Roselands & Stafford Federation
John Maxwell | Executive Head
I joined the Roselands and Stafford Federation in January 2019, having been the headteacher of Bourne Primary School for five and a half years. During that time, Bourne moved from being in Special Measures to being Good in all areas in its 2016 Ofsted inspection. Before moving to the South Coast, I had lived and worked in London for all of my life, and was a headteacher in a North London primary school from 2006 to 2013. That school was judged to be Outstanding in 2011. In my spare time I enjoy reading, going to the cinema and theatre, walking and playing tennis. I am also a very keen traveller.
I am extremely proud to be the Executive Headteacher of the Federation. Stafford and Roselands are both exciting, innovative and caring schools whose staff strive to provide a fantastic education to their wonderful pupils.
Mike Walton | Co-opted Staff Governor (Stafford) |Appointed 1/9/15
I am the Head of School at Stafford and have been a Federation Governor since September 2015. I am also a parent with my eldest child currently in Year 4. I have worked in a variety of schools across East Sussex to gain a wealth of experience in the primary phase. I am passionate about providing a broad, balanced and enriched curriculum for our learners through the use of our outside spaces, sports and performing arts. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with the family, long walks with our dog and visits to the theatre. I am committed to ensuring each and every member of our community is given the opportunity to be the best that they can be.
Carol Wallis | Staff Governor (Roselands) |Appointed 1/9/15
I am the Head of School at Roselands and I have been a Federation Governor since September 2015. I joined the Roselands team in September 2013 having been a Class Teacher, Team Leader, Infant Leader and Inclusion Manager at my previous school for 18 years. Working at Roselands, I have the opportunity to give young children the firm foundations on which to build a passion for learning and skills for life. I work with an amazing team of staff who provide a rich, inspiring and diverse curriculum.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, skiing and running. I ran the London Marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support in April 2017 and I am currently training for the Brighton Marathon 2019.
Jon Nay | Chair
Recently retired, I have spent a lifetime in education first as an English teacher, later as a senior manager in Further Education and finally working for a succession of government agencies in the education and training sector. I am particularly interested in the ways that children learn and best practice in assuring that children receive the start in life that they deserve.
I have two daughters and four grandchildren and my interests include the theatre, reading and hill walking.
Nick Smeeton | Deputy Chair | Appointed 1/9/15
Nick has a longstanding interest in education. Nick has lectured at the University of Brighton for over ten years. He has held leadership positions at the university in the area of learning and teaching. Nick has had previous experience as a governor for Roselands infant school before the formation of the federation. He is the co-chairperson of the Teaching and Learning committee.
Jenni Osborn | Appointed 1/9/15
I have been a Federation Governor since September 2015. I am a parent of two boys, one in Stafford and the other at secondary school locally. My background is in secondary school, teaching PSHE and RE. I am currently Head of Further Education Studies for a national faith-based college network. I write for a youth and children’s work magazine with a national reach and I also facilitate a Think Tank on Young People and Mental Health working in conjunction with the London Diocese. When I am not working I love to read, bake and sing.
Esther Martin | Co-opted Governor | Appointed 20/1/16
I became a governor at Roselands and Stafford in 2016. I have found it to be a really helpful insight into the running of the school.
As a parent of a son here, and as a teacher myself, it has helped me to have a rounded picture of all the people involved in doing their best for the children in these two schools.
Fiona Hill | Resigned 29/06/2018
David Ruskin | Local Authority Governor | Appointed 11/17
I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to serve as a governor for the Roselands and Stafford Federation since November 2017. I take a particular interest in helping the staff to provide the best possible education in its broadest sense, and in ensuring that all pupils develop the skills and attitudes necessary for success in later education and life. and I am also a member of the Finance Committee.
I have been a teacher my whole career, and currently work as Assistant Head (Teaching and Learning) at a local senior school. I am also a schools inspector, and a reserve training officer in the Royal Air Force.
Anne Allison | Local Authority Governor | Appointed 11/17
I have worked in the education sector all of my life. I am currently working part-time as a Primary Headteacher Consultant with East Sussex County Council. Prior to this I was headteacher in two schools in East Sussex. I am passionate about helping schools to provide the best possible education for all children and I am pleased to be able to support the work of our schools by serving as a Local Authority governor with the Roselands- Stafford Federation. I am also a Governor at Park Mead Primary School in Upper Dicker.
Pat Smith | Governor | Appointed 11/17
I have been a Federation Governor since November 2017.
I am retired having spent all my working life in Education: I have been a teacher, Head Teacher and a School Improvement Partner. I am delighted to be able to maintain my interest and enthusiasm for education by working with other governors to provide a high quality education for all pupils in these challenging times.
I have two adult stepsons and three grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, cooking and visiting the theatre.
Sarah Fowle | Co-opted Governor | Appointed 1/18
I have worked in education since 1986 when I was an NQT at a school in the London Borough on Tower Hamlets. I stayed there for 4 years before spending a year backpacking around the world, travelling is one of my passions. On returning to the UK I spent the next 25 years working for the London Borough of Newham as a class teacher, Inclusion manager, deputy head teacher and acting head teacher.
In 2015, after spending 6 months travelling around the USA, I relocated to Hove and got a job at Roselands as a year 1 teacher before becoming the Leader of Learning. In September 2017 that travel bug got be again and I headed off to Africa however I loved my time working at Roselands at wanted to keep ties with the school so I was delighted when I was asked to become a co opted governor.
Other than travelling I also enjoy reading, going to the theatre and concerts, spending time with my family and friends and just enjoying living by the sea!
Chris Bettiss | Co-opted Governor | Appointed 11/18
I have been a Federation Governor since November 2018.
Having recently retired from a career in Banking I was keen to put my skills and experience gained to good use. Having served as a governor some years ago I thought returning as a Governor would give me the opportunity I was looking for and I was very pleased to be accepted by the Federation.
My other interests include volunteering at The Bluebell Railway, Gardening on my allotment and Aviation and Military History.
Jess Whitewood | Parent Governor | Appointed 11/18
Lesley Downes | Clerk to Governors
I have previously been employed and used my financial and administrative skills in various management roles across the public, private and charity sectors.
My last full time role was as a Business Manager at Stafford Junior School. I understand the huge role and responsibilities of the Governing Body and am happy to support them and the school in the challenges that they have to face to ensure that there are the best outcomes for the children.