Governors
The school Governing Body have responsibility for raising school standards through their three key roles of setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability and acting a critical friend.
The Governing Body work together as a corporate body. Governors do not have any powers as individuals except where the whole governing body has delegated a specific function to that individual, or where regulations specify that a function is to be exercised in a particular way. The governing body exercises its authority collectively.
Governors play an important part in overseeing the running of Albourne CE School in the interests of the community it serves.
It is only the full Governing Body which has legal duties and powers. All governors share in that corporate responsibility.
The day-to-day management of the school is the responsibility of the Head teacher and staff. The values and vision for leading the school are shared between the Governing Body, Head teacher and senior leadership team.
Governors govern rather than manage. They are there to give direction and focus by performing a vital strategic role. However, we are very lucky to have a very active team of governors who also become involved in school life through helping in school and going on school visits. Through this they get to know the school well, its needs and the workings of daily life at school.
Matthew Cutress –Chair of Governors
I have been on the Governing body for the last 16 years. All three of my children attended Albourne School and I felt that becoming a governor gave me an opportunity to give something back to the school.
In my role I lead the governing body and ensure that we hold the school to account. I meet with the Head regularly on a one to one basis ensuring that I am kept informed of all important school issues and developments.
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As part of my Governors responsibilities, I sit on all sub-committees and I am also the governor responsible for English and meet with the Subject leader twice a term.
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Our priorities as governors which I oversee are:
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Support staff and pupils to develop and to achieve the school action plan
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Support the school leadership priorities for the year ahead
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Help develop plans that answer current challenges and opportunities within the school.
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I am retired from jointly running my family business for the last 35 years and am working with Sussex County Cricket Club as a level two cricket coach.
Andy Richardson- LEA Governor/ Chair of Quality and Standards
I have been on the Governing body for 6 years as a Local Authority Governor. I have two children who have both moved on from Albourne.
I am the chair of the Quality and Standards committee and the governor responsible for Safeguarding as my background is in the police force. I also attend data reviews to ensure the governing body has a good understanding of how well children are achieving at Albourne, so that we can challenge and support the school in improving the outcomes for all children.
Stuart Harper-Co-opted
As a previous parent governor I have taken an active role in assisting the school covering areas of my expertise including the school premises, health and safety and accounting. All of my 3 children have attended Albourne School, with my youngest child now in Year 6. I have been co-opted onto the governing body for a third term of office.
Due to the hard work, diligence and expertise of the teachers and support staff my role as a Governor has been enjoyable and rewarding and I have received support and training from both the school and the local authority.
As a business director, surveyor and contractor I have forged an excellent working relationship with the schools business manager helping to oversee improvements to the schools facilities to provide a welcoming, safe and inspiring environment.
In my time as a Governor there have been many changes and improvements that have benefited the pupils education, wellbeing and local community. It has been a pleasure to serve in such a rewarding cohort and look forward to continuing into the future.
Ian McInnes- Parent governor
I have been part of the governing body for 4 years. I have one child in Year 5 – my daughter has now moved on from Albourne. When work commitments allow, I am actively involved in supporting the school – I have been on many school trips and I enjoy supporting children with their reading. I sit on the resources and quality and standards committees as well as attending the full governing body meetings.
Peter Griffiths- Foundation governor
I have been on the governing body for 4 years. I have previous experience of the role of school governing, which I bring to my role at Albourne. I am also a county councillor, so have a good understanding of local needs.
I sit on the Quality and standards committee in addition to attending full governing body meetings.
I was appointed by the ASCAT Parish in December 2017, live in Albourne and have 3 children who all went to the school. As a result I look forward to contributing to its success and supporting development of its Christian principles.
My career has been in Finance and Business Management in both the Public and Private sectors and so expect to focus on Governance and as part of the Resources Committee. I am also involved in many of the local groups and so hope to help extend the school's Community links.
I joined the governing body in January 2018 as a Foundation Governor, appointed by the Diocese of Chichester. I live in the area, go to a Church of England church and have previous experience as a school governor.
I am an Educational Consultant and Executive Coach, and a former Headteacher. With my educational background and as a Foundation Governor, my contribution as part of the Quality and Standards Committee and FGB is to support the Christian distinctiveness and effectiveness of the school as a Church school.
I joined the Governing body in January 2018 as parent governor. I have three children, two girls who are currently in Years 2 and 3 at Albourne, and one boy who will start in Reception in September this year. I have joined the Governing body to support the school and to assist with the already strong links which exist between the school and the parents.
I am a qualified solicitor and specialise in family law. I hope that my legal background and experience will assist me with this role. I currently sit on the Quality and Standards committee, as well as joining full governor meetings.
Sarah Corney
I joined the Governing Board in Autumn 18 as parent governor. I have two children at Albourne and I am keen to play an active role in supporting the school to meet its aims and values. I am a Chartered Financial Planner and wish to use my background in business and finance to assist me in my role on the full board and Resources committee. In my spare time, I am the Junior Coordinator and Welfare Officer of Burgess Hill Hockey Club and for many reasons believe strongly that children should be given the opportunity to participate in sports.