I look forward to being able to continue using this knowledge to support and promote the success of the school as well as the safety and wellbeing of the children who attend Alfriston School at one of the most important and influential stages of their life.
Yvette Aeberhard: Co-Chair of Governors (Local Authority Governor)
I spent my youth in the warmer climate of Australia before moving to the UK in 2000. I have now been teaching Art and Design + Technology in Sussex secondary schools for over 20 years. I am currently Assistant Head of the Visual Arts department at Seahaven Academy and have an MA in Teaching and Arts Practice.
Recently, I completed my Forest School training as I see the benefits of a broad range of approaches to nurturing our young people and I hope to combine my commitment to education with my love of the outdoor environment.
Ivor Fabb (Co-opted Governor)
I first became a School Governor in 2006 at a local school where I lived in Hove, and remained so until I moved out of the area in 2012. A further move brought me to Seaford and I am pleased to have been able to join the governing board for Alfriston.
I enjoy working within a dedicated team whose aims and goals are to edify our children, helping each of them develop their own potential. Most of my career has been as a Police Officer but along the way I have also been self-employed managing my own business.
Since retirement I have been able to follow my own agenda and spend the winters skiing and the summers travelling, as well as becoming more involved in the community. To that end I am delighted in being member of the governing board.
Marcus Fairhurst (Parent Governor)
I was pleased to join the board of governors in 2022. I greatly look forward to getting more involved with this wonderful school. Our experience as parents having two children currently there has been very positive and as a passionate believer in the importance of education, I am keen to help in any way that I can.
Professionally, I manage global hiring and participate in various other management initiatives for an investment firm based in London. I studied Law at undergraduate level and then a Masters in Human Rights. Around this time I was fortunate enough to travel to and live in some interesting places and had stints teaching children English in Hong Kong and New Delhi. I also spent a summer as a children’s soccer coach in America and have been involved with various charities helping young people over the last 15 years.
Michele Owens (Co-opted Governor)
I am delighted to be part of the Board of Governors and look forward to working alongside my fellow Governors to ensure the school continues to maintain and build on its great work and can successfully meet future challenges.
As a governor I will be drawing on the knowledge and skills sets I’ve gained through 40+ years’ experience working in senior leadership roles in Human Resources and business management. I have particular expertise in learning & development, ED&I (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion), organisation effectiveness, vision, values and culture change, executive recruitment, coaching and mentoring and creating high performing boards and teams. I’ve worked with some unique and challenging business environments, including the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games where I was the Head of HR & Organisation Effectiveness at the Olympic Delivery Authority, and the Restoration & Renewal of the Palace of Westminster Programme as their HR & Organisation Effectiveness Consultant. Other companies I’ve had the pleasure of working with include the Civil Aviation Authority, University of East London (UEL), Goodenough College to name but a few. I also set up and managed my own HR consultancy business too. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (FCIPD).
I’ve recently retired from work but not from life! I love challenging myself and want to continue to develop and to acquire new skills and share knowledge. Being a Governor at this wonderful school is a terrific opportunity to do just that, particularly as I am not an education expert! But I do have six young grandchildren and that gives me some great insights into the world of education that I might have otherwise missed! Finally, as a ‘people’ person and governor I will fully embrace and demonstrate the school’s vision “Fair, Friendly, Fulfilling and Fun!”
Claire Corkran (Co-opted Governor)
I have 28 years experience teaching and leading in schools, both in the UK and in an International School in the USA. For the last 11 years I have also been a team inspector for ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) and I continue to undertake a couple of inspections a year within the independent sector. Most recently, I was Head of a Prep School in Kent with nearly 300 pupils aged 2 to 11. In 2022, I decided to retire from Headship and have some time off whilst I decided what to do next. I returned home to Sussex and, during my career break, I thoroughly enjoyed running a Philosophy club at Alfriston Primary School. I knew, immediately, that the school aligned with my own values and the whole school community lives out the school's vision of ‘Fair, Friendly, Fulfilling & Fun!’. I have had experience of being a governor for a primary academy in Maidstone and, as a Head, I worked very closely with an excellent board of governors who each brought something different and valuable to the table. I very much hope that I can share my experience and knowledge of primary education in a positive way at Alfriston Primary School and I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to join the board of governors.
Gus McCloy (Parent Governor)
Having graduated from St Andrew’s University in English and French, I went straight into teaching and spent the rest of my career in schools, ultimately becoming Deputy Head of a local prep school and a school inspector. I joined Alfriston Primary in 2022 to start after-school Latin and Drama Clubs. The Drama Club has put on annual Christmas plays at Berwick Church every December and taken LAMDA exams, with great success, each summer, while the Latin Club follows the Minimus starting out in Latin course. I also hear some of the younger children read.
I truly enjoy my time at this delightful school, with its polite and enthusiastic children, dedicated staff and supportive parents, and was honoured to be asked to become one of the school governors. My particular focus is safeguarding and the school council. It is a pleasure to be part of such a thriving and vibrant community.
Mrs Lindsey Hudson: Headteacher (Ex officio Governor)
I have worked at Alfriston School for a number of years and was thrilled to be elected Staff Governor in March 2020.
I am able to bring to the Governing Board the perspective of the staff and hope that my experience working in education enables me to contribute to the direction of the school and to our Fair, Friendly, Fulfilling and Fun vision.
