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 and Strategic Organisation (finance) who both meet five times per academic year.
Priory’s Governing body consists of the following types of Governors these are appointed in the following ways:
- 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)
- An Associate Governorc who is appointed by the governing body to serve on one or more committees. Associate members can attend full governors meetings but do not vote and may be excluded from any part of a meeting where the business being considered concerns a member of school staff or an individual student.
- The Headteacher is a member of the Governing Body by virtue of their office.
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 Peter Colebourn.. The current Co- Vice Chairs are John Griffiths and Noah Curthoys.
All Governors have had a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Governors that resigned within the school year :
Tony Smith (Headteacher) Term of office: 01/09/2010 - retired 31/08/2022
Graham Arr-Jones (Trust/Foundation) Term of office: 04/09/2018 - stepped down 03/09/2022
Liz Webb (Parent) Term of office: 07/12/2018 – stepped down end of current term 06/12/2022
NAME OF GOVERNOR /ASSOCIATE GOVERNOR |
BUSINESS INTEREST |
Andy Warren |
Deputy Curriculum Leader, English at Priory School |
Jon Curtis-Brignell |
Headteacher Priory School Trustee and Director of Lewes Co-operative Learning Partnership (LCLP) |
Gaydree Wrigley |
School Business Manager at Meridian Community Primary School in Peacehaven |
Hannah Clay |
Employee of Sussex Community Foundation as their Head of Grant Programmes. I am related to a student in year 8 and 10 |
John Griffiths |
Director of Maunsell 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) |
Peter Colebourn |
Part time guide/room steward at Firle Place, Firle, Lewes. |
Laura Overton |
Speech and Language Therapist Parent of a child in year 8 |
Sarah Hinks |
Careers and Skills Lead at Cultureshift. Member of the ESCG Lewes Board Vice Chair Now Charity Group |
Sarah Roberts |
Teaching 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 |
Julia Blake-Madigan |
Run my own property business. I am related to a student in year 7 and year 9. I am a Cricket coach at Glynde Cricket Club. Lewes Hockey Welfare Officer and Hockey Coach at Southdown Sport Club I am also a cricket coach at the Lewes Priory Cricket Club. |
Noah Curthoys |
Director/Owner, Northshott (research/insight consultancy) Director/Owner, Bridgenor (communications consultancy) Non-Executive Member (Associate), NHS North-East London (from 07/22). Council Member, Democratic Society (non-executive Belgian NGO) Spouse works for Medical Justice (UK human rights charity) Parent of child in Year 8 |
Ben Motley |
Radio Producer for the BBC I am related to a student in Year 9 and Year 10 Ben’s Partner is a Co-opted Governor at Patcham School |
Rebecca Pearson |
Employed full time - Natural England (Under Defra) I am related to a student in Year 7 & 8 |
Nikkan Woodhouse |
Director of small art business - Making the Message Director and Company Secretary of brand consulting business (family run) Lead volunteer for Dignity in Dying – Brighton and Lewes Parent of a child in Year 9 and 11. |
GOVERNORS’ ATTENDANCE AT THE MAIN GOVERNOR MEETINGS FOR 2021-22
Governor’s Name |
Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2021-22 |
Attendance at Strategic Organisation (finance) Committee Meetings 2021/22 |
Attendance at Teaching & Learning Committee Meetings 2021/22 |
Arif Said-McCullough* |
4/7* |
N/A |
3/6* |
Andy Warren** |
1/7 |
N/A |
1/6 |
Ben Motley** |
1/7 |
N/A |
0/6 |
David Conway* |
2/7* |
2/5* |
N/A |
Gaydree Wrigley |
6/7 |
5/5 |
N/A |
Graham Arr-Jones |
5/7 |
N/A |
3/6 |
Hannah Clay** |
2/7 |
N/A |
1/6 |
Jim Endersby* |
5/7* |
N/A |
0/6* |
John Griffiths |
7/7 |
3/5 |
5/6 |
Julia Blake-Madigan |
7/7 |
4/5 |
3/6 |
Governors marked * left part way through the school year
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 :
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 29 years. I have been working at Priory for nearly 11 years now as a science technician and been a Governor for nearly 7 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.
Peter Colebourn
(Chair of Governing Body , Co-opted) Term of office : 05/09/2018 - 04/09/2022
Attends both the Strategic Organisation and Teaching and Learning Committees in role as Chair of Governors.
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.
John Griffiths
(Joint Vice Chair, Trust/Foundation) Term of office : 05/09/2022 - 04/09/2026 Likes to attend both the Strategic Organisation and Teaching and Learning committees in role as Joint Vice Chair of Governors.
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.
Sarah Hinks
(Foundation/Trust)
Term of Office 06/09/2022 – 05/09/2026
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.
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.
Gaydree Wrigley
(Co-opted) Term of office : 05/09/2022 - 04/09/2026
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.
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 over a decade and has been a speechwriter, researcher and health commissioner. He has worked in healthcare (the NHS), government (HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and the competition regulator), in the NGO sector (Democratic Society) and in finance (Morgan Stanley). A graduate of LSE and UCL, Noah is particularly interested in how schools can improve understanding of neurodiversity and the ways in which we can teach cutting-edge social and technological issues.
Julia Blake Madigan
Parent) Term of office : 22 Jan 2021 - 21 Jan 2025
Julia has two children at the school.
Likes to attend both the Strategic Organisation and Teaching and Learning committees.
She is the link governor for Attainment and Progress, PE and Dance and Joint Safeguarding Link Governor and on the Strategic Organisation Committee.
I have been a Priory governor for nearly two years, and I have two children in years 7 and 9. I’ve one more daughter who will be attending in two years! I started Priory during the Covid pandemic and so it was difficult to get a real feel for the school as a whole. To try and remedy this I volunteered to be on the governor’s panel to find a new head teacher. It has been a real learning curve for me but I am happy to give my time, if not too much expertise, to help the school.
There have been a lot of changes for the school and I’d like to help Priory be the best school it can be, and will 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. I also am a Cricket coach at Glynde Cricket club.
Andy Warren
(Staff) Term of office : 21/03/2022 - 20/03/2026:
On Teaching and Learning Committee.
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.
Hannah Clay
(Parent Governor) Term of office: 25/04/2022- 24/04/2026
Attends both the Strategic Organisation and Teaching and Learning Committees where possible currently as a new Governor
Hannah has two children in years 7 and 9. She is the link governor for Equality and Diversity.
I have worked in the charity sector since 2002 and have a background in grant-making and project management. I currently work for the local grant making charity, Sussex Community Foundation as their Head of Grant Programmes. Before moving to Lewes from London in 2017, I spent much of my career working for a large environmental charity, Groundwork. I am originally from the Peak District and a proud Northerner!
I am passionate about the voluntary sector and the positive role people have in shaping their local environments. I hope to contribute to helping Priory school be a more equitable and inclusive learning environment and above all a kind place to be!
hannahc@priory.e-sussex.sch.uk
Ben Motley
(Parent) Term of office: 26/04/2022 - 25/04/2026
Attends both the Strategic Organisation and Teaching and Learning Committees where possible currently as a new Governor.
I was a Priory student myself and I now have two children in years 8 and 9.
I have worked for the BBC for the past 20 years, producing award-winning audio content. I’ve spent the last few years working on strategies to grow the BBC World Service audience, and I currently make programmes that bring science to life.
Having returned to Lewes in 2020 I’m thrilled to have been given this opportunity to be involved in the school community. I hope that I can help the school to continue encouraging students to achieve their best into the future.
Jon Curtis-Brignell
(Headteacher) Term of office: 1 September 2022 -
Attends both the Strategic Organisation and Teaching and Learning Committees as the Headteacher.
I grew up in Sussex before graduating from the University of Southampton with a First Class Honours degree in English and Philosophy and a Masters in Literature, Culture and Modernity achieved with Distinction. Desiring a career-path which would enable me to utilise my academic credentials as well as making a positive contribution to social justice, I trained as teacher at Canterbury Christ Church University, before securing a job teaching English and Philosophy at Thomas Tallis School in Greenwich, South East London, where I remained a fixture for 17 years. Whilst at Tallis, I steadily moved through the ranks, taking on a number of positions over the years, including Head of English, Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and ultimately Head of School. As a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, former Research & Development Lead for the Royal Greenwich Teaching School Alliance, former ASCL Local Representative for Greenwich and a speaker at various national conferences, I am a high-profile, collaborative professional within the wider educational landscape. I am fully committed to the comprehensive educational ideal, believing that the community comprehensive school is the best tool we have for enabling all young people to acquire powerful knowledge and make sense of the world around them; an entitlement which should not be limited on grounds of assumed ability or motivation, ethnicity, class or gender.
Moving back to Sussex with my wife and three young children, my vision is for Priory to be the leading inclusive and creative state secondary school in the region, a school in which all students will acquire powerful knowledge, feel a strong sense of social connection and belonging, and become ethically-aware citizens who are ready to confidently take their place in the world.
Rebecca Pearson
(Co-opted) Term of office: 06/09/2022 - 05/09/2026
Attends both the Strategic Organisation and Teaching and Learning Committees where possible currently as a new Governor.
I have lived in Lewes for over 20 years and all my children have attended Priory school. I studied Zoology and Environmental Science and since graduating have always worked in the environmental sector.
I am currently Principle Advisor for Sustainable Development for Natural England and provide advice on the environmental impacts of major Plans and Projects. I work with various statutory bodies including Defra, Local Planning Authorities and consultants.
I am passionate about the environment and ensuring that nature recovery is at the forefront of decision making so future generations can enjoy the natural world. I hope that I can bring my experience into my Governor role, helping Priory's young people’s voice in response to the climate emergency.
Laura Overton
Laura Overton(Associate) Term of office: 06/09/2022 - 05/09/2026
The Full Governing Body have looked at various advice including the Governance handbook and The School Governance regulations 2013 and have agreed the following in terms of voting rights for our Associate members: Our Associate members can chair committees and vote in committee meetings if they are over eighteen. But they can’t cast deciding votes in a committee if the vote is evenly split. They can attend full governing body meetings but can’t vote.
I graduated as a Speech and Language Therapist in 1999 and have always worked within paediatrics. Over time I specialised in working with children with additional needs and children on the Autism Spectrum. I have worked in many different settings, including the wonderful experience of living and working in Singapore. I am currently working in West Sussex within the pre-school population. I have two children. My eldest child already attends Priory and my youngest will be joining soon. I look forward to being a Governor and being part of the support system behind the staff and pupils.
NIkkan Woodhouse
Nikkan Woodhouse (Parent) Term of Office: 14/03/23 - 13/03/27
Nikkan has two children in years 8 and 11, and a year 5 child who will attend Priory in due course. She has previously been a governor of a primary school and a trustee of a Special Needs school.
Nikkan has a special interest in the Creative Arts and will be supporting Priory to ensure that there is access to the Arts at all levels. She believes that creativity can make a proven positive difference to the wellbeing of young people and provides a vehicle for learning a wide range of essential life skills.
“I hope I can use my experience to support the school in its aim to give students a broad and exciting curriculum; preparing pupils to meet the challenges of the future. The school is such a big part of the Lewes community, and a formative part of many of its citizens lives, so worth investing in and supporting in any way we can"
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