The Governing Body
Chair of Governors Welcome
To all new Pupils, Parents, Carers, and Staff,
Welcome to the new school year! We hope that you have enjoyed a relaxing and happy Summer break and are excited at the opportunities that lay ahead.
We were delighted to visit the school and see so many happy and enthusiastic children enjoying their learning in vibrant and supportive classrooms. The Y3 corridor was buzzing as the children were actively engaged with their new learning and were clearly settling into the TAB Way.
As governors, we are privileged and proud to have brilliant, caring children, supportive parents and dedicated, talented and enthusiastic staff. As you know, the values and beliefs of the TAB Way underpin our curriculum in order that the children can enjoy exciting and challenging learning opportunities in a safe secure environment which celebrates the uniqueness of every child.
Many of you will have visited the new TAB website where you will easily be able to find much useful information including updates about your children’s learning. If you have yet to do so, we are sure you will be pleased.
Visits to the school are always welcome. We hope that many of you will take the opportunity to attend year group welcome meetings, coffee mornings and open afternoons to learn more about how we can work together for the benefit of our children. The dates for each year group can be found on the school calendar.
We are very grateful to our Friends of the School (FOS), who work tirelessly to raise funds to provide some superb and much needed resources to support our children’s learning. The committee are in need of more support so if you are able to help in any way, then please do contact fos@thomasabecketjunior.org.uk.
We are a friendly and hardworking Governing Body and would welcome applications from those interested in contributing their skills and experience. For further information please contact Michelle Mayes who is clerk to the Governing Body:
clerk@thomasabecketjunior.org.uk.
With best wishes,
Jane and James
Jane Evea and James Lloyd (Co-Chairs of Governors)
Becoming a Governor
If you are interested in becoming a governor please contact the clerk by emailing clerk@tabjunior.org.uk
The governors of Thomas A Becket Junior School believe it is important that the board reflects the diversity of the school community they serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people.
The governors collect data on the diversity of the board, including data on age, gender and ethnicity. They will use that data to inform their recruitment and training needs and ensure there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making.
Due to our relatively small governing body we do not publish this diversity data online as individual governors could be identified and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.
The Governing Body
The role of the governors is to oversee the management of the school. The members of the governing body are drawn from parents and the wider community. The skills and expertise of the individuals are used to the full in their roles within the governing body, which is made up of three different committees, each overseeing specific areas of school management.
Currently the committees are Resources, Pupil Welfare and Pupil Progress. Governors sit on one or more committees and the full governing body and committees meet every term.
Governing Body Structure September 2024 - July 2025
Name: Jane Evea
Position: Co-chair, Link Governor for English and Subject Leaders
Responsibilities/Committees: Resources, Pupil Progress Committee, Pupil Welfare
Date Appointed: Sept 2023
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 20th Sept 2027
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I have enjoyed a long career in education as a teacher, senior leader, Local
Education Adviser and consultant.
I am very proud to be Co -Chair of TAB Junior and to work with such a talented
and dedicated team who are intent in providing the very best learning
opportunities for our children.
I am totally committed to the TAB Way which underpins our aspirational,
inclusive curriculum and strives to ensure that all our children shine brightly
and become “the best they can be”.
Name: James Lloyd
Position: Co-chair, Co-Opted Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: Chair Pupil Progress Committee, Resources Committee, FGB, Science, Tech & Computing Link
Date Appointed: March 2022
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date May 2028
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Married to another Governor
As a parent I have a vested interest in seeing the school succeed. With a career straddling finance/IT and data science I believe I can add real value to the team and provide solid support to the pupil’s learning experience at Thomas A Becket.
Name: Becky Linford
Position: Headteacher
Responsibilities/Committees: FGB, Resources, Pupil Welfare and Pupil Progress
Date Appointed: Sept 2022
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 4th Sept 2026
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I have been in teaching for 27 years and a Headteacher for 14 years. I have had the privilege of working in different educational establishments and enjoyed every single one of them. I am passionate about ensuring children access a rich, exciting broad and balanced curriculum and the uniqueness of every child celebrated. TAB Junior encapsulates all that I believe, through the TAB Way and the many facilities, strong staff team, exciting provision and enrichment opportunities the children have access to. I am thoroughly looking forward to leading TAB Junior as it continues on its journey to be the best school it can be for all the children in our community.
Name: Liz Maguire
Position: Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: Chair Pupil Welfare Committee, FGB, SEND & Safeguarding
Date Appointed: Dec 2022
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 7th Dec 2026
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I retired from teaching six years ago when my first grandchild was born. In my teaching career I have held posts of responsibility pastorally as Head of House and have been subject team leader for Food Technology and Health and Social Care. The last twenty years of my teaching career was at Steyning Grammar School where I taught mainly examination groups in the Upper School. I have a strong interest in Food and Nutrition and practical based activities and as the mother of a child with a disability I have personal experience and interest in inclusion and SEN provision.
Name: Candice Lloyd
Position: Local Authority Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: FGB, Pupil Progress Committee
Date Appointed: Dec 2021
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 1st Dec 2025
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: Married to another Governor
I am delighted to be a Governor for Thomas A Becket Junior School. As a parent, I have seen how well my children have developed during their time and everything that the school embodies, and I look forward to bringing my experience and passion to the school.
I have been teaching since 2017, working at a local primary school. I have a keen interest in the curriculum taught and the inclusion of all pupils.
Name: Ryan Watson
Position: Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: FGB
Date Appointed: Sept 2023
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 20th Sept 2027
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: None Declared
My career at Thomas A Becket Junior began in 2012 when I was appointed as a class teacher. I have particularly enjoyed sharing my interests in reading and writing with the pupils. I am English subject leader & run a competitive go-karting club. I became a governor in the summer of 2014 and have certainly enjoyed the challenge presented by the role. I am fully committed to serving the school community in which I work and aim to support the governing body by offering the perspective of a practising class teacher.
Name: Paul Ollerton
Position: Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: Chair Resources Committee, Performance Management, FGB, PE Link
Date Appointed: Sept 23
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 20th Sept 2027
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I have been a Governor at TAB since 2019, when my youngest son was a pupil at the school. Since I have been part of the Governing body, the school has experienced and gone through a lot of change and positive progress, including Covid and the challenges that were presented, a change in head teacher, and a successful OFSTED visit. I currently Chair the resources committee (ensuring that the school effectively manages its finances and infrastructure), sit on the Head Teacher Performance Management panel and also act as the link Governor with the PE department.’
Name: Karen Butcher
Position: Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: Pupil Welfare Committee, FGB
Date Appointed: Sept 2023
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 20th Sept 2027
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I have worked with children for over 27 years. Initially running my own business: “Mini Melodies”, a preschool music group, before moving on to work at TAB as an HLTA, most recently in the role of Phonics Intervention & Assessment Lead. I am also a qualified tutor and assessor in Further Education and have trained and supported many new and experienced Teaching Assistants in various qualifications. Both my children attended TAB and were very happy during their time at the school. Their experiences at TAB fostered interests which they have both pursued into successful careers. Having recently retired from my role at TAB I am delighted to be given the opportunity to remain part of the TAB family. I hope to continue to make a positive contribution to the life of the school for many more years.
Name: Stefano Paoletti
Position: Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: Resources Committee and FGB
Date Appointed: Dec 2023
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 6th December 2027
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I am delighted to have been asked to join the board of governors and very much looking forward to supporting the school and adding value wherever possible. I have enjoyed a 30 year commercial career, the last 17 of which have been in leadership roles within banking, finance and technology firms. I am a married dad of 2 and have lived in the area since moving from London with my wife in 2012.
Name: Kate Blight
Position: Co-opted Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: FGB, Pupil Progress Committee
Date Appointed: March 2024
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date March 2028
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Assistant Headteacher at a local secondary school
I have been a teacher at a local secondary school for 20 years, having taken on responsibilities such as head of maths, SENCO and more recently Assistant headteacher for Standards and Inclusion. I am excited to be a governor at TAB and hope that my experience and expertise can benefit all.
Name: Alex Jones
Position: Parent Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: Resources Committee, Performance Management, FGB, Diversity, Equality and Representation Link
Date Appointed: Sept 2024
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 24th Sept 2028
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Solicitor who deals with Employment Law
I have been a Parent Governor since 2020. My children attend TAB Junior School. I grew up in Worthing and attended TAB Junior School when it was TAB Middle School. I run my own solicitors firm specialising in Employment Law, advising both employees and business. I have sat on and chaired committees relating to Employment Law at a national level, and bring local knowledge, business and legal experience to the role.
Name: Pema Jackson
Position: Parent Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: Pupil Welfare Committee, FGB
Date Appointed: March 2023
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 12th March 2027
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I joined the governing body in March 2023 and I currently have two children at TAB Junior. I used to be a translator and I am currently training to become a secondary school teacher in MFL. As a governor I am able to offer my perspective as a parent, and I find being involved in school life in this way to be very rewarding.
Name: Harry Potter
Position: Staff Governor
Responsibilities/Committees: FGB
Date Appointed: October 2024
Term of Office: 2 Years, end date 21st Oct 2026
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I arrived at Thomas A Becket in 2021 having worked in schools across Brighton, Hove and West Sussex. Since then, I have worked across the school in years 6 and 3 and stepped into the role of PSHE and RSHE Subject Leader. Before qualifying, I studied Primary Education (specialising in English) with QTS at the University of Brighton and completed my early career framework studies with University College London. By joining the governing body, I hope to represent my colleagues’ perspectives while remaining focused on our shared goal: providing the highest quality education for our students.
Associate Members
Our associate members of the Governing Body do not have voting rights in any of the committees to which they have been appointed.
Name: Zoe Borley
Position: Associate Member
Responsibilities/Committees: Pupil Progress Committee
Date Appointed: December 2022
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 7th December 2026
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I qualified as a teacher in 2000, and taught predominantly KS2 pupils in a two-form entry primary school where I also developed my subject leadership experience. In 2007, I joined Thomas A Becket Middle (now Junior) school as Y7 leader. Since 2010 I have been part of the school senior leadership team as assistant head teacher with a variety of whole school leadership responsibilities including attendance, data and assessment, curriculum and continued professional development. I am committed and enthusiastic to be part of the journey of ensuring pupils and staff can be the best they can be and I enjoy working with the governors to help bring about school change and improvement in children’s lives.
Name: Kristie Lyne
Position: Associate Member
Responsibilities/Committees: Pupil Welfare Committee
Date Appointed: Jan 2023
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 15th Jan 2027
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I have worked at Thomas A Becket Junior since 2018 and worked within schools in the West Sussex area since 2014. I completed the National Award for SENCos in 2021 and completed my National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership in 2023. Supporting and working with children who find learning difficult is my passion, so I am really enjoying working as the SENDCo here at Thomas A Becket. I hope to bring my perspective and knowledge of inclusion at TAB to the governing body.
Name: Sandie Saunders
Position: Associate Member
Responsibilities/Committees: Pupil Welfare Committee
Date Appointed: December 2022
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 7th December 2026
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared
I have been teaching for a number of years and in different settings in West Sussex including a First and Middle School, an Infant School and a Primary School. I spent 5 years working for West Sussex Special Educational Needs Support Service in an advisory and assessment role before returning to work in a school as a SENDCo/Inclusion Manager, and then joined TAB in 2009. I am passionate about providing holistic, bespoke support for children with additional needs, those who are more vulnerable and whose mental health and wellbeing has been impacted by whatever circumstances in their lives. I love working at TAB with such an amazing group of colleagues and am very proud to be a member of the TAB team.
Name: Karen Wise
Position: Associate Member
Responsibilities/Committees: FGB
Date Appointed: December 2022
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 7th December 2026
Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interest: None Declared
I have been at Thomas A Becket Junior School since September 2000, having previously taught in schools in London and Manchester. I started as a class teacher, then moved to being a subject leader, then year leader and finally I am proud to say Assistant Headteacher. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and consider it to be a very nurturing, inspiring and forward thinking environment. My three children all experienced the delights of TAB Junior and look back at their time here with fond memories. I hope to one day see my grandchildren journey through the school too! I am committed to ensuring that the children at TAB Junior get a complete, rounded education that sets them up for life not only in an academic sense but also in developing positive values of relationships, respect and resilience.
Name: Carol Graham
Position: Associate Member
Responsibilities/Committees: Resources
Date Appointed: November 2023
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 22nd November 2027
Business Interest: Nothing to declare
My career background spans over 20 years in finance and IT having held various project management positions in the banking sector. After a period of home responsibilities I joined TAB in 2005 as a volunteer, and stayed ever since! I feel privileged to be part of the warm and nurturing TAB community.
Name: Jayne Ball
Position: Associate Member
Responsibilities/Committees: Resources
Date Appointed: November 2023
Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 22nd November 2027
Business Interest: None to Declare
I worked in the insurance industry prior to having my family and then joined a WSCC primary school in 2002 working in an admin role. I joined Thomas A Becket Juniors (then Middle) in 2004. I started as an attendance officer, then progressed to Bursar in 2008 and finally School Business Manager in 2012. I love working at TAB, it really feels like an extended family, I feel very proud to be part of this wonderful school.
