Meet the Governors

Hedda Wells (Chair)

I have been a parent at Eastergate School for a total of 11 years and after my youngest moved to Secondary School in 2015, I joined the Governing Body in September 2015 and became Chair of Governors in 2017. I still see it as a privilege to work with the staff team, parents/carers and the wider school community; always with the children in the centre of any decisions. I am involved in running a Toddler Group and Sunday School at the local church and volunteer with the Aldingbourne Trust. I enjoy outdoor activities, making music, a good book and baking.

Julie Allington (Foundation)

I was appointed as a foundation governor at the end of 2017. Growing up in Chichester, I have lived in Eastergate parish for over 30 years and have attended Eastergate church since moving into the area. For many years I have supported those young people who wish to participate in the family service by playing their musical instruments.

I enjoy reading, knitting, sewing, walking our dog and growing our own vegetables. I have been involved in the girlguiding movement since I was a brownie and am currently the guide leader at Barnham Guides. For most of my career I taught science and maths at a secondary school in Chichester. I retired in 2016 and I am now looking forward to becoming involved in the life of Eastergate School.

Sam Coates (Vice Chair)

I joined the Governing Body in September 2018 and was elected Vice Chair in May 2021. I have lived locally the majority of my life, bar some time in Germany and Liverpool where I studied Physics and met my wife, who many of the children will know as Mrs Coates the TA. I have 2 daughters, Eliza who is in year 5, and my Faith who is in year 9 at Ormiston.

I am currently a Calculations Specialist for a global health and benefits provider, working with and leading people across our international team. When not working, my hobbies and interests include gaming, digital drawing, reading, attempting to play the ukulele and watching the NFL. Weekends are quite often spent working or helping with a variety of homework's, with maths and science being my focus.

Tim Tompkins (Co-opted)

I have lived locally with my wife and two children (Rufus 13 and Clara 7) since November 2017. I taught as a Primary school and SEN teacher in Surrey for 12 years before moving here to look after our kids. I am a Teaching Assistant in a local secondary school, supporting teenagers with autism and social communication difficulties and helping children with Speech and Language difficulties.

I enjoy music, film and food (in no particular order) and try to go to gigs and festivals as often as I can. I spend most weekends helping with homework, spending days out with the family whilst also trying to keep up to date with the mighty Derby County.

Father Paul (Ex-officio)

I am Fr Paul and I am the Rector of the parish of Aldingbourne, Barnham and Eastergate. I am relatively new to the area having moved from Portsmouth in October 2021. What I have found, is that we, as the church in these villages, are so proud of our partnership with our parish school at Eastergate and we look for every opportunity to celebrate this and to do things together. The young people of our school are our present as well as our future and that is so important to remember. You will find me most weeks either in the hall or the classroom on the days I come into school or, at St George's Church or one of the other churches in the parish. I try to walk everywhere, when it is practical, so please say 'hello' if you see me!

Annette Chapman (Co-opted)

I joined the Governor Team at Eastergate in Sept 2021 after returning to West Sussex from Asia. I have been in education all my working life and in a secondary school in Hong Kong for over 30 years, where I held the posts of Vice Principal and Acting Principal. My main roles were in Safeguarding, leading the Pastoral team and SEND. I also had the opportunity of an Acting Principal role in a Special School who were going through accreditation. Having returned to the UK I am now becoming more involved with the local community and I am a volunteer for the Aldingbourne Trust.

Davina Rowe (Co-opted)

My youngest son joined Eastergate in September 2017. I was the clerk for over 3 years then joined as Associate Governor for 6 months before being co-opted to the Governing Body in September 2022. My husband and I have lived in Barnham for 18 years having both moved to Sussex from Devon over 20 years ago. I worked for IBM for nearly 20 years in various roles ranging from in Finance & Planning to Business Operations Manager, Global Delivery Education Manager and finally Commercial Delivery Manager.

I feel privileged to be a governor and support the school in a new way. I enjoy volunteering and I am on the PTA as well as a PTA Trustee and 1^st Barnham Scouts Trustee. I have 2 older boys who are at St. Philip Howard Catholic School so my main role is supporting my 3 boys. I love to spend time with my family and we are theme park and Disney enthusiasts. We enjoy days out, watching football, playing board games and when I’m allowed to, I love to sing!

Paula Clark (Co-opted)

To follow

Eastergate Primary