Governors

At Herne we have elected governors representing the local community, parents and teachers. The role of the Governing Body is to support the running of the school at a strategic level and they each give their time voluntarily to do this.

There are various committees that oversee areas of the school operation. We are bound by a strict code of conduct and practise to ensure that the job is done well.

Information about current governors can be found here: Current Governors

Information about governors who have left within the last twelve months can be found here: Governor Retirements and Resignations

Hannah Nicholson (Clerk to the Governing Body)

Meet our Governors

Maureen Page (Chair of Governors)

I am a Director at Butser Ancient Farm which is an experimental archaeological site welcoming visitors and educational groups. Amongst other things I am responsible for the education programme there. My background is in education and I want to use my experience in education to help with my tasks as a Governor. My own daughters attended Herne and I became a Parent Governor, but I have continued since then in many roles gaining valuable experience and skills along the way. I feel strongly that Herne Junior School is an important part of the Petersfield Community and I am pleased to be able to support learning for our young people.

One of my roles is Subject Link Governor for French, but my super power would be to speak every foreign language, so that I could communicate with everyone.

(Vice Chair of Governor)

Susan Sayers (Headteacher)

I am delighted to have joined Herne Junior in January 2023 as the new Headteacher. I am an experienced Headteacher, having worked for Surrey across Woking, Runnymede and Godalming for many years. I now live in East Hants and wanted to be nearer to my home in Grayshott. I have been Headteacher of CofE and Community schools. My experience includes working for the Local Authority and Diocese on a wide range of areas, from Governor Training and School Improvement to Curriculum & Assessment. I have acted as Interim Headteacher for schools in difficulty and have been a Local Leader of Education for Surrey. As Executive Headteacher, I have formed several new schools from large Federations or mergers. I have also founded an Umbrella Trust which has gone on to be a successful Multi Academy Trust and been a Trustee of a mixed MAT. I have also worked as an Ofsted Inspector. I am a committed Christian and, as such, believe that serving our community is important. I am a Trustee of The Peace Building Charity and am involved in the development of a Charitable Trust which provides grants to children and staff in CofE schools. My philosophy of teaching is built upon a very simple premise: happy children learn best! The children in our care are key to everything we do. Their time at our school is short, precious and cannot be repeated. We must do everything in our power to get it right for them, academically, spiritually and pastorally. Our children have the ability to be extraordinary - with our help and support!

Simon Griffin (Co-opted Governor)

Having a Governor role means making real decisions that we hope will improve the educational experience for all the children at Herne. Seeing work Herne has done improve results for our disadvantaged children. Being involved in the many improvements that the school has implemented successfully over the last 5 years. Seeing the school grow in its journey towards becoming outstanding. Getting to know the staff!

When I first became a governor both of my children were at the school. I was always impressed by the education they had at the school and in particular the ethos of the school and the leadership team. Herne has always been a friendly and caring school. It was this connection that made it an easy decision to choose Herne.

When I’m not ‘governing’ I work! My job as a soil scientist takes me to lots of beautiful places in the UK and beyond. My spare time is spent mountain biking around Petersfield area and coaching Petersfield cricket U13 team.

My superpower would be the ability to turn invisible, but only when people aren't looking. Being able to understand any Government education literature. Who writes that stuff?!

TJ Fagbayi (Parent Governor)

As individuals, we each have a part to play for the children in Petersfield and we can all use our skills and experience to help them thrive and reach their potential. My professional background is within the criminal justice system and my expertise is within public protection and child safeguarding policy. Safeguarding is not just about keeping our children safe, it’s also about helping them to develop into adulthood and achieve better outcomes in their lives. I believe that being a parent governor gives me an opportunity to contribute to improved outcomes for the children at Herne, this includes my own children. It also gives me an opportunity to challenge and support the head teacher, and the wonderful teaching staff we have at the school.

When I’m not governing I am a husband and father of two. I am a qualified FA football coach and I manage one of the youth teams at Petersfield Town Juniors youth FC, which is a huge passion of mine. If I had a super power it would be winning football matches for my beloved Arsenal and Petersfield Town Tigers. It is an honour to serve as a parent governor at Herne and I feel privileged to be undertaking the role.

Alice Stanley (Staff Governor)

I joined Herne Junior School in April of 2019, after teaching for two years in a small village school in Fernhurst. After spending some time here as a student teacher, I was delighted to return in this early part of my career to teach in Year 3.

In August 2021, I took a sideways step away from teaching to join Hampshire CAMHS as a Primary Mental Health worker to pursue a personal passion for helping children with SEN and mental health difficulties.

I returned to teaching, and Herne, to continue my work as a teacher as I felt I was better placed to support children and young people in school, whereby I can apply my skills more effectively to make learning possible for all children.

Outside of school, I enjoy sport and exercise. As a former competitive swimmer in which I raced to become a Hampshire County record holder and a national finalist, you will find me at my happiest when taking a leisurely swim at the local swimming pool or when walking along the beach with my partner, Kelly and cockapoo, Coco.

Matthew Hurst (Co-opted Governor)

I recently joined Herne Junior School as a Learning Support Assistant in Year 4. I've been immediately welcomed into the Herne community of both staff and pupils. Prior to that, I worked in Corporate Banking for over twenty-five years and hope to use some of that experience to the Governor role. I've seen how education can change people's lives and the ethos within the school both supports and nurtures a love of learning. When not at school I'm a keen cyclist and walker, never happier than on a long climb either on two wheels or two legs.

Vicki Pringle (Parent Governor)

I am a parent member of the Herne Governing Body and my sons are in Years 4 and 5. Being a Governor is a new challenge for me, having previously been a secretary of a local pre-school committee and volunteered for over four years to hear readers at Petersfield Infants and Herne. The continuity of reading with the same children over a long period of time allowed me to see firsthand the positive impact that the school community can have on individual children. This inspired me to get more involved!

Herne passionately promotes 'the Harmony Values' and I believe these values are central to the success that the school has in our children's emotional development and education. As a Governor I hope to help shape the future of the school whilst supporting our incredible staff team.

Outside of being a Governor I am a dentist and have worked in general dental practice for over twenty years. I enjoy family time with my husband and boys, I run to keep fit, sing in a choir, play the piano and read in every free moment I have.

Charlie Butcher (Co-opted Governor)

I applied to be a Governor through the Governors for Schools website and I was delighted to be approached by Herne Junior and take up one of their Co-opted Governor vacancies. I am married and our two kids have just about left home so felt I would have a little more time on my hands. I hope my skills acquired through my career will add value at Herne Junior and ultimately help Herne provide the children with the best possible opportunities. I have been with my current employer for seventeen years in various roles. We help companies, universities, NGOs and governments manage the health, wellbeing and security of their travelling and expatriate populations. If they need help when they are travelling, they call us and we help resolve their problem. This can range from a lost passport to an air ambulance medical repatriation. No two days are the same, with new problems being solved every day and it's very rewarding being in a position to make a real difference to people's lives.

John Piper (Co-opted Governor)

Jon is married to Amy, has lived in Petersfield since 2002 and has a career history in youth, social and community work. He has two adult sons who still both cherish their memories of their time at Herne. He works full time, as a leader of Hope Church, Petersfield, but also teaches a couple of classes of theology and philosophy at the University of Chichester. He loves coffee and wishes that Gillingham Football Club could start fulfilling their well-hidden potential.