Governing Body

Northease Manor School is a registered charity (no. 307005). Northease Manor School Limited (the Trust) is the legal entity that owns the land, buildings, and other assets of Northease Manor School. The school operates as a charitable company limited by guarantee. The Board of Governors of Northease Manor School Limited (the Board) are the directors and trustees of the charitable company for the purposes of company law. None of the Governors have any beneficial interest in the company and contribute as unpaid volunteers under a Memorandum and Articles of Association.

 The primary objective of the Governing body is to work collaboratively with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that your young people receive the best quality of education in a safe and caring environment.

Please click on each person to find out more.

• Julie Toben
  Chair of Governors
  Julie Toben

  Julie has over 30 years' experience of working with boards of local, national and international not-for-profit organisations, to improve their governance, management and sustainability. For more than 20 years she has served as a non-executive director and chair with a number of charities across multiple sectors as well as in both chief executive and director roles. She is also currently chair of a supported housing association.

• Darren Carpenter
  Vice Chair of Governors
  Darren Carpenter

  Darren Carpenter is both the Chief Financial Officer for Hurstpierpoint College, a large co-educational 4-18 independent school in West Sussex, and the Hurst Education Trust, a rapidly-growing Multi-Academy Trust of currently seven primary schools in mid-Sussex. Prior to joining the College in 2021, Darren held a number of school leadership positions including Business Manager and Director of Resources roles in both primary, secondary and special education environments, principally specialising in overseeing significant financial turnaround. Most recently he has worked in several positions including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and latterly Deputy Chief Executive for a mid-sized academy trust. As Chief Financial Officer, Darren sits on the leadership teams for both the College and Trust, and leads the finance, HR, and other administrative teams, reporting directly to the Chief Executive.

• Margaret Stebbing
  Governor
  Margaret Stebbing

  Margaret graduated with a B.Ed. Hons degree in Physical Education from Chelsea School of Human Movement, Eastbourne. Initially a teacher, later she transferred her knowledge of education and school governance, to work as an Associate Assessor Trainer for East Sussex Governor Services. Currently, a part time supply teacher, Exam Invigilator and Clerk to Governors. She is also a representative on the East Sussex Governors Forum.

• Ronak Kantaria
  Governor
  Ronak Kantaria

  Ronak Kantaria is a CIMA Qualified Finance Professional in a commercial environment with extensive multi-site experience in Finance & Operations. He is experienced in multi sectors including property, professional services, film/tv, oil & gas & retail. Ronak is also an experienced Non-Executive commercially aware Director, improving business performance, governance and supporting the organisations goals.

• Philippa Field
  Safeguarding Governor
  Philippa Field

  Philippa is PR, Communications and Marketing specialist and an experienced business leader. She is the founder of Fieldworks, a marketing agency created to promote the critical role of technology in retail and consumer goods markets. Outside of work she has raised four children, has chaired schools' PTA's and has previously been a school Governor at the Sacred Heart School, Wadhurst. She regularly participates in schools' careers evenings, advising young people on careers in PR and Marketing and how to set up their own business and is an active career mentor to three young people.

• Neil Stanley
  Governor
  Neil Stanley

  Neil has a varied career in education spanning 30 years, which has included: running departments and faculties in a range of secondary schools; working as an English adviser for the London Challenge programme; and time as an Inspector and Lead Inspector on behalf of Ofsted. Most recently, Neil held a senior leadership position in a residential special school. Now working freelance, Neil is a senior examiner for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, representing LAMDA across the UK and internationally. Neil works for Educampus, which provides academic support for Vietnamese children living in the UK. He also adjudicates speech and drama festivals, both in the UK and internationally. Neil lives in Eastbourne with his wife and school age children. Outside of education, Neil spent 17 years as a Borough Councillor in Eastbourne, holding a range of executive and non-executive positions. In recognition of his service, Neil was made Honorary Alderman in 2017.

• Harriet Osei-Fosu
  Governor
  Harriet Osei-Fosu

  Harriet Osei-Fosu is an experienced Education Improvement Consultant with a proven track record in supporting vulnerable learners and promoting inclusive education strategies. Since 2018, she has worked with Haringey Virtual School, focusing on improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those in care.

  Her career spans over two decades in education and learning development, including HR and training roles within the charity sector. This experience has equipped her with expertise in leadership, policy implementation, and stakeholder engagement. Harriet is deeply committed to equity in education and ensuring that every learner has access to high quality, tailored support.

  She brings extensive knowledge in SEND provision, safeguarding, and collaborative working with schools, local authorities, and families. She hopes to be able to reflect her dedication to continuous improvement and governance excellence in her role as Governor at Northease Manor.

• Kate Nash
  Governor
  Kate Nash

  Kate Nash, BEd has had over 30 years teaching experience in both the independent sector and a Special Needs School, as well as being a subject advisor for IAPS. She also worked as a freelance educational consultant for OUP delivering teacher training globally. Kate was formally a Governor at Dulwich Prep School, Cranbrook and is now a Governor at Bede's School in Eastbourne and a Trustee at the charity Mediation Plus in Hastings. She also works as a volunteer inter-generational mediator and conflict coach.

If you wish to directly contact the governing body, please write to:

Chair of Northease Manor School Governors

Northease Manor

Rodmell

Lewes

BN7 3EY

or email:

chair@northease.co.uk