Sulhamstead & Ufton Nervet CE (VA) Primary School

Our Governors

Sulhamstead and Ufton Nervet Primary School is overseen by a governing board made up of parents, staff, and representatives from the Diocese and local area. Each governor is appointed for a term of four years, and serves in the full governing board. There is also a Finance Committee, with specific oversight over the school's budget and finances.

Our governing board has three core functions, as laid out in the Maintained Schools Governance Guide.

To ensure; 

  • that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined
  • that the headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school
  • the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources.

The full governing board and Finance Committee meet formally around once a month, and work closely with the school throughout the year. Other smaller working parties are created as and when they are needed. 

Full Governing Board

Chair of Governors: Steve Martin

Vice Chair of Governors: Rachel Jeffcoat

Membership: Tom Farmer, John Paton, Neil Pursell, Phillippa Heath, Karen Clack, Vicki Wade

Clerk: Julie Wood

The Finance Committee oversees the financial performance of the school, including its yearly budget, necessary improvements, and the condition and use of the school’s resources.

Chair: Tom Farmer

Vice Chair: Vacant

Membership: Steve Martin

Clerk: Julie Wood

Melissa Kennedy also attends each committee meeting as Headteacher.

SUN Governors (ID 1091)

  • Steve Martin
    Chair of Governors

    Steve Martin

    Foundation Diocesan Board of Education Appointed

    Steve holds the role of Chair of Governors at SUN. Having been a Governor for 5 years, Steve has seen both his boys move through the school from reception to Yr6, thoroughly enjoying their journey at SUN and the friendships and attributes they have built along the way. Our school is a fantastic place for young people to learn in a safe and nurturing culture, and Steve is massively proud to play a part in its continued success.

    Responsibilities: Finance Committee, Pupil Premium, SEN.

    Curriculum areas: Mathematics & Science

  • Mrs Rachel Jeffcoat
    Vice Chair of Governors

    Mrs Rachel Jeffcoat

    Foundation Parochial Church Council Appointed:

    Rachel is a Foundation Governor, first appointed in 2019, and serves as Vice-Chair of the Governing Board and Safeguarding Governor. Her three children have all attended SUN, so she has been involved with the school for ten years (and counting!). Rachel works as a poet and an education leader at a local charity, and in her spare time loves to read, play the piano, and jog very slowly in the woods.

    Responsibilities: Safeguarding, SEND

    Curriculum areas:English, Phonics, PSHE

  • Mr Tom Farmer
    Parent Governor

    Mr Tom Farmer

    Tom Farmer has been a parent governor since March 2023, and is currently Chair of the Finance Committee and Health & Safety Governor. A Chartered Engineer with over 20 years' experience in infrastructure projects, corporate finance and programme leadership; Tom is recognised for creating organisational efficiency and sustainability. He volunteers in Scouting locally and nationally, and enjoys sustaining heritage woodworking and blacksmithing skills in his free time.

    Responsibilities: Finance Committee Chair, Health & Safety, Premises

    Curriculum areas: Art, Design & Technology, Music

  • Miss Melissa Kennedy
    Headteacher (Ex-Officio)

    Miss Melissa Kennedy

    Responsibilities: Headteacher, DSL, PPG, Mathematics, PSHE, Collective Worship, Religious Education, Art, Design & Technology, Music Co-ordinator.

  • Mr Neil Pursell
    Foundation Trustee

    Mr Neil Pursell

    Responsibilities: EYFS

    Curriculum areas:Computing, Physical Education

  • Mrs Karen Clack
    Foundation Governor

    Mrs Karen Clack

    Responsibilities:

    Curriculum Areas: Geography

    I have a daughter at the school and a son who hopefully will join soon. I work part time in project management for a water consultancy company that collects data from all aspects of the water cycle. I am a foundation governor for Geography in the school, and really enjoy the involvement with the school community.

  • Mrs Phillippa Heath
    Foundation Governor

    Mrs Phillippa Heath

    Phillippa Heath is a Parent Governor with over twenty years working experience in museum and gallery education. She is passionate about bringing the past to life and making history accessible and inclusive, in particular for those who experience the greatest barriers to participation. In her current role as Head of Learning and Engagement at The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL) at the University of Reading, she oversees the schools learning and community engagement programmes welcoming over 10,000 participants annually to the museum to discover, create, enjoy and be inspired.

    Responsibilities:

    Curriculum areas: History, Modern Foreign Languages

  • Mrs Vicki Wade
    Staff Governor

    Mrs Vicki Wade

    Responsibilities: Phonics, Science, PE Co-ordinator

  • Rev'd Canon John Paton
    Foundation (Ex-Officio) Governor

    Rev'd Canon John Paton

    Responsibilities:Pastoral

    Curriculum areas: Collective Worship, Religious Education

  • Mrs Julie Wood
    Clerk to Governors

    Mrs Julie Wood

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