Governors | St Philip's Catholic Primary School

St Philip's Catholic Primary School
High Street, New Town
Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 5DJ

Tel: 01825 762032 / Fax: 01825 748706
Email: office@stphilips.e-sussex.sch.uk

Roles and responsibilities

St. Philip’s Governors are a dedicated team who share a real commitment and interest in the life and work of the school.

The Governors meet as a full governing body at least three times a year, make decisions collectively and conduct detailed business through a series of committees.

The school Governors act as a corporate body and follow strict protocols for governance. Their role is a strategic one, with the day-to-day management of the school the responsibility of the Headteacher.

The Governors operate under a legal framework and their core functions are:

a. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;

b. Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils;

c. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

In addition to these duties, as a voluntary aided state school, St Philip’s Governors are responsible for Admissions; are the formal employer for staff; and are required to ensure sufficient funds are available to meet our statutory contribution of 10% towards all building works and IT costs.

Profiles of St Philip’s current Governors are set out below.

FOUNDATION GOVERNORS (appointed by the Bishop to represent the Church) Term of office four years

Ms Penelope Heath (Chair of Governors)

Penny joined the Governing Body in May 2016. She chairs the Governors’ Teaching and Learning Committee which deals with the school’s quality of provision, standards of teaching and pupil achievement. Penny has an honours degree in Neurobiology, and has a special interest in mental health and wellbeing. She has had an association with St Philip's since 2006, with both of her daughters having attended school here. Penny has over 30 years’ customer service and safety experience working worldwide for a leading airline corporation.

Ms Jennifer Anthony (Chair of Finance)

Jennifer became a foundation governor at St Philip's in April 2016. She has two young sons both who attend St Philip's. She is a Therapy Radiographer by profession, initially working clinically for 13 years and in the last 12 years has worked as a Clinical Manager for a global Oncology product design and manufacturing company. She is experienced in people management, product performance and customer needs as well as having a clinical background.

Mrs Veronica Jones

Veronica joined the governing board in October 2016. She is a parishioner at St John the Evangelist, Herons Ghyll where she is a reader and a part of the welcoming team and singing group. Veronica has over 35 years' teaching experience in both secondary and primary education in the UK and overseas. She has also worked outside teaching gaining useful experience in the commercial world. Veronica lived in Malawi, Africa for 3 years wiht her husband and small son, teaching in a local international primary school.

Mr Brendan Clegg (Vice Chair)

Brendan Clegg became a foundation governor at St Philip's in August 2018. He worked for the Ordnance Survey as a surveyor before setting up a property restoration and investment business. As a parishioner of St John's, Herons Ghyll, Brendan has taken on the improvement and maintenance of this grade two listed church. He is interested in how local government serves the community and has stood many times in county and district elections.

Mr Michael Evans (Foundation)

Michael’s son attends St Philip’s and his daughter is now at St Pauls and they are all parishioners at St Philip’s. Michael is a Chartered Accountant by profession and works as a professional adviser in commercial property. He has previous experience as Chair of a charity supporting people with a rare neurological disease. He has also been active in his local community as the chair of a group to try and save a local pub. He hopes that some of this experience can be helpful in his role as Governor following his appointment in September 2021.

Mrs Debbie Rowland (Co-Opted Governor)

Debbie was elected to the governing body in October 2015 and is now on her second term. She has two children who attend St Philip's and an older child at Uckfield College. Debbie has been in teaching for the last 13 years and brings a broad range of educational and leadership experience to the governing body. For the last four years she has focused on Special Needs and Inclusion and is the current Inclusion Leader at a local primary school.

PARENT GOVERNORS (elected by the parent body) Term of office three years

Mr Stephen Green

Stephen is a parent governor and has has two daughter at St Philip's in year 3 and reception. He has 20 years experience in the retail side of financial services and specialises in dispute resolution. Stephen has a keen interest in the local community of Uckfield.

Ms. Elizabeth Rendon-Aviles

Elizabeth joined the Governing Body in January 2022, having her daughter attending St Philips. Elizabeth has a PhD, MSc and BSc degree in telecommunications engineering. She has been working in University education since 2013 with previous professional experience in the telecom engineering industry. Elizabeth conducts research in microelectronics and enabling technologies for applications in robotics and medicine. She is passionate about supporting young women and children to pursue careers in Engineering, Science and Technology.

LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR (nominated by East Sussex Children’s Services) Term of office four years

Mrs Kirsten Coe (Chair of Resources)

Kirsten has worked in Education with East Sussex County Council for 15 years; the last 6 years as Principle Finance Officer for the Schools Finance and Funding team. Prior to this Kirsten was the Data and Budget Officer for the Adult College for Rural East Sussex (ACRES). She has a degree in Business Management, is AAT qualified (Association of Accounting Technicians) and holds an Adult Learning Teaching qualification. Kirsten has been a member of the St Philip's parish for 39 years and attended St Philip's. Her youngest son attends St Paul's Catholic College.