Governors
Chair of Governors : Mrs N Johnson (Co-opted Governor)
My name is Nicky Johnson and I joined the Governing Body here at Sudbury Primary in 2022. I currently work as a Cost Accountant for a small engineering company based in Leicestershire.
Prior to joining the governing body, I was a Trust Appointed Governor in the Reach2 Academy Trust. I was a governor and past Chair for a number of years.
I am also a Trustee of Burton Hope where I am the current Secretary.
Term of office: Four Years
Term ends: 21.09.2026
Appointed by: School Governing body
Committees: Safeguarding, Finance, Assessment, Tracking and Staffing.
Relevant business and financial interests: None
Relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff, including spouses, partners and close relatives: None
Mrs H Smith (Co-opted Governor)
Hello my name is Helen Smith. I recently took early retirement from being a Headteacher in a large Inner-City Primary School. I have many years of experience of teaching all age groups from 3-11 years (although my passion is in Early Years!) I am also a Trustee for the Derby and Derbyshire YMCA. I am the Chair for the YMCA Stepping Stones Nursery Board.
My key responsibilities over many years have been Safeguarding and Special Educationa Needs and Disabilities so I have a wealth of knowledge and have built up good partnership working in these years. Children need to feel safe, well cared for and all their needs need to be met, in order for them to be able to learn and reach their full potential.
I believe that we need to work towards all children leaving Primary School as successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens. Sudbury Primary School is a happy school where every child is valued and nurtured. I am proud to be part of the Governing Board
Term of office: Four Years
Term ends: 07.07.2029
Appointed by: School Governing body
Committees: Newly appointed Governor- to be agreed within Autumn 2025 Governing Board Meeting
Relevant business and financial interests: None
Relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff, including spouses, partners and close relatives: None
Mrs G Carey (Staff Governor)
My name is Gill Carey. I have been so lucky to have worked for Sudbury Primary School since 2005. Firstly as a part time Teaching Assistant, I then increased my hours to full-time to further support the school. I qualified to HLTA status to take on more classroom responsibilities, then training to be a Forest School Leader to share my passion for the outdoors and to support the children who benefit from learning in the outdoor environment. I have worked mainly in the EYFS and KS1 classroom. Recently I have reduced my working week to 3 days so I can spend more time enjoying my hobbies, motor homing, walking my dog, running and swimming.
Term of office: Four Years
Term ends: 19.09.28
Appointed by: School Governing body
Committees: Music.
Relevant business and financial interests: None
Relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff, including spouses, partners and close relatives: None
Mr K Chidlow (Local Authority Governor)
Hello my name is Kevin Chidlow and I currently work as a Supply Chain Director for the NHS based in Shefield. I am responsible for the support of the supply of goods and services to the whole of the NHS in England. I have lived in Doveridge for over 25 years moving here to take up a role at the Toyota factory in Burnaston.
My background is commercial rather than an educational one, but being married to an Early Years Teacher I have been immersed in the joy, challenge and privilege that working in education brings. We have a garage full of 'resources' to prove it. The importance of education and the opportunities it brings should never be underestimated or taken for granted. I hope I can bring my extensive commercial experience to bear and add to the great team at Sudbury.
I have been involved in supporting our local community for many years- treading the boards in our theatre group, funding new tennis courts and developing a community cafe in the village hall. I am proud and humbled to become a Governor of Sudbury School and will do my utmost to support its development in the coming years.
Term of office: Four Years
Term ends: 07.07.2029
Appointed by: School Governing body
Committees: Newly appointed Governor- to be agreed within Autumn 2025 Governing Board Meeting
Relevant business and financial interests: None
Relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff, including spouses, partners and close relatives: None
Mrs J Horan (Parent Governor)
My name is Julie. I am a part qualified accountant and work full time at Rolls-Royce.
I am also the chair of Friends of Sudbury School (FOSS).
I have 4 children that attend the school.
Term of office: Four Years
Term ends: 22.03.27
Appointed by: School Governing body
Committees: Maths, Science, Mental Wellbeing and PSHE.
Relevant business and financial interests: None
Relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff, including spouses, partners and close relatives: None
Mrs C Buckle (Parent Governor)
My name is Claire. I have been a parent governor since September 2023,
I have two children who attend Sudbury Primary School.
I am the Head of RE at a secondary school in Derby and I have experience with working with a wide range of ages and abilities, from primary pupils to teaching adults entry-level Maths and English.
I have been working in education since 2010 and alongside RE I have taught Geography, History, ICT, PSHE, ASDAN and Enrichment.
Term of office: Four Years
Term ends: 27.09.2027
Appointed by: School Governing body
Committees: SEND, Behaviour, English and RE
Relevant business and financial interests: None
Relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff, including spouses, partners and close relatives: None
Governing Board Structure
The Sudbury Primary School Governing Body comprises of 9 Governors:
1 Headteacher Governor
1 Staff Governor
1 Local Authority Governor
3 Parent Governors (1 Vacancy)
3 Co-opted Governors (1 Vacancy)
Enquiries
The Governing Board meeting minutes are available upon request. Please note that any confidential matters/ minutes are recorded separately and are not available for viewing. Please contact the Clerk to the Chair of the Board of Governors, Mrs Sara Peat as follows:
Email: s.peat@sudbury.derbyshire.sch.gov.uk
Address: Sudbury Primary School, School Lane, Sudbury, Ashbourne, DE6 5HZ
Telephone: 01283 585251
Our governing body is representative of both our school families and our wider community. It is represented by governors of a wide range of ages, gender, religion and physical ability. As such, we are confident we reflect our families and our community.
We also consider diversity to mean the diverse skills and knowledge that our board possess as well as the diversity of their protected characteristics. We are fortunate to have a board which consists of a variety of knowledge, skills and experiences including backgrounds in education, business and finance. Together they make sound, knowledge based decisions for the efficient running of the school and children’s education.
