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Our Governing Body

The Governing Body is the strategic leader of the school. It has a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education, and focuses on three core functions:

•   Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
•   Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff;
•   Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

If you are interested in becoming a school governor, please contact Helen Haskew Clerk to the Governors for more information: helenhaskew@mileoak.brighton-hove.sch.uk

The structure of the Governing Body

Although there may be some vacancies from time to time, Mile Oak's Governing Body consists of:
• 2 elected Parent Governors
•   1 Local Authority Governor
•   1 elected Staff Governor
•   1 Headteacher Staff Governor
• 7 Co-opted Governors
Some work is carried out by committees, which report to the full Governing Body. Each committee is made up of a selection of governors rather than the full group. The committees include:
•   The Teaching and Learning Committee
•   The Business Committee

Rosalind Turner - Chair of Governors

I have been a governor at Mile Oak Primary since September 2017. I was a Director of Portslade Aldridge Community Academy Trust and then Chair of Governors from September 2011 until August 2018.

I was a teacher of secondary age pupils in English and Drama and have worked as Director of Children’s Services (Education and Social Care) in various local authorities. I am committed to working with everyone in the school community to ensure that all children have opportunities to enjoy and achieve their very best.

I live in Shoreham-by-Sea and organise Shoreham Wordfest, an annual autumn festival of books, drama and children’s events. I am also in a retro rock band called OldPlay.
Sarah Jennings - Vice Chair of Governors

I live in Mile Oak and have three children. The youngest is now at PACA and was previously at Mile Oak Primary. I have been a governor at Mile Oak for the last 3 years. I am also a member of the Local Governing Committee at PACA.

After University, I started my career as a secondary school teacher and then worked at a school for children with Special Educational Needs.

I then had a change of career and I now run a digital marketing company that specialises in international growth.

I am passionate about making sure that our community has brilliant schools. I want every child to make the most of their opportunities at school and leave Mile Oak Primary ready to succeed at secondary school and in their lives beyond.

I am the Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee
Helen Gray - Equalities

I have one child at Mile Oak in Year 4, and I have been a parent governor since the beginning of 2018.

I have spent the last sixteen years working in equality, diversity and inclusion roles, first in the civil service and more recently at a university where I have now been working for over twelve years. I also have a background in sport, and as a teenager I was a member of the British diving team.

I am passionate about equality and inclusivity in education, and I believe that every child should have the opportunity to achieve to their full potential regardless of their background or personal characteristics.

I have lived in the Mile Oak area for much of my adult life and I care a great deal about the school and about the educational and social experiences of the children who attend Mile Oak.

This is an exciting time for the school and I am really happy to have the opportunity to be a part of this.

I am a member of the Business Committee.
Susan Wright - SEN

I have been a governor at Mile Oak Primary since 2019. I am a member of the teaching and learning committee and have a special interest in ensuring the right support is available for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

I was a teacher for many years, working with children with a wide range of special needs in both mainstream education and specialist schools.

I am very pleased to be playing a part within the school to ensure all children have the best opportunities to develop to their full potential.
Rita Webb -Staff Governor

I am a Teaching Assistant at Mile Oak. I have worked in all the KS2 classes over the years and for the last three years I have been in Year 6. I love it. It’s hard work but so rewarding.

I am a mother to one son who is at college studying construction.

I spent 10 years in South Africa, in my younger days, teaching pre-school.

Being a school governor is full of exciting opportunities and learning and I am enjoying it immensely. I have been a governor for two years.

I am a member of the teaching and Learning Committee.
Allistare Smedley Vice Chair of the T&L Committee Governor

I have been a governor at Mile Oak primary school since September 2017.

I work for Brighton and Hove City Council in the Access to Education team.

I am also a governor at another primary school in Brighton and have two primary age children.

I am a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee.
Ian Dennis - Co-opted Governor

I am a co-opted governor at Mile Oak Primary school. My daughter left Mile Oak last summer, and I live in the local community.

I work as a Principal Environmental Consultant and am a member of the Business Committee.
Christine Bartley HR Lead Governor

I have 15 years’ experience as a governor of a primary school and was Chair of St Andrew’s C of E primary school in Hove for 8 years.

I am a Local Leader of Governance in Brighton and Hove. I have a background in policy development and am currently Head of Finance in an IT company.

I believe in the importance of schools working together in partnership to bring about school improvement and share best practice.

I am Chair of the Business Committee.
Emer Nicholson - Harris

I joined the governance team at Mile Oak Primary in September 2019 as a member of the Teaching & Learning Committee. I worked as a secondary teacher in Brighton & Hove for 10 years before moving into my current role on the Senior Leadership Team.

I have a breadth of experience in both academic and welfare roles and specialist training in PSHE and safeguarding.

I am excited to work with the team at Mile Oak to ensure every student has equal opportunities to excel.
Helen Haskew Clerk to Governors

I have been the clerk at Mile Oak Primary for two years. I also clerk for another local school.

My role is to support the Governing Body with governance and administration. I work closely with Governor Support at Brighton and Hove Council.

Prior to becoming a Clerk, I worked in administrative roles within the NHS and publishing.

I am a parent of school-aged children and live in Brighton.

Governing Body Structure and Meeting Attendance 2019/2020

Governor	Role	Term of Office	Appointed by	Attendance Record for Meetings in 2019/20
Luke Lording	Headteacher Governor	Permanent	Member by virtue of his office	Attended 7 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 9 out of 9 committee meetings
Emma Gale	Deputy Headteacher Governor	Permanent	Member by virtue of her office	Attended 7 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 9 out of 9 committee meetings
Sarah Jennings (Vice Chair)	Co-opted	December 2018 – December 2022	Governing Body	Attended 7 out o 7 full Governing Body meetings, ad 5 out of 5 committee meetings
Ian Dennis (Vice Chair)	Co-opted Governor	April 2017 - April 2021	Governing Body	Attended 5 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 3 out of 4 committee meetings
Helen Gray	Parent Governor	November 2017 - November 2021	Elected by Parents	Attended 5 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 3 out of 4 committee meetings
Christine Bartley	Co-opted Governor	September 2017 - September 2021	Governing Body	Attended 6 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 4 out of 4 committee meetings
Allistare Smedley	Co-opted Governor	September 2017 - September 2021	Governing Body	Attended 4 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 3 out of 5 committee meetings
Rosalind Turner (Chair)	LA Governor	September 2017 - September 2021	Local Authority	Attended 7 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings.
Rita Webb	Staff Governor	July 2020 – July 2024	Elected by staff	Attended 6 out of 7 full Governing Body meetings, and 4 out of 5 committee meetings

Governor	Role	Resigned	Appointed by
Stephen Berry	Health and Safety Lead Governor	July 2020	Governing Body

Register of Interests

Governor	Interests declared
Sarah Jennings	Joint owner and Director of Spark Media Communications Limited Director and Shareholder of Celsius Productions Limited and Thegreenmarine Limited Minority shareholder of MILKapp Governor on Local Governing Committee at PACA
Allistare Smedley	Governor at St John The Baptist Primary School Governor at St Marks Primary School Local authority Access to Education employee
Rosalind Turner	Programme Director, Shoreham Wordfest CIO Director, Ropetackle Arts Centre

Governor

Interests declared

Sarah Jennings

Joint owner and Director of Spark Media Communications Limited

Director and Shareholder of Celsius Productions Limited and Thegreenmarine Limited

Minority shareholder of MILKapp

Governor on Local Governing Committee at PACA

Allistare Smedley

Governor at St John The Baptist Primary School

Governor at St Marks Primary School

Local authority Access to Education employee

Rosalind Turner

Programme Director, Shoreham Wordfest CIO

Director, Ropetackle Arts Centre

Christine Bartley

Governor at St Marks Primary School

Trustee at Bishop Otter Academy Trust

Helen Gray

Parent of child at the school

Employee at University of Brighton

Husband is a Director at Brite Blinds (local blinds business)

All other governors declared that they have no relevant interests

Governing Body Structure and Meeting Attendance 2018/2019

Governor	Role	Term of Office	Appointed by	Attendance Record for Meetings in 2018/19
Luke Lording	Headteacher Governor	Permanent	Member by virtue of his office	Attended 1 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 1 out of 4 committee meetings
Sarah Jennings (Chair)	Parent Governor	July 2015 - July 2019	Elected by parents	Attended 4 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings
Ian Dennis (Vice Chair)	Co-opted Governor	April 2017 - April 2021	Governing Body	Attended 4 out of 4 Full Governing Body Meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings
Helen Gray	Parent Governor	November 2017 - November 2021	Elected by Parents	Attended 1 out of 4 Full Governing Body Meetings - not a governor at time of meetings
Christine Bartley	Co-opted Governor	September 2017 - September 2021	Governing Body	Attended 3 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings
Stephen Berry	Co-opted Governor	September 2017 - September 2021	Governing Body	Attended 4 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings
Allistare Smedley	Co-opted Governor	September 2017 - September 2021	Governing Body	Attended 3 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings
Rosalind Turner	LA Governor	September 2017 - September 2021	Local Authority	Attended 4 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings
Rita Webb	Staff Governor	May 2016 - May 2020	Elected by staff	Attended 4 out of 4 full governing body meetings, and 2 out of 2 committee meetings
Anne Bergin	Co-opted Governor	July 2015 - July 2019	Governing Body	Attended 0 out of 4 full Governing Body meetings - due to long term illness

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