The Governing Body at Ifield Community College
The Full Governing Body (FGB) consists of 12 Governors and 1 Associate Governor:
- 1 Headteacher
- 1 Staff Governor
- 5 Co-opted Governors
- 4 Parent Governors
- 1 Local Authority Governor
- 1 Associate Governor (no voting rights)
There are six meetings throughout the academic year, with additional meetings as necessary. In addition, there is a Finance Committee which meets three times a year and a Pay Committee which meets once a year.
What is the role of the Governing Body
School governors are the strategic leaders of our schools and have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education within a safe, stimulating and highly professional environment.
To ensure effective governance we focus on three core strategic functions:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
- Provides a strategic view of the school by establishing a vision and setting the purpose and aims of the school within an agreed policy framework. It appoints and performance manages the Headteacher, agreeing the school development plan which includes setting targets with supporting budgets and staffing structures
-
Monitors and evaluates the work of the school by reviewing the performance of the Headteacher, the effectiveness of the policy framework, progress towards targets, and the effectiveness of the school development plan
-
Reviews the school self-evaluation process and actively participates in the school development plan and any Ofsted reports. In addition, it holds the Headteacher to account for the performance of the school and ensures that parents are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate, with information to the community being made available when required
-
For governors gain knowledge of how the school operates they need to receive training, by attending meetings, and by getting to know the school community, for example through visits to the school during the school day
-
Governors work together as a team, under the leadership of the Chair of the Governing body. All of our governors are required to adhere to a Code of practice.
Governor Details
Register of Governors' Business and Pecuniary Interests 2022-23
Governor name and post | Register of Business (or Pecuniary) Interests Declarations |
---|---|
Rob Corbett, Headteacher |
None |
Angela Daniels, Local Authority Governor |
None |
Andrew Spiers, Co-Opted Governor |
None |
Dave Birkenhead, Staff Governor |
None |
Ritchard Burrows, Co-Opted Governor |
None |
Amanda Parsonage, Parent Governor |
None |
Samad Hussain, Co-Opted Governor |
None |
King Abeyie, Parent Governor |
None |
Simon Gaule, Co-Opted Governor |
None |
Charlie Bright, Parent Governor |
None |
Graciano Soares Chair of Governors |
None |
Richard Boyle Associate Governor |
None |
Caron Brown Clerk to Governors |
Personal Assistant to the Headteacher |
Meet the Governors
Graciano Soares
Chair of Governors
Co-Opted Governor
Link Governor to Miss Heath, Director of Assessment, Recording and Reporting.
I taught in further education for many years and led an advisory support service to help colleges improve their use of technology. Looking at the state of some colleges and staff capabilities, I would like to continue to support college leaders in their strategic development to deliver better learning spaces for their students. I am also a former chair of a London-based charity with some experience of board governance.
Angela Daniels
LA Governor
Link Governor to Mr Laundon, Safeguarding
Awaiting personal statement
Rob Corbett
Headteacher
I am Rob Corbett, Headteacher here at ICC. I started in September 2014 and have loved being part of this fantastic school community.
I was previously Headteacher at Tideway School in Newhaven for five years and Deputy Headteacher at Oakmeeds School in Burgess Hill with all my experience previous to that in London schools. I have a firm belief in education serving the local community, and we strive to be the school of choice for local parents.
I believe schools should be a warm, welcoming and positive environment where students are supported and encouraged and there is honest, open dialogue with parents. I strive at all times to do the very best for the students here both now and for their futures.
David Birkenhead
Staff Governor & Health and Safety Governor
Link Governor to Mr Hambling, Director of Exams and Communication
I am the staff representatives on the board of governors. I joined the geography department of ICC in 2004, and later moved across to my current position in science 4 years ago.
I am one of ICC's qualified mindfulness practitioners and has taken an active role in an Oxford University study to look at the mental well-being of teenagers.
I am the lead ICC representative on the Ardingly Ifield Solar project that has seen the team travel to Belgium, France and Australia. This involved building a solar-powered car every Saturday with some of our students. They are currently designing a flat-packed car for use in developing countries.
I live locally and i believe strongly in the community aspect of ICC. I can be seen walking his dog in the many green spaces in and around Crawley.
Ritchard Burrows
Co-Opted Governor
Link Governor to Mr Pittaway, Assistant Headteacher - Curriculum and Assessment
Amanda Parsonage
Parent Governor
Link Governor
Member of the Health & Safety Working Party
Link Governor to Mr Ward, Director of Sixth Form
I have been a parent governor at ICC since 2019. I was born in Crawley and have lived here all my life. I have two children at ICC.
I have worked in both primary and secondary schools and have recently graduated from university to gain my degree and a PG Cert in children's mental health.
My hobbies include drawing, running and taking my two dogs out for walks.
Samad Hussain
Co-Opted Governor
Link Governor to Mrs McManus, Business Manager
I am part of senior management in a large organisation that provides audit and other professional services to government departments. In my current role as well as my role in the governing body, I remain eager to contribute to society and am determined to enable the best use of public money.
I am able to bring my experience of communication and interaction at senior stakeholder level in large organisations, and I am confident that my skill set is valuable to the governance framework and processes at schools. I am highly experienced in Audit, Finance and Accountancy, which will allow me to assist with audit and financial matters from a governance perspective. I am also experienced in information technology and its wider implications to businesses and organisations, skills that I feel will help me contribute to discussions about how ongoing or planned IT system implementations may be suited to the specific circumstances of an educational institution.
The pandemic has changed, at least temporarily, the way that educational institutions operate and there are varying implications for children and different households. I am excited, in these testing times, to support the educational staff and help improve the processes and systems that will pave the way for applying the most effective methods of educating our young people.
King Abeyie
Parent Governor
Link Governor to Mr Corbett, Headteacher - Overall effectiveness, Leadership and Management
My eldest child recently joined ICC, and I’m hoping to use my experience as a Civil Servant to support, challenge and drive ICC to become an excellent school. Alongside my day job, I also Chair my Department's Social Mobility Network with the aim of providing opportunities for those in the most deprived places across the UK. I have over 10 years’ experience in the finance, telecoms and retail industries. With that said, I don’t think I have any special skills beyond an ability to make time, a willingness to listen, learn and a focus on delivering continuous improvement. I would genuinely relish the opportunity to contribute to ICC and the wider community.
Simon Gaule
Co-Opted Governor
Link Governor to Mrs McIver-Wren - Community
As a father of three and having lived in Crawley since I was eleven, I attended Ifield Community College as a student, as have all my children, and have witnessed growth and improvement.
Having worked in a number of professional roles, including the care industry, security and, as a joiner, I feel I bring a breadth of knowledge across a diverse social and ethical background.
Currently, I work at ICC, as the Cover Coordinator and have an in–depth understanding of how the school and staff operate. I am committed to improving the education and welfare of all pupils and staff as well as to equal opportunities and the promotion of diversity at ICC.
I am privileged to be involved with the award-winning (TES) solar car project. Helping students to work on the car in question, taking students abroad and, recently, a tour of our country. Most recently hosting an inaugural, prestigious car rally here at ICC.
I am passionate about my community and the future of the next generation. I believe that, now more than ever, the future is uncertain and the youth of today will shape the world of tomorrow. To be a part of that process here at ICC and help both the individual and the collective to achieve, would be an exciting honour.
Charlie Bright
Parent Governor
Link Governor to Mrs Murphy-Dunn, Assistant Headteacher -Personal Development.
I am a trustworthy person who is eager to learn new skills. I am in my seventeenth year of my railway career, working for Southern and now Gatwick Express.
My hobbies include football coaching, where I am currently the manager/coach for Redhill u-18's. I am very passionate about helping young people and helping guide them on the right path.
Along with my coaching, I have been a member of the Redhill Football Club Committee for the last seven years, undertaking many roles and responsibilities, meaning I have some idea about how meetings and working parties work.
I am very keen on helping shape the future of the school, with Mia and other family members at ICC and being a former pupil myself.
2023-24 Full Governing Body Meeting Dates
Full Governors' Meetings |
autumn |
spring |
summer |
---|---|---|---|
Thursdays 6pm |
28th September 23rd November |
18th January 2024 14th March 2024 |
16h May 2024 13th June 2024 |
Governor Vacancies
Thank you for your interest in the governing body at ICC, at present there are no vacancies on our governing board.
For more information if are interested in becoming a Governor, please see the following links.
Becoming a school Governor
So you want to a school Governor?
Your personal development and involvement in Governance
Email at ClerktoGovernors@ifieldcc.co.uk Alternatively, letters can be posted to ICC where they will be forwarded on to the Chair.
Ms C Brown
Clerk to the Governing Body
C/O Ifield Community College
Crawley Avenue
Crawley
West Sussex RH11 0DB