A warm welcome from the Hove Learning Federation Governing Body.
At Hove Learning Federation, our team of school governors plays a vital role in shaping the success of our schools.
Governing boards form part of the leadership team of the school, they set the strategic vision, provide support and challenge to ensure the best possible learning environment for every child and oversee the school’s financial performance.
Our governors come from diverse backgrounds, bringing expertise and a commitment to education that strengthens our community. They work voluntarily, giving their time and skills to help the school thrive.
Meet our Governors here.
How you can contact the school governors:
Governors are always happy to hear from parents and carers. You can contact governors by emailing the Senior Clerk to Governors, clerk@hovelearningfederation.brighton-hove.sch.uk or through the school office. Please remember that governors deal with strategic aspects of the school. If you have a concern about something operational, you can contact the school office or your child’s teacher in the first instance, and if you do not feel that your concerns have been resolved, you can contact Mrs Southern, Executive Headteacher, Mr Ledger, Head of School at Holland Road or Mrs O’Shea, Head of School at School Road or Mrs Jeffers, Head of School at Portland Road.
Our governing body is organised into committees, each focused on a key aspect of the school’s development and performance.
Our committees are:
- Full Governing Board: Meets 6 time per year.
- Finance and Leadership: Oversees the school’s budget, ensuring financial sustainability and responsible spending. Agrees strategic targets for relevant sections of the School Development Plan. Meets 3 times per year.
- Curriculum and Inclusion: Monitors academic progress, curriculum development, and student outcomes to maintain high educational standards. Agree strategic targets for relevant sections of the School Development Plan. Meets 3 times per year.
- Safeguarding: Ensures the safety, welfare, and mental health support of pupils and staff. Meets 3 times per year.
Each committee is chaired by a governor who works closely with school leaders to drive improvement. By collaborating within these focused groups, our governors help the school thrive while ensuring transparency and accountability.
Governor Roles & Terms of Office:
| Maddie Southern | Executive Headteacher
Date of appointment: 01.09.2015 |
| Sarra Lee | Parent Governor
Term of office: 02.07.2024-03.07.2028 Roles: Chair of Finance & Leadership Committee, Finance Link Governor |
| Dr. David Karp, FHEA | Vice-Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 10.09.2025-09.09.2029 Roles: Chair of Curriculum & Inclusion Committee, Member of Safeguarding Committee, Maths, EYFS and Early Years Promo Link Governor |
| Abby Hedger-Jones | Associate Member
Term of office: 01.09.2026-31.08.2027 Roles: Environment Link Governor |
| Marcel Armour | Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 11.07.2023-10.07.2027 Roles: Member of Finance & Leadership Committee, H&S Link Governor |
| Katie Kershaw | Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 01.04.2025-31.3.2029 Roles: Member of Finance & Leadership Committee |
| Oyinkolade Akinleye | Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 01.04.2025-31.3.2029 Roles: Member of Safeguarding Committee, Safeguarding & Behaviour Link Governor |
| Caroline Kemp-Harris | Staff Governor
Term of office: 22.09.2025-21.09.2029 Roles: Member of Curriculum & Inclusion Committee, Anti-Racism Link Governor |
| Lorna Cummings | Co-opted Governor, Co-Executive Headteacher
Term of office: 10.09.2025-09.09.2029 Roles: Member of Safeguarding Committee and Finance & Leadership Committee |
| Amir Khodavirdipour | Parent Governor
Term of office: 26.02.2026-25.02.2030 Roles: Member of Finance & Leadership Committee |
| Maria Puertas | Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 24.03.2026-23.03.2030 Roles: Member of Curriculum & Inclusion Committee |
| Celia Normington | Co-opted Governor
Term of office: 19.05.2026-18.05.2030 Roles: Member of Finance & Leadership Committee |
Governors who have stepped down/terms of office expired from the Hove Learning Federation in the last 12 months:
| Name of Governor | Type of Governor | Date ended | Reason |
| Anne-Marie Williamson | Parent Governor | 09.09.2025 | Resigned |
| Lorna Cummings | Staff Governor | 09.09.2025 | Resigned |
| Sam Self | Co-opted Governor | 10.10.2025 | Resigned |
| Ollie Tunmer | Parent Governor | 05.02.2026 | Resigned |
| Alex Scott | Co-opted Governor | 13.02.2026 | Resigned |
| Tom Edwards | LA Governor | 01.07.2026 | Resigned |
| Lisa Marshall | Co-opted Governor | 22.07.2026 | Resigned |
| Louise Wilkinson | Co-opted Governor | 22.07.2026 | Resigned |
Enquiries for the Hove Learning Federation Governing Body can be directed to the Senior Clerks to Governors, at WHISHJSgovernors@bhccschools.onmicrosoft.com
Please click here to view the HLF Full Governing Board Terms of Reference 2025-26.