Governors
Mrs M Smith
Mrs Smith is a Co-opted Governor and is also Chair of the Governing Body. She sits on the Pay & Staffing Committee. End of term of office - 11 June 2029.
C/O - Steyning CofE Primary School
Shooting Field, Steyning, West Sussex
BN44 3RQ.
01903 813 420
I am a lawyer practicing in Brighton. My family moved to West Sussex in 2007. I have worked with children for most of my professional career and feel the importance of a good education should never be underrated. I volunteered to be a Governor in 2017 a decision I have never regretted.
My interests are in literacy and sciences in particular STEM for girls. My ambition is to ensure that Steyning Primary School continues to provide the best education for all of their children, encouraging them to have a love of learning, so that they can develop to their full potential.
Mr J Gadd
Mr Gadd is a Co-opted Governor. He has a particular interest in teaching, learning & curriculum. End of term of office - 3rd July 2028.
I became a Governor at Steyning Primary for a number of reasons – my daughter attended, my wife had previously been a governor, I live in the village and I wanted to use my education experience to benefit the school.
I am a co-opted governor with a particular interest in teaching and learning, curriculum and school leadership.
I qualified as a teacher in 1984 and worked in three primary schools in Surrey as a class teacher, deputy head, and variously as subject leader for Geography, Science and PE. I first became a school governor in 1991, and have completed a Master’s degree focused on the working practices of highly successful governing bodies. Between 1996 and 2022 I served as a Headteacher in three West Sussex primary schools as well as working to support other schools locally and nationally, and mentoring new Heads.
I’m now a governor in two West Sussex primary schools, a Trustee of a Multi-Academy Trust, a branch official for the NAHT focusing on developing the role of Life Members, and enjoying more time to garden, play sport, and be part of the Steyning community.
Mr J Marchment
Mr John Marchment is a Co-opted Governor. He sits on the Pay & Staffing Committee. End of term of office - 5th July 2027.
John Marchment is a semi-retired Chartered Engineer, who after many years in management and technical roles in manufacturing, completed his full-time career in Further and Higher Education teaching materials science and business studies. He now spends two days a week mentoring management staff and helping out in the busy cycle business run by two of his sons in Partridge Green.
His interest in SPS is mainly due to having 3 grandchildren who are, or have been, educated at the school. His role as a governor is to be a maths specialist and to support the staff teaching year 5.
Whilst not being a proper steam enthusiast, he volunteers one day per week at the Bluebell Railway machining small parts for steam locomotives.
His favourite children’s book has always been Kenneth Graham’s The Wind in the Willows but loves reading anything by Julia Donaldson with his grandchildren.
Mrs C Vine
Mrs Vine is Foundation Governor. End of term of office - 14th July 2026.
Mrs Vine worked as a Primary School teacher for thirty years until she retired and moved to Steyning ten years ago.
She became a Foundation Governor in 2022 and she is particularly interested in links between the church, the school and the wider community. One of her responsibilities is to attract a range of speakers for Collective Worship. Having worked as a musical director, she is also interested in supporting the music in the school which is one of its many strengths.
Mr P Anderson
Mr Anderson is an associate member. End of term of office - 14th January 2027.
Mr Anderson recently joined the SPS governors and has 3 children currently at the school.
He runs his own travel business and has a particular interest in literacy. His main motivation for being a governor is to ensure the school upholds its core values and gives all of the children the very best start in life.
Mr Anderson's favourite book is Pompeii by Robert Harris and has a great interest in the Roman Empire.
Mrs E Yurtsever
Mrs Yurtsever is Co-opted Governor. End of term of office - 3rd July 2028.
I am a child protection social worker and have been a governor at the school since 2017. My connection with the school began in 2013 when my family moved to the area and my three children joined the school. I was also a member of staff for many years, working across all year groups, including the SSC and in Caterpillars, where I became one of the safeguarding leads.
I am passionate about children's education and wellbeing and want all our pupils to thrive in a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment.
In my spare time, I am a keen musician and also enjoy learning languages and reading. My favourite children’s book is ‘The Little Girl and the Tiny Doll’ by Edward and Aingelda Ardizzone.
Mrs J Dunford
Mrs Dunford is Co-opted Governor. End of term of office - 3rd July 2028.
I'm a mother of two young boys and also a member of staff at Steyning C of E Primary. Over the last seven years I have watched Steyning Primary grow into the amazing school that it is today. I wanted to become a governor to help make sure our kids get the very best head start in life.
Mrs C Neate
Mrs Neate is a semi-retired accountant, having spent most of her professional life working with small businesses. She also spent several years working part-time as a Teaching Assistant at Steyning Primary when her child was a teenager.
She has been a member of Steyning Athletic Club for many years and currently assists with swim sessions at the pool and leads a weekly walking fitness group.
She became a Foundation Governor, appointed by the Diocese, in January 2026. Mrs Neate has a particular interest in Collective Worship and links between the school, the Church and the local community.
Mrs Neate is very much looking forward to working with everyone to help Steyning Primary to continue to be such a warm, loving and friendly place of learning.
End of term of office - 11th January 2030.
Mrs N Hempleman
Mrs Hempleman is the Staff Governor for the Governing Body. End of term of office - 25 September 2030.
Mrs Hempleman joined Steyning CofE Primary in 2022 after first volunteering for the school’s Reading Army.
She is now a Higher Level Teaching Assistant working across the school and joint ‘Nature School’ lead, promoting nature-based learning within the curriculum. She is immensely proud to be part of the staff team.
Mrs Hempleman has a daughter in year 6 and has seen first-hand the incredible role the school plays in the academic and social development of children who pass through its doors. She looks forward to helping the school further its aims of inclusivity and educational excellence.
Mrs Hempleman’s favourite book is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
Mrs L Salisbury
Mrs Salisbury is a Parent Governor. End of term of office - 9 June 2029.
Lizzie is a parent of 2 children currently attending SPS with a 3rd starting in 2022.
Lizzie has a background in office management, horticulture and farming and is currently employed as a Teaching Assistant in SPS reception class.
Lizzie became a governor after seeing the excellent way the school includes and encourages all children and wanted to be involved in the further progression and development of the school in the coming years.
Mrs M Langan
Mrs Langan is a Parent Governor. End of term of office - 19 Jan 2029.
May was appointed as a parent governor in January 2021 and has four children, three of whom attend Steyning Primary School. She grew up on a pig farm in Buckinghamshire with her ten siblings.
May has an interest in equality, diversity and inclusion and has completed training in Anti-Racism, Cultural Safety and LGBT+ Competency.
Her favourite children’s book is ‘You’re a Bad Man, Mr Gum!’ by Andy Stanto.