Felbridge Governing Body

As a state maintained community school, Felbridge Primary is locally managed by a governing body. The following groups are represented on the governing body - staff, parents, the local education authority and the local community. The role of the governor, in any category, is voluntary.
The governing body work in partnership with staff to develop the school. They meet regularly, working hard to achieve the very best education for all pupils at the school.
Parent governors are elected by their fellow parents and represent their views. If you would like to help the school by becoming a governor, please get in touch with the Headteacher to find out what is involved. All governors are supported by induction and further training opportunities to support them in the role.  

In September 2020 the Full Governing Body re-organised its meetings and has appointed two main committees; Resources and Teaching & Learning which both meet once a term and the number of Full Governing Body meetings per year is now usually four.

Contact details for governors are available either through the school office or via the staff noticeboard.  

Governor Profiles

 All enquiries for the Chair of Governors can be made through the office via info@felbridge.surrey.sch.uk 

Matt Barcraft-Barnes (Parent Governor)

Chair of Governors and Chair of Resources Committee

We have three children at Felbridge and it’s clear from the start that it is a very special school. Outside of the school I work for Surrey Police as a senior Detective and before that spent 6 years as an Army nurse. I was always drawn to teaching and being a governor allows me to at least work alongside and support the amazing staff at Felbridge and feel part of the team. Having spent much of my career in safeguarding I was pleased to take in the lead role for this to support our brilliant children at school.

Ian Kelly (Parent Governor)

Vice-Chair of Governors and Chair of Teaching & Learning Committee

I moved to Felbridge in 2013 and one of the main reasons we chose this area was the quality of the schools. I currently have three children attending Felbridge Primary and have been particularly impressed by the passion and commitment of all the staff in giving the children the very best start to their educational journey. I am employed as an airline pilot for a major British airline and I look forward to transferring some of my core skills to help further the continued success of the school. In my spare time I enjoy sport, particularly football and fitness training, reading and occasional attempts at playing the guitar. 

Simon Chilton (Co-opted Governor)

I have over 20 years teaching experience having taught in Kingston-Upon-Thames, Crawley, Thailand and New Zealand.  Having been an Assistant Headteacher in a previous school, I am excited and interested in continuing to support Felbridge School with their whole school development.  I am married with two daughters and have lived in West Sussex for 15 years, the longest I have lived anywhere.  West Sussex is the perfect place to live as I love to go away in my campervan, cycle or run up on the Downs or take part in any water sports along the coast.

Rebecca Flint (Parent Governor)

I have two children at the school and it is a joy to see them both thriving. I spent 14 years working in the NHS managing teams and building services before my current role in private practice, all of which has provided me with many transferable skills as a school governor. My aim is to continue to develop the school so that pupils can reach their full potential and staff feel supported in their teaching.

Emma Thorp (Headteacher)

Charlotte Pringle (Staff Governor)                                                                  
Having worked at Felbridge as the Reception teacher for a few years, I am really excited to be part of the governing body where I can gain even more of insight into the "behind the scenes" part of a school. Before gradually moving south a few years ago to be closer to family, I grew up in Leeds where I spent the majority of my education and now I am enjoying life in West Sussex with my partner and his family. My main aim when growing up was to be a Drama teacher but I spent a week volunteering in a primary school and changed my career path slightly! I love all things 'Performing Arts' having studied Drama at the University of Winchester. In my spare time, I love exercising, reading, dancing and visiting family. 

Paddy Mason (Local authority Governor)

Vice Chair of Teaching & Learning Committee

I have been a member of the Governing Board since July 2020 and I am Vice Chair of the Teaching and Learning committee. I have over 20 years teaching experience in the independent and maintained sectors and I have held the roles of Director of Studies and Deputy Head.  I am also an inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate, focusing on compliance and educational quality.  I currently teach Religious Studies at a secondary school in West Sussex. I am married with two young children. I enjoy football, kayaking and running. 

Nicky Everett (Associate Member)

I feel very privileged to be part of the governor team at Felbridge School. My family have lived in the area for over 15 years & we have two school age children. I’m a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development with 20+ years experience in Human Resources. I’m also a trained mentor & facilitator. In addition to volunteering at Felbridge I also do pro bono work through The Cranfield Trust supporting charities with their strategic planning & am currently mentoring CEOs. I’m passionate about equality, fairness & diversity and am very interested in mindfulness and wellbeing. When not doing the above I love doing creative arts, gardening & family activities.

Joanna Clarke (Co-Opted Governor) I have lived in Felbridge with my husband for 16 years and have three children, all of school age, two of whom are still at the school and the eldest having just left to start year 7. I have been in the police for 21 years in a range of roles primarily around investigation, safeguarding, public protection, community engagement and collaborative working with partner agencies. I grew up locally in a village not too dissimilar to Felbridge where the school was at the heart of the community. I hope to share my skills and experience to help support the staff and school in making it the best it can be for everyone in a safe and nurturing environment. In my limited spare time I enjoy 'walks from my front door' and discovering new footpaths and trails to explore; I am also an aspiring gym-goer. In pursuit of mindfulness, I also practise a form of meditative yoga and also hugely enjoy listening to an eclectic range of music, films and local history.