Governors play a vital role in overseeing the running of the school in the interests of the community it serves and have a general responsibility for the effective overall management of the school. Governors work with the Head Teacher of the school and the Local Authority in a close and balanced partnership, making decisions about a range of issues including the aims, policies and ethos of the school and how the standards of education can continuously be improved.

If you would like more details about the role of a governor, or feel that you would like to take up such a position, please contact Mr Tony Mason, Chair of the Governing Body, through the school. Any of our governing body can be approached in the same way and would be happy to discuss any issues that you might have - please use this email link and we will forward your question to the relevant Governor.

Please click here to view the 'School Governor: Qualifications for Office and Disqualifications from Office' regulations

The current Governing body is listed below, together with pen portraits to introduce you to each governor. You will also find information posted from Governors on issues and topics of interest.

Issues and topics of interest

Please click here to view the report on 'Attendance Matters!' from Judith Harding, Vice-chair of the governing body

Governor Pen Portraits

Tony Mason
I am a tax advisor, advising multi-national companies on international and corporate tax matters. I have been a governor for many years, and have taken over as Chair of the Governing Body.. I am also the governor who has the special interest in the History curriculum. I have lived in Southwater with my wife and children for 22 years, and both of my children were educated at Southwater Junior School.

Anne Ratsey
I have been working at Southwater Juniors for 8 years and have been a staff governor for 5 years.
I am a member of the Senior Management Team, a Year 6 teacher and am currently the subject leader for English.

Mike Lowis
I have lived in Southwater since 1992 and my youngest son is currently in Year 6. Sport takes up most of my spare time due to my coaching both cricket and rugby in Horsham, as well as being a season ticket holder of a premiership rugby club. I help within the scouting movement and help run the local cub pack. I enjoy travelling and naturally combine this with holidays abroad with my family. My other hobbies include gardening, DIY and pottering around my computer.

Brad Watson
I am now retired, but my virtually full time interest in addition to my being a governor is that of being a County Councillor; I represent the Southwater, Nuthurst and Lower Beeding areas. I am the Cabinet Member for Communications and External Affairs which means that I am responsible for the publications (such as the County's Connections Newspaper), media and signage. The External Affairs part of my Portfolio involves representing the West Sussex County Council on numerous bodies that have a direct and sometimes indirect influence on West Sussex.

Liz Mellor
I am a parent governor, having joined the governing body in October 2006. I have a son in Year 6 and my daughter in Year 3. I am a part-time infant teacher and also assist my partner in the running of his business.

Kath Jones
I am married with two daughters, and am a professional teacher with 25 years experience of education, having taught at Collyer's 6th Form College, where I was Head of Religious Studies. I am also the Methodist Minister at the Community Church which meets in the Junior School hall each Sunday.

Judith Harding
I am a mother of two girls, both of whom attended Southwater Juniors before moving on to Tanbridge. I have over 20 years experience in corporate business management and have specialisms in operational management, IT, change & finance systems I am also a trained musician. I am the subject link governor for Maths and Music, am a member of the Finance committee and am the governor also taking specific interest on behalf of the governing body for equal opportunities and school links.

Lindsy Stott
I am married with two teenage children, one at Collyer's and one at University, both of whom spent 4 very happy years at Southwater Juniors. I have worked at the school for over 7 years, having started as a Learning Support Assistant, but now have the role of School Business Manager, Secretary and Network Project Manager to the West Horsham Schools' Learning network and Clerk to the Governors. I thoroughly enjoy working in the school and like to be involved in the running of extra curricular sports clubs and teams.

Cath Johnson
I joined the governing body as a staff governor 3 years ago and have worked at Southwater Juniors for 8 years. I am currently a member of the Senior Management Team and a Year 6 teacher. I am also the subject leader for R.E. and am one of the staff representatives on the PTA.

Rachel Blogg
I am married with two sons, the youngest being in year 6, and I am a territory Sales Manager for a Danish manufacturing company. I am responsible for promoting and selling research products to the academic and industrial accounts, training and motivating distributors. I enjoy spending quality time with my children, sport and nature. Reasons for being a governor include wanting to have a positive influence in children's education as well as playing an active role in school life.