Our Lovely Governors

I am the Chair of Governors at West Rise Primary School. I have been a governor and clerk in various schools across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove since 2010.

My professional background includes work as a youth worker, in school data, and I currently work in Information Technology as a Solutions Architect.

I am a co-opted governor at West Rise Primary School. As a Safeguarding Practice Manager for a large regional youth charity, I lead on strategy and development for safeguarding children and adults.

I have extensive experience in child protection, regulatory compliance, and serious incident response, and I am deeply committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people. I hold an MSc in Health Promotion, with studies focusing on the social, psychological, and structural factors that influence health and behaviour, enriching the way I approach safeguarding and continuous service improvement.

I bring the same care, curiosity, and attentiveness to my role as a school governor, providing oversight and accountability as this wonderful school creates safe, inclusive learning spaces where children can thrive.

I am a co-opted governor at West Rise Primary School. I have recently retired after a career in education spanning over forty years.

I was a headteacher in two West Sussex schools for nearly twenty years and also served as a trustee at a primary academy school, where I chaired the Curriculum and Standards Committee.

I fully support the vision and ethos of West Rise and look forward to supporting the leadership team, staff, parents, and children in developing a successful and nurturing primary school.

I am a parent governor at West Rise Primary School. I have been a governor here for around two years and currently work as a Finance Operations Manager, with extensive management and leadership experience.

Both of my children have attended West Rise and love the school. I feel that this role is my way of giving something back to the school and the wider community.

I am a co-opted governor at West Rise Primary School. I am the board’s Quality of Education (English) Link Governor and Behaviour and Attendance Link Governor.

I hold an MA in Education and have worked across a wide range of roles within the education sector, including safeguarding, youth work, primary and secondary schools, pupil referral units, and further and higher education.

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My name is Emily Ellis, and I live in Hastings with my husband and three children. Our eldest is non-verbal and attends a special school in Bexhill, while our two younger children both attend mainstream primary schools in Hastings.

I have taught at West Rise for nearly 20 years and have been a governor for 10 years. I am currently working across Year 1 and Year 2, delivering the school’s Growth Model outdoor curriculum.

I am a dedicated and experienced educational professional with 15 years of service in secondary education, having started my career as a teaching assistant.

Currently, I work as a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo), where I am committed to championing inclusive practice and ensuring that every student has access to the support required to thrive academically and personally.

Complementing this role, I also bring significant experience as a former Safeguarding Lead, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to student welfare and the maintenance of a safe and supportive school environment.

I am a parent governor at West Rise Primary, with two sons at the school.

I have worked in the public sector for over 15 years, focusing on special educational needs and education. My background includes leading system change, strategic planning, and inclusive service delivery for children and young people with SEND.

I look forward to using my experience to support the school’s inclusive ethos and future growth.

I have been the Staff Governor at West Rise Junior School and now at the Primary School for the past four years. Alongside this role, I am a Year 6 teacher and the school’s Maths Lead, with a passion for helping pupils develop confidence and enjoyment in mathematics.