Governors

Latest Governors' Update

The governors' role is to work with Noel Fadden and the rest of the team to set the strategic direction of the school, to monitor the educational performance of the school for the benefit of all pupils and to make sure the school's budget is well spent

Please do feel free to contact the governors on any strategic matter either by email to the chair on Susi Pollard spollard@southover.e-sussex.sch.uk (chair) or in person. You can see photos and bios of each governor on the website and you will find many of us in the playground at drop off and pick up.

Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

Please find below details of our governing body, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each governor. Our governing body structure has one committee, which is the Finance committee. 

Susanne Pollard - chair and co-opted governor

July 2023 - July 2027

I am delighted to have been elected as chair of the governing board. I was a foundation governor for 5 years from 2019 and have now been appointed as one of the co-opted governors.

My training and experience is as a special educational needs teacher specialising in teaching children and young people with severe and profound multiple learning disabilities. As well as teaching, I have been a department manager giving me a perspective on supporting staff and the senior management team. I am the link governor for SEND and Sports Premium.

Carol Taplin – foundation governor & co-chair of the Finance Committee

September 2021 – August 2025

I have been a governor at Southover since 1997, when my three children were all still at the school. I am a Foundation Governor appointed by the Diocese on the recommendation of TRINITY Church Southover, and as such have a particular responsibility for ensuring that the school, as a Church of England school, remains distinctively Christian. I am a member of the Finance Committee, and am the governor linked to Safeguarding, helping to ensure that the school fulfils its responsibilities to safeguard all the children at the school – this also covers staff training in areas such as Prevent.

Michèle Moore - co-opted governor

April 2023 – April 2027

I am delighted to be a member of Southover’s board of governors. My professional background is in adult training and development and my last role was as Head of People Development with a large contract catering company. I have been particularly involved in leadership development and managing change.

I am the governor linked to Curriculum, ensuring that it is broad and balanced and supports children to build and apply their knowledge and skills. I am also the link governor for Behaviour. I share the monitoring of Wellbeing with Burt Browne.

Burt Browne – vice-chair and a co-opted governor

September 2021 – September 2025

I am delighted to serve as vice-chair and a co-opted governor, appointed by this esteemed board.  I have a child who started reception in 2018. I grew up in South Africa before life in Lewes and work across England as a civil engineer. My qualifications include a BSc (Hons) and I have read for MBAs at Durham University, EBS University in Germany, and the University of San Francisco. I have experience teaching English in Taiwan. I have also previously volunteered as an assistant to children with SEN needs, and presently volunteer with Curiosity Sussex, promoting STEM education. I serve as a trustee for the Lewes Co-operative Learning Partnership, as the link governor for health and safety, and as the deputy safeguarding governor.

Duncan Milham - co-opted governor & co-chair of the Finance Committee

December 2023 - December 2027

I have had the honour of being a parent governor since 2019 and I have two little girls at Southover. Professionally I have been a secondary school maths teacher since 2003 and I am currently working at a large comprehensive in Hove. I grew up in Lewes and I still live here now. I am the link governor for mathematics teaching at Southover and co-chair of the finance committee.

Rebecca Coles - co-opted governor

April 2023 - April 2027

I am a co-opted Governor for Southover, with a Civil Service background in strategy and policy delivery.

I bring 20 years’ experience of developing national government policy on domestic and international affairs, and managing departmental strategy and spending review activity.

I live in Lewes and have two children, who are both at Southover.

I am the link governor for pupil premium.

Gill Fenton – staff governor

December 2022 – December 2026

I've been a Class Teacher and Music Coordinator at Southover for many years and currently teach in Year 6.  I have 2 'grown-up' children at College and University.

Rachel Callow - parent governor

September 2022 - September 2026 

I am excited to be the new Parent Govenor at Southover. I have one child at the school, and another who has left and is now at secondary. I have also been a Primary School Teacher since 2004, with experience of teaching all the Year Groups across a wide range of different schools in London and in Sussex.

I am the link governor for attendance.

Noel Fadden – Headteacher, ex-officio Governor

I have taught in Birmingham, Hastings, Eritrea and Vietnam over the years as well as gaining an MA in International Education at Sussex University. I have been at Southover since 2006 as Deputy Head and Acting Head and have taught in all year groups from Y1 to Y6. I am delighted to have been the headteacher at Southover since September 2017 and am proud of the way the school community works together to enable the children at Southover to achieve in all areas.

Zoe Short – associate member

May 2023 - May 2027

I am Deputy Headteacher and SENCO at Southover and have been a governor  for a number of years, starting as a parent governor in 2007 and now as an associate  governor.  I have taught and governed in different schools so bring to the governing body experience of the education system. 

Over the years, I have been special educational needs governor and safeguarding governor and part of the performance management of headteachers. I combine the understanding of the education issues schools face, a staff perspective and that of a parent. I am currently responsible for monitoring the improvement of the school's communication with all stakeholders.

Sam Wass - parent governor

March 2024 - March 2028

I'm Sam, a parent governor at Southover. I work as a psychologist and neuroscientist with a focus on early childhood development. I run a research lab in East London where we explore how home and educational environments affect brain development in underprivileged children. I also support neurodivergent children. My experience includes speaking at education events and contributing to discussions in educational publications. I appeared on Channel 4's The Secret Life of 4- and 5-Year-Olds. As the link governor for Early Years, I look forward to using my knowledge to support our school community.

Denise Kong - Clerk to Governors

Full governing board attendance 2023-24

Finance committee attendance 2023-24

Declarations of interest 2024-25