EtchinghamGovernance
The Governing Body of the Riverside Federation is made up of volunteers from the local community, parents, teaching and support staff, the Children’s Services Agency (LEA) and the Diocese of Chichester. We meet regularly, both as a full body and in committees, to assist the smooth running of the school and to promote the highest possible standards to ensure that every child in our care reaches their full potential. We work in close partnership with the Executive Headteacher, setting aims and objectives for the school, adopting and reviewing policies to achieve those aims and outlining clear targets. Our role is seen as a ‘critical friend’, offering constructive advice and support.
Should you require any further information about the work of the Governing Body or are interested in becoming a Governor should a vacancy occur, please contact the Chair of Governors via the school office.
We have one sub-committee that operates under our Full Governing Board as follows:Finance and Operations
- Beverley Waldis (Co-Chair of Governors and Chair of Committee)
- Cherane Marshall
- Gregory Coleman
- Louise Reader
Current Governors
| Name | Role | Date of Appointment | End of Term of Office | Declaration |
| Beverley Waldis | Co-Chair, Local Authority | 12/07/2024 | 11/07/2028 | None |
| Louise Reader | Co-Chair, Co-opted | 22/09/2022 | 21/09/2026 | None |
| Cherane Marshall | Executive Headteacher, Ex-officio | 03/01/2023 | Whilst in post | Executive Headteacher, Riverside Federation |
| Claire Day | Co-opted | 31/08/2024 | 30/08/2028 | Head of School, Etchingham |
| Heloise Prus | Staff | 30/06/2024 | 29/06/2029 | Head of School, Bodiam |
| Gregory Coleman | Co-opted | 30/06/2024 | 29/06/2028 |
School Business Manager, Etchingham, Goudhurst & Kilndown, Benenden schools |
| William Moore | Foundation | 22/04/2025 | 21/04/2029 |
Parent of children at Etchingham |
| Amanda Burgess | Foundation | 08/05/2025 | 07/05/2029 |
None |
| Thomas Pelham | Foundation, Ex-Officio | 01/11/2023 | Whilst in post |
Rector of Burwash, Burwash Weald and Etchingham |
| Katie Donovan | Associate |
19/06/2022 No voting rights |
18/06/2025 No voting rights |
School Business Manager, Bodiam |
| Margot Shilling | Co-opted | 26/11/2025 | 25/22/2029 |
Grandparent of children at Etchingham |
| Joe Hall | Parent | 28/11/2025 | 27/11/2029 |
Parent of child at Etchingham |
Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months
| Name | Role | Date of Appointment | End of Term of Office | Declaration |
| Jason Waring | Co-opted | 01/07/2022 | 30/06/2025 | Employed in Management Position in Orbis ICT Services (ESCC) From 01/11/22 employed by the DfE |
| Richard Fretwell | Parent | 01/07/2021 | 30/06/2025 | Parent of children at Etchingham |
| Cathy Slow | Co-opted | 01/07/2022 | 30/06/2025 | School Advisor Diocese of Chichester; IEB member Groombridge School; Chair of LGB Northiam DCAT Academy |
Governor Attendance, 2024-25
To view governor attendance, please see the link below:
Diversity data
The governors of the Riverside Federation believe it is important that boards reflect the diversity of the school communities they serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people.
The governors are currently collecting data on the diversity of the board, including data on age, gender and ethnicity. They will use that data to inform their recruitment and training needs and ensure there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making.
Due to our relatively small governing body, we do not publish this diversity data online as individual governors could be identified and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.
Governor vacancies
We currently have vacancies on our Governing Board as follows:
- Two parent governors
- One co-opted governor
If you are interested in becoming a governor at the Riverside Federation, please contact the school office: 01580 819218.
