About the Governors

For those of you that do not know me I live in Hailsham. I am married (to a teacher) and have one child. I am a Civil Servant and have recently taken partial retirement. I relax by playing, umpiring, and coaching hockey for Hailsham. I also have an allotment, though I am struggling to find enough day light hours to do it justice. I also seem to get roped into running for good causes – even though I really am not that keen on running! I think if someone highlights a good cause, I appear to be easily...

I was born in Wiltshire before moving to Lincolnshire as a child where I grew up and went to primary school, before moving to East London to study art at Goldsmiths College in my late teens. I subsequently studied art at postgraduate level and completed a second postgraduate degree in Asian Art and Architecture at SOAS, also in London. I am now self-employed and operate a small online business that promotes Asian art, as well as teaching yoga to children and adults in the local area. More recently...

With a long-standing commitment to education, my career has been defined by a strong track record of achievement. Under my leadership as Head of Department, for example, languages at one of the country’s top ten universities rose to third place in the UK national league tables. After retiring, I relocated to Nutley seven years ago to be closer to family. That said, higher education remains an integral part of who I am – I still work as an Associate Lecturer at the Open University teaching German...

I have worked in Primary Schools in both Lincolnshire and East Sussex and have taught all year groups. I have been a Leading County Teacher, Senior Teacher, Deputy Headteacher, Head of School and now Executive Headteacher. I love seeing the amazing children in our Federation finding their learning irresistible, particularly where the children actively explore concepts, apply skills, ask questions and are motivated by independent discovery. I enjoy working alongside the great staff team and supportive...

I was born and brought up in the Village of Westham, and attended Pevensey & Westham Primary School, Willingdon Secondary school and Eastbourne Sixth form College I began a nursing career in Hastings in 1985, qualifying as a Registered General Nurse in the May of 1988, working initially in paediatrics, then moving on to Adult Cardiac Care. During my nursing Career I completed a BSc. (Hons) degree course with Brighton University. I responded to a call to Ordained ministry towards the end of the...

I was brought up in Kent and my family moved to Yorkshire when I left school. I have lived all over the UK during the last 35 years, but currently live in Lower Dicker, as my husband, Jeremy, is the local vicar. During the last 22 years, I have taught Latin to children in Years 5-8, and have loved it, but have just retired. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running and seeing friends and family and I am looking forward to spending more time doing these things, as well as helping with the governance...

I enjoy being involved in various community groups including Groombridge Scout Group and Jarvis Brook Football Club.  I was Chair of Groombridge PTA for three years to Oct 2024 and lead co-ordinator for the Groombridge May Fair for three years, bowing out after this year’s event.  It’s a great time to be involved with the Pioneer Federation as it grows and evolves and I look forward to contributing meaningfully where I can.

Having lived in numerous areas around the UK and the World I am now settled in Hartfield with my wife and two young children. I have always had a fascination with science and after studying for a degree in Chemistry at Nottingham University I started my working career at Royal Ordnance,Westcott. After six fabulous years with Royal Ordnance I was then fortunate enough to achieve my childhood dreams by gaining a sponsorship to become an airline pilot. Outside of my work, I love spending time with my...

I am an experienced leader in education having spent a varied career supporting and developing schools in a range of situations, many challenging ones.. I have been a headteacher, School Improvement Partner, Adviser, Diocesan Effectiveness Partner and Ofsted Additional Inspector. I have been a governor for over 25 years. Currently I work as an independent consultant for the Local Authority and work closely with the Leadership and Governor Services teams. Personally, I have two grown up daughters,...

I have always lived locally in East Sussex, growing up in Shinewater in Eastbourne; I attended St Thomas a Beckett, St Richard’s, and Park College. I then moved to Brighton and studied law at Sussex University. I now work as a court clerk at Lewes Crown court, which is fascinating and varied! I really really (really!) like walking. My husband and I chose to walk from Land’s End to John O’groats for our honeymoon (1200 miles in 3 months!) and I have walked 100k in 23 hours. I also run and go to the...

I come from an education background, having worked in a very wide variety of secondary and all-through schools for over 35 years, the last 22 of which were in various leadership roles, including Executive Head. I enjoy horse-riding, reading, music and Chess as well as house renovation and interior design.

I have worked in education for more years than I would like to admit as a teacher and Headteacher in Sussex and in Africa! Then after 12 years with the LA in Greenwich as a schools adviser, I moved to Chichester Diocese in 2016 where I worked as a schools effectiveness adviser. I support two Diocesan Academy Trusts as a governance consultant. I first became a governor for East Hoathly in 2014 and have loved it so much that I have stayed on through the exciting growth of Pioneer to the great group...

I have lived and worked in Hartfield for over 25 years. I’m married to Christina and have three lovely children, two of whom have already passed through St Mary’s school in Hartfield and my youngest hopefully due to attend in the next couple of years. I run my own graphic design business, am on the board at East Grinstead Rugby Football Club (my playing days are fast running out) and am currently St Mary’s Church youth leader and Church Warden. The strong links between Hartfield church and school...

My name is William Neil Lovett (Neil) and I have been married for over 40 years we have 2 children and 4 grandchildren and enjoy family time together. I am a retired chartered accountant with significant financial experience including being employed as European finance director for a USA fortune 500 company. I was a governor for Nutley primary school for nearly 10 years before it joined the pioneer federation, I am also the treasurer for friends of Ashdown forest which is a charity raising funds...

My background is as a Secondary School teacher in Religious Studies with History with Special Educational Needs. Juggling work around my 3 active children (8-16 years) means that I have done tutoring in GCSE English, History and Religious Studies, Primary school Literacy and A-Level History and Philosophy. I mark GCSE papers in Religious Studies and currently do supply work in local secondary schools and Nutley Pre-school. I was managing Chair of Nutley Pre-school and am currently Safeguarding Officer...