The Governors

Meet The Governors

St Nicolas has 12 governor posts made up of parents, people from the local community, staff from school, and representatives from the local authority and diocese.

Jenn Moisander - Staff Governor

I have been part of the governing board as a staff governor since the Spring of 2024 and am also on the School Improvement Committee. I have been a class teacher and member of SLT since I joined the school in April of 2013. I have been privileged to be part of the St Nic’s journey from a junior school to a full primary and have taught in Reception, Years 1 and 2.

I have an eleven-year-old son who keeps me busy going from sport to sport and I am an avid runner. St Nic’s is a real ‘family’ community, and I feel very grateful to be a part of it!

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Andy Richbell - Headteacher & Ex-Officio Staff Governor

I joined the St Nics team as Headteacher back in 2009. Portslade is a great place to go to school – we can walk to the sea and the Downs, have Old Portslade Village and two parks on our doorstep and easy access to bus and trains for school trips further afield. We have a great community of children, supportive families and a committed team of staff. We have a strong network of schools and with headteachers who collaborate and support each other. Our Governors care passionately about the school and our community and both support me and my team while also providing the challenge that helps make sure we’ve thought things through well.

All of which is why I love working here.

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Rev. David Swyer - Ex-Officio Foundation Governor

I’m the priest in charge of the Church of England Parish of Portslade and Mile Oak. I have been here since 2017. I am an Ex-Officio Governor on behalf of the parish. I was ordained 30 years ago in Wales.

I am married to Rebecca and we have three grown up children and two Cavalier King Charles spaniels called Monty and Max.

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Michelle Turner - Local Authority Governor

I joined St Nic’s as a Parent Governor in 2008 whilst my two children were at the school. I have since become an LA appointed governor; initially I worked as a HLTA at another local school and then, following teacher training at university, as a Primary Teacher in West Sussex. The Link Governor role that I am responsible for is Safeguarding and I sit on the School Improvement Committee.

I am also a Beaver Scout leader for a group in Hove which I have been doing for 17 years and am part of the production team for an amateur dramatic group in Worthing.

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Carly Dockerill - Parent Governor

I’ve been a Parent Governor at the school since 2023. My eldest son left the school in 2023, and my youngest son is in Key Stage 2. I have worked for the local authority as a Town Planner since 2002. On the governing board I have responsibility as SEND Governor and I sit as a member of the School Improvement Committee. In my spare I'm a regular ‘yogie’ and Park Runner. I’m also a guiding leader at 5th Portslade Brownies helping with their unit accounts.

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Sandy Matthews - Foundation Governor & Chair of Governors

As Chair of Governors at St Nics, I’m proud to support the school in delivering its vision and values – something I see lived out every time I visit. Since joining the governing board in early 2023, it’s been a rewarding journey of learning and collaboration – we really do have an excellent board of governors who represent the school. I’m grateful to lead them and helping the school thrive. It’s a real privilege to serve both the school and wider community in this way.

I’m also a parent to three children currently at St Nics. You’ll often spot me with my bike on the school run before I head off to work (and worship) at St Peter’s Church in the city centre – the big one with the scaffolding! I oversee Operations there, helping to support everything that happens behind the scenes in our busy and vibrant church community.

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Larne Fuller - Foundation Governor

I have been a Governor at St Nic’s since early 2023. Within this role I sit on the Resources Committee (effective and efficient use of resources in staffing, premises and finance), and I act as Link Governor in Health and Safety.

My eldest daughter graduated from St Nics this year and my youngest daughter is currently in year 4.

It has been fantastic getting to know the staff and pupils more and being able to play a small part within the dynamic ecosystem that is St Nics.

Outside of work and St Nics I enjoy running and swimming, but you will need to get up early to catch me doing them!

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Liz Haywood - Foundation Governor

I have been a governor at St Nicolas since 2024. I work as a Residential Matron in a beautiful boarding school after 30 years in the NHS. I have been an elected local Councillor since 2012 and very much enjoy the engagement that this brings with the community – I am studying for a Master’s in Environmental Science and this is a field I feel very passionate about. My own children are all older and have been to university and are now settled in their careers.

In my spare time (!) I am an editor and reader for a recorded newspaper which is circulated to the blind and partially sighted. I can also be found on the Downs with my two crazy cocker spaniels

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Caroline Stabb - Foundation Governor & Vice Chair of Governors

I have been a Governor at St Nicolas since 2022 and have had two children attend the school, one who is now in Secondary School, and the other currently in Year 4. This personal connection has given me valuable insight into the school community and the experiences of pupils and families.

Within the Governing Body, I sit on the Resources Committee, serve as the EYFS monitoring link governor and am also a member of the Headteacher Appraisal Committee. These roles have allowed me to contribute to the strategic aspects of the school’s development.

In my professional life, I work as an HR Manager and I find that the skills and experience from this role, complement and strengthen my contributions to the Resources Committee and the wider Governing Body.

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Beth Linfield-Smith - Co-Opted Governor

I was elected as a parent governor in 2021. My eldest son left St Nics in 2023 and I have one son currently in Year 6. I am now a Co-Opted Governor. As part of my role, I chair the School Improvement Committee and have focused on both the Science Curriculum and Writing, across all key stages.

I have worked for many years within Museum Education at the Science Museum in London and more recently at Brighton Museums and Royal Pavilion Garden.

I really enjoy being a governor and contributing where I can to the St Nics community.

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Jason Richardson - Parent Governor

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Katy Twyning - Associate Member (Finance)

Having been a Governor at St Nic’s from 2019-2025 and Chair of the Governing Body from September 2020 to September 2025, I am now an Associate Member focusing on Finance and I also Chair the Resources Committee.

My two children both attended St Nic’s and I’m enjoying being able to continue to contribute to the school community even though they have now left.

In my professional life I’m an accountant - that explains the Finance Link!

The Governor Diversity data is confidential but is regularly analysed by the board and used in recruitment and training to ensure governors reflect the communities they serve.

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Valeria Capranelli - Clerk to the Governors

What do governors do?

Governors are there to make sure the school is being run well and the teaching is of a high standard. Governors are responsible for major decisions about the school and its future. For instance they set the annual budget, and approve targets and policies for the school. They also appoint the headteacher and senior staff and are usually involved in recruiting teaching staff.

While the headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school, governors look at the bigger picture. Governors are answerable to parents and the local authority for the school’s performance. As well as supporting the school and staff, governors are expected to challenge or question the performance of the headteacher and school, when they consider this necessary.

Governors are involved in dealing with complaints from parents. Parents are encouraged to approach their child’s teacher and/or the Head teacher in the first instance. Governors only become involved when satisfactory resolution of the complaint has not been possible.

How are governors chosen?

Parent governors are elected by parents and Brighton & Hove appoints the Local Authority governor. The staff governor is elected by St Nicolas staff. All governors initially serve for a period of four years. At the end of the four years, they can stand for re-election or be re-appointed. Governors are free to resign before the end of their four year term if they so wish. Whenever there is a vacancy for a parent governor, this is advertised in newsletters and posters, with details on the election process.

How can I contact the school governors?

The governors have a pigeon hole in the school office where messages and letters can be posted. Any notes or letters handed in at the office will be passed on confidentially. You can also call the school office and ask to be put in touch with or meet one of the governors.

What does it take to be a governor?

Governors don’t need any special qualifications. They just need enthusiasm, commitment, and an interest in contributing to the school. They also need good inter-personal skills, appropriate levels of literacy, sufficient numeracy skills to understand basic data, and a willingness to learn. Training is provided for governors, and experienced governors are expected to act as mentors to new governors when they first join. To meet legal duties for safeguarding children, all governors have to undergo a DBS check.

Please click on the below link for more information:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkn6wzCIq2ylSji8OJtD_7-tOrBIpwyYY

How much time does it take to be a governor?

Governors spend about 6 hours a month on school matters during school terms. They attend a full governing body meeting once or twice a term, usually at 6.30 pm on a Tuesday evening and lasting for about two hours. Governors are also expected to sit on at least one of the smaller committees which look at specific areas of school life. These committees meet twice a term. Governors also spend time outside reading papers, visiting the school and attending training. If not chairing the Governing Body or a committee, governors are expected to develop their understanding of one specific area in more depth to act as link governor for that area governors are volunteers and don’t get paid. However, they can claim expenses for any costs that they reasonably incur in their role as governor – such as the cost of paying a childminder so they can attend meetings.