The Governing Body

Our Governing Body consists of 15 members and operates with 2 committees. 

Like all schools, a Board of Governors oversees life at St Margaret’s 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 LA’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, Local Authority governors, and Foundation governors.

The Chair of Governors for the academic year 2024-2025 is Rev'd Steve Burston who can be contacted via the school office - 01293521077

Governor Responsible for Safeguarding for the academic year 2024-2025 - Rev Christine Spencer

Governor Responsible for SEND for the academic year 2024-2025 - (To be announced) 

Steve Burston - Exo-Officio (Chair of the Local Governing Body) 

Ex-Officio

Steve has been a governor at St Margaret’s since 2023. He leads three parishes in Crawley, St John the Baptist in the Town Centre, St Richard’s in Three Bridges and St Peter’s in West Green all under the umbrella of Church Crawley. He has lived in Crawley for 10 years with his wife, three daughters and his two English pointers, Sid and Digger! Before being a member of clergy, Steve served for 20 years on the proactive side of the Met Police. He has a passion for enabling and empowering the younger generation to live a life centred on Christ.

Mr Michael Emery - Local Authority (Vice-Chair of the Local Governing Body) 

Local Authority Governor

Mike has been a governor at St. Margaret’s since December 2018 and he is currently vice-chair of the school's board of governors. Before retiring as Commercial Director from a multi-national company, he worked for 38 years in the textile and chemical Industries, in the UK and in Switzerland, in research and development, marketing and sales. Mike credits his successful career in industry to his state education and is keen to help others achieve their full potential.   

Mrs Jill Hine - Headteacher 

Staff Governor

Headteacher for St Margaret's CE Primary School. 

Mrs Reninca Hill - Foundation 
 

(Awaiting photo) Reninca has worked in education before moving to work in Haiti as a missionary. She now works for Church Crawley working on supporting discipleship. Reninca is passionate about all children reaching their potential and that all children can receive the best possible outcomes from their education.

Mr Carl Peirce - Foundation  

Foundation Governor 

I work as a Business Systems Project manager for an Aviation Software company and have worked within the Aviation industry for over 25 years.
I have lived and worshipped within the Parish of Ifield since birth, and was fortunate to attend St. Margaret's School as a child (many, many years ago) and now both my Son's attend ths school.  
I am passionate about seeing St. Margaret’s School progress into the future.

 

Mrs Jean Cooper - Foundation  

Foundation Governor

I have worked at St Margaret's School for many, many  years and retired this summer. Most of my time here was spent working with our youngest children and those with Special Educational Needs.My three children attended this school and now one of my grandchildren has also joined. This school holds a very special place in my heart.

 I live in Ifield and attend St Margaret's Church. I enjoy the unique countryside that surrounds Ifield and I love reading. I have a particular passion and expertise in Early Years, children's literature and learning to read, which I hope I can continue to use to support this lovely school.

Miss Claire Budd - Staff  

Staff Governor

Finance Officer at St Margaret's CE Primary School.

Rev. Christine Spencer - Ex-Officio 

 

Ex.Officio

 

Christine Spencer is the Rector of St Margaret’s Church in Ifield. She is a foundation governor, representing the congregation of St Margaret’s Church and has been in position since November 2020. Being passionate about enabling children to reach their full potential, and having been a children’s nurse before becoming a priest, Christine is keen to ensure that every child is enabled to do this. Singing and reading detective novels (when there is a spare moment!) are things that she enjoys as well as leading children and adults on their journey to explore what God has created them to be and do.  

Mr Joel Wells - Foundation
 

(Awaiting information)


Mrs Lynn Laverty - Associate Governor 

 

Associate Governor

School Business Manager and PA to the Headteacher
at St Margaret's CE Primary School 

Mr Damith Bandara - Associate Governor 

Associate Governor

Deputy Headteacher at St Margaret's CE Primary School 

Mr Steven Chambers - Clerk to Local Governing Body  

Clerk to Governors 

Assistant Administration Officer and
Clerk to the Local Governing Body at St Margaret's CE Primary School 

 Governing Body at St Margaret's CE Primary School - Academic Year 2023-2024

Our Governing Body consists of 13 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 Meetings

Academic Year 2021-2022

Committee Membership 

Attendance at Committee Meetings

Academic Year 2021-2022

Declaration on register of Business & Pecuniary Interest

Remarks

Mrs Kate Ayres
Foundation
12.10.2020
NA
4 years 
5/5
Community & Standards 
Pay Review
Admissions
5/5
None
Term of Office ended on 18.07.2024
Mrs Claire Budd
Staff
01.09.2023
Elected by Staff
4 years
5/5
Resources
2/4
None
 
Rev'd Steve Burston
Ex-Officio
01.09.2023
Incumbent the Parish of Crawley
NA
4/5
Resources
2/4
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 
4/4
Community & Standards 
Admissions
4/4
Daughter is a Teacher in the school / Grand-daughter will be a pupil in September 2022
 
Mr Michael Emery
Local Authority 
05.09.2023
Appointed by the LA
4 years 
Vice Chair of the Governors
Chair of the Admissions Committee
4/4
Community and Standards 

Admissions
 
Pay
6/6
J.Hine is a personal friend 
 
Mrs Jillian Hine 
Staff (Headteacher) 
NA
NA
NA
4/4
Member of all committees
8/8
M.Emery is a personal friend
 
Mrs Reninca Hill
Foundation 
14.04.2024
Diocese of Chichester Education Board
4 Years
2/2
Standards
1/1
Daughter attends the school 
 
Mrs Joanne Lovell
Parent
24.05.2020
Elected by Parents
4 Years 
3/4
Resources
Pay
3/3
None
Term of office ended on 31.08.2024
Mr Carl Peirce 
Foundation
07.11.2022
Diocese of Chichester Education Board
4 Years
4/5
Resources
Admissions
3/4
Son attends the nursery
 
Mr Luke Sanders 
Parent
24.02.2021
Elected by Parents 
4 years 
4/4
Community & Standards 
2/2
Child attends the school
Term of office ended on 18.07.2024
Rev Christine Spencer 
Ex-Officio 
26.10.2021
Incumbent the Parish of Ifield
NA
4/4 
Community & Standards 
3/3
None
 
Mr Joel Wells
Foundation 
Diocese of Chichester Education Board
Diocese of Chichester Education Board
4 Years
2/2
Resources
1/1
Licenced as curate at the parish of St John the Baptist Church
 
 

Full name of Associate Member 

Committee Membership

Voting Rights 
Yes/No 

Date Appointed

Term of Office / Role on Committee

Attendance at Committee Meetings

Academic Year 2020-2021

Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings

Declaration on register of Business & Pecuniary Interest

Remarks 

Mrs Lynn Laverty 
Resources 
Committees only
26.03.2024
4 Years
4/4
5/5
None
School Business Manager & PA to the Headteacher 
Mr Damith Bandara
Community & Standards
Committees only
25.04.2023
4 years
3/3
5/5
None
Deputy Headteacher 

Contact Us

The Primary School, The Mardens, Ifield, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 0AQ

Mr Steve Chambers
01293 521077

Contact Us

The Nursery, The Mardens, Ifield, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 0AQ

Mrs Nichola Rea
01293 421080