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Stanford Infant School

GOVERNING BODY MEMBERSHIP

Current Governing Body Members Page

The members of the Governing Body are drawn from parents/carers, staff and the wider community. Most Governors are initially appointed for a 4 year term which can be extended if necessary.

Stanford Infant School Governor Roles 2023-2024

On this page, you can find information about each the Governors, including the date of their appointment and end date, register of interests and more information on the responsibilities of our Governing Body and its Committees & Working Groups.

Jenny Stratton Head Teacher  Appointed – 22/04/2025

Register of Interests: None

Governing Roles in Other Schools – None

Elected by: Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal

Emma Remnant Staff Original Appointment 4/10/2013 Appointed – 04/10/2021 End date – 3/10/2025

Register of Interests: None

Governing Roles in Other Schools – None

Elected by: School Staff

 

Martin Blake Co-opted Appointed – 28/09/2021 End date – 27/09/2025

Martin is a recruitment professional who has worked for several large recruitment and technology companies as well as running his own business for almost 6 years. Martin is an Arts graduate from the University of Essex who was previously active in the PTFA and volunteering for various school events. He was keen, therefore, to continue this association after both of his children moved up to the Juniors. He feels passionately about the role of the school in the wider community and has a particular interest in the educational needs of looked after and previously looked after children.

Register of Interests: None

Governing Roles in Other Schools – None

Elected by: Appointed by GB/board

 

Lauren Cole   Co-opted Appointed – 28/09/2021 End date – 27/09/2025

Lauren has served on the Governing Body since 2021 during which time, both of her sons have enjoyed being at the Infants. Her career background is in both Marketing and Human Resources having first graduated with a degree in Applied Psychology. Lauren currently works for a small Marketing Agency in Brighton on social media and digital campaigns and previous experience included 20 years working in various roles in an international healthcare organisation, for a global consumer electronics company and at a consultancy firm. She understands the complex nature of decision making when multiple stakeholders are involved and wants to support the school to thrive in challenging circumstances. Lauren is a strong believer in the opportunity good educational foundations provide for children and is a proud advocate of the school.

Register of Interests: Parent.

Governing Roles in Other Schools – None

Appointed by GB/board

 

Andrew Eastel  Parent Appointed – 17/12/2021 End date – 16/12/2025

Andrew’s daughter started in reception at Stanford in 2021. He is Creative Director at a television production company in Brighton. His job involves overseeing multiple productions, leading several different teams of people, all working on tight schedules and often under a lot of pressure. Working in documentary, he has had the opportunity to learn about and spend time with people from all walks of life. He is very aware and understanding of the different life experiences within every community and hopes this will help him in his governor role. He is particularly keen to help the school provide every pupil with the chance to start seeing their unique creative talent and potential, no matter what that might be.

Register of Interests: Parent.

Governing Roles in Other Schools – None

Elected by: Parents

 

Tess Gill Local Authority/Co-opted Appointed – 27/02/2019 End date – 26/02/2023
Tess has worked for Brighton & Hove City Council for over 10 years in various departments supporting education from Adult Learning and the Learning Partnership to School Improvement. She is passionate about the importance of life-long learning to create happy and fulfilled people and believes that Stanford Infant’s aim of Exploring and Learning Together, Inspiring Each Other is an excellent way to do this. As a relatively new member to the governing body she feels that she has been given a great opportunity to continue her own learning but also hopes to support the school staff to continue to provide the best experience for all pupils, parents and staff in the future. She is also a very enthusiastic member of Brighton Little Theatre.

Register of Interests: None

Governing Roles in Other Schools – None

Elected by: Nominated by LA and appointed by GB

 

Susie O’Neill Parent Appointed – 04/11/2021 End date – 03/11/2025

Susie works for NHS Sussex as the Commissioner for children’s services, aiming to ensure that we use our limited resources as effectively as possible to improve health outcomes for children and young people. She understands the immense challenges for the public sector workforce, managing increasingly complex needs with care and commitment when resources are really stretched, and she hopes to bring a compassionate and problem-solving approach to supporting the school with these challenges. She started her career in child and adolescent mental health and so also brings a keen interest in the emotional wellbeing of pupils. 

Register of Interests: Parent

Governing Roles in Other Schools – None

Elected by: Parents

Andy Cottle Co-Opted Appointed - 01/07/2022 End Date - 30/06/2026

Andy is a qualified accountant and spent a number of year working with innovative businesses in the London tech-scene. He now runs a practice that focuses on providing accounting support to mental health and wellbeing practitioners. His daughter started in reception in 2021 and he was immediately impressed with how happy and keen to learn she was on joining the school. He feels very strongly about supporting the school going forward. 

 Register of Interests: Parent

 Governing Roles in Other Schools - None

 Elected by: Parents

 

Kate Nicholroy Co-opted Appointed – 07/10/2024 End date – 106/10/2028

 

Register of Interests: Parent 

Governing Roles in Other Schools – None

Elected by: Appointed by GB/board

 

Lauren Gilligan Parent Appointed – 02/12/2024 End date –  01/12/28

 

Register of Interests: Parent 

Governing Roles in Other Schools – None

Elected by:  Parents 

 

Sarah Court- Brown Parent Appointed – 31.01.2025

End date – 31.01.2029

 Register of Interests: Parent 

Governing Body Roles in Other Schools - None 

Elected by: Parents 

 

Yasha Gosrani Associate Appointed –  End date – 

 

Register of Interests: Parent 

Governing Roles in Other Schools – Stanford Junior School 

Elected by:  N/A 

 

 
John Parr
 (Clerk) Appointed – 04/11/2021

 

Governing Body Responsibilities/Committees

At Stanford Infant School, all governors meet at least twice a term to discuss strategic matters, ensuring that there is a clarity of vision and ethos. At these meetings they act as questioning friends, holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and the management of staff, as well as making sure that funding is well spent.

Every Governor takes responsibility and an interest in at least one area of the School’s Development and Improvement Plan. Governors will work hard with the school’s Senior Leadership Team to ensure all of the priorities are progressing in the right direction and will break into smaller working groups to achieve this.

The responsibility of the Clerk is crucial to the success of the Governing Body. The clerk arranges and publishes the agendas for meetings. The clerk will prepare and circulate minutes of all meetings- when minutes have been formally agreed, they are published on the school website. The Clerk will also circulate training opportunities for Governors, and advise Governors on legal and procedural matters.