Who we are

Julia Bray – Headteacher Governor (Northiam)

Honey Clarke – LA Governor – Co Vice Chair of Governors

I am a mum of two girls and passionate about supporting the community, I joined the Board of Governors in December 2018, bringing my expertise as a HR consultant of over 20 years. I am a  qualified coach and Fellow of the CIPD.

I am passionate about children’s development and education and helping to create an environment where everyone will flourish.  I have recently worked with a charity helping young people build key skills in order to secure employment and has also worked with employer groups to create new apprenticeship standards and apprenticeship training programs.

 Matthew Coupe – Co-opted Governor – Co Vice Chair of Governors

I moved to the area with my family in 2014 and am delighted to have the opportunity to help my local community in my role as governor.  I work in banking for my day job and hope to use my skills in financial services and regulation as part of my role as governor.  I have a particular interest in SEN stemming from personal and family experience and I have previously been youth chair of dyslexia action.  Whilst I am not from an educational background it often feels like most of my family are educators.

Allison Flack – Headteacher Governor (Hurst Green) 

Rev. Annette Hawkins – Foundation Governor 

I am the Vicar of Holy Trinity, Hurst Green and St Mary, Salehurst in the United Benefice of Salehurst, Hurst Green and Robertsbridge.  I started my working life as a nurse, I then took a degree in Education and went on to work in project management, initially for a small local charity and afterwards for a national charity as the development manager and local authority childcare consultant for East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove.  I am married and have four adult children and five grandchildren.

Chris Howells – Clerk to the Governors

I joined the Governing Body in September 2020 after having acted as Locum Clerk for a year.  I have had previous experience of clerking for different Governing Bodies across East Sussex.  I have worked in education roles for the last 10 years, and so have a good understanding of all aspects of school life and governance.  I have two grown up children, one living in Denmark and the other has just started at the University of Sussex following a business degree.  I enjoy traveling, particularly to Greece and specifically my favourite island Paxos.

Emma Ivil – Staff Governor (Hurst Green)

This is my 19th year of teaching and 4th year at Hurst Green Primary School where I teach in Oak Class (Year 6). I have taught all ages from Year 1-6 in a variety of schools including Goudhurst Primary School and Hollington Academy in St Leonards. I am currently English and PSHE lead, as well as Mental Health and Staff Wellbeing Champion. I am a mum of two boys who keep me busy.  I am also a keen bird-watcher, golfer and enjoy dancing. This is my first Governor role and I am looking forward to being part of the decision-making team across both Northiam and Hurst Green Primary Schools.

Judith Koral – Co-opted Staff Governor (Northiam)

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Elaine Lambert – Co-opted Governor – Chair of Governors

My husband and I moved to Etchingham in 2017, following our retirement. I have had a varied career. I started my working life as a computer programmer then became a secondary school maths teacher after starting a family, going on to become a head of department in a Further Education College.  I then joined the School Effectiveness team in the London Borough of Bexley as their mathematics consultant.  Finally, I worked as a publisher, responsible for secondary school maths textbooks and I still do some authoring and editing of maths resources. I also volunteered as a parent governor when my children were at their Church of England primary school.  I am passionate about helping children to reach their full potential, and as a governor in the local community I hope I can support schools to achieve this.  Other interests include cycling, walking, pottery and my grandchildren!

Lauren McAughtry – Co-opted Governor 

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Anne-Marie Murphy – Co-Opted Governor

I joined the Board of Governors in December 2019, bringing ten years’ experience of project management in educational publishing at Cambridge University Press with me. I am a trained Secondary teacher who also specialized in Primary and Cambridge Exams, although lately I have taken a special interest in the areas of inclusivity and diversity in print and digital materials.

My 18 year old daughter is about to sit A levels and I am also active offering respite foster care to children across Sussex and Kent – the importance of offering an inclusive, safe, Christian environment for all children along with the school Leadership teams is what motivated me to join the governing body. I look forward to getting to know more about the life and work of the school!

Should you wish to contact the Chair of Governors, please approach the School Office or email elambert@quercusfederation.co.uk