Company Management
The board of Trustees/Governors is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the school, developing the school’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document, legal and regulatory guidelines.
Trustees
- Nicki Bartholomew (Chair of Trustees): I have a BA (QTS) in English and have taught across the age ranges, I took early retirement from my job as Deputy Head at a local independent school but really missed teaching and being involved with teachers, pupils and the educational world. Consequently I became a tutor for children who were finding areas of the curriculum and school life a bit of a challenge. This only fills a small amount of time compared to teaching, so when a friend suggested that I might enjoy being a school governor that seemed the be the answer. Farney Close school impressed me with its ethos, inclusivity and broad and varied curriculum and shares many of my own personal teaching philosophies.
- Alan Smith
- Richard Johnson
Governors
- Philip Hunt (Chair of Governors):I am retired after a career in the City of London in the field of Investment Fund Management. I hope that my experience of the business world will bring an outside perspective to the board of governors. My objective is to support Farney Close School to provide the most appropriate academic, vocational and emotional education possible to each and every pupil to best equip them for their adult lives.
- Helen Atkinson (Vice Chair of Governors): I have worked in education for over 16 years across a number of leading independent prep and senior schools and am currently SENCO and Head of Learning Enhancement at a leading independent prep school in Sussex, where I am a member of the Senior Management Team.
I am a qualified teacher specialising in Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) and a qualified specialist dyslexia assessor, holding an Assessment Practising Certificate. I am also a trained Executive Function Coach and hold a Master’s degree in Education, with my research focusing on metacognition.
Throughout my career, I have had a particular interest in supporting children with additional learning needs and in developing inclusive, neuro-affirming approaches that recognise individual strengths as well as areas of difficulty. I have led whole-school approaches to SEND, Executive Functioning and pupil wellbeing, alongside delivering extensive training to teachers and other education professionals.
As a Governor, I hope to use my experience of SEND, learning and child development to support Farney Close in providing an environment in which every young person feels understood, valued and able to flourish. I am particularly passionate about ensuring that children’s individual needs are recognised and that they are given the understanding, support and opportunities they need to develop confidence, independence and a positive sense of themselves.
- Zillah Webb: I worked in the NHS and voluntary sector for over 30 years. My interest in psychology began with studying at A level. Exploring this interest led me to gain practical experience in a range of settings including schools and hospitals, within mainstream and specialist services. Having qualified as a clinical psychologist, I worked in child and adolescent mental health services, physical health services and services for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Later, I specialised in working with individuals with behaviours which challenge. To enhance my skills, I completed a Doctorate, focusing on the autism spectrum. I was privileged to be a member of staff teams that achieved accreditation with the National Autistic Society and the Royal College of Psychiatrists. This taught me, that to achieve positive outcomes for individuals, it is essential to create outstanding services. I believe this is achieved though teamwork, commitment, creativity and openness to new ideas.
- Jane Fry: I am now enjoying retirement having worked at Farney for 33 years across various departments. I am now finding the time to enjoy my family and hobbies, whilst still being involved with the school in a different role.
- Kerry Fishburn
Staff Governor
- Jon Thompson: Farney has been a big part of mine and my family’s life for many years, my father being a previous Head Teacher and my mother a previous Company Secretary. I live locally and have worked at the school, this time round, for 22 years – originally as part of the care team, then delivering vocational lessons and now, more recently, leading the inclusion unit. During this time, I have seen Farney grow and adapt to the increasing demand for this kind of specialist education and I am proud to have been part of that journey.
Governor Areas of Responsibility
Personal Development, Post 16 & Residential CareZillah WebbPersonal Development, Post 16 & Residential CareZillah WebbPersonal Development, Post 16 & Residential CareZillah WebbPersonal Development, Post 16 & Residential CareZillah Webb
| Governor | Main Areas of Focus |
| Philip Hunt | Education & SEND, Pupil Premium & Complaints |
| Helen Atkinson | ISS, Education & SEND |
| Zillah Webb | Safeguarding, Prevent, Wellbeing, Looked After Children, Cyber Security, Behaviour & Attitudes |
| Jane Fry | NMS/SCIF/Residential |
| Kerry Fishburn | Careers & Post 16, Personal Development, Fundraising |
| Jon Thompson | Careers & Post 16, School Council |
