Seadown School

Become A Governor

School governors make a valuable contribution to children’s education, opportunities and futures.

Being a school governor is a challenging but hugely rewarding role. It will give you the chance to make a real difference to young people, give something back to your local community and use and develop your skills in a board-level environment.

If you are interested in becoming a governor of Seadown School please contact the Clerk, Nikki Orchard at nikki.orchard@seadownschool.co.uk

Responsibilities of The Governing Body

Our governing body has a strategic role in the development of the school but does not become involved in day-to-day management issues – that is the role of the headteacher. Key responsibilities of the governing body can be summarised as:

• Setting and monitoring the school's aims and policies
• Setting targets, staff performance targets and whole school targets
• Review and monitor examination/national test results
• Monitor attendance of pupils/staff/governors
• Reviewing, adopting and monitoring the School Development Plan
• Reviewing, adopting and monitoring the SEF
• Determining how the school's budget is spent
• Hearing escalated appeals and grievances
• Setting standards for pupils' behaviour and discipline in consultation with the Headteacher
• Working in partnership with the senior leadership team and caretaker making sure school buildings are welcoming and safe

Meet Our Governors 

At Seadown School, we are fortunate that we have an extremely dedicated and committed board of governors. All governors can be contacted via the Clerk, Nikki Orchard at nikki.orchard@seadownschool.co.uk

Mr Steve Alexander: Safeguarding /Premises, Health & Safety Governor (Co-opted Governor & Chair)

My name is Steve Alexander I have three children, all grown up now and two grandchildren. I have lived in West Sussex for the best part of 30 years and enjoy the countryside and making good use of the beach in the summer.

I have been involved to some degree in the school from the beginning. I have been fortunate in seeing the school grow from strength to strength. I am proud for the positive impact the school has on the children and their development into young adults. I enjoy being the chair of governors as it allows me to make positive contributions to the school and other people that are also involved in its development.

Mr Ben Leney: Teaching & Learning Governor (Parent Governor)

I am an English teacher at a large secondary school with twenty years’ experience, my niche is working with high ability students and teaching A-Level. I am also a church pastor of a small, south-coast Pentecostal church, soon to be fully ordained with Elim.  I am married with two boys, we have a dachsie-poodle, a cat and a rabbit.  I enjoy running, reading and coffee.

As a Parent Governor, I want to help make a difference to all the children in the school and have a focus on the Curriculum. Some years ago, I was a staff governor at the first school I worked at. Having had responsibility for Key Stage Four outcomes in English, I bring some expertise there - I don’t want any children to miss out on what they are entitled to, wherever possible.

At the same time, having two children and one in particular with learning needs, I have been on both sides of the fence here and as a parent, our first priority is always the happiness of our children.

Mrs Tracey Light: Finance Governor (Community Governor)

I am married with 3 grown-up children 3 Grandchildren & a Labrador! I enjoy the outdoor life, especially walking & riding my horse on the Knepp Estate in Shipley.

I am really approachable and always happy for a chat.

I have worked in the NHS and now for Local Government starting in Adult Social Care and then in Finance as Senior Finance Officer for several years.

Currently, I am the Locality Lead for Adur & Worthing promoting partnership working with a wide range of stakeholders to support communities to build capacity increase their wellbeing and reach their potential.

One of my key priorities in my working life is to give our children and young people the best start in life, this promoted my decision to become a Governor.

I believe that my background will support and add to the development of the school as it looks towards its future.

As this is my first experience as a Governor, I will work to make a positive contribution to the school and every child’s education and play an active role in helping the school to go from strength to strength. I think it is important to create an environment where each child is valued and develops their own self-esteem and confidence, so they can excel both academically and socially.