Quick links: Remit and Structure of the Governing Body | Governor Biographies | Register of Interests | Attendance at Meetings
Blackboys Governing Body Organisation & MODUS OPERANDI for 2025/2026 as at 11 September 2025
Blackboys Church of England Primary School Governing Body – Organisation 01 Sept 2023 – 31 Aug 2024
Remit. The Governing Body’s Role is to work for the school’s improvement by (1) Supporting the Headteacher in determining the strategy/direction of the school in properly implementing statutory requirements (2) Monitoring, evaluating and actively participating in the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and (3) Overseeing the financial performance and probity of the School by making sure its money is well spent.
Instrument of Government
| 1 | Headteacher (Ex-Officio) | Graham Sullivan | |
| 1 | Foundation Governor (Ex-Officio appointed by the Diocese) | Hannah Gretzer | |
| 1 | Foundation Governor | Sarah Cottingham | |
| 1 | Foundation Governor | Katherine Hall | |
| 1 | Foundation Governor | Tim Murray | Chair of Governors |
| 1 | Foundation Governor | Dr Michael Davies | Vice Chair of Governors |
| 1 | Foundation Governor | Lydia Cottingham | |
| 1 | Foundation Governor | Beth Morris-Boag | |
| 1 | Local Authority Governor | Vacancy | |
| 1 | Staff Governor | Russell Boorman | |
| 1 | Parent Governor | Milena Plummer | |
| 1 | Parent Governor | Ken F. Howell | |
| 12 | TOTAL NUMBER OF GOVERNORS |
The Governing Body uses the “CIRCLE MODEL” for Governance.
Panels (Admissions, Pay, Headteacher’s Pay & Performance, and Teachers’ Pay & Performance) have FGB Delegated Authority to make urgent decisions required in the interests of the school and its children.
All business will be conducted through termly Full Governing Body meetings. Each governor will take a lead and link role for a core aspect of our governor responsibilities, in addition to monitoring aspects of the curriculum. Some significant areas of responsibility will be “paired”, where two governors work together and can therefore provide support and cover. The FGB will make all appropriate decisions that cannot be delegated (e.g. to the Lead/Link/Paired Governors or Working Parties).
Each Governing Body meeting will include a shortened version of the Head Teacher’s report, providing an update on progress on the SIP, key information “at a glance”, etc. Every agenda will cover all of the key areas of the governor’s responsibility – Finance, Safeguarding, H&S, etc. Lead/Link Governors will also provide monitoring reports in line with the Monitoring Visit Framework. For key areas of the governor’s responsibility and accountability, there may be discussions and challenges. As a result of these changes, FGB meetings will each have a strategic “deeper dive Focus” where a key area of governor responsibility is discussed in greater depth as required.
The Full Governing Body will meet at least 6 times in each Academic Year (and review the School’s Finances at least 6 times each year).
Working Parties may be set up as Specific “Task and Finish” teams which make recommendations to the FGB. Associate Members may be appointed (without Voting Rights) to the FGB.
Notes Taken by a Governor at a Panel Meeting may be required. Quorum = 50% of Governors rounded up. Minimum of 3 Governors on any Panel.
Governor Biographies
BETH MORRIS-BOAG – Foundation Governor
I trained as a Nurse at the University of Brighton and have worked for our local NHS Foundation Trust for the past 22 years in both clinical and leadership roles. An active member of the church community at the neighbouring parish of Holy Cross and currently sit on the PCC as well as support our children’s work through Junior Church, our holiday clubs and Junior Choirs.
GRAHAM SULLIVAN – Ex-Officio Headteacher at Blackboys
Headteacher of Blackboys School since September 2018. Earning a BA in Primary Education with History (QTS) at the University of Winchester. Began teaching at Blackboys in 2001and seen many exciting changes over this period whilst preparing the pupils to “Be the best they can be; Living Life in all its fullness (John 10:10)”. I am married to the lovely Hannah and have 2 daughters, Rosie and Rebecca who both attended Blackboys School. Away from the excitement of school I enjoy a near obsessive love of football, the beautiful game.
HANNAH GRETZER – Ex-Officio Foundation Governor
I am a mum of two teenagers, a cat and a dog who enjoys walking around the villages appreciating the beauty that lives around me. I trained in Early Years and Education, qualified in 2006, and have worked with children ever since. I have set up a village nursery, worked as a deputy safeguarding lead, and gained a good knowledge in safeguarding and keeping children safe in education.
KATHERINE HALL – Foundation Governor
I studied Environmental Geochemistry at Reading University and then started work for a design consultancy based in Lewes in 2002. I then undertook a Masters in Soil Mechanics and Environmental Geotechnics at Imperial College London, part time, whilst working. I progressed through the company to become a senior Geotechnical Engineer working on many large and small highways infrastructure projects considering foundation design. I left the company in 2018 to be a full-time mum after 13.5 years of service.
KEN HOWELL – Parent Governor
I moved to the Uckfield area in 1980 and have 4 children and 12 grandchildren Ny background is in international logistics, consultancy working, and school governance. I am/have been a keen sportsman, football coach, sports fan and poor golfer.More recently I served as chairman for CD Phoenix Netball Club a highly successful club providing netball for members from under8’s to adults competing at a regional level.
LYDIA COTTINGHAM – Foundation Governor
I gave up my career as a midwife shortly after 2007 in order to focus on our family. Since then I have been a housewife and stay at home mother to our six children. I enjoyed my time working
with others to support the Preschool and gaining a little insight into how early years educational settings operate. As a lifelong Christian, I appreciate the Christian values and ethos underpinning the school which help make it the special place it is.
Dr. MICHAEL DAVIES – Foundation Governor
Having been appointed as Headteacher of Little Horsted Church of England School in 1994, I retired from this position in April 2019 after twenty-five very happy years at the school.
My Skills include school finance knowledge, resource and buildings development experience, curriculum knowledge across the primary age range and an understanding of safeguarding and health
and safety issues and management within the school environment. I also have experience of recruitment and retention of staff, alongside other personnel matters such as appraisal and the
importance of Continuing Professional Development for colleagues.I am a member of a sailing club at Bewl Water that enables people of all abilities/disabilities to experience the joys of sailing. I enjoy walking (using map and compass) and love gardening (having re-designed and re-planted our garden in recent years).
MILENA PLUMMER – Parent Governor
I am a qualified Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) with extensive experience in Finance and Project Management, and currently work locally for a global finance sector industry leader. I am a strong believer in the value and importance of a well-balanced education. I welcome the opportunity to give back in a volunteering role as a Parent Governor, and to help to drive the continued improvement needed to provide our children with the best chance of success, especially as we all deal with the aftermath of Covid19 and with economic constraints the world is facing today.
RUSSELL BOORMAN – Staff Governor
I completed my PGCE in 7-14 Education with a specialism in Modern Foreign Languages at Canterbury Christchurch University in 2010.and have been working at Blackboys school since 2014. I am the Maths subject leader for the school.
SARAH COTTINGHAM – Foundation Governor
I am a full time Mum of 7 children whose ages range from 10 to 25 years and have been a foundation governor of the School since 2016. I have been the Safeguarding link governor and Chair of the Ethos group for the past 8 years and have counted it a privilege to work with the staff, pupils, governors and diocese in maintaining Christian distinctiveness of our CEP School and closely monitoring safeguarding. I have links with Blackboys School dating back to 1980, as my husband and all his siblings attended the school.
TIM MURRAY – Foundation Governor
I first became a governor in 1995 in South London for a small school with a high refugee intake and over 21 different first languages spoken by the children. Since moving to East Sussex, I became a
school governor for a large primary school in Uckfield (and other local Primary School Governing Bodies throughout the County). I am a management consultant specialising in procurement and supply chain. The company I work for is headquartered in Munich, Germany; and I work with the UK team, mostly from
home in Uckfield.
