Who are Your Governors?

Who are your Governors?

The Governing Board of Arun Villages Federation, comprising Amberley CE Primary School and St. James CE Primary School, Coldwaltham, is shared over the two schools. The Governing Board is organised into five key areas: Educational Performance; Strategy; Finance; Operations and Safeguarding. Within the table below, it is indicated which area of responsibility each governor is involved with.


Governor	Category	Responsibilities	Attendance at meetings 2024/2025	Appointment Dates
Richard Charman	Chair of Governors	Finance	7 of 7	05.09.2023 to 04.09.2027
Mel Edge	Foundation Governor	Safeguarding	7 of 7	15.01.2024 to 14.01.2028
Sarah Fish	Co-opted Governor	Educational Performance, Head Teacher's Performance Management	6 of 7	06.06.2023 to 05.06.2027
Victoria Gradden	Parent Governor	SEND	7 of 7	14.05.2024 to 13.05.2028
Simon Spyers	Co-opted Governor	Health and Safety	4 of 7	21.11.2024 to 20.11.2028
Sophia Morrissey	Co-opted Governor	Strategy	4 of 7	21.11.2024 to 20.11.2028
Guy Nelson	Co-opted Governor	Educational Performance	2 of 7	20.05.2025 to 19.05.2029
Samantha Padgham	Co-opted Governor		2 of 7	20.05.2025 to 19.05.2029
Lizzie Martin	Executive Head Teacher	All areas	7 of 7	01.07.2019
Mike Emery	Co-opted Governor	Strategy	n/a	09.09.2025 to 08.09.2029

Governor Profiles

Mrs Lizzie Martin

Executive Headteacher

It has been my privilege to be Executive Headteacher across both schools in the Arun Villages Federation (Amberley CE Primary School and St. James' CE Primary School, Coldwaltham) since September 2021. I am blessed to lead two fantastic, hard-working staff teams and to have wonderful children and parents to work with.

I am passionate about the education of children; for every child, I would like to see them make progress and achieve highly both academically and emotionally. By the time they leave primary school, it is my aim to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and understanding they need for secondary school…and to cope with everyday life!

I have three boys of my own, aged 26, 25 and 19. My middle son has severe autism and learning disabilities which has given me a huge insight into the experience of families living with special needs and inspires me to ensure the schools are warm and inclusive places. I love spending time with my boys, reading, listening to music, cooking (and eating!) and visiting places of interest.

Mr. Richard Charman

Chair of Governors

I was elected Chair of Governors in December 2023 having served as Vice Chair of Governors since 2020, leader of the Finance Committee and a Parent Governor from 2019. I am proud to work with the children, staff, parents and a range of stakeholders to help both schools achieve their aims and give children the brilliant start in life that a great primary education provides. Our mission is simple and unites the school team – enabling every child to thrive and succeed. I am a director of a major UK business and bring transferable skills, together with my passion for education and the insight I get as a parent, to lead a governing board which supports and constructively challenges the school team to be their best.

Victoria Gradden OBE

Parent Governor

I became a Parent Governor in Spring 2024, joining a hugely welcoming and supportive group of people who really want to make a difference, and I have three children who attend St James’s. I am keen to ensure that parents are well represented via the Board, and I hope that my skills and experience, covering more than 20 years working in communications and engagement, both in the charity sector and the civil service, will help both schools maximise their ambitions.

My husband is an active member of the St James’s PTA, and I support as many events as I can, whether running a stand, making wreaths for the Christmas fair, or helping set up and pack away. As a family, we spend a lot of time outside, exploring, gardening, playing and supporting football and cricket matches, as well as looking after our dog, cats, chickens and fish.

Melanie Edge

Foundation Governor

I grew up in Surrey but my parents were both very much Sussex folk and this is where I feel most at home.

After a career in the Ministry of Defence in London, with weekends spent in Amberley, I returned to live full time in Amberley in 2016. I have been a churchwarden at St Michael’s church for about five years. As churchwarden my focus has been on strengthening links between the church and the local community, of which the school is of course an integral part. I look forward to building on these links as school governor.

I have two daughters and five grandchildren so school issues are are very much part of family conversations!

Sarah Fish

Co-opted Governor

A resident in Amberley for 5 years I now feel part of the established strong and welcoming community

Having worked in elderly and dementia care I am familiar with the principles of governance and importance of both meeting but also striving to exceed regulatory standards. I want to bring this experience and knowledge to the role as a Governor.

I have a grown up family with three grandchildren all enjoying their primary years in education. Having been a Governor across the Arun Villages Federation I really enjoy contributing to the school’s development and supporting the staff on their journey to help the children in their care to flourish.

Simon Spyers

Co-opted Governor

I became a governor in 2024 with the aim of giving back to the local community and hoping to use my experience to assist the wonderful school that both of my children attend as students. I am a current serving police officer for Surrey Police and have worked extensively with individuals, families and children with widely diverse backgrounds and needs. My wife is a community nurse in Sussex, so our whole family is focussed on public service.

I have a degree in History and a very active interest in military history, current affairs, politics, science and space exploration. On the lighter side of things, I enjoy collecting comic books, building Lego sets and playing various video games, sometimes involving my children in these activities.

I am always looking for ways to get people laughing and can always be found parading the latest in shorts and flip flop fashion.

Guy Nelson

Co-opted Governor

I have lived in Coldwaltham for over 30 years and my own children attended St. James'. I am very pleased to have just recently joined the Governors and I hope to be able to contribute to the future development of the school.

I am active in supporting the village in a number of ways including through the Parish Council and I am a Trustee at Lodge Hill.

I have a background in secondary teaching and school leadership and currently work for a charity supporting students with special educational needs.

Samantha Padgham

Co-opted Governor

I am a parent governor with children in Years 3 and 5 at Amberley School. I have worked in finance for 20+ years and currently work for a local, small chain of children's nurseries where I am responsible for finance, HR and admissions.

Mike Emery

Co-opted Governor

I moved to Amberley in 2023. I am already involved in several groups in the village and want to contribute further locally, especially in Amberley and St. James' Schools.

I am currently a governor at St. Margaret’s Church of England Primary School, Ifield, Crawley, I took on this role in December 2018 and have served continuously since then. I became vice-chair of the school's board of governors a year after joining the board. Amongst my many duties I have served as Chair of Governors for 2 years.

Before retiring, I worked for 40 years in the textile and chemical Industries, both in the UK and in Switzerland. I spent time in research and development before moving into marketing and sales. My last post was Commercial Director for Europe, MEAF, Russia and India.

I credit my successful career in industry to my state education and am keen to help others achieve their full potential. My special interest is in the teaching of science.

Sophia Morrissey

Co-opted Governor

Resignations in past 12 months

Richard Hearn November 2024

Sheila Ross-Hulme March 2025