Andy Yule (Chair)

I have spent 30 years in the electronics industry including over 20 years as a research scientist for Philips at their Laboratories just north of Horley, before working in Reigate for a small Swiss semiconductor company (u-blox), where I led teams designing software for GPS receivers. In 2016, I chose to “retire” in order to do something different and have taken on various voluntary roles, including Chair of Governors at Langshott Primary in Horley.

My wife & I have lived in Felbridge since 1997 and we have two children, both of whom were students at Imberhorne. I was also a governor for eight years, five of which as Chair, at Felbridge Primary. I regard being a governor as both a challenge and an honour, bringing with it considerable responsibility but also the chance to make genuine improvements. I take a particular interest in Maths and Science.

 Paul Clark

I became a Parent Governor in October 2016, my daughter having joined the school in September 2016. I am currently a member of the finance committee and lead on Curriculum Links. I am also a co-opted Governor at West Hoathly Church of England Primary School. As a governor, I want to ensure that our students get the very best education possible in a safe and secure environment that provides not only the opportunity for excellent academic results but also an enjoyable and stimulating all round experience for each student. I was a civil servant for over 30 years during which time I had various roles including people management, developing and implementing change, negotiating complex financial issues, and international liaison. For the last few years before my final retirement, I worked locally, which has given me a good understanding of the community. I am passionate about natural history and the environment, with a particular interest in moths, and have taken on an allotment with mixed results!​

 Andrea Trigg

I have been a Governor at Imberhorne School since 2015, starting just before my second child left the school to continue studying at university. I have taught in primary schools for more than 30 years and have recently retired from the headship of Felbridge Primary School, a position I held for 11 years. My professional experience within education enables me to provide support and challenge to Imberhorne School in order to benefit all staff and students. I particularly enjoy my links with both the Health and Social Care and Drama departments and look forward to continuing to develop these links further.

 Helen Vince

I joined the governing body in October 2015 when my daughter started in Year 7(she’s now a student in Y12!). I was originally elected as a parent governor and was then co-opted in October 2019 at the start of my second term. I had previously spent 20 years in secondary education as a science teacher and left the profession in 2004 when my daughter was born. I continued to take an active interest in education and was chair of the parents’ committee of my daughter’s preschool and also chaired  the PTA while she was at Primary school. I thoroughly enjoy being a governor at Imberhorne. My current responsibilities include safeguarding and teaching and learning link and my subject links are with the science and geography departments.

 Sarah Watson

Having been a full time member of the teaching staff at Imberhorne for a number of years, following the birth of my children, I now teach part time within the Science department and hold the role of Key Stage 3 Science Leader, based at our Windmill Lane site. I have been a staff governor since 2014, with a break during maternity leave before being re-elected in April 2019. I am passionate about young people feeling supported to reach their full potential in a nurturing environment, and I believe this is at the core of what we do at Imberhorne. I am hugely committed to and passionate about the success of Imberhorne School and, living locally, I am proud of its strong position within the community.

 Julian Hollingsworth (Co-Vice Chair)

I have lived in East Grinstead since 2006 and have 3 children. I own a management consulting company with an emphasis on hospitality projects. It’s really important to me that the school works closely with the wider business environment to ensure that students are prepared academically and given the right tools in life. Every child has a special skill or talent and it’s up to us to ensure that each individual is given the best start in life when they’ve left the school, whether that be academically or in the world of work. Ultimately, we need to make sure that the students who leave Imberhorne are well rounded individuals. I became a governor to help Imberhorne achieve success and take a strong position in the local community. In my spare time, you might see me jogging down the Worth Way…

Carole Lane

I became involved with Imberhorne School when fostering a young boy who attended the school as a student. I joined the Parents' Forum initially and then became a Governor in 2019. I am married with two grown up children and four grandchildren. My work experience was in business as a personal assistant and in investment/mortgage broking. I changed tack in 1989 to train as a registered nurse working in many different areas of healthcare; hospital, practice and community - finishing up at the QVH in East Grinstead as a bank nurse in the iMnor Injuries Unit for ten years. I volunteer in the NHS and proudly assisted the Covid vaccination programme. Through nursing and fostering I have enjoyed working with both children and adults, particularly in regard to safeguarding and radicalisation as well as physical and psychological care. A child at heart, I love nothing more than supporting and joining in practically when needed and I am delighted to be linked to the PE and Music departments, my favourite subjects at school.

 Sally Percy

I am a business and finance journalist, editor and copywriter, with a degree in modern history. I specialise in writing thought leadership for business executives and I am the author of ‘Reach the Top in Finance: The Ambitious Accountant’s Guide to Career Success’, published by Bloomsbury. I have been a parent governor of Imberhorne School since October 2020. Prior to that, I was a governor of St Mary’s Church of England Primary School in East Grinstead for six years. As the mother of two daughters, I believe passionately in the value of education. By giving a great education to this generation of students, we are helping to build a better world for everyone.

 Alyson Tonge

I have enjoyed working in education, both primary and secondary sectors, since 2006. In that time, I spent 8 years as a governor of a local primary school where I developed my understanding of a governor’s role in both supporting and challenging a school. I sat on various committees including premises, staffing, curriculum and appraisal.

Following my retirement in 2021 from the role of Learning Support Assistant at Imberhorne School, a position I held for six years; the opportunity to serve as a governor enables me to continue links with the school that I attended as a student and I was linked to as a parent of an Imberhorne student too.

 Claire Marsden

I have two daughters at Imberhorne and have lived in the local area for the last 14 years. During that time, I have undertaken several community volunteer roles, including two terms of office as a governor at Felbridge Primary School, so I was particularly excited when the opportunity arose to join Imberhorne’s governing body as a Parent Governor in autumn 2020.

I believe passionately in the importance and value of school as a formative experience in children’s and young people’s lives. Being able to help Imberhorne deliver on its vision of enabling all students to fulfil their potential and develop the self-belief and confidence to make them happy, well-rounded individuals is an immensely rewarding experience.

With a degree in Modern Languages, I had a career as an editor in book publishing before moving into education in 2012. I currently work part-time as an Adult Education Tutor for Aspire Sussex.

 Richard Poole

Working in the education sector and currently within Higher Education as a quality and regulation consultant, I have experienced the incredibly positive impact of strong and direct governors in the strategic leadership of those institutions. It has been a privilege to join Imberhorne School since October 2020 as a Parent Governor and serve alongside school staff, management team and other governors.

My professional experience has demonstrated the need for supportive, critical friends in educational leadership. And this is what I aspire to do, as the Imberhorne team continue to succeed in providing a safe nurturing place for the development of effective young people. I continue to look forward to witnessing the constructive impact that Imberhorne students have in the local community and wider society.

 Michele Brooks (Co-Vice Chair)

I currently work in education as a Trust Bursar and Clerk to a Local Governing Body. I am also involved in the financial management of an Academy Trust of three schools as well as HR, Premises and Governance. I decided to become a Governor at Imberhorne School as I felt that I have skills and knowledge that would complement the team of Governors in supporting the school staff. 

I have been a resident of East Grinstead my whole life and attended Imberhorne School myself as a teenager. Being able to contribute to the continued development of my secondary school and my son’s current school is extremely rewarding and a privilege. I believe that ensuring our children’s education and personal growth is a responsibility we should all take very seriously.

 Sally Hannam

I have lived in East Grinstead for over 30 years and have two grown-up daughters who both attended local schools. I have worked at Imberhorne for many years in a variety of support roles and I am currently involved in student attendance, welfare and school lettings. Before family life came along, I worked in Human Resources and Training for a publishing company in London. I have always enjoyed being involved with local community groups, especially theatre and music as this is my main passion. I have been a Governor since May 2022 and I am keen to use my knowledge and experience of Imberhorne School to help provide the best educational experience for students and staff possible.