Governors

Relevant Documents

Governor attendance 2024-25

Governor Declarations of Interest May 2026

The role of the school governors is to support the school and to make sure that our children have the best education possible.

What We Do…

A governing body’s prime function is to ensure that the school improves the education it provides for its pupils.

Governors are required to:

take a strategic role in the management of the school
act as a critical friend to the headteacher and the school
ensure accountability

To achieve this, governors have to:

receive information about, and be involved in, the analysis of the school’s performance
compare results with past performance, national averages and similar schools
establish what the school’s strengths and weaknesses are
decide the main priorities for improvement
set targets and timescales

The governing body has adopted and works to the Westfield Governing Body Code of Conduct.

The governors can be contacted via email: clerk@westfield.e-sussex.sch.uk

Structure of the Governing Body

The Full Governing Body currently consists of 7 co-opted Governors, 2 parent Governors, a local authority governor, a staff governor and the headteacher.

We have 2 Co-Chairs, Emily Sims and Janice Constable, whose main responsibilities in the school are Finance and the School Development Plan (SDP). Keith May leads on Safeguarding and other Governors support Finance, Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and the SDP.

We also have a Finance Committee.

Who We Are

Janice Constable – Co-Chair of Governors – Local Authority Governor

I joined the governing body at Westfield School in November 2018.

For most of my teaching career I have been involved in working with pupils with special educational needs and those vulnerable to under-achievement. I have taught in both mainstream and a special school, in primary and secondary and I am passionate about supporting pupils with SEND.

I was Assistant Head at a large urban school with responsibility for Inclusion which included managing the Pupil Premium budget and those with English as an additional Language. I have been a safeguarding lead and was designated teacher for looked after children. I am currently the link governor for Pupil Premium and SEN.

I am now semi-retired and a freelance consultant in SEND and training.

Emily Sims – Co-Chair of Governors

I am a Co-Opted governor and was voted onto the board to begin serving at the beginning of September 2015, and am on the board for premise and finance. Although Co-Opted I am also a parent with my daughter and my son at the school. My background is in finance, although my degree is in psychology, and I’ve previously worked as a Bank Manager for Lloyds Bank, reducing my work commitments when I had children. I now work as a senior banking adviser part-time. I wanted to become more involved in the school as I was thrilled my daughter had a place at Westfield and wanted to take the opportunity to be more involved in her schooling and some of the decisions that may affect her future there.

Cat Atkinson – Co-opted Governor

Mark Langford – Co-opted Governor

As a newly co-opted governor at Westfield School, elected in November 2025, I am excited to contribute to the continued success and development of the school community. I am passionate about supporting an inclusive, nurturing environment in which every child can thrive, both academically and personally. I look forward to working collaboratively with the governing board, school leadership, staff, parents and carers to help ensure that the school’s vision and values are reflected in the day-to-day experience of all pupils.

I work at Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading universities, and I bring to the role a strong blend of financial expertise, strategic thinking and educational insight. My professional background equips me to support robust financial planning, effective use of resources and long-term strategic decision-making. I am committed to using this experience to help Westfield School maintain high standards, and provide the best possible opportunities for all.

Keith May – Co-opted Governor

I became a Governor at Westfield School in November 2017. I am a retired dressage breeder, trainer and rider. I was a governor at a Grammar School in North Kent for 30 years before retiring. This included 2 terms as Chair, Chair of various committees as well as responsibility for Safeguarding, SEND & Pupil Premium. I have also joined Robertsbridge Community College as a Governor and I am a National Leader of Governance which involves giving advice to Chairs and Governing Bodies of Schools and Colleges.

Robin Redsull – Co-opted Governor

Robin Redsull as a Co-opted Governor has lived with his wife Hazel in Westfield since 2018. Recent related experience included two years as a Governor at Beckley and Peasmarsh C of E Primary Schools. As a voluntary teaching assistant, he served Sedlescombe and later Westfield schools since 2006 teaching arithmetic. Throughout his life he has been actively involved in community and public voluntary service including church, parish council and India mission projects.

Since 1956 he has been full time employed in the architectural profession. Until 1988 he practiced in the public sector and until 2004 ran his own practice in London and East Sussex. His experience in business is complimentary to the school’s needs and is offered to assist and advise in its development.

Grace Wicks – Co-opted Governor

I became a governor in October 2025 and I am really excited to be part of the school community. I started my career as a Primary school teacher and then moved into teaching at a Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) school where I was the Mental Health Lead and Teaching and Learning Lead. I’m passionate about supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and now work for the council’s Mental Health Support Team.

I wanted to become a governor because I care deeply about helping all children reach their potential and feel happy, supported, and confident in school.

Krystyna Wood – Co-Opted Governor

I became a governor at the school in 2022 and I have grandchildren who attend school in Westfield.

My career was in teaching early years and primary in both mainstream and special schools. I was also an outreach teacher at a special school which involved working with mainstream colleagues to develop programmes for children with additional needs in mainstream settings and I later became an advisory teacher through the East Sussex Teaching, Learning and Autism Support Service [CLASS]. I finished full-time teaching in 2017 and I now work part-time as a supply teacher and as a supply teaching assistant in local mainstream schools. In addition to this, I work alongside my husband who runs an antiques and collectables business locally and I assist mostly with purchasing and administration.

I wanted a governor role because I am keen to support those who are providing for my grandchildren and their peers.

Tom Heskett – Parent Governor

I joined the board as parent governor in October 2025. I have two children at the school.

Professionally, I am an Associate Director and Chartered Building Surveyor. I primarily focus on local construction and refurbishment projects across residential and commercial sectors in the local area. This work has allowed me to build a wide skillset in project management, with requirements for strategic planning, budget control, and ensuring overall quality and compliance. I hope to bring these professional skills to the school to assist in strategic decision-making, helping the school achieve its goals.

I hope to play an active role in helping the school create an environment where every child has the best possible experience at Westfield. I am committed to using my experience to support the school’s leadership and contribute to a positive future for all the pupils.