ABOUT Cornfield school
School Governance
An insight into the structure and functioning of our school’s governing body, which plays a crucial role in shaping the educational environment and upholding our high standards of school management
The Cornfield governing body was formed on 4 May 2021 and comprises eight Governors. This includes: one local authority governor; one staff governor; the headteacher and five co-opted Governors. Two of the co-opted Governors currently act as co-chairs. The Governors’ statutory role is to support the school’s vision by providing challenge and a strategic steer. The full governing body (FGB) meets once a term.
To support the FGB, there are two committees with a specific remit to look at Finance and Health and Safety on behalf of the governing body. Both committees are formed of two Governors, the Head and the School Business Manager. These committees also meet once a term.
In between these meetings, Governors hold meetings and visit the school to ensure what we say happens on paper, happens in school. This is a key part of the challenge provided. The FGB also questions policies written by the Senior Leadership Team and attends training in order to keep appraised with the statutory requirements of the role via the DFE and the county council.
Collaborative Working
Cornfield School is part of a soft federation alongside Oak Grove College, Herons Dale Primary School and Palatine Primary School. This collaborative arrangement allows for the sharing of expertise, experience, best practice, and resources to the benefit of students and staff. Regular opportunities for shared INSET days, the potential to share costs of specialist staff/resources, and the opportunity for Headteachers to work closely together are key benefits of this partnership. By fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support, the schools aim to enhance the overall educational experience and continuously improve standards of learning
The governors at Cornfield School are a group of committed and passionate volunteers who support and challenge the school to ensure all students experience a strong, supportive, and high-quality education that meets their individual SEMH needs.
Working closely with school leaders, the Governing Body helps to shape the school’s vision, uphold safeguarding and wellbeing standards, and ensure that every pupil has the best possible opportunities to thrive.
Our Governing Body encompasses a variety of skills, backgrounds and experiences, together with a diversity of views, in order to carry out our key responsibilities.
The role of the Governing Body is to support the school leaders at Cornfield to provide the best educational experiences for our students with the aim of providing a safe and nurturing environment alongside a challenging and aspirational curriculum so that students leave the school confident, able and ready to play a full and positive role in society.
Effective Governance
To ensure effective governance we focus of three core strategic functions:
1) Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
2) Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and it’s students, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff
3) Overseeing the financial performance of the school making sure it’s money is well spent
Additional Committee’s
The Governing Body also include an additional committee and two focus groups, these are;
> The Finance Committee – Meets every term
> Health & Safety Group – Meets every term
> Teaching & Learning Group – Meets every term
Meet Our Governers
Contact our Governers
Paul Amoo
I live locally and retired in July 2016
Paul Amoo
I live locally and retired in July 2016
Governor Detail
Role: Chair of Governors
Appointed: 4th May 21
Term of Office: 3rd May 29
Why I became a governor
Had been Chair of Governors at Worthing College and on leaving was asked to join Cornfield School.
What I want for the school
An environment where every student gets tThere are two main elements I would like for the school, these are;
1. For both pupils and staff to maximise the opportunities that Cornfield School has
2. At next Ofsted to be rated as outstanding
Hobbies & Interests
Walking holidays, cinema, football refereeing, current affairs, running and attending live entertainment events
Helen Gilbert
Helen Gilbert
Governor Detail
Role: Lead Governor for Safeguarding
Member of Teaching & Learning Focus Group
Appointed: 4th May 21
Term of Office: 3rd May 29
Why I became a governor
I became a governor in order to continue to use the skills and experience acquired during my long career as an HR Manager and to learn new skills needed for the role through training and getting to know the school, the students and staff.
What I want for the school
My aim for the school is that all students will leave with the skills to equip them to lead fulfilled and successful lives – to be the best they can be.
Hobbies & Interests
In my spare time I enjoy art, reading and gardening and spending time with my daughters and grandchildren.
Nikki Hamilton-Street
I have lived locally for 35 years and always played an active role in my community as a volunteer – Red Cross, DofE Leader, Shore Crew for Littlehampton Lifeboat, and a Parish Councillor.
I worked for WSCC for 28 years as a School Based Youth Worker and then a manager. I oversaw the county’s outdoor centres, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, National Citizen Service, Mobile Provision Youth Voice and targeted youth support and programmes.
I am Chair of Governors at The Angmering School.
Nikki Hamilton-Street
I have lived locally for 35 years and always played an active role in my community as a volunteer – Red Cross, DofE Leader, Shore Crew for Littlehampton Lifeboat, and a Parish Councillor.
I worked for WSCC for 28 years as a School Based Youth Worker and then a manager. I oversaw the county’s outdoor centres, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, National Citizen Service, Mobile Provision Youth Voice and targeted youth support and programmes.
I am Chair of Governors at The Angmering School.
Governor Detail
Role: Lead Leadership & Governance
Appointed: 7th Oct 25
Term of Office: 6th Oct 29
Why I became a governor
I wanted to make a difference for children and young people in our schools, ensuring that they had the experience available to them.
What I want for the school
Have the best governing body and governors that they deserve.
Hobbies & Interests
Walking my Springer Spaniel
Regular gym sessions, obsessed with spin classes!
Travel
Reading
Gardening
Playing an active role in my community
Mark Hinton
Mark has been a Governor at Cornfield since 2021 and sits on the Finance and Thrive Strategy Committees. With a background in Civil Engineering he takes an active interest in the planning issues related to the school. Mark lives with his family in Chichester.
Governor Detail
Role: Vice- Chair of Finance Committee
Lead Governor Health & Safety
Lead Governor Premises
Appointed: 4th May 21
Term of Office: 3rd May 29
Dexter Kunaka
I am a manager for the Post-16 Careers team in West Sussex County Council. I have 10 years+ experience of supporting children in schools, NEET young people and their families
Dexter Kunaka
I am a manager for the Post-16 Careers team in West Sussex County Council. I have 10 years+ experience of supporting children in schools, NEET young people and their families
Governor Detail
Role: Lead Governor for Wellbeing and Mental Health (and Personal Development)
Appointed: 5th Dec 23
Term of Office: 3rd Dec 27
Why I became a governor
To support Cornfield, using my experience, so that staff and students are happy, healthy and thriving.
What I want for the school
To support Cornfield, using my experience, so that staff and students are happy, healthy and thriving.
Hobbies & Interests
Big football fan (Manchester United). I also like going outdoors for walks with Loki the dog and travelling to new countries.
Geoff Palmer
I have lived locally since 2010. I am now retired after a 35+ year career in IT and business management.
I have taken on a number of voluntary roles in recent years so that I can continue to use the skills gained in my career to give something back to the community. Being a school governor is important to me as I believe that every child deserves an education which works for them and enables them to succeed in life.
Geoff Palmer
I have lived locally since 2010. I am now retired after a 35+ year career in IT and business management.
I have taken on a number of voluntary roles in recent years so that I can continue to use the skills gained in my career to give something back to the community. Being a school governor is important to me as I believe that every child deserves an education which works for them and enables them to succeed in life.
Governor Detail
Role: Chair of Finance Committee
Lead Governor for Achievement
Appointed: 4th May 21
Term of Office: 3rd May 29
Why I became a governor
When the opportunity at Cornfield came up, I accepted immediately as I was, and still am, really impressed by what the school has to offer and the difference that it makes to young people’s lives.
What I want for the school
An environment where every student gets the education and support they need to reach their full potential; where every member of staff is motivated, supported and recognised for their achievements; and a school which is widely acknowledged as a leader in its field.
Hobbies & Interests
Travel, Music, Sport, Theatre, Quizzes.
Send an Enquiry VIA EMAIL
Contact The Governors by Email
If you wish to contact the Governors by email please hit the button below.
Further reading & downloads
A little information about our current Governors
Our Governors
Download our “Cornfield Governors and Attendance” document to gain detailed insights into the participation and engagement of our governing body members. This document provides comprehensive records of attendance for meetings, reflecting the commitment of our Governors to the school’s success.
It is an essential resource for understanding how our governance structure supports and influences the strategic decisions that shape the educational experience at Cornfield School.
Allowances Policy
Download the Cornfield Governors’ Allowances Policy to understand the provisions available for our governing body members. This document outlines the criteria and procedures for claiming allowances, ensuring transparency and fairness in compensating Governors for expenses incurred during their dedicated service.
The policy is designed to support our Governors in performing their roles effectively, without financial burden, thereby enabling them to focus on the strategic and supportive tasks essential to the governance of our school.