Introducing our Governors

Jane Fleming – Co-opted Governor, Chair of Governors & Safeguarding Governor

After moving from St Albans to beautiful Rye in 2014, I decided to become a school governor. I felt I could make a positive contribution to the education at Sedlescombe Church of England Primary School by using my extensive experience from working in primary education for over 25 years as a class teacher and deputy headteacher.

I feel privileged and fortunate to have been able to join such a warm, welcoming school with polite and well motivated children.

My aim is to take an active role in helping Sedlescombe to continue to go from strength to strength and provide a safe, caring, enriched learning environment where all children feel valued and reach their potential and excel academically and creatively.

Michael Taylor – Co-opted Governor and Vice Chair
Health & Safety Lead, Data Protection Lead

I am a Chartered Valuation Surveyor who moved to Battle six years ago from the Canterbury area. My local connections run deep as my grandparents farmed for many years between Sedlescombe and Westfield. I decided four years ago that I would like to make some contribution to the local community and noticed in the press a national plea for people to volunteer to be school governors. A vacancy came up at Sedlescombe and I applied in the hope that my business and property experience may have some value to the functional operation of the school in addition to its educational aims and purpose in continuing its path towards excellence.

Mike Dixon – Local Authority Governor

I joined the Governing Body because I loved the ethos of the school and after many years working in education with older students I thought it would be fascinating to support the teaching and learning of younger children. I was Head of Park Sixth Form College in Eastbourne until 2009, during which timeboth my children attended the college. After Park I worked for the University of Brighton before becoming a freelance education consultant. In this role I help run the national poetry project called Poetry By Heart. I love most sports and still play tennis and hockey.

Reverend Kevin Mepham – Foundation Governor

I was appointed priest-in-charge of the Parishes of Sedlescombe and Whatlington at the beginning of 2012 and therefore am a Foundation Governor of Sedlescombe School. I have previously served as a governor at schools in various parishes in Sussex and Kent. The responsibility of Foundation Governors is to ensure Sedlescombe School, as a Church of England School, displays its Christian distinctiveness, which we know is valued by parents and staff alike. We consider whether the Christian ethos is evident through the whole education experience in both religious education and collective worship.

Mandy Hardes – Staff Governor

As well as being the Staff Governor I am the School Secretary and Health and Safety Coordinator. I joined the school in January 2010 and thoroughly enjoy the life of the school. I feel my role within the school and the contact I have with the families enables me to be an effective governor. I feel very fortunate to work in such a warm and welcoming school.

Simon Perryman
Parent Governor & Finance Lead

I have been a parent at Sedlescombe School since 2011. I have two daughters, one currently at Sedlescombe School and one now at Claverham College. I am married to a headteacher of a special school in Kent and I work as part of the financial management team at the Conquest Hospital. We value the school and the impact it has had on our children growing up and I have joined the governors as I think I can make a positive contribution in supporting the continued developments of the school. I am also the designated Finance Lead for the governing body and hope to be able to use my experience to support the school wherever possible.

Fiona Bray
Parent Governor, SEND Lead, Health and Well-Being Lead, RSHE Lead

Having moved to Sedlescombe so that my twins can go to a warm, caring, village community school, I am now a huge supporter of the school. I believe that my passion for giving the best opportunities and outcomes for all children and my experience in a range of educational settings enables me to be a positive, productive asset to the governing body. I have been a teacher for over 20 years – in mainstream secondary schools and in Special Educational Needs. I am currently Assistant Principal and Deputy Safeguarding Lead at a local SEN school for children with SEMH (Social/Emotional/Mental Health). In my spare time I am a keen theatre goer (and extremely occasionally – performer), reader and love travelling, especially with the family.