The Governing Body
Who are we?
We are volunteers and we come from every section of the community. Tarnerland's governing body is made up of 12 people including staff, parents, local authority and community representatives.
In a nutshell - to help the school provide the best possible education for your children.
We support and encourage all aspects of nursery life by acting as a "critical friend". By that we mean we fully support our headteacher Mrs Collings but also ask important and difficult questions. We are an integral part of life at the school. We celebrate the nursery's many successes and achievements.
Ella Turner - Chair of Governors
Ella is a former primary assistant headteacher and school improvement consultant. She grew up in Hanover in the 1980s and attended Tarnerland herself as a child. She started as a governor when her daughter started nursery in 2006 and has been here ever since.
She loves that the nursery’s long tradition of supporting families in the Tarner community and the amazing outdoor space. She is privileged to spend time with the staff and children and see the hard work that goes into making Tarnerland such a special place. She has been Chair of Governors since 2021.
Joanne Marron
Joanne is the Foundation Stage Leader at Westdene Primary School in Brighton and worked at Westdene for over 10 years.
Joanne has built up a wealth of experience leading the EYFS and teaching in both nursery and reception having led EYFS and Year 1 for several years and have been a member of senior leadership for over 5 years.
As a practitioner, leader and school governor, Joanne believe excellent early years teaching and pedagogy can impact positively on all children's futures.
Joanne is currently seconded as the Early Years Specialist for the Education and Standards Team at Brighton and Hove City Council. In this post, she offers support, consultancy and guidance to schools across the city.
Joanne also leads two early years cluster groups where she facilitates EYFS practitioners connecting and sharing best practice.
Joanne is excited to join the governance team at Tarnerland to make a positive contribution to such a beautiful and vibrant setting where early years is so valued.
Samira Vance
Samira started her teaching career in Brighton and Hove with a PGCE in Primary Education at Brighton University after doing a BA in Law and Human Rights at the University of Essex.
Samira has taught at Elm Grove Primary School (where she was also the English as an Additional Language Coordinator) and then moved to Bangkok, Thailand where she taught across four key stages, including Early Years, in British international schools.
Most recently, Samira was the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at King's College International School Bangkok and am the founder of the Thailand DEI Hub.
Samira has also been providing training and consultancy to senior leaders and safeguarding leads. She is particularly interested in the safeguarding of minoritised groups, community engagement, curriculum development and, professional development and wellbeing of staff.
Samira is excited to join the board and look forward to working with governors in such a wonderful setting.
Chris Chapman
Vice Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor and Chair of the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee
Penny Dunne
Co-opted Governor and Chair of the Finance Committee
Louise Collings
Headteacher Governor
Jackie Poulton
Co-opted Governor, Nursery Manager and Safeguarding Lead.
Jackie has been in childcare for 31yrs, starting as a trainee practitioner right through to manager. She spent 13 of those years Managing a team and Leading practice for Early Years in Children's Centres in East Sussex, working with families from pregnancy, supporting positve parenting in stay and play groups, food and nutrition, delivering training to staff and families regarding accidents in the home for CAPT and promoting and supporting positive feeding (breast and bottle) for UNICEF.
Could this be you?
We have a vacancy for a co-opted governor. Please see below on how to apply
We are currently recruiting for Co-Opted Governors.
To find out more about school governance and what the role includes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkn6wzCIq2ylSji8OJtD_7-tOrBIpwyYY
If you would like to be considered for a role on the governing board please download the Co-opted Governor form above, complete and return to Chelle McCann, Senior Clerk to Governors on michellemccann@tarnerland.brighton-hove.sch.uk
For declarations of interest and meeting minutes please contact Chelle McCann, Senior Clerk to Governors on michellemccann@tarnerland.brighton-hove.sch.uk