Goldstone Primary School

I joined the governing body in December 2014  as a parent governor.  I currently sit on both the Finance and Premises Committees and am the governor assigned to the ICT curriculum area.

I trained to be a primary school teacher but have spent the majority of my career as a civil servant based in government departments in Westminster.  I worked at the Department for Education in many roles, including Communications Adviser for Minsters/Directors and as Head of Communications for Sure Start and Children's Centres.  I am currently Head of Digital Capability at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and have a passion for open policy making.

Although I have left the teaching profession and DfE, I love the world of education and want to help shape the school environment so all our children can thrive.  I am also currently chair of the PTA (FrOGS).

I have worked in education for the past 45 years, in a variety of roles in secondary schools. The last 15 years as a deputy head and chair of various cross Brighton and Hove education groups.

I have worked as a governor in a wide variety of school for over 30 years.

I have worked closely with Goldstone since I was a parent governor in the 90’s and watched with pleasure it’s growth into the dynamic learning community it is today. My experience and philosophy constantly shows me the need that the “whole Child”, is educated to ensure that the individual is able to reach their full potential, emotionally and educationally. I feel very privileged to work and support the community of students, parents and staff at Goldstone.

I am a co-opted governor. I currently work at Brighton and Hove City Council as an Early Years Consultant and have a particular interest in early years education. I was previously a primary teacher in Brighton and London. I have a Professional Doctorate in Education.

I have been a parent governor at Goldstone since October 2012, and now have two children at the school. Initially I wanted to join the governing body as I have a background in charity and public sector finance and thought my experience could be useful to the school budget and the finance committee, as well as getting my teeth into the school data. I am also the link governor for safeguarding which marries well with my part-time employment at local children’s safeguarding charity ‘Safety Net’, where I am part of the senior management team. To be part of Goldstone is such an inspiration, and the more I learn about the school the more I believe it is a great place for children to be.

I am a Barrister and also teach law to undergraduate students and have been involved with Goldstone since my oldest child joined reception in 2011.  I now have two children at the school and was elected as a parent governor in 2014.  I have really enjoyed being part of the Governing Body and have valued the opportunity to help our lovely school become even better. 

I became a parent governor in September 2016, and currently sit on the Human Resources and Finance committee as well as taking a governor lead this year on Personal Social & Health Education (PSHE), English as an Additional Language (EAL), Physical Education and the Pupil Voice.

I work for a local charity, the Hangleton & Knoll Project, enabling people to improve their skills, confidence and to take steps towards employment. I have spent the past 20 years working in Brighton & Hove as a youth worker, community development worker and, prior to having my children, as chief executive officer for the Hangleton & Knoll Project. I have worked in both primary and secondary schools delivering pshe, anti bullying and transition work, and am currently Chairperson at Funland Preschool.

I feel incredibly privileged to be working at a strategic level at Goldstone Primary, helping to develop and shape its future, and provide the very best environment for our children to learn and grow.

A parent governor since April 2016, I sit on the Premises Committee and am assigned to the curriculum area of English (Writing) and Continual Professional Development (CPD).

My career has been entirely based in post-compulsory education, where I have continually been involved in making education accessible. After teaching literacy and ESOL in Further Education, I moved into Higher Education, working first on widening participation, before becoming an academic. I am currently Senior Lecturer and Programme Director at Goldsmiths, University of London, where I direct distance-learning provision in English, as well as teach and research American literature and modern poetry.

I am committed to inclusive practice and enjoy the challenge and the detail of strategic work. Being a governor offers an opportunity to put such interests and professional experience to use in helping the school excel in its aim to be a safe, happy and positive place for all.

I have been the Premises Manager at Goldstone for nearly 7 years since joining the school in 2010. 

I sat on the Governing body as a staff Governor at Aldrington CofE Primary School for a few months before leaving to join Goldstone, so when the chance arose again to be more involved in school life, I jumped at it.

I do think that having someone of a more practical nature actually adds to the dynamic of the Governing body and I feel over time I will have a lot to offer.

It has been a pleasure to work at Goldstone for the last 7 years.  I started as a TA in Mr Sheehan’s year 3 class before returning to complete my PGCE at Brighton University.  I was fortunate enough to be given a maternity contract soon after, to work in year one.  I have also worked in year two and am currently the head of year four.  My passion is maths and, in conjunction with Mr Pearson, I am in charge of the vision and ethos of numeracy in the school.  Outside of work, I like to follow my local football team, Worthing FC, and devote the rest of my time to looking after my one-year-old son.  My role on the governing body is to represent the opinions of the staff and ensure the voice of the wider population is heard.