Governors
Fran Beckett OBE - Foundation Governor & Chair
I’m delighted as a local resident to be able to support such an excellent school as St Andrew's. I’ve been a Foundation Governor since Easter 2018. I currently chair the HR Committee, and following a brief spell as Co-Chair became Chair of the Board in January 2020.
My work life has seen me setting up community projects, leading charities, and being on various. Government advisory and steering groups. I currently work as a charity consultant in leadership, governance, and strategy development; chair the Boards of three charities; and serve on the leadership team of One Church, Brighton. And in my spare time I write detective novels!
Bryony Sandford - Staff Governor
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I have been a qualified teacher since 2017, having trained in the inner-city of London. I joined St. Andrew's shortly after and have taught in both Key Stage 1 and 2. I am also a member of our Wellbeing committee. |
Matthew Greenall - Associate Member
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My work in supporting global AIDS, TB and malaria programmes takes me all over the world, and one of the main principles behind what I do is to make sure communities themselves have a say and play an active role in their services and institutions. As a governor of St. Andrew’s I aim to make a contribution to my own community. Both of my girls went to St Andrew's. |
Reverend Dan Henderson
I'm Dan, the Vicar of St. Andrew's Church, Hove. I'm married to Jo and have three daughters, two of whom are still at St. Andrew's
I can often be found at school drop off and pick up being dragged by a large yellow Labrador.
Sophie Thomas - Headteacher
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I feel very lucky and privileged to be the Headteacher of this amazing school. The children, staff and governors are a joy to work with and we have such a supportive parent/carer community. I began my journey here at St. Andrew’s in January 2019 and am into my fifth year here and I love it! I have links with churches in East Sussex where I grew up and attend church where my father is an organist whenever I can. I have been a Headteacher since 2007 and am also a National Leader of Education (NLE) where I have supported other schools across the south of England in a variety of areas such as leadership support and curriculum development. This work is always so interesting and I have learned so much from working with other leaders in many different contexts. |
Jo Beer - Foundation Governor
| I am a Foundation Governor at St. Andrew's. I am a senior lecturer in Primary Education and I teach on the English and Professional Studies modules on the BA, PTS, PGCE and Foundation Degree programmes at the University of Chichester |
Joel Tomlinson - Parent Governor
Chris Simmons - Foundation Governor
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I have a daughter at St. Andrew's, and am so pleased to be able to contribute in some small way to the life of the school. It's been a joy to watch my daughter grow up at St. Andrew's, being provided with a basis for learning, playing, making friends and music, that will hold her well in life. I am a church pastor, married to my Siberian wife Natasha I met on a trip to Russia, in the late 1990's. It's exciting to be a foundation governor, and to see the school developing and prospering with its great wealth of talent. |
Nicola Ryan - Foundation Governor
Joy Robinson - Local Authority Governor
I have lived in the area for 19 years with a keen interested in community. In May 2023 I was elected as one of the two councillors for Central Hove, the ward where St Andrews is based. Having worked for a Multi Academy Trust for 8 years as Procurement and Estates Manager (with a keen interest on Finance), I thought my skills could be put to good use at St Andrews. I am currently Deputy Chair of Finance and Resources Committee.
Becky Parker - Associate Member
Dave Smalley - Parent Governor
I am a Parent Governor at St. Andrew's with one child currently at the school and another soon to follow. I am a senior lecturer in Educational Psychology at the University of Sussex, where I have various teaching leadership roles, including the convenor for MSc Applied Child Psychology. My research expertise includes bullying in schools and peer relations, as well as the social and emotional development of children more broadly, but my passion is for teaching. I thoroughly enjoy working with the superb leadership team and governing body at St. Andrew's School and feel very lucky to be able to contribute to ensuring the well-being and growth of children and staff in the school.
Coreen Sears - Foundation Governor
Coreen's whole career was in education and she retains a complete commitment to the rounded education of all children. She also likes schools and enjoys being part of the St. Andrew's community as a Foundation Governor. She sits on the Human Resource Committee and is just about to take up the role of link governor to the PTA.
Sandra Obidike - Foundation Governor
I have a personal connection to the school, as my child attended and flourished here, which inspires my dedication to ensuring the same positive experience for every student.
I am an active member of the church and bring that community spirit into my role on the governing body.
I serve on the HR Committee and take a leading role in promoting Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion, helping to foster a welcoming environment where every student and staff member feels valued and respected. I am passionate about ensuring the school remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Martin Sacree - Foundation Governor
I am excited to be joining the Governing body at St Andrews Primary School. I have recently retired as Vice Principal at Shoreham Academy and have 40 years of experience in education. Our three (now grown up) children all attended St Andrews School and we have a close relationship with St Andrews Church where myself and my wife are actively involved. I hope and trust that these experiences and connections will allow me to successfully fulfil the role of Foundation Governor at St Andrews.
Sylvia Ruck - Foundation Governor
I recently moved to Hove and wished to support the community by becoming a Governor at a local school. As I am now a Foundation Governor of St Andrew's School I aim to contribute to the school's ethos of a safe and happy environment as well as enabling pupils’ full access to educational opportunities. I have been a Headteacher in Essex in three schools over a period of 28 years and have worked in Essex Virtual School for 7 years, supporting Children in Care.