I am Executive Headteacher of the Sussex Spires Federation schools (Herstmonceux C of E Primary School and All Saints’ and St Richard’s C of E Primary School) and we are currently partnered with St Mark’s CE Primary School.  I am responsible for overall leadership including the strategic decisions and processes across the schools whilst the Heads of School deal with the day to day management and leadership.

The Federation/Partnership enables leaders to work together in a way often not possible across schools which enables a synergy of leadership experience and expertise; it also provides opportunities for teachers and children which would not be possible in individual small schools. Our aim as a federation is to work together whilst retaining the individuality of each school.

It is a joy to work with the children at all our schools, they make me smile every day, and working with children there is always something new to learn. I have been a governor in a range of schools as well as the federation and so fully appreciate the commitment and hard work that governors put in to their role.  Governors from different backgrounds and different experiences enrich the leadership of our schools.

My priority is always to do my best to enable all in our school communities to be they very best they can be. I am completely committed to the children in our care and love seeing them learn and flourish during their time with us.  They are the reason I do my job and they are at the heart of everything I do.  Sometimes as Executive Headteacher I face difficult decisions, but if I’m ever in any doubt, I simply ask myself, “What is best for the children?”

I have had a career in education as a teacher of English in a secondary modern school, a comprehensive, sixth form college and the Open University. After moving from full time teaching I had middle management roles in adult education and the WEA .

On retirement I moved down to Sussex and became acquainted with Herstmonceux Primary school as my grand daughters attended the school. I have twelve years' experience of governing, first as chair at Parkland School in Eastbourne and for the last seven years with Sussex Federation.

I sit on the Church of England's General Synod (nine years) and take an active role in my local church. I enjoy all the arts ( music, reading and art) and love walking on the Downs.

I have extensive experience of the UK Financial Services industry. Until 2001 I worked in the Retail Banking arm of Lloyds Bank Plc, contributing to and leading several change and operational initiatives at both strategic and local level. I then joined Lloyds TSB Registrars (now known as Equiniti) where I led and contributed to large change initiatives. Latterly, I worked for A J Bell Limited and was responsible for managing the company’s Tunbridge Wells Change Team, whilst continuing to manage and deliver my own suite of projects.

Now retired, I enjoy walking, watching rugby, natural history, reading, listening to music, travelling, and socialising with family and friends. As a Foundation Governor, I am part of the Ethos Group, and I also have specific responsibility for finance.

I have been a Governor since 2016, for Herstmonceux School and then for Sussex Spires Federation since 2019.   I am the Safeguarding Lead Governor and Training Link Governor.   I was a parish councillor, acting as Vice Chair and Chair during the 8 years served up to 2023, in the roles of Highways, Planning and The Neighbourhood Plan.

I have a background in Office Management, Secretarial support in many departments for Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, HR, Accounts, Purchasing and Sales and Marketing.  When not involved with Sussex Spires Federation, I enjoy working with copper, silver and gold, needlecrafts, watercolour painting, sailing with friends and travelling in our camper whenever the opportunity arises.   I have 2 sons and 2 grand-daughters. 

I have been teaching for 18 years, predominantly in West Sussex before moving to East Sussex in 2021 and joining the fantastic team at Herstmonceux, initially as Deputy Head before becoming Head of School the following year. I take an enormous amount of pride in the positive ethos and atmosphere we have created at Herstmonceux and love knowing that every day when I come to work, something will make me laugh and put a smile on my face.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing and watching football (and trying to cajole one of my daughters to start playing!) and spending time with my family.

I joined ASSR in September 2024 after being a Head of School at a Primary School in Crowborough. I have also previously been a Deputy Head of a small village Church of England Primary School and prior to this lived and worked as a teacher in Hampshire. I enjoy the environment of small schools and am delighted to be Head of School at ASSR. I am originally from Southampton, and unfortunately support Southampton Football Club! I enjoy gardening, getting outdoors, walking my dog, reading and spending time with my family.   

Being a Foundation Governor for Sussex Spires Federation feels like coming home. I was a pupil at Old Heathfield Primary School, which later became ASSR.  My boys attended ASSR and some years later I was employed as a TA/Reception Year Practitioner.  Having had a long association with ASSR, I am looking forward to forging the same connections with all schools in the Sussex Spires Federation.  

I have over 25 years’ experience within the Education sector having a BA (Hons) in Professional Educational Studies. I have worked across all age ranges from Nursery to Post 16. For the last 10 years, I had my own training company specialising in Residential Child and Adult Care.  

For me, it is important that children receive effective teaching meeting their individual needs. With appropriate planning and teaching, effective learning takes place. This allows children to flourish and have a sense of belonging within a safe, secure and caring environment. 

I am a Christian and a member of Heathfield Benefice Mothers’ Union. As a Foundation Governor, I am part of the Ethos Group and I continue to develop the links between school and the churches in Heathfield Benefice, through my association with Mothers’ Union. In my role as Foundation Governor, it is important to ensure all Christian values are being met.

Having visited The Gambia many times, I have close connections with nursery schools and medical facilities. I have also had the pleasure of training Early Years practitioners in Gambia on a range of subjects including class behaviour management, effective communication, and the importance of play and observation.  

In my spare time, I enjoy a range of creative activities but especially quilting, sewing, scrapbooking and card making. 

I am a foundation governor. As a member of Herstmonceux Free Church, I have had the pleasure of leading church assemblies at Herstmonceux C of E for some years. I have really enjoyed getting to know the children and teachers in this setting, and have been impressed by the ethos of the school, and the way they value their pupils as whole persons. As a foundation governor, I hope to support both schools in the Federation in maintaining and developing this child sensitive ethos in line with our Christian values. I am originally from South Wales, but have lived in Herstmonceux for 10 years and am really thankful for this lovely community. I have experience in charity volunteer work in Romania and with the homeless in Eastbourne. I am a partner in our family farm, and have two children, both of whom attend Herstmonceux C of E. 

I am a full time parent to two young children, one at All Saints' and St Richards, and the other not yet in school, and we have lived in East Sussex for three years. Before having my eldest child, I worked as a Learning Support Assistant to children with additional needs in a mainstream junior school. Prior to that, I was a research assistant at Leicester University in the Institute of Child Health, researching child mental health with a focus on child centred practice. I have a degree and Masters in Psychology and Psychological Research Methods, and a PhD specialising in doctor-patient communication in child and adolescent mental health services. I am passionate about child development, using the outside in children's learning, the value of play, and the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. I also have an interest in home and alternative education, and flexischooling. I volunteer at ASSR with reading and at forest school and love spending time with the children - I always leave smiling! I am a Christian and regularly attend Christ Church in Horam, and have also held the position of safeguarding officer at our previous church in Warwickshire. I hope to put some of the knowledge I have gathered over the years into my role as parent governor and help the federation to continue to provide a safe space where our children can thrive and flourish.

My wife and I have 5 children, three of whom attend Herstmonceux CofE Primary School.  I have worked with children and young people in many different capacities but most recently have been working as a trainer / assessor supporting teams working in residential childcare developing safeguarding, behaviour management, first-aid and risk assessment with the staff. Since moving to Herstmonceux in 2019 we have been thrilled to have found such a fantastic community for us and our children to be a part of. Being a parent governor is one way I hope to enhance village life for children in the local schools, but I also enjoy helping coach at Herstmonceux cricket club in the juniors’ section now that my son has started playing. Aside from work and sports, I enjoy being outside and, having grown-up on a dairy farm, have been working on transforming our back garden into my own miniature smallholding with the addition of a vegetable garden, chicken coop and rabbits, though I am told that I am not allowed any more livestock! It is my firm belief that children should have every opportunity to be the best version of themselves and that we as parents, teachers and adults in their lives should model empathy, care and curiosity for them whenever we are given the privilege.

Mark Atkinson is a Co-opted Governor and Co-Chair. A retired Business Consultant, Mark has lived in the Heathfield area most of his life. His children attended Broad Oak Primary School (where he was Chair of Governors) and then Heathfield Community College, so Mark has close ties to the local community. Mark has a keen interest in supporting local causes and has volunteered for several charities: Age UK, Age Concern and The Citizens Advice Bureau.  Mark now hopes to bring his support and experience to the Sussex Spires Federated schools to assist them in delivering excellence and fun in education. 

I have been a governor with the federation for more than 4 years now because I am passionate about making a difference to my community and strengthening links between the schools and our families.  Since 2017 I have been an active member of FoHS and Parent Think Tanks, which I thoroughly enjoy being part of.  It is my belief that we are very lucky to have such wonderful village schools joining together in a federation to support one another and I look forward to the collaborations that take place between them; enabling us to enrich the learning experiences and opportunities for our children and communities.  As a working parent, primary teacher and former Pre-School Manager, I feel privileged to be on the Sussex Spires Governing Body as I understand the vital role of volunteers within our sector.  I believe we can actively help to connect the families, staff and whole school communities, as we move forward together to achieve the very best for our children.