Governing Body

At the invitation of United Learning, I have just begun my second three year term (September 2021) as Chair of Governors at Shoreham Academy.  During my extensive career as a school governor, I  have gained considerable knowledge regarding roles and responsibilities.  I have undertaken training in all aspects of governor work and taken part in many committees and working groups.  With a commercial background, I am particularly interested in the development of Careers and Enterprise which I believe the school is achieving very well, in working with business and community partners and ambassadors.  I am the Safeguarding Governor and undertake the required monitoring role alongside members of the Senior Leadership Team.

In my work life I am Managing Executive of an international association of manufacturers involved the marine life-saving industry.  My business background and networking experience enables me to seek opportunities to develop links within the local community and promote Shoreham Academy wherever possible.

I am excited to be part of the vibrant Shoreham Academy Community. As a resident of Shoreham, I feel it is important to give time and support to a school which impacts hundreds of local children and families; as well as being up to date with local initiatives, issues and concerns. I have always had a passion for young people and advocating for them, this led to me completing a Social Work degree which brought me to the world of safeguarding in education. I am currently the Head of Safeguarding at a nearby college and have previously worked as a Regional Safeguarding and Family Liaison Lead for a national primary academy trust. This involved working with schools in areas of higher deprivation, training leadership teams, ensuring best practice and supporting with inspection. Prior to that, I had roles in local secondary schools in the pastoral and safeguarding teams. This has given me huge insight into a variety of education sectors and settings. I know how important it is for a school to be a community hub through being 'a anchored ship', providing stability and reassurance for all it serves. I am keen to work with Shoreham Academy's excellent and successful pastoral teams and support with aspects of safeguarding, attendance, behaviour and systems. Shared practice from other current practitioners is vital to reflect, gather ideas and collaborate.

Rebecca Allinson is a Managing Partner at Technopolis Ltd, a policy consultancy based locally in Brighton. Rebecca is responsible for evaluating and studying large public programmes covering science, innovation, research, education and skills, across the UK and internationally. Her professional life has always been focused on the good use of evidence to improve decision making. She is also head of HR and serves on the Group Company Board (global). Rebecca has been active in the community in Shoreham-by-sea since moving there in 2005. She was a governor at St Nicolas and St Mary Primary School for 14 years, as a Vice Chair, and also taking the School through two successful Ofsted inspections.

Rebecca is currently an active member of St Mary de Haura, serving on the PCC, and an advisor on the board of the Mother’s Union Worldwide (supporting their international development work). Rebecca became a governor at Shoreham Academy in 2022 and is supporting the team in career and enterprise development. She is passionate about issues of success and progression in young people and through Technopolis has set up a scholarship for BAME students to access Masters’ degrees.

Samantha specialises in leadership and behavioural development in large global companies, aiming to help leaders play to their strengths, building teams, organisations and personal careers that flourish. Having spent a year as the Director of all things HR, Communications, Governance and Sustainability and launching a new cafe venture at Shoreham Port, Samantha now runs her own consultancy, bringing leaders together across the world to be 'better human beings at work.'

Samantha moved to Sussex - from the not so distant Hampshire - and she has quickly put down roots within the local activity groups taking up sea swimming, kite surfing, and hiking in the Downs. Throughout her career, Samantha has been actively engaged with education and localised engagement activities, during her time at the Port Samantha was responsible for the community outreach programme. This partnership put her in touch with the great work of the Academy and conversations led to her joining the Governing body in 2022.

Cathy Childs is Principal Lecturer and Head of Dance at the University of Chichester.  She is responsible for the academic leadership for the BA and MA Dance Programmes, including Dance, Education and Teaching and Dance programmes with three associated performance companies mapdance, 3Fall Dance Company and Hive Dance Collective.  Having graduated for Trinity Laban Conservatoire, she went on to join English Dance Theatre as a full-time dancer before moving initially into Further Education teaching in Coventry.  At Chichester, I specialise in dance performance and pedagogy and in addition, I am the link tutor at Chichester College for the Foundation Degree in Dance Teaching in the Private Sector.

I have had a longstanding relationship with the Dance Department at Shoreham Academy and initiated the now established 3Fall Youth.  This has led to a fabulous partnership that builds connections between the students at Shoreham and the university and we have undertaken a range of projects including a site-specific film and theatre performances across the southeast. I chair the Governors' Student Focus Group and have a responsibility for overseeing aspects in relation to the student experience including pastoral, wellbeing and safeguarding.  I also support staff in relation the SEND, Gateway and Pupil Premium considerations.  I am passionate about supporting young people and to help them progress into their chosen careers and have undertaken funded research projects looking at how to embed employability into the curriculum.

I am the headteacher of a local primary school and have been working in the education sector for the last 18 years. For the last 6 years, I have been supporting a range of primary schools, in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove with school Leadership Development and taking on interim headship roles.

My oldest child has just started her school journey at Shoreham Academy and have two younger children who will hopefully be joining her in the following years. In addition, my wife and I are registered foster carers are have fostered a number of children over the last 5 years on short and long term placements

When time allows, I love to exercise and take part in a range of sports.

I am excited to take my knowledge of the primary school sector and use this to support, and work with the children, staff and governors of the school to strive to improve the outcomes of the children of Shoreham Academy.

Andrew Swayne is a senior manager in one of our largest local companies, Ricardo plc. He is a chartered engineer and qualified health and safety professional. In Ricardo his responsibilities include enterprise risk management, insurance, the quality, health and safety and environmental management systems, internal audits and corporate responsibility and sustainability. In the community, he chairs the Adur and Worthing Business Partnership and the Shoreham Airport Consultative Committee as well as being a member of the Coast to Capital (LEP) audit committee and the Greater Brighton Economic Board. In his spare time, he is a grandparent, sea scout leader and qualified yacht skipper. In the academy, he specialises in finance, premises, infrastructure, HR, health safety and sustainability.

I am a Staff Governor and sit on the Health & Safety Committee and the Resource Group. I represent all of the staff from the Academy on the Governing body and I enjoy using my skills and knowledge, as an experienced teacher, to support the Academy as it strives to make further progress. I have taught at Kings Manor and Shoreham Academy for the past 14 years. Firstly as the School Sport Coordinator working closely with all of our local Primary Schools and now as Head of PE. Having grown up locally I am committed to supporting young people from across the area. I attended Boundstone Community College & 6th Form and taught for six years at Oakfield Middle School, Lancing.

Kevin is a Councillor for Adur District, where he is Executive Member for Health and Well-being, and West Sussex County Council where he is Chair of the Fire & Rescue Scrutiny committee and Vice Chair of Regulation Audit and Accounts Committee.  He is a Chartered Accountant involved in developing and financing major projects ranging from public transport to nuclear power stations.  Since his retirement he has been heavily involved in his community  with a passion for creating a sustainable community fit for all in the future. This includes ensuring that a high quality education is available for all children so they can realise their potential and ambitions.

Kevin has lived in Shoreham with his wife for over 25 years and has two daughters.

I am the Marine Operations Manager for Shoreham Port. One of the main duties within my role is to support the Harbour Master with regards to maritime safety. I have a keen interest in Health and Safety and have been involved in the subject for many years within my career.

I am a local resident of over twenty years and a former crew member of the Shoreham lifeboat. I have two children who have both attended Shoreham Academy, but have now left and are pursuing their own careers. My eldest child attended Kings Manor and was present when Shoreham Academy was first established, so I have seen the Academy’s journey of continued improvement first-hand. During their time at the Academy, I was always impressed by the positive and friendly nature of its staff, and hope to assist its present team to continually improve the school.