Meet the Governors

Mrs Vivien Stevens

Co-Opted Governor; started 2023

vivien.stevens@upperbeedingprimary.co.uk

Chair of Governing Body.
Member of all 3 Committees.

SEND and Inclusion Co-Lead, Curriculum Co-Lead, Health, Safety and Premises Lead, Early Years Foundation Stage Lead.
I am pleased to have been appointed as Chair of Governors and look forward to supporting Upper Beeding Primary School as it continues to provide a happy and enriching learning environment for all children.
I am a retired Headteacher with 43 years experience in primary education in West Sussex and am committed to working as part of the governing body to ensure that the children in our care thrive, feel safe in the school environment and leave with self confidence and a love of learning.
As well as having a passion for education, I enjoy sailing, live music ,reading and spending time with my family including four grandchildren.
I look forward to being an active part of the school community.

Mr Ralph Lane

Co-Opted Governor; started 2012.

Chair of Finance, Pay, Performance and Premises Committee.

SEND and Inclusion Co-Lead, Finance Lead

I am a Community Governor who is interested in the shape of present and possible future cooperation agreements between primary schools. Educated originally in economics and finance, I am a solicitor who specialised in crime and civil litigation. Now, I only do some voluntary work including school admission appeal hearings. My wife and I live in Storrington so we can run and walk upon the Downs as often as possible.

Mr Mike Hobbs

Local Authority Governor; started 2020.

Co-Vice Chair of Governing Body.
Chair of Curriculum, Quality and Standards Committee.
Member of Finance, Pay, Performance and Premises Committee.

Maths Lead

I re-joined the Governing Body in 2020 having previously been a Governor at the school for several years until 2015.  I live in Bramber with my wife Tina and both our daughters enjoyed an excellent early education at the school (a little while ago as they’re both in their 20s now).

Originally from Manchester, I went to university in Bristol before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in London.  We moved to Sussex in 2000 when I started work at American Express.  In my first stint as a Governor, I focused primarily on the school finances and academic standards. 

I’m now retired and so have time to indulge my passions of fell-walking - the South Downs are a perfect training ground - and playing tennis, which still leaves time to contribute to UBPS which I think is a wonderful local school.  I’m currently on the Finance, Pay and Performance Committee, and the Quality and Standards Committee.

Mrs Gemma Donald

Parent Governor; started 2021.

Chair of Welfare and Inclusion Committee.
Member of Curriculum, Quality and Standards Committee.

Children Looked After Lead, Disadvantaged and Pupil Premium Children Lead, Attendance Lead, English and Phonics Co-Lead

I joined the Governing Body in 2021 following my daughter’s first school year at UBPS.
I grew up in Dorset, and have always enjoyed living in the countryside. I went to study Politics in Cambridge and continued there to do a PGCE and Masters in Primary Teaching, then worked in schools in Cambridgeshire and London.
After having my daughter and son, we moved to West Sussex to be nearer to family, and have been very happy settling in this beautiful part of the world. I enjoy reading, music and spending time with my family, and have a keen interest in schools and primary education. I am looking forward to being involved in governing UBPS and contributing to the local community in this way.

Mrs Helen Woodman

Co-Opted Governor, started 2023

Member of Curriculum, Quality and Standards Committee

Curriculum Co-Lead, English and Phonics Co-Lead

I joined the Governing Body in May 2023.
I really developed my love of learning when studying for my BA in International Studies with Political Science, and then MSc in Contemporary Russian And East European Studies, both at the University of Birmingham. After graduating, I returned home to Sussex and studied for a PGCE in Primary Education at the University of Brighton. I have worked as a primary teacher across KS2 at a local school since 2009 and am currently a Year 6 teacher and Curriculum Lead.
Despite moving to Upper Beeding in 2013, it was only after starting a family that I began to really appreciate the wonderful community in which we live and I like nothing better than being out and about exploring the countryside with my two young children.
I look forward to working with the Governing Body in order to support the inspirational education that UBPS provides.

Mr Lloyd Curtis

Co-Opted Governor, started 2023

Member of Welfare and Inclusion Committee

Safeguarding and Child Protection Lead, GDPR, Website and Policy Compliance Lead

I joined the Governing Body in 2023 during my daughters first years at UBPS. My partner and I relocated to Upper Beeding in 2020 and have found this to be a fantastic place to settle.
I started my career as a Secondary School Teacher and taught in South Africa before relocating to London and teaching in various inner-city schools. I have fond memories of my time as a student in Primary and Secondary school, which was one of the reasons I went into teaching.
I moved into the education recruitment sector in 2006 and for the past 7 years I had been head of compliance for a national agency. I have now moved on to set up my own business.
As well as a passion for education, I enjoy gardening, mountain biking, running, the outdoors in general and of course, spending time with my young family.

Mr Nico Kearns

Co-Opted Governor, started 2024

Member of Finance, Pay, Performance and Premises Committee
Member of Curriculum, Quality and Standards Committee

IT, Cyber Security, Online Safety, Filtering and Monitoring Lead

I joined the Governing Body in 2024. Our family moved to Upper Beeding from Shoreham-By-Sea in 2022 and our daughter, Emilie, has been a pupil at UBPS since September 2021
Originally from the port town of Rostock in Germany I have lived in West Sussex, on and off, for over 30 years.I have been fortunate in having lived in a variety of countries, which has provided me with a rich tapestry of cultural perspectives.
Professionally, I'm a Business Analyst, and spend my days deciphering data, untangling intricate processes, and crafting effective solutions. I also have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and I am currently pursuing a BSc (Hons) in Computing & IT and Business Management.
Beyond my professional and educational endeavours, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, travelling and technology. As one of the Governors, I am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the local community.

Mrs Dee Taylor

Staff Governor; started 2024.

Member of the Welfare and Inclusion Committee

Wellbeing of Staff and Governors Lead

Mr Matt Andrews

Head Teacher Governor; started 2022

Head Teacher.
Member of all 3 Committees.

Mrs Rosie O'Hara

Finance Manager; Associate Member

Member of Finance, Pay, Performance and Premises Committee.

Mr James Hermon

Premises Manager; Associate Member

Member of Finance, Pay, Performance and Premises Committee

Mrs Sarah Denyer

SENCo; Associate Member

Member of Welfare and Inclusion Committee.

Miss Lou Brown

Clerk to the Governing Body

louise.brown@upperbeedingprimary.co.uk

Clerk to FGB and all Committees
Training Lead

Vacancy - Co-Opted Governor

Vacancy - Co-Opted Governor

Vacancy - Parent Governor

Ms Louise Davies

19th October 2022
It is with immense sadness that we have to inform you of the sudden and very unexpected death of our Chair of Governors, Ms Louise Davies.
This has come as a huge shock to us all as Ms Davies was very active in her post as Chair and was only taken ill over the weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and fellow Governors/colleagues.
As a Governing Body, we have been incredibly fortunate to have had Ms Davies on our board, initially as a Governor and subsequently as the Chair. Her commitment to our school has been second to none and she has worked tirelessly during her time with us to ensure the school has been well run and managed. We are going to miss her enormously.