The Governing Body
Our Governing Body consists of 13 members
Like all schools, a Board of Governors oversees life at St Margaret’s Primary and Nursery School. The Governing Body has wide-ranging responsibilities and powers and works with the Headteacher and staff to:
- Agree the aims and values of the school
- Make decisions on the budget and approve School Development Plans
- Ensure that the National Curriculum is taught
- Monitor and review the school’s progress
- Ensure that individual pupil’s needs are met, including special needs
- Be involved in the recruitment of staff
- Provide information about school for parents
- Produce action plans following Inspection
- Establish and maintain positive links with the local community
From September 2024, the Governors meet twice a term as a full body. There are a total of seven meetings in one academic year.
In addition, some governors have particular responsibilities for overseeing certain aspects of the school’s work, for example, special educational needs or health & safety. The governors subscribe to and attend the Academy Trust’s training programme designed for them. The size and composition of the Governing Body is laid down by law and Governors are appointed or elected by specific bodies or groups, but Governors are not delegates who must vote according to the wishes of those groups. The groups are: Parent governors, Staff governors, Business and Community, and Foundation governors.
Information with regards to Governance and Financial Information can be found at the Academy Trust's website - Other Statutory Documentation - Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust
The Chair of Governors for the academic year 2026-2027 is Rev'd Steve Burston who can be contacted via the school office - 01293521077 or via chair@stmagsifield.co.uk
| Nominated Local Governing Body Chair (Foundation Member) | Rev'd Steve Burston |
| Nominated Local Governing Body Vice-Chair (Foundation Member) SEND Governor | Reninca Hill |
| Community/Local Authority Governor | VACANCY |
| Ex-officio Executive Director | Vicky Stevens |
| Parent Elected Member | Funmi Ajiboye |
| Parent Elected Member | Clare James |
| Foundation Member | Jean Cooper |
| Foundation Member / Safeguarding Governor | Rev. Christine Spencer |
| Foundation Member | Carl Peirce |
| Foundation Member | VACANCY |
| Staff Elected Member | Hannah Warner |
| Associate Member / Head of School | Helen Butler |
| Associate Member / Deputy Headteacher | Damith Bandara |
| Associate Member / School Business Manager | Claire Budd |
| Governance Professional to the Local Governing Body | Steve Chambers |
Governing Body at St Margaret's CE Primary School – Academic Year 2025-2026
Our Governing Body consists of 11 members and operates with 2 committees.
Full name of Governor |
Governor Category |
Date of Current Appointment / Election |
Source of Appointment (Where Appropriate) |
Term of Office / Roles within the Governing Body |
Attendance at Full Governing Body MeetingsAcademic Year 2025-2026 |
Committee Membership |
Attendance at Committee MeetingsAcademic Year 2025-206 |
Declaration on register of Business & Pecuniary Interest |
Remarks |
Mrs Funmi Ajiboye |
Parent Elected |
01.09.2024 |
Elected by Parents |
4 years |
4/6 |
NA |
NA |
None |
|
Mrs Claire Budd |
Staff |
01.09.2023 |
Elected by Staff |
4 years |
5/6 |
Admissions |
1/1 |
Bursar for the school |
|
Rev'd Steve Burston |
Church |
01.09.2023 |
Diocese of Chichester Education Board |
4 yearsChair of the LGB |
5/6 |
Pay Review |
0/1 |
Rector of St John the Baptist Church, Vicar of St Peter's, West Green, St Richard's, Three Bridges, Trustee of the Lighthouse Project |
|
Mrs Jean Cooper |
Foundation |
01.09.2022 |
Diocese of Chichester Education Board |
4 years |
6/6 |
Member of all committees |
2/2 |
Daughter is a Teacher in the school / Grandchildren attend school/Nusery |
|
Mr Michael Emery |
Local Authority |
05.09.2023 |
Community & Business |
4 yearsVice Chair of the GovernorsChair of the Admissions Committee |
4/6 |
Member of all committees |
2/2 |
J.Hine is a personal friend |
Term of office ended on 22.07.2026 |
Mrs Jillian Hine |
Staff (Headteacher) |
NA |
NA |
NA |
6/6 |
Member of all committees |
2/2 |
M.Emery is a personal friend |
Retired 31.08.2026 |
Mrs Reninca Hill |
Foundation |
14.04.2024 |
Diocese of Chichester Education Board |
4 Years |
5/6 |
Member of all committees |
2/2 |
Daughter attends the school |
|
Mrs Clare James |
Parent Elected |
01.09.2024 |
Elected by Parents |
4 years |
2/6 |
NA |
NA |
|
|
Mr Carl Peirce |
Foundation |
07.11.2022 |
Diocese of Chichester Education Board |
4 Years |
3/6 |
NA |
NA |
|
|
Rev Christine Spencer |
Church |
26.10.2021 |
Diocese of Chichester Education Board |
NA |
5/6 |
NA |
NA |
None |
|
Mr Joel Wells |
Foundation |
Diocese of Chichester Education Board |
Diocese of Chichester Education Board |
4 Years |
4/6 |
NA |
NA |
Licenced as curate at the parish of St John the Baptist Church |
Term of office ended on 22.07.2026 |
Full name of Associate Member |
Committee Membership |
Voting Rights
|
Date Appointed |
Term of Office / Role on Committee |
Attendance at Committee MeetingsAcademic Year 2025-2026 |
Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings |
Declaration on register of Business & Pecuniary Interest |
Remarks |
Mrs Lynn Laverty |
Pay Review |
Committees only |
26.03.2024 |
4 Years |
1/1 |
5/6 |
None |
School Business Manager & PA to the HeadteacherRetired from governors on 22.07.2026 |
Mr Damith Bandara |
None |
No |
25.04.2023 |
4 years |
NA |
3/6 |
None |
Deputy Headteacher / Safeguarding Lead |