I have been at Firle Cof E Primary School since 2016 when I became Executive Head. I worked strategically with staff, parents and governors to formally partner Laughton CP and Firle CEP as the Oak Tree Federation in September 2018. I have been at Laughton Community Primary School for 13 years and became Executive Head of The Oak Tree Federation in September 2018. It is a pleasure to work with such dedicated staff, governors, parents and children, we are all very proud of our success. I help represent our local Ringmer Alliance on the Ashdown Strategic EIP group . I am committed to inspiring a love of learning in our primary schools to give children the very best start in life.

I joined the Oak Tree Federation as a parent governor in October 2024 and became Chair of Governors in July 2025. I’m a member of the finance and pay committee as well being the link governor for equality and diversity. I currently work for Chelsea Football Club as Head of Client Services where I lead sales, account management and operations teams. Prior to joining the Oak Tree Federation I have governance experience, having served for six years as a trustee of a national charity. During that time the organisation pivoted from an endowment model to one of self-sustainability through a combination of fundraising, corporate partnerships and consultancy and training services. With two boys at Laughton Primary School, I have a personal connection with the Federation. I hope my commercial and third sector experience will help to contribute to the long-term sustainability and success of both schools.

I became Clerk to Governors for The Oak Tree Federation in October 2022. I was a clerk at another local primary school from 2016 to 2018. In 2018 my two children joined Laughton Community Primary School and I took on the role of Parent Governor for the Federation. Having served four years as a governor I stood down and took on the role of Clerk. I completed my clerk accreditation in 2017. I have a background in marketing and finance, as well as over 6 years governance experience.

I joined the Oak Tree Federation Governing board towards the end of the school year in 2023, as a co-opted governor. I have one son, at Laughton School, and I am excited to support the two schools as a governor. I have a background in working with looked after children of all ages, in a foster care setting, which I did for over fifteen years. I am now in business with my husband and family, mostly doing up houses…something completely different! I felt like I needed something a bit different too though so also became a magistrate in 2015 and really enjoy my days in court. I am hoping that my experiences, past and present, will help me to be a good governor for the Oak Tree Federation.

Jen White is a member of Firle Parochial Church Council and a former Church Warden and Spiritual Director. She is a retired Psychotherapist and teacher. She leads a Centering Prayer group in Firle church every Sunday evening. She is delighted to serve as School governor a second time.

I am the co-opted SEND Link Governor and bring a breadth of experience across the public sector, with a focus on SEND and mental health. Since achieving QTS in 2016, I have taught in three specialist schools - two in London and one in Sussex. Now, working within Children's Services, I continue to collaborate closely with families and multi-disciplinary teams to create inclusive and supportive learning environments, ensuring that every child and young person with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities receives the support they need to thrive. I am committed to supporting The Oak Tree Federation as it continues its ambitious plans, always keeping the children at the heart of everything we do.

I was delighted to join the governing board as a co-opted governor in in 2019. I am the Head of Pre-Prep at Brambletye School, meaning I have responsibility for Nursery, Reception and Key Stage One. Prior to this I owned Ripe Nursery School as well as teaching in both the state and independent sectors. I am currently a guest lecturer at Sussex University on their Masters in Early Years course. I am passionate about children’s education and wellbeing and hope to use my skills and knowledge in this area to support the Oaktree Federation.

I joined the Governing Board in September 2021 as the Temporary Ex-Officio Foundation Governor. I am a link Governor for Leadership and Management and a member of the Finance and Pay Committee. I have three children, all of whom attended Firle over the past 12 years. My intention in becoming a Governor is to be able to continue to support the school, teachers and the Federation in a meaningful and useful way. I have always appreciated the distinctive opportunities offered to children who access early years and primary education within a small, rural, community-based school and am keen to help in some way to secure and develop these very special places of learning. I work in a creative role for an international online retailer selling wallpaper. I create content for the website, blog and magazines. It is a very different path to my pre-children career with Sussex Police, which included roles in Call Handling and later in the Identification Unit at Brighton. Our family has recently moved to Firle and our children are now at secondary schools in Lewes and Brighton.

I joined as a Parent Governor at The Oak Tree Federation in 2022 when my son started at Firle School. My older children also attended Firle, as did my husband, and our family have lived and farmed in Firle for 4 generations. I joined the Governing Board as I believe our small, rural schools have a hugely important role to play in maintaining strong links with the community, and forge a knowledge of the village and wider surroundings in the children. Prior to starting my family I worked in Team Management and in Marketing, and I currently assist my husband on our mixed farm and run a holiday let.

I joined the governing board as a co-opted governor with responsibility for health and safety.

I was in the army in the Mechanised Infantry before teaching Mechanical Engineering & Fabrication at University College London and East Surrey College before subsequently becoming a course leader for Engineering Apprenticeships. I also ran a family engineering business, designing and building equipment for the industrial bakery industry. I have completed NEBOSH NGc1 & 2 and I am TechIOSH qualified. I am currently the Head of the Estates team at Brambletye School, with responsibility for health and safety. I am committed to ensuring that children are able to learn in a clean and safe environment and look forward to supporting Laughton and Firle in this area.