Ray Leeke

Chair and Co-Opted Governor

Ray is a co-opted governor at the school. He has spent his whole career working in education. He began as a primary school teacher, then a headteacher, and held senior positions in various authorities as school inspector. He has been an Ofsted inspector of primary schools and finally an area director of children’s services. He is now retired but is a grandparent of two children at the school, with another one to start in a few years time. His outside interests include spending time with his grandchildren, walking and travel.

date of appointment	14/09/2022
current term of office start date	14/09/2022
term of office	4 years
date end of service due	14/09/2026
appointed by	Governing body
declaration of interests	none
declaration last checked	14/09/2023
governance at other institutions	none
% attendance	83%

 

Kirstin Baker

 Governor - Finance

Kirstin was a senior civil servant for many years and is a qualified accountant. She now works as an inquiry chair at the Competition and Markets Authority and as a Non-Executive Director. Kirstin is a co-opted governor and has two children who have attended the school. 

date of appointment	01/04/2020
current term of office start date	31/03/2024
term of office	4 years
date end of service due	01/04/2028
appointed by	Governing Body
declaration of interests	parent
declaration last checked	14/09/2023
governance at other institutions	none
% attendance	100%

 

Ms Katie Wood

Co-Opted Governor

Katie has had two children go through Balfour Primary, and was previously a Parent governor before becoming co-opted.  She has worked in the education sector for over 20 years in primary, secondary, special and International schools, with a common focus on pastoral development, policy and leadership.  Katie is an Educational and Child Psychologist and works with children and families across Sussex.  

date of appointment	05/02/2020
current term of office start date	05/02/2024
term of office	4 years
date end of service due	04/02/2028
appointed by	parents
declaration of interests	parent
declaration last checked	14/09/2023
governance at other institutions	none
% attendance	66%

 

Ms Shelley Baker

Co-Opted - Safeguarding

Shelley has been involved in education in Brighton and Hove for over 20 years in various positions in teaching, leadership, management and governance. She has been a Chair of Governors in two other local schools and is currently a National Leader of Governance, supporting other governing bodies. Shelley has a passion for school improvement and determined that all children should be able to achieve regardless of their starting point. Shelley recognises the importance of a well-rounded curriculum and the benefits of working with everyone in the local school community. Shelley has two children in local schools in close proximity to Balfour Primary School.

date of appointment	21/10/2019
current term of office start date	21/10/2023
term of office	4 years
date end of service due	20/10/2027
appointed by	Governing Body
declaration of interests	Headteacher at Varndean School
declaration last checked	14/09/2023
governance at other institutions	Governor at Brackenbury
% attendance	100%

 

Alun Price

Co-Opted Governor

Alun has been involved in education for over 25 years and has worked across a range of age groups in both state and independent schools. He is currently Deputy Head at Lancing Prep Hove where he is also pastoral lead. As a Director of Sport for over 15 years, he strongly believes in the benefits to pupils of extra-curricular activities and outdoor learning in supporting pupils' wellbeing and self-esteem.

Alun has three children who all attended Balfour and enjoys travelling and downtime with his family.

date of appointment	24/11/2021
current term of office start date	24/11/2021
term of office	4 years
date end of service due	23/11/2025
appointed by	Governing Body
declaration of interests	none
declaration last checked	14/09/2023
governance at other institutions	none
% attendance	33%

 

Marcus O'Dair

Parent Governor

Marcus has had two children at the school, one currently in Year 6. He has a background in the music and media industries, having worked for clients including the Guardian and the BBC and performed at venues including the Pompidou Centre and the Royal Albert Hall. He is currently Associate Dean of Knowledge Exchange and Reader in Innovation Management at University of the Arts London.

date of appointment	25/11/2022
current term of office start date	25/11/2022
term of office	4 years
date end of service due	24/11/2026
appointed by	Parents
declaration of interests	parent
declaration last checked	14/09/2023
governance at other institutions	none
% attendance	50%

 

Thomas Holman (Vice-chair)

Parent Governor

Tom has two children at the school, currently in Year 6 and Year 3. He is a Civil Servant and has worked in a number of roles across Government, including running major Transformation programmes. He is currently working for the Cabinet Office. Tom holds a PhD from King's College London..

date of appointment	18/01/2024
current term of office start date	18/01/2024
term of office	4 years
date end of service due	17/01/2028
appointed by	Parents
declaration of interests	parent
declaration last checked
governance at other institutions	none
% attendance	75%

 

Victoria Jones

Parent Governor

Victoria has two children at the school, currently in year 2 and year 5, and one who is now at Varndean. She has a background in children's services, and for the past ten years has focused on safeguarding and child protection. She is passionate about working with the school to create an environment where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.  

date of appointment	16/01/2025
current term of office start date	16/01/2025
term of office	4 years
date end of service due	15/01/2029
appointed by	Parents
declaration of interests	parent
declaration last checked	16/01/2025
governance at other institutions	none
% attendance	n/a

 

Adam Knott

Governor

Adam is an Assistant Headteacher at Dorothy Stringer School and has been working in education for nearly 10 years.  Adam teaches Music and Maths and has worked both in the UK and New Zealand.  Ever since secondary school, Adam wanted to be a teacher.  He has a Music degree from the University of Southampton and trained to be a teacher at the University of Sussex.  Aside from education, Adam represented Great Britain in the London 2012 Paralympic games in goalball (a sport for the blind and visually impaired).  He enjoys exploring the outdoors, especially scuba diving!  Adam is excited to work with Balfour to ensure students have the most fulfilling primary experience and seamless transition to secondary school.  

date of appointment	18/01/2024
current term of office start date	18/01/2024
term of office	4 years
date end of service due	17/01/2028
appointed by	TBC
declaration of interests	TBC
declaration last checked	TBC
governance at other institutions	TBC
% attendance	TBC

 

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Michaela Francis-Hicks

Staff Governor

Michaela has worked at Balfour for 13 years, beginning as a Newly Qualified Teacher, and holding various roles including Class Teacher, Year Leader, INCO and Assistant Headteacher. Michaela is passionate about giving all children the best start to their school life possible, and works especially closely with the Early Years and Key Stage 1 teams to support this. Michaela holds a National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (NASENCO) and has completed a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). She looks forward to supporting the school and community in a new way as Staff Governor.

date of appointment	12/09/2024
current term of office start date	12/09/2024
term of office	4 years
date end of service due	12/09/2028
appointed by	staff
declaration of interests	staff
declaration last checked
governance at other institutions	none
% attendance	100%

 

Alan Gunn

Headteacher

Alan has been Headteacher at Balfour since September 2022. He has 30 years experience in Primary Eduction, teaching across the primary range and leading across a number of schools. Alan is passionate about ensuring all children achieve well, have the broadest opportunties possible and become valuable and responible members of the community. His family has lived in the city for many generations and he continues to live within the school's local community. Alan's interests outside of school include spending time with his family, travel, reading, music and supporting The Albion.

date of appointment	01/09/2022
current term of office start date	01/09/2022
term of office	whilst employed
date end of service due	n/a
appointed by	Governors
declaration of interests	none
declaration last checked	14/09/2023
governance at other institutions	LA Governor at Varndean School
% attendance	100%