENDANCE AT THE MAIN GOVERNOR MEETINGS FOR 2020-21 |
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|
Governor’s Name |
Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2020-21 |
Attendance at Strategic Organisation (finance) Committee Meetings 2020-21 |
Attendance at Teaching & Learning Committee Meetings 2020-21 |
|
Gaydree Wrigley |
7/7 |
5/5 |
n/a |
|
Graham Arr-Jones |
6/7 |
n/a |
6/6 |
|
David Conway |
5/7 |
4/5 |
n/a |
|
John Griffiths |
7/7 |
5/5 |
5/6 |
|
Arif Said-McCullough |
3/7 |
n/a |
3/6 |
|
Ken Caplan |
3/7 |
2/5 |
n/a |
|
Peter Colebourn |
7/7 |
5/5 |
n/a |
|
Sarah Hinks |
6/7 |
n/a |
4/6 |
|
Susan Carpenter |
7/7 |
4/5 |
n/a |
|
Sarah Roberts |
7/7 |
5/5 |
6/6 |
|
Tony Smith |
7/7 |
5/5 |
6/6 |
|
Martin Penrose |
7/7 |
n/a |
6/6 |
|
Liz Webb |
6/7 |
n/a |
5/6 |
|
Kaveri Sharma* |
3/4 | 0/2 | 0/3 |
|
Jim Endersby* |
3/4 | 0/2 | 2/3 |
|
Julia Blake-Madigan* |
4/4 | 2/2 | 2/3 |
|
Noah Curthoys* |
3/4 |
1/2 |
1/3 |
Governors marked * joined part way through the school year
The information on our Governors below includes which committees they are members of and also who our Committee Chairs are and includes who is the current Chair and Vice Chair(s) of the Governors :
Mr Graham Arr-Jones
(Foundation/Trust) Term of office : 04/09/2018 - 03/09/2022
On the Teaching & Learning Committee
Originally an elected parent governor with two sons at the school, I am a past chair of governors and currently one of two foundation governors sitting on both Priory’s governing body and the board of the Lewes Co-operative Learning Partnership. The Partnership, which I chair, encourages co-operative working between Lewes schools so as to provide the very best education possible for all children and young people in our communities. As a long standing resident of Lewes I very much wish to see the links between school and community continue to strengthen.
Miss Susan Carpenter
(Co-opted) Term of office : 15/07/2019 - 14/07/2023
On the Strategic Organisation Committee
I have lived near Lewes for almost 27 years. I have been working at Priory for 9 years now as a science technician and been a Governor for nearly 5 years. I have had the delight of being both a student here and now a member of the staff. During my time here as a student, I was both a charity rep and a prefect. I loved being involved with the student voice at the time and trying to make a difference for my fellow students. The experience as both a student and staff member has allowed me to see both sides of the education system here. I am very proud to have been made a governor and be given the opportunity to help keep Priory a successful and happy environment for both students and staff.
Mr Peter Colebourn
(Chair, Co-opted) Term of office : 05/09/2018 - 04/09/2022
Strategic Organisation Committee
I have lived in the Lewes area since 1988. Until 2006 I was Deputy Head at Heathfield Community College, and then, as an Associate Lecturer at Christchurch University Canterbury, taught on an MA course in Educational Leadership and Management for serving teachers in Kent and Surrey. Over the last 5 years I have also been teaching EFL both in China and the UK helping to organise the International Summer School at Sussex Downs College. I am passionate about teaching and learning, and want schools to be seen as positive, vibrant and inclusive learning communities. As a new governor I look forward to playing a supporting role, helping Priory School to develop and promote its role at the heart of the community in the Lewes area.
Mr John Griffiths
(Joint Vice Chair, Trust/Foundation) Term of office : 03/09/2018 - 02/09/2022
Having graduated and completed a PGCE, I taught Economics and Business Studies at a large sixth form college in Essex. After 4 years I changed career and worked in the Lloyd’s of London market as a reinsurance broker. During this time I worked extensively on USA professional liability business and my family and I have been lucky to have lived and worked in both Los Angeles and Chicago for extended periods. In 2013 I retired from the City in order to reprioritise my work/life balance which has allowed me the opportunity to join Priory currently as a Foundation governor. I am currently working in property management and renovation in Sussex. I have two children, one working as a teacher, the other, in banking.
Ms Sarah Hinks
(Co-opted) Term of office : 06/09/2018 - 05/09/2022
Joint Teaching and Learning Chair
I appreciate both the rewards and the challenges of being a Governor here at Priory since 2006. As the Governor lead for Safeguarding and Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance I work closely with the school to ensure that these areas are constantly being reviewed and improved. I spent twenty years working in the world of book publishing, ten as a freelance publishing and production consultant working with national and international companies and printers such as Dorling Kindersley, Penguin and Simon and Schuster. I switched from the private to the public sector in 2006, working in a range of management positions for Children's Services at ESCC including planning and performance, contracts, organisational development, children centres and the Standards and Learning Effectiveness Service. I am currently working as a freelance Skills and Employability consultant with the Sussex Council Training Providers. I have lived in Lewes since 2003 with my partner, an ex Priory student and our three children.
Miss Sarah Roberts
(Co-opted) Term of office : 05/11/2020 - 04/11/24
Joint Teaching and Learning Chair.
I have three children who all attended Priory School; my youngest took her GCSEs in 2018. I have seen the school develop over time and respond to a variety of challenges.
I am an historian and have lectured at Sussex and Kingston Universities as well as teaching A level at a local college. At present I am at East Sussex College, Lewes, working with young adults with SEN. I also enjoy continuing to research into my personal historical interests and spend time, when possible, on my interest in art and craft.
I am passionate about education from both a personal and professional perspective and use this enthusiasm to play my part in supporting Priory School. I am link governor for SEN and try to work hard to further inclusion within education. I believe that a holistic approach to learning helps achieve positive results.
Mr Tony Smith
(Headteacher) Term of office : 01/09/2010 -
I have lived in and around Lewes since 1988. Given that Lewes has been my local town I am very proud to have been given the opportunity to lead Priory School. I started my career as a graduate trainee in retail management but after two and a half years I decided to train as a teacher and completed my training at the University of Sussex. I have always taught in East Sussex, starting as a teacher of Geography and Economics at Heathfield Community College. I gained promotion early in my career and taught in Hastings for 6 years. I spent 11 years as a Deputy Headteacher at an Eastbourne school where I was twice the “Acting Headteacher”. I have also been seconded, on two separate occasions, to East Sussex Children’s Services as a 14-19 Development Manager, overseeing many of the initiatives of the previous government. I commenced at Priory School at the start of the 2010-11 academic year.
Ms Liz Webb
(Parent) Term of office : 07/12/2018 - 06/12/2022
Liz has one child at the school
I am a Priory parent and an active member of the Friends of Priory since 2014, including organising bars and refreshments for school events to raise funds for the school.
I am keen to represent the views and perspectives of parents to the governing body and to support music and the arts at Priory in the context of its many excellent activities.
I run my own arts management company, promoting composers and top professional musicians and managing operas, tours, concerts and recordings. Recently I have produced a series of publicly funded large-scale music education projects in schools and colleges across East Sussex culminating in performances at the Brighton Festival.
Miss Gaydree Wrigley
(Co-opted) Term of office : 03/09/2018 - 02/09/2022
Strategic Organisation Committee Chair
I became interested in education when my daughters went to school, helping in their primary school and as part of the PTA committee at their secondary school. I have been a School Business Manager since 2012, working before that in the schools finance teams at County. I am passionate about the importance of education and believe that I have many useful experiences and skills to bring to the role of governor, particularly in the area of finance. I love the positive ethos at Priory and being a part of the team working together to keep it a happy and successful school.
Mr Noah Curthoys
(Joint Vice Chair/Local Authority) Term of office : 02/09/2021 - 01/09/2025 
Noah has one child at the school.
Vice Chair of the Strategic Organisation Committee
Noah has lived in Lewes for almost a decade and has a background in strategy and research. He has previously worked in government (HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and the competition regulator), in finance (Morgan Stanley) and in the NGO sector (Democratic Society). He currently runs a research consultancy and is a governor at a Lewes primary school. A graduate of LSE and UCL, Noah is married and has one child in secondary school.
Ms Julia Blake Madigan
Parent) Term of office : 22 Jan 2021 - 21 Jan 2025
Julia has one child at the school.
On the Strategic Organisation Committee
Being new to Priory, with a student in year 7, I’m keen to be involved in the functioning of the school as I’ve two other daughters who will be attending in the coming years! I’d like to help Priory be the best school it can be, and would contribute in a positive, challenging and constructive way. I’ve lived in Lewes for most of my life. I do building work and am often to be found up a ladder! I’m interested in all aspects of education and feel I could provide a holistic and grounded contribution to this well intentioned hub of learning.
Mr Andy Warren
(Staff) Term of office : 21/03/2022 - 20/03/2026:
I have been a teacher for over 30 years and am currently Deputy Curriculum Leader for English.
I specialise in teaching the A band at KS3 and work very closely with the Oak Centre, in order to ensure equality of access to education to our most vulnerable and challenging students.
I have been a teacher governor before in 2013-2015 at Seahaven Academy. I believe passionately in the Governor system for overseeing schools and I can bring those decades of practical classroom experience to the Governing Body.
Mrs Hannah Clay
(Parent Governor) Term of office: 25/04/2022- 24/04/2026
Hannah has worked in the charity sector since 2002 and has a background in grant-making and project management. She currently works for the local grant making charity, Sussex Community Foundation as their Head of Grant Programmes. She is related to two children in Priory, in years 7 and 9.
