The DVSF Governors

The Governing Board is a mix of experienced governors, education professionals, business professionals and parents, who take decisions in the best interests of the Federation.

The main function of the Governors, is to provide secure, strong and strategic governance, to ensure the federation schools provide the best possible education within the budgets set for our schools, as well as considering longer term partnership options beyond the federation.

At the heart of this work, is a shared ambition to ensure that all pupils continue to be supported in their journey and that they are able to fulfil their potential.

The Governing Board has a range of responsibilities including:

Strategic leadership of the Federation
Providing support and challenge to the Executive Headteacher
Overseeing the financial performance of the schools
Monitoring quality of education, behaviour and safeguarding
Monitoring the wellbeing of staff
Engaging with the Federation’s key stakeholders including pupils, parents/carers and staff.

Governor Details and Attendance record:

Governors GB Membership Committees/declarations -2025

Governors Attendance - 2024-25

Our Governors

Chris Hawker - Chair of Governors

Chris is an experienced governor and chair of both maintained and academy primary schools. He is currently the Chair of Governors of Lavant CE Primary School and recently held the role of Chair at the Downland Village Schools Federation. Chris was appointed as a National Leader of Governance 2015-21 under the original scheme and is a Local Leader of Governance for West Sussex County Council, working with schools where additional governor support and development is required. Chris co-chairs the West Sussex Governors' Association, the representative organisation for all West Sussex governors. He has previously been deployed by the local authority as an additional governor in schools causing concern. He provides support for West Sussex County Council in governor training sessions, including training and support for new chairs of governors.

David Bertwistle

David has been a teacher for almost 40 years and a headteacher for 15 years. His current role includes the responsibility as Executive Head and overall leadership at the federation's three schools. His passion is teaching and learning, as well as working with the governors on vision & strategy, finance and policy. His key strength is working with staff, governors, parents and children to bring about change. Under his leadership, four schools have moved from an Ofsted category to a Good judgement.

Father Edward Doyle

Father Edward became an ex-officio governor in 2000, initially at Rogate and then across all 3 schools as part of DVSF. Over this period, he has held the roles of Vice Chair of Governors, Link Governor and Christian Ethos lead. He has also been part of the Headteacher performance management committee and academisation working party. Currently, his role on the Shadow Board includes responsibility for Pupil Premium. Father Edward leads worship weekly at Rogate and supports learning in the classroom. He meets with children, parents, teachers and support staff in a pastoral context as part of his role as Parish Rector. Father Edward has been the Rector of Rogate with Terwick & Trotton with Chithurst in the Diocese of Chichester since May 2000, and is Surrogate for the Diocese of Chichester. He studied at Cardiff University for B.Th. and trained for Ministry at St Michael College, Llandaff, Cardiff. He enjoys going to the cinema, playing the piano, listening to classical music, local history and tending to the garden in his spare time.

Yvette Carlu

As a dedicated student of SEND law with a deep understanding of the EHCP processes, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the field. As a parent of a child with autism, who attended Rake School, I am intimately familiar with the challenges and triumphs that come with navigating the education system. With two other children in school, I am deeply invested in creating inclusive and supportive environments for all students. As a permanent exclusion volunteer at Hampshire County Council, I work tirelessly to ensure that every child has access to the education they deserve. My background as a regional manager for a domiciliary care company, has equipped me with valuable leadership skills and a compassionate approach to problem-solving. Additionally, my experience as a bookkeeper allows me to contribute to various projects with precision and attention to detail. I am proud to support our schools in their continuous improvement efforts, and I am dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of all students.

Helen Skillern-Little

Helen is a local parent to 4 young children. She is excited to join the DVSF governing board and be part of the success of the schools. She has a background in medicine and, although currently on a career break, thinks the skills developed when working as a doctor, will be beneficial to her role as a governor. She also sits on the board of trustees for a grant giving charity, which has equipped her with relevant experience.

Lucy Thatcher

Lucy has spent 20 years delivering marketing and communications programmes for public sector organisations and global corporate businesses, and now runs a management consultancy with her husband. As the mother of two children, she is passionate about the future of our schools and the communities they serve.

Rev Trish Bancroft

Rev Trish is the Rector of St Luke's Church Milland which is Rake School's Church. She also has the churches of Linch, Stedham and Iping and is Rural Dean of Midhurst. Trish has been a school governor for nearly 14 years, 10 of which have been at Rake. In addition to her governance role, Rev Trish is in school each week to take assembly and the children come to church as often as we can manage given the difficulty of not being able to walk there. In a previous life, Trish was a Learning Support Assistant in a large junior school and is therefore very comfortable in the school environment.

Richard Davies

Ian Mitchell

Jane Wilkinson

Lizz Tinder

Contact: Clerk to the Governors: clerk@dvsf.w-sussex.sch.uk