Governing Body

Northease Manor School is a registered charity (no. 307005)

The primary objective of the Governing body is to work collaboratively with the  Senior Leadership Team to ensure that your children receive the best quality of education in a safe and caring environment. As trustees of the school, the governors are proprietors. Please click on each person to find out more.

• Julie Toben
  Chair of Governors
  Julie Toben

  Julie Toben MIoD MCIOF, has spent more than 30 years supporting boards of local, national and international charities to improve their governance, management and sustainability.

  Over the past 20 years, Julie has served as a board member of three national charities; her roles included Chair of investment and charitable fundraising boards. She is currently Chief Executive of an animal welfare charity and is Chair of Two Saints, a provider of quality accommodation with support and resettlement services to break the cycle of homelessness, poverty and exclusion.

  Julie is passionate about strengthening governance and sustainability within the not-for-profit sector.

• 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.

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