Patcham Junior School

 Meet the Governors

Marion Rajan

 Chair of Governors
(Co-opted)

I am now Chair of Governors having previously been the Curriculum committee chair and Vice Chair of Governors. Both my sons attended PJS some years ago and by taking on the school governor role my aim has been to “give something back” to the school by using my professional skills and experience.

I qualified as a Social Worker over 35 years ago, and since this time have gained extensive experience of direct work in Child Protection, Fostering, Adoption, Residential, and Psychiatric settings with children of all ages. I eventually moved into Social Work operational management, and in recent years to strategic management in Safeguarding for children. I have several management qualifications, including a Masters Degree in Public Service Management.’

Current term of office:  19.3.2018 to 18.3.2022.  Marion was originally appointed as local authority governor 1.3.2011.

Danny Simpson

Vice Chair  (Co-opted)

I have served on the governing body of Patcham Junior School since I was elected as parent governor 9.11.2006.

I have two sons, both of whom attended Patcham Junior School and I attended Patcham Junior School himself, when it was known as Patcham Middle School.

I work for East Sussex County Council as a principal internal auditor and have extensive experience in working with schools and with the Children’s Services Department more generally.

Outside of work, I am keen on sports photography and take pictures for my local rugby and cricket clubs.

Current term of office:  19.3.2018 to 18.3.2022

Andrew Saunders

Vice Chair (Co-opted) 

I became an Associate member in 2014 and a full governor in 2015. I have also been a governor at Patcham High for a number of years and joined the Patcham Junior governing body to lend my expertise on all data related matters. I am now joint Vice Chair of Governors.

I have three children, two at Patcham High and another starting at Patcham Junior this year.

I work as an Actuary for an insurance company in the City of London in the Gherkin building and have undertaken various voluntary roles in the education sector.

I have a passionate belief that all children should be helped to reach their full potential regardless of their background or academic ability. There is an increasing focus on the effective use of data by school governors. I hope to be able to add value to the governing body in this important area. I firmly believe that the school has the potential to continue its upward trajectory and achieve an Outstanding Ofsted rating.

In my spare time I coach two local football teams and two local cricket teams.

Current term of office:  15.7.2019 to 14.7.2023.  Andrew was originally co-opted 15.7.2015.

Alister Sutherland

Headteacher

I have been the headteacher of Patcham Junior School since September 2017 and I have the absolute honour of leading this vibrant, hardworking and successful school.  

Prior to starting at Patcham, I worked in two very large, then middle schools, in a neighbouring local authority.  During my 14 years there I worked as a class teacher, subject leader, year group leader and assistant headteacher across both schools. 

Working in education has always been a privilege much more than simply a job.  In this ever changing world, I consider it essential that we celebrate (and make irresistible) a life long love of learning which enables all pupils to be as well prepared as they possibly can be for whatever their lives have in store for them.  To be responsible for even a small part of that education journey is wonderful.

Mark Rodericks

 (Co-opted)

I am deputy headteacher of the school.

I have twenty years of teaching experience, working in three different local authorities, as well as taking the opportunity to teach in America. I have held a variety of different teaching and leadership positions within a Junior School.

I have also worked for Brighton and Hove authority as a leading practitioner in mathematics.

I am very interested in getting the best outcomes for all children, ensuring that the curriculum is fun yet purposeful. I also believe very strongly in promoting life long learning.

Current term of office:  4.4.2018 to 3.4.2022.  Mark was originally elected as staff governor 18.10.2013.

Tamsin Hinton-Smith

Associate Member

 I joined the governing body in October 2016 as a parent governor. I have two children at the school as well as two older children.

I am a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Education at the University of Sussex. I have a particular professional interest and personal commitment around supporting the educational experiences and outcomes of disadvantaged students and have particular responsibility within the governing body for Pupil Premium.

Term of office: 16.7.20 to 15.7.22 (appointed by governing body).  Tamsin was previously a parent governor, elected by parents 14.10.2016.

Co-opted Governor

Vacancy.  Could this be you?  If you are interested please contact the Chair of Governors MarionRajan@patchamjun.brighton-hove.sch.uk  We look forward to hearing from you.

NIGEL STOCK

Staff Governor 

_{I have had the honour to work as a class teacher at Patcham Junior school for 21 years. I started my career in teaching in 1997 at the tender age of 23 in Year 6. I would never had predicted then that I would still be here now, but that goes to show what an amazing place this is to work. During my time here, I have worked under four Headteachers and two Deputy Headteachers and I have taught all year groups for at least four years, returning to both Year 6 and Year 3 for a second stint. I have led Maths, a subject I am passionate about, for 19 years and have rolled out four different versions of the maths curriculum. I am also Year 3 Leader, a rewarding and demanding role which keeps me very busy. I am now teaching the children of children that I have I taught, and it is great to be part of the Patcham community. I also mentor trainee and newly qualified teachers and work with the university of Brighton in a mentoring programme called Men in Primary. My mentoring work is very important to me as I find I am always questioning and improving my own practice when talking about pedagogy and education to new teachers. Outside of school, I have a keen interest in property, DIY and gardening. I belong to two book clubs and enjoy exercising at the gym five times a week. This is my second time of being a teacher governor and I look forward to working closely with the other dedicated governors.}

_{Term of office 6.11.2018 to 5.11.2022 (elected by staff).   Previous term as staff governor 25.9.2006 to 31.8.2010}

Local Authority Governor

Vacancy.  Please contact the Chair of Governors MarionRajan@patchamjun.brighton-hove.sch.uk if you are interested in joining the team for further information and an informal discussion.

EMILY ESLICK

Parent governor

I am a parent governor who recently joined the team in 2020.  My eldest child attends Patcham Junior School and I am keen and enthusiastic to take an active role in helping to shape the school’s future direction and ethos. I am also keen to be more involved in the community in which I live and support the important role that the school plays in supporting this strong and active community. I currently work for East Sussex County Council in their children’s services department and am interested in children’s education and wellbeing.

Term of office 20.10.20 - 19.10.24 (elected by parents).

Derrick Davis

Co-opted governor

I have lived in Patcham since 2000 and my two children attended Patcham Junior School. I previously worked for over 25 years as a Business Manager for a large multi-national company, running a number of premises and dealing with the day-to-day operations.

Outside of work, I enjoy most sports and have played football and rowed to a nationally-ranked level. I also enjoy music, am an American Football season-ticket holder and have qualified for The Times National Sudoku Championships each year since 2011

My years of running a business have given me an understanding and insight of the many components required to achieve sustainable success. We are a foster family and this has given me a greater appreciation why education  is important to all children, from all backgrounds.

The school has worked hard to ensure that the children are given the tools and resources to maximise their potential but also develop as more rounded  individuals.  My personal interests coincide with some of the school's curriculum agenda and I look forward to supporting them in whichever manner needed. 

Current term of office:  13.11.2018 to 12.11.2022.  Originally appointed as co-opted governor by the governing body 13.11.2014

Jane Walden

Co-opted governor

I am a retired ex Careers Adviser and teacher.  I moved to Brighton just under 5 years ago and have found lots to keep me busy in retirement.  I have always maintained a connection with young people and schools, even when living in America, where I made the costumes for the local High School Musical!

Term of office  10.12.19 to 9.12.2023

Jason Weber

Co-opted governor

The governing body was pleased to appoint Jason Weber on 10.12.19.  His term runs 10.12.19 to 9.12.2023

Ruth Nilsson

Co-opted governor

I am a co-opted governor who joined the team in April 2016.  My children attend Patcham schools or nursery and I work as  Head of English at a school in West Sussex.

I am committed to supporting Patcham Junior School in continuing to be a vibrant learning environment which is at the heart of the community of Patcham. I have a particular interest in fostering a love of learning and in promoting the importance of literacy across the curr iculum.’

Current term of office:  7.5.2020 to 6.5.2024.  Ruth was originally co-opted to the governing body 27.4.2016.

ISABELLE BAGLEY

Parent Governor

I am a parent governor who joined the team in November 2017.  My children attend Patcham Schools and I work as a Modern Foreign Languages teacher at a school and sixth form college in West Sussex. 

I feel very privileged to be able to play a small part in assisting Patcham Junior School and its fantastic team.  I strongly believe in supporting our local community and Patcham Junior School is at its very heart.   

I have a particular interest in supporting children with Special Education Needs. 

Term of office:  03.11.2017 to 02.11.2021 (elected by parents).

Jack tyler

Parent Governor

I have two daughters, the eldest of which started year three at Patcham Junior School from Patcham Infant School in September.  My youngest attends Patcham Infant School Nursery Class.

I am a qualified teacher who taught History and Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship at secondary level for nine years.

I now work full time as an organiser for the National Education Union, the largest teachers' trade union.

Term of office:  30.11.2018 to 29.11.2022 (elected by parents).

 J JOHNSON

Clerk to the Governors

Recent governors

Anabel Carrington LA governor, term 10.12.2018 to 6.11.2020