Swiss Gardens Primary School

• Finance, Leadership & Management
• Wellbeing Lead
• HT Performance Manaagement
• Ofsted Lead

I joined Swiss Gardens Primary School Governing Body in January 2022 as a Local Authority governor having previously been a governor in 2 other schools. I have worked in schools within West Sussex for 27 years as a teacher, a Deputy and, as the Headteacher of a primary school for 7 years. I live in Shoreham and I am married with 2 children, both in local primary and secondary schools. I feel I have a good knowledge of primary education and school systems from both a teacher’s perspective and as a parent.

I am passionate about the quality of children’s education and about the positive opportunities all children should be given in this ever-changing world, to prepare them for their future lives.

I am proud, as an LA governor, to support and challenge the school in continuing to move forward. I have an objective approach to decision making and I am able to look at the bigger picture. I am a committed governor who is passionate about working with the staff, children and parents at Swiss Gardens to help it continue to thrive within the community.

• Ex offio Governor 

• Finance, leadership and management Lead
• Premises /Health & Safety
• HT Performance Management

I have been Governor at Swiss Gardens since 2017 and was made Chair two weeks before the first lockdown - a baptism of fire. We helped support the school to stay open throughout for key workers kids, whilst trying to keep our staff safe, and the rest of the children home schooled. We are now focussed back on the job we are meant to be doing - helping Swiss Gardens be the best community school it can be. We do this by providing strategic direction and support, help the school develop and protect its ethos, and provide strong oversight of its educational and financial performance. We want Swiss Gardens kids to be curious, to have big dreams, and be prepared for an exciting future. 

We are very lucky in that respect to have a great Head, a great team of staff, and the unwavering support of parents. A wise owl once told me any school is only as good as its parents. We’ve built a fantastic team of governors from all areas of the community, from clergy to well-being practitioners, experienced leaders in education, policing, HR and finance. I can honestly say its the strongest it has ever been during my time as governor.

My kids Mia and Max have both been through the school, and my wife is a teacher in a special school in Portslade, meaning I care deeply what happens to the children at Swiss and in our community in their formative years in education. I’ve campaigned for many years for better planning for school places through my work with FAST, better funding, and against an over reliance on statutory tests. I’ve also helped find and secure hundreds of thousands of pounds of funding for Swiss to improve our facilities for our children. 

My day job has spanned recruitment, (building European teams for US software companies), running marketing and design companies, (working for everyone from Playstation, to the French President to Fat Boy Slim!), and in the last few years coaching senior leaders and owners of tech and creative businesses across Europe and the US. I help those leaders get clear about where they want to go and help them get closer to where they want to be. I want to help Swiss Gardens in the same way. As ever it is less about the destination, and more about the journey.

• Curriculum & Standards / Teaching & Learning
• Finance, Leadership & Management
• Premises /Health & Safety
• Link Governor

I am a dedicated and committed parent governor with a passion for education and a desire to make a positive impact on my local community.   I have been an active member of the school's governing body since 2022.

As a parent governor I look to represent the views and concerns of parents and carers in decision-making processes. With 2 children currently attending the school and another soon to join, I am keen to ensure that the school continues to be a place of excellence, both socially and educationally.

• SEN/Inclusion/Disadvantaged Lead
• Finance, Leadership & Management
• HT Performance Management

I am Shoreham born and bred and actually went to Swiss when it was Victoria First. I have 27 years experience in the public sector in various roles latterly as an IT Business Partner.

I love interacting with children and have been involved with Scouts, cadets and other youth leader roles so am always interested to hear from the most important people in the school as to what they feel life is like for them on the receiving end.

I’m a busy Mum and keen rugby supporter. I am enjoying the challenge of seeing the workings of a school from a different perspective, and hope to be able to make a positive contribution to the life of the school.

I have been a co-opted governor at Swiss Gardens Primary since December 2025.

I am a retired civil servant.

All my career has been working in health and protection of children and young people,  working with and alongside a variety of settings to aid improvement and progress. 

My last employment was as a Social Care Inspector with Ofsted.

Since retiring a few years ago, I remain keen to be involved in ensuring our children receive the best education and care that they can. 

I am a mother and grandmother and thrilled to be able to offer my experience to Swiss gardens as a co-opted governor.  

Ms Jenny Bourne- Staff Governor

• Curriculum & Standards / Teaching & Learning

I am the staff governor and have just joined the governing body this year.  I have been a teacher at Swiss Gardens since 2010 and over that time I have taught in Years 3, 5 and 6. I am on the senior leadership team and I have had experience of working as a governor at another local primary school.   I am committed to the school and I am proud to be part of such a great team of teaching and support staff.  I have two daughters and two grandsons, and I enjoy cooking, reading and walking.  My other hobby is Samba and as well as running the school Samba Club I also play for a local samba band.

• Disadvantaged / Pupil Premium / SEN
• Early Years

• Curriculum & Standards / Teaching & Learning
• Safeguarding

Hello, My name is Nicky Davis. All three of my children have attended Swiss Gardens Primary School and are now flourishing thanks to the nurturing environment here. 

I am passionate about improving children's lives through education and the creative arts. I work in the NHS as a specialist physiotherapist in neurorehabilitation. I am currently studying a master's degree in research and hope to further my interest in education and research. 

Through my role as a governor, I hope to improve the outcomes of every child here at Swiss Gardens Primary School.

• Website 
• Vision, Values & Marketing

I am passionate about using my Comms and PR skills to support the school and wider community to celebrate the great work that happens at Swiss Gardens Primary School and look forward to being an active member of the governing body bringing external perspective and strategic thinking to the comms for the school.

I live in Haywards Heath with my husband, I have 4 children all living local to me and have 3 grandchildren. 

I am looking forward to getting to know your school more and supporting the Governors in my role.

Ms Rachel Attwood - Associate Governor

• Curriculum & Standards / Teaching & Learning