Governance
The Genesis Federation
The Genesis Federation consists of Beckley Church of England Primary School, Peasmarsh Church of England Primary School and St Michael’s Church of England Primary School, Playden. The Federation has an overarching governing board and a Vision Statement.
Our Federation embraces the creation and development of ‘human flourishing’ through wisdom, hope, community and dignity. We nourish our community on a journey of spiritual, moral, physical, intellectual, emotional and social growth that helps everyone to fulfil their potential through the promises and love of God. We work in harmony to promote ‘”Life in all its fullness”.
To contact the governing board, please email the Chair chair@thegenesisfederation.co.uk or the Clerk clerk@thegenesisfederation.co.uk.
Organisation
Governors Who Have Stepped Down in the Past 12 Months
Governor Attendance
Minutes of Governing Board Meetings
Rose Durban: Chair of Governors
I live locally and want to contribute to making a difference locally and can’t think of a better way than to help contribute to changing children’s learning and life-chances across Beckley, Peasmarsh and St Michael’s CE Primary Schools, which together make up The Genesis Federation. I come with experience of working on behalf of vulnerable children within and across the education, health and voluntary sectors which complements the wealth of skills, expertise and support other governors bring. Our job is to champion children’s learning and achievement in each of our schools.
In my experience, what children and families say they need is simple and powerful: I tell my story once, Support and services join up around me, People do what they say, I feel better, safer and able to learn and achieve.
I believe that every child in each of our three schools, has the right to be safe and cared for, succeed in learning, thrive and mature into adulthood, able to contribute to the economy and their community in a positive way. I’m getting to know the Genesis community and even though I haven’t been part of it for very long, I’ve been hugely impressed when I meet with the headteachers and their staff to see and hear their passion and commitment to make this a daily reality for children.
What matters to me is to think big for children, believe in them, and work together so that their rights are realised, their views shape decisions made about their lives and they respect the rights of others. Together, as a governing body, we can make an important contribution to helping our school leaders ensure children are learning and achieving well, positive about themselves and their community and looking forward to a bright future.
I am pleased and proud to be chair of our Governing Board. Please do get in touch via any of the schools if you want to contact me.
Andrew Button: Co-opted Governor
I am a qualified Actuary and a member of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. I am semi-retired from my role as CEO of an insurance company, after working in the insurance and banking industries for more than 35 years. I live locally and have 2 adult children and 3 adult step-children. I was previously a parent governor at my childrens’ primary school in Brabourne. I hope that I can use the skills and knowledge gained over many years to help to support the Federation.
Colin Barling: Foundation Governor
I live in Beckley with my wife and our over enthusiastic CavaPoo, Teddie. I have worked for corporate learning companies for over thirty years. Working with senior stakeholders, I have supported organisations to develop and deliver successful learning programmes. Supported by highly qualified learning consultants, I have created apprenticeship programmes offering young people an alternative to university.
After retiring I established my own business. The company supports businesses to unlock and raise the potential of their client facing teams. I am training graduates, senior sales teams, and heads of sales to identify and then advance their relationship skills. My courses guarantee confident and winning work relationships. I am delighted to be using my experience to develop others.
Peter Challans: Foundation Governor
I have lived in Rye or Playden since 1978, and have two children, a boy and a girl, both of whom are now married and have children of their own. I have been involved with St Michael’s Church, Playden since 1996, including a long spell as Churchwarden. I am pleased to have been appointed by the Diocesan Board of Education to the Governing Body as the Foundation Governor, having served in this role previously (and then later as Vice Chairman of the Governors) a number of years ago.
I am a retired professional electrical engineer, having finally retired completely in March 2021 after a career of 26 years as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force, and then joining a Government Department as a civil servant and then part-time consultant. As the Foundation Governor, my aim is to make a particular contribution to the effectiveness of the school through maintaining and developing the Christian distinctiveness of the school, building strong links with the local Churches and parishes (St Michael’s Church, Playden and All Saints Church, Iden), and offering support and appropriate challenge to school leaders.
Jeff Clements: Co-opted Governor
I live locally in the Rye area; I had a long career in law enforcement and latterly as a senior manager in the civil service. I was previously a long serving governor at the junior school that my children attended, now that I am retired, I want to help the schools within the Genesis Federation using my experience from a long and varied career. I have a particular interest in Safeguarding.
Eloise Donaghay-Spire: Parent Governor
I have lived in Rye for 15 years and love living by the sea, having grown up in Brighton. My eldest two children attend St Michael’s, and I am really interested in supporting my children’s school.
I am a Clinical Psychologist and work in the NHS; I am particularly interested in compassionate leadership, inclusivity, and navigating neurodiversity. I would like to be involved in thinking about children’s emotional wellbeing and social development, and will bring a curious and reflective stance to the role.
I love to swim. Singing, music, and being creative are important parts of my life. I would like to imagine that I will be an enthusiastic and conscientious parent governor.
Vicky Dyer: Co-opted Governor
I was born and brought up in Sussex and have lived in Beckley with my family since 2001. After studying history at uni, I became a political consultant specialising in the visual arts, heritage, education and charities sectors. My most rewarding campaign was without doubt that of free admission to the National Museums and Galleries.
I am also a trustee of Peasmarsh Chamber Music Festival and can confirm that the happiest concert is always the schools’ performance, when it is always a joy to see the fun and sense of achievement of the budding performers. I enjoy listening to a wide variety of musical forms, and strongly recommend in-car and kitchen karaoke for breaking down any family tensions.
An avid reader all my life, I believe fervently in the power of reading to feed curiosity, develop emotional depth and understanding, and to serve as a key tool to deciphering life and people while always providing hours of solo entertainment.
Emma Herbert: Staff Governor
I have been working at Peasmarsh school since April 2010 and have experience of teaching years 1-6. In September 2015, I started my qualification to become the SENCO at Peasmarsh which I finished in August 2016.
Chrissie Johnston: Local Authority Governor
I am a Strategy and Change Consultant with a special interest in using data to help clients develop strategy and drive transformation. I am an Engagement Director at Prospira Global, a strategy advisory firm that supports global businesses, philanthropists and investors to design and deliver effective mental health solutions.
I joined the Genesis Foundation as a governor in 2020. As well as my wider governor responsibilities, I focus on the curriculum and quality of education in our schools. I was previously Chair and charity Trustee for a local pre-school and, at the other end of the educational spectrum, am also a Lay Visitor for the Architects Registration Board, involved in the accreditation of architecture qualifications.
I have two children; an older child who is now at secondary school having spent seven years at Beckley School and a child still at the school. As a parent, I love to be outside with my children and am passionate about the benefits of outdoor learning. I hold a degree in Experimental Psychology and continue to be fascinated by how children learn and reflective about the mental health challenges faced by children.
Kirsty Parsons: Parent Governor
My family have been in Rye for several generations, and apart from a brief spell at/after university I’ve lived in Rye my whole life – I think our small community is a great place to grow up, and to raise a family. My two children currently attend St Michael’s.
Professionally, I have a degree in Business, specialising in Marketing and am Marketing Director for a Global Relocation Company as part of the Senior Leadership Team; this has given me experience in balancing the needs and expectations of a range of people from a diverse range of perspectives. I wanted to become a Governor to support our schools in helping all children thrive at school – regardless of background or needs – in whatever way ‘thriving’ means to them. Whether that’s academic achievement, arts, sports or simply finding a love for being in school that means they engage to the best of their ability and have the best basis for the next stages of their life.
Vacancy: Co-opted Governor
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Lison Smart: Headteacher – Peasmarsh
I really enjoy working at Peasmarsh School because every day is different and exciting. The children make me laugh and I like to hear the stories that they tell me. When I am not at school, I like to spend time with my family and two little dogs. I love reading all sorts of books and finding out about the world.
Simon Thurston: Headteacher – Beckley
I have been teaching since 1987, initially in secondary schools, with the last 14 years being in primary schools. I have taught all ages, from 4 – 18 – the 4 year olds are the most scary! I am passionate about supporting the pupils, parents and staff in my school to thrive, flourish and excel in every aspect of life and see the school as playing a key role within the local community.
Out of school, my wife and I are very involved in a local church and in any other time left over, I am busy either playing the drums, watching rugby, going for walks and enjoying meals with my family.
