St Thomas a Becket Catholic Primary School

St Thomas a Becket Catholic Primary School has a single Governing Body led by the Chair of Governors, Mr Dominic McIlhargey.  The Governing Body currently consists of 14 members, made up of 7 Foundation Governors appointed by the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton, 1 Local Authority representative, 2 Parent representatives, 2 Teaching and Support Staff Governors, 2 Associate Members and a Clerk.  Governors play an active part in the life of the school and attend regular meetings.  We are entrusted with upholding the Catholic ethos which is at the heart of our School.

The Governors meet 4 times per academic year as a Full Governing Body and 3 times per academic year as Committee's.

Contact the Clerk to the Governing Body, Mrs Mandy Randall to:

• contact the Chair of Governors
• ask for governing body minutes
• get information on Governor vacancies
• find out how to become a School Governor

Email: clerk@stthomasbecket.e-sussex.sch.uk

Tel: 01323 737221

We currently have the following vacancies: 2 Foundation Governors

Governor Profiles :

Dominic McIlhargey Foundation Governor and Chair of Governors

My name is Dominic McIlhargey and I have been a Foundation Governor for 7 years and have found the experience very rewarding. I have 3 children in the school, all in KS2. I have an interest in SEND, having taught in a school for children with speech and language difficulties for several years. I am very proud to be a Governor at such an excellent school and am delighted to support the Headteacher and his staff in upholding the strong Catholic ethos of our school.

 

Claire Hermon (Foundation Governor)

My name is Claire Hermon and I was elected as Parent Governor in September 2016.  I have been a parent at the school since 2014 when my eldest daughter started.  I have another daughter currently in Reception class and a baby born in 2017.  I am also an active member of ‘Friends of St Thomas a Becket’ (PTA).  My desire to be part of the governing body stems from my own experience as a pupil at the school many years ago!  I also feel it is important to ‘give something back’ by helping and supporting the school in any which way I can.  My career path has lead me to work with children in varying forms over the past 25 years and in the last 10 years as a Childrens’ Services Social Worker. I am genuinely passionate about the holistic development and healthy growth of children and striving to support and encouraging them to be the best they can be.  My experience, knowledge and skills has lent itself well to the role as Safeguarding Lead Governor within the school. I also sit on the Teaching and Learning Committee.  My time is kept very busy with my three children, however if I manage to find time to myself I enjoy a number of pastimes including sewing, crafts, reading and retail therapy!! I also regularly attend mass at the parish of St. Gregory and lead the Children’s Liturgy.  I am very honoured to work with the school in a Governor capacity and will strive to help and support the vision and growth of the school, ensuring “all-round” development and outstanding education for each and every child at St Thomas a Becket Primary School. 

 

 

Tracey O’Neill (Staff Governor)

My name is Tracey O’Neill and I have been a Staff Governor since 2015.  I joined St Thomas a Becket in 2011 as an Individual Needs Assistant and I am currently a Teaching Assistant in Year 5.  My son was a pupil here and is now at St Richards.

 

 

Neil Taylor (Foundation Governor)

My name is Neil Taylor and I was appointed a Foundation Governor in 2019.  I am a father of four girls with one attending St Thomas a Becket.  I am an experienced health care professional with a wealth of transferable skills gained in the National Health Service and private sector.  I have a commitment to excellence in education, which ensures our children are at the centre of all the decisions we make.  In addition to running my own health care business, I am currently working as a volunteer instructor with the local Cadet Forces.  This has provided me with opportunities to work with children from a majority of local schools where I have been able to foster an environment of mutual respect, honesty and integrity.  In addition to this I have gained further experience in leadership and management having gained a Cadet Officer Commission.  I am a consummate promotor of child health and wellbeing and an advocate of using Forest school activities and the outdoor classroom to promote healthy behaviours.  Being a Foundation Governor gives me the opportunity to put ‘Family First’ and not just my own, but the larger family we have together.  Like my fellow Governors, I am extremely honoured to serve such an exceptional school and relish the opportunity to support all the staff in upholding the strong Catholic spirit we hold true.

 

James Pratt (Local Authority Governor)

My name is James Pratt and I am the Local Authority designated Governor at St Thomas a Becket Catholic Primary School. I have nearly 10 years’ experience in Education and I am currently an Assistant Headteacher at a local Secondary School. My passion in education is high quality pastoral care and ensuring all pupils are afforded the same opportunities regardless of their social and economic background. I currently lead on Behaviour and Attendance at my school. I have two children, one who currently attends St Thomas a Becket and one that will be joining in the future. I am really honoured to sit on the Governing Body of such a great school and look forward to continuing to support the school in any way I can in the future.

 

 

Fr. Neil Chatfield (Associate Member)

My name is Fr Neil, Parish Priest of Christ the King with St Joachim’s and Pastor of the Ordinariate Mission in Eastbourne.   I have recently joined the Governing Body at St Thomas a Becket Catholic Primary School as an Associate Member.  I am married with 3 children and enjoy painting, reading and most sports.

 

Jemma Harvey (Parent Governor)

My name is Jemma Harvey and I was elected as a Parent Governor in March 2019.  I will have all four of my children attending St Thomas a Becket school from September 2019.  My passion for children’s health and education, (being a local GP) lead me to apply for the post of Parent Governor and I am truly honoured to be able to serve the school in this way.  I am looking forward to being able to contribute positively to the governing body in continuing to ensure all the children at St Thomas a Becket have an enjoyable and fulfilling catholic education.

 

Clive Featherstone KC*HS - Foundation Governor 

I am a retired Chartered Loss Adjuster and when working, in addition to my normal duties, was an ex officio member of the Board of the Catholic National Mutual Insurance Company who provide cover to the majority of the Dioceses in this country.  I have been married for over 50 years and have four married children.  Before moving to Eastbourne four years ago, I was heavily involved with the Parish in Uckfield and a Foundation Governor at St. Philips School and chaired the Admissions Committee.  I was elected as the first Catholic to the post of Area Governor representing some 40 schools within the central section of ESCC and finally left both positions when I moved to Eastbourne.  I am a long serving Catenian and transferred my main membership to Eastbourne.  I was appointed as a Papal Knight within the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and am an assistant to the Almoner.  Father Raglan appointed me to Chair a newly formed Building Committee which relates to works to the three Churches within our overall Parish.  I am looking forward to being able to bring a useful contribution to St Thomas a Becket.

 

Elizabeth Oram – Foundation Governor

My name is Elizabeth Oram and I am new to school governance. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to become a Foundation Governor with St Thomas a Becket. I am happily married with two children, one of whom is in Reception and the other is in Nursery. I have been in teaching for 12 years mainly in Secondary education. I am keen to ensure that all children have a rewarding and fulfilling educational experience and that, regardless of any obstacles they may face, they still achieve and thrive. I believe that a Catholic education is key to supporting the moral and spiritual journey for our children in preparing them for their future. I am pleased to be supporting the Headteacher in his vision for an outstanding Catholic education for our children and hope that my knowledge and skills can add value to our school provision.

 

 

Barnaby Heath – Parent Governor

I have been a Parent Governor since October 2020, shortly after my eldest child started in Reception. I volunteered to become a Governor as I would like to contribute to helping the school maintain its fantastic reputation for high-quality education and pastoral care.  I have worked in the public sector for the last 15 years and will bring this experience, as well as a parental perspective, to the Governing Body.  I try to spend any spare time with my family and we particularly enjoy cycling and exploring the local area - often in search of new places to drink coffee and eat cake! 

 

Governing Body Register of Interests - 2020-2021 :

 

Governing Body Membership & Structure - 2020-2021 :

 

Governing Body Term of Office / Appointing Body - 2020-2021 :

 

Governing Body Meeting Attendance - 2019-2020 :