Governor's Biographies

Darren Arbon - Co-Chair of Governors

Since achieving my PhD I have worked in a variety of roles including a computer programmer, a research scientist for Cancer Research and a secondary school Science teacher.  Whilst no longer a teacher, I still have a passion for education which led my desire to be a governor at Woodingdean Primary School.  My son absolutely LOVES the school and is excited every day to go.  My daughter started in 2020 and also couldn't wait to join her big brother there.

Aaron Barnard - Parent Governor

In early 2021 the opportunity arose to be a governor at Woodingdean Primary School, and I jumped at it. I am currently serving as Co-opted Governor and chair of the Resources Committee.  I have lived in Brighton all my life and, having grown up in an area of deprivation, I understand the importance of good role models and want to help raise the aspirations of our next generation.  I moved to Woodingdean six years ago and have always wanted to add something back to the community.  I have an accounting background and started my career in practice.  I then moved to work as Chief Finance Officer for an Education Technology Company for seven years.  I now work as Regional Finance Director for Aldridge Education, being responsible for the finances of Brighton Aldridge and Portslade Aldridge Community Academies.  I have two pre-school children who I can't wait to introduce to the Woodingdean Primary School community.

Charly Jones - Co-opted Governor

I moved back to Brighton with my young family a few years ago, and, having grown up in the Deans area and attended St Margaret's in Rottingdean, wanted to get involved with supporting young people in the local community.

My career is in Finance with c20 years experience across multiple roles and companies so when the opportunity arose in 2023 to join the Governing board for Woodingdean Primary School, I saw this as a fantastic chance to combine my skills with my passion for education.

I thoroughly enjoy, and am incredibly proud of, being part of such a wonderful and inclusive school.

Matthew Bishop - Co-opted Governor

Following graduating with a Psychology degree in 1998, I have worked in the NHS in a variety of roles and now consult in healthcare improvement work.  I believe in the power of listening, curiosity and the adoption of a beginner's mindset to find ways of working together to solve problems even when there are difficult decisions or challenging questions to answer.

My eldest daughter joined Woodingdean Primary in 2014, with my youngest joining in 2016, and I've had the pleasure of seeing them both grow through their time at school.  As a governor, I'm proud to be part of creating a school where our children can achieve their best because they have a positive nurturing environment that inspires them to learn. 

Flair Doublet - Parent Governor

 

Sharon Cole - Co-opted Governor

Sharon is very passionate about children’s and their families’ well being. She is a qualified Therapist (Psychodynamic counselling and Psychotherapy) and for the past 8 ½ years has worked at Place2Be, a Children’s mental health charity, providing counselling in schools across the UK. Sharon’s previous roles have included being a Service manager and Partnership Manager for the Hackney Learning Trust, where she ran a large multi disciplinary team, providing support to children and families, also set up  and managed the first ever MASH (Multi agency safeguarding Hub). Other roles have included working at Women’s Aid, Childline, working in gangs intervention, managing alternative provisions and an adolescent home.

Natalie Woodford - Staff Governor

From a very early age I have always wanted to be a teacher however, as a child I moved many times. I have lived in 3 different countries and attended 10 different schools which meant my education was often disrupted, however I persevered and eventually finished my studies at a local sixth form before moving on to graduate from at Brighton University.

I took my first teaching post in Brighton in 1993 at a local school. In 2014, I proudly joined Woodingdean Primary School as Key Stage one phase leader.

I am passionate to do all I can to help the children at Woodingdean to develop as citizens by learning with an engaging exciting curriculum.

Karen Meeres - Co-Chair of Governors

I joined the governing board of Woodingdean in 2009 when my youngest son started at the school. Both my children had a fantastic time whilst at Woodingdean and both are now thriving at secondary school and beyond. I am now a co-opted governor and have been chair for several years. My background in financial services, especially project management, has provided skills which I have been able to use in my governor role. I am passionate that school should be fun, safe, inspiring and that all children should be encouraged and given every opportunity to try their best and achieve. These are things we see every day at Woodingdean and I’m proud to be able to help the school in any way I can.

Christine Deacon - Co-opted Governor

I joined the governing board in Autumn 2022 after my retirement. I have lived in Woodingdean for 25 years and in Brighton and Hove for over 35 years. I have trained and worked as a secondary school teacher for deaf children for over 39 years having worked in London and in the South East. 

Angeli Cornelius - Co-opted Governor

After a career in advertising I now run a photography agency in Brighton, London and Sydney. I moved to Woodingdean in 2022 and wanted to support the local community and so I applied to me a governor in Autumn 2022. I am driven, passionate and eager to support the school, it's families and Headteacher in their drive and enthusiasm to create a wonderful environment for our local children.

Peter Kutnick - Local Authority Governor

I am a Local Authority Governor, with a lengthy background in education. I have lived in Brighton since the early 1970's. My children, who are now adults, and parents themselves, attended local schools and I have previously been a governor and Chair of Governors at another local school. I have worked in the Schools of Education at the Universities of Brighton and Sussex; and am now a retired professor of Psychology of Education at King's College, London. During my career I have also gained insight into schools in the Caribbean, North America and Asia. I am able to offer insights into research and government policy regarding teaching and learning in the classroom. 

Naomi Fox - Co-opted Governor

After recently moving to Woodingdean I saw an opportunity to support the local community by becoming a governor at Woodingdean Primary School.

It has been a privilege to have worked in a range of schools, both primary and secondary, as a teacher. I have moved into senior leadership working with staff in developing pastoral provision to run alongside the demands of the academic curriculum. The wider curriculum outside of the classroom has always been a pivotal focus of my roles, believing in access for all. 

Currently I am supporting young people in accessing and gaining the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme as a trainer and assessor.