Governance

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About

Governors work with senior leaders in the strategic development of the school and in raising standards of achievement. Duties include setting the school’s vision, aims & objectives, approving the school budget and appointing the Headteacher.

Governors must both support and challenge the Headteacher, so need to gain an understanding of the school’s overall performance in order to explain its decisions and actions. They do this by attending regular meetings, carrying out school visits and meeting with senior leaders. They also attend training in order to keep up to date with the requirements of their role. Governors work as a team and make collective decisions.

Diversity data on governors is collected at Longhill.  The diversity data is confidential but is regularly analysed by the board and used in recruitment and training to ensure governors reflect the communities served by the school.

To contact the Governing Board, or request minutes from the meetings please email the Clerk to the Governors at Clerk@longhill.org.uk

Governors

Sean Burke – Co-Chair

As a parent of three children and being married to a teacher, I have long been surrounded by differing perspectives on the education system. When my youngest daughter began her secondary school journey at Longhill High School, I wanted to become a parent governor to use my skills and experience to give something back to our local school and community. I began my working life in the accountancy world, before moving into IT within local government, which has given me a good appreciation of finance and budgeting processes. In that role I also worked with many of the local education authority services, and am very aware of the pressures and challenges that schools have been and are continuing to be faced with as a result of government policy together with the ambition to help every pupil achieve the best they can. I am passionate about education being inclusive and serving the local community in supporting every child to develop and learn, through both the curriculum and extra curricular activities.

Carol McIver-Wren – Co-Chair

Clare Ball – Vice Chair

I have two sons whom I am proud to say currently attend Longhill High School and I became a parent governor in June 2022. I wanted to become a governor to support and challenge the direction of the school from a parent perspective. I am interested in education as a teacher myself, working in a special needs school in West Sussex. There I was the designated teacher for children looked after for ten years and I am currently responsible for staff development. I am excited about serving as a governor, working together with Longhill staff and the wider community to ensure success and well being for all students.

David Watts

I have lived in Saltdean since 1983 and both my daughters came to Longhill High School before college, university and successful careers. I have been a member of the Personnel and Finance committee for many years and also have responsibilities for Safeguarding, Buildings and Health and Safety. For 11 years, until February 2017, I also worked at Longhill High School, as a member of the Cover Supervisor team, taking lessons for Teachers who were absent. This gave me a unique insight into how the School works on a daily basis and gave me access to the Staff to hear their views, enabling me to discuss matters with the Leadership Team, as a Governor, when they arose.

David Watts
Christopher Allmey

As a former teacher, I have an interest in education. I am also a foster carer for Brighton. I aim to be part of the continuing improvement at Longhill High School so that every child achieves their full potential. I believe it is important that students and their families together with staff and governors work closely together aiming for the very best for each child.

Alison Patrick

Murray Hecht – Local Authority Governor

Lucinda Fish – Co-opted Governor

Caroline Emment – Co-opted Governor

Steven Dawson – Co-opted Governor

Matt Vermeer – Parent Governor

I grew up in Brighton and attended Longhill back in the 90’s. Since then, I have had a career in engineering which has taken me around the World. I now have two children at the school with a third due to start in 2025. I would like to use my personal and professional experience to support and challenge the school to sustain, and where possible, develop further in the endeavour of offering every student the opportunity to be engaged and learn the skills required for them to live fulfilling lives.

Liz Wilson – Staff Governor

I grew up in Manchester and surrounding areas and after graduating from the University of Manchester with my Biology Degree I moved south to Brighton to complete my teacher training. I’ve been here ever since working at Varndean School and Lewes Priory School before moving here to Longhill in September 2022 as Head of Faculty of Science. I’m very passionate about working with our students and the wider community here at Longhill and will do everything I can to ensure our students get the best possible education so they are well equipt for the next steps in their lives. 

Vicki Gilbert – Clerk to Governors

Committees

STUDENT SUPPORT COMMITTEE
Vice Chair – Chris Allmey
Alison Patrick
Clare Ball (Parent Governor)
Ore Babalola
Vacancy x 1

CURRICULUM & STANDARDS COMMITTEE
Vice Chair – Chris Allmey
Sean Burke
Carol McIver-Wren
Ore Babalola
Liz Wilson (Staff Governor)

PERSONNEL & FINANCE COMMITTEE
Chair – Sean Burke
Vice Chair – Dave Watts
1x Vacancy

PAY COMMITTEE
Chair – Sean Burke
Dave Watts

HEADTEACHER PERFORMANCE & PAY
Chair – Sean Burke

Documents

There are some key documents the Governing Board use to guide their strategy for school improvement which are available here.

Governors Documentation

Terms of Reference Structure