South Malling CE Primary and Nursery School

South Malling CofE Primary and Nursery full governing body.

The board operates under the Circle model of governance, with link governors for different areas, rather than committees.

Mrs Mandi Ramshaw
Chair of Governors
Parent Governor: July 2020 - July 2024

Ms Liz Kaye
Deputy Chair of Governors and Safeguarding Link
Foundation Governor: Sept 2021 - Aug 2025

Mrs Judy Yeomans
Learning Group
Foundation Governor: Sept 2022 - Aug 2026

Mrs Sarah Lyons
Well-Being Group
Co-opted Governor: July 2023 - July 2027

Mrs Sue Warren
Finance Manager
Co-opted Governor: July 2023 - July 2027

Mr Peter Hughes
Finance Group
Co-opted Governor: May 2020 - May 2024

Mr Simon Popple
Health and Safety Lead and Finance Group
Co-opted Governor: July 2023 - July 2027

Mr Tim Telford
Ex-officio Foundation Governor: Nov 2023 - Nov 2027

Mrs Joanna O'Donoghue
Head Teacher

Ms Annie Schulte
Deputy Head Teacher
Staff Governor: Sept 2020 - Aug 2024

Miss Denise Kong
Clerk
clerktogovernors@southmalling.e-sussex.sch.uk

Minutes of Governing Body Meetings (2023-24)

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Minutes of Governing Body Meetings (2022-23)

Minutes of Governing Body Meetings (2021-22)

Minutes of Governing Body Meetings (2020-21)

Minutes of Governing Body Meetings (2019-20)

Register of Governors Interests

south malling register of interests.pdf

Governor Profiles

Liz Kaye - Deputy Chair of Governors

I am a Foundation Governor, appointed during the Summer of 2013. My recent background is in tertiary education, having worked for more than 15 years in the management team of the Brighton and Sussex Medical School and since November 2022 working as a Senior Education Manager for the University of Sussex.

My husband and I have been living in Malling since 2004 and we have one daughter who left South Malling School in July 2021. I am a member of TRINITY Church, Cliffe Bonfire Society, LOS Musical Theatre and St Mary's Pantomime (for whom I was choreographer, working with many local youngsters, from 2004 - 2011).

During my tenure so far I have been lead governor for Learning and then Chair for two years. I am currently Deputy Chair. I am passionate about education and about giving all our kids the best possible opportunities to fulfil their potential, both within the school curriculum and via wider extra-curricular activities. I represent South Malling as the school's Trustee for the Lewes Co-operative Learning Partnership.

Mandi Ramshaw - Chair of Governors

I was first appointed as a Parent Governor in July 2016. I am the mother of two girls, one who left the school in July 2021 and one in Year 4.

Currently, I am self-employed, working as an editor and writer. Previously, I worked as a training associate for an international public health charity in Washington, DC. My role included designing training courses and developing training materials. I was also responsible for organising training workshops and conferences. I have a Masters’ Degree in International Training and Education from American University and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies from Middlebury College.

I have always been passionate about education. I want to dedicate my free time to working for the school. It has become such an important part of my life since my older daughter started there. I look forward to bringing my skills and passion to the position as governor and helping the school in any way possible.

Between 2016 and the Summer of 2019 I was also the Chair of the Friends of South Malling.

Vacant post

Simon Popple - Co-opted Governor

After completing my MBA at Birmingham University in 1993, I joined the corporate finance team at Singer & Friedlander working on small and mid-cap mergers and acquisitions. In 1997 I joined the senior banker team at ABN AMRO before moving into their corporate finance department in 1999, where I specialised in private equity. I then became head of investment management at Strutt & Parker’s Real Estate Financial Services before becoming a director of Topland, one of Europe’s largest private investment companies. In 2008, I set up Brookville Capital, a capital-raising business. My interests are hockey and rugby. My daughter is in Year 6 at South Malling.

My governor responsibility areas are Health and Safety and GDPR and I also sit on the Finance Group. I also attend governor Inclusion meetings, with a particular focus on SEND and Pupil Premium finance.

Sarah Lyons - Co-opted Governor

I live in South Malling with my husband Pete and our two boys; Freddie and Jacob, who attend the school. I'm a Christian and a member of King's Church, Lewes. My background is in nursing, though I now spend much of my time volunteering in various roles in the Lewes area, especially for our church and with young people.

As a Health Visitor and Mental Health nurse, I have worked with many children and young people, and I am privileged to have met so many families, to have listened to their stories and experiences, and advocated for those in need.

I love being outdoors and enjoy spending time at our allotment, being active with friends and family in the wild, or locally around town. My new passion is to sneak away on cycling and camping adventures, and recently I started fixing bicycles to help others get out more and enjoy their surroundings through active travel. Therefore, my role as a governor is in wellbeing, with a particular focus on mental health and emotional wellbeing, behaviour and relationships, and sustainability.

Judy Yeomans - Foundation Governor

As a Foundation Governor, my appointment is through Chichester Diocese. I am a member of TRINITY church. For many years I worked in a voluntary capacity, supporting children and families, through Sunday school and pastoral work with the church.

My early training as a speech and language therapist, subsequent work in my children’s primary school, and interest in children’s well-being have led me to pursue a new career in Play Therapy. I am a freelance trainer and advisor for Godly Play UK, a charity that seeks to transform thinking and practice in the area children’s spirituality and for OutoftheBox, a not-for-profit organisation, aiming to encourage a playful and contemplative approach to story for wisdon, wonder and wellbeing.

My husband, Martin and I have lived in Lewes for more than 25 years and seen my children flourish in Lewes schools. We continue to enjoy the exciting company of children and young people. My greatest pleasure is watching and listening to the discoveries children make for themselves about the world, themselves and each other, and God.

Peter Hughes - Co-opted Governor

I am a co-opted Governor, having joined the board in June 2019, and am part of the Finance Working Group. I work in finance, currently for the University of Sussex, responsible for their strategic and commercial projects. Prior to working in Higher Education, I worked in a variety of commercial finance roles in the private sector. I am a qualified accountant and project manager but also have a degree in Environmental Sciences.

I am from Sussex originally and moved back to Lewes with my wife in 2004, we currently live in South Malling and have two children at the school. I enjoy running and photography but generally not at the same time.

Tim Telford - Ex-officio Foundation Governor

I am the ex-officio Foundation governor.