Governing Body

Tim Ransley

Chair of Governors & Foundation Governor

I am a Trustee of Maybridge Community Church, as well as with the local charity Worthing 4 Refugees. My wife and I have two girls nearing the end of their journey at Goring Primary School who have both loved their time here. They seem to have grown up way too quickly for my liking! It is a privilege to serve the school and the community in this role; I am excited about contributing a very small strategic part towards the nurturing and equipping of our next generation in what is a complex world. My day job is as a catastrophic injury partner with Bennett Griffin; a local law firm in Worthing. This allows me to help those that through no fault of their own find their lives turned upside down. In my spare time I like nothing more than getting on my bike, or taking the family kayak out onto the English Channel…weather permitting of course!​

Gail Vickers

Foundation Governor

On my retirement in 2011 I became a doting grandmother and Childminder. My granddaughter is now in year 3 and her time at Goring has confirmed and exceeded all our expectations of the school both in learning and emotional care. I was therefore delighted when father George invited me to join the governing body . I hope my past experience after 40 years teaching in West Sussex will contribute to the team as it guides the school to maintain its outstanding qualities.

Fr Keith Littlejohn

Ex-Officio & Foundation Governor

Kirsty Luff

Local Authority Governor

I have taught in primary schools for the last 20 years. During this time I have taught all year groups and led many subjects including science, PSHE and reading. I have a passion for children’s books and love those moments when children are so engrossed in a story that they don’t want you to stop reading! For the last 10 years I have been a deputy head teacher with responsibility for teaching and learning across the whole school. My daughter is currently in year 1 and it has been lovely to become part of the Goring school community. The staff at the school make it the welcoming and inclusive school it is. They are, without doubt, the schools most important resource. I have a keen interest in promoting teacher development and wellbeing, particularly for ECTs, to improve the outcomes for children and hope to be able to use my skills to provide strategic support to the school. In my spare time, I enjoy family days out and holidays away in my caravan.

Melanie Smith

Foundation Governor

I have been a secondary school English teacher for 14 years and held the role of Head of English for 5 years. I have also held posts such as Literacy Coordinator and Lead Practitioner in the past. Therefore, I have a considerable interest in children's literacy and their school experience. My daughter is currently in Year 1 and loves Goring Primary School and we all enjoy being part of the school and church community. I grew up locally and have been living in Goring-by-sea, and attending St Mary's church, for several years now. I am excited about the opportunity to use and build on my knowledge and experience of education further. Primary school is a world away from the secondary school environment that I am more familiar with and I'm looking forward to delving into it! I have a baby son as well as my daughter but when I have any spare time (which isn't often!), I enjoy running, walking, playing tennis, sea swimming (when the weather allows!) and generally being in nature or on the beach. I always have at least two or three books on the go at any one time as well! I am passionate about ensuring all children have the opportunity and support to make progress from their starting point and believe that education is not just about academic achievements but also about developing young people and enabling them to flourish. I am excited to be joining the team as a foundation governor and helping support the teachers in developing the children's faith and how that underpins their lives.

Emma Carmody

Foundation Governor

I have been a Primary School teacher since 2007 as a class teacher in Years 5 and 6 and also as a music teacher to the whole school. When it came to looking around schools for our own daughter, I knew there was something special about Goring as soon as I walked through the door. The enthusiasm in the classroom from children and teachers, combined with brilliant behaviour told me that this was the school for my daughter. This initial thought has not only lived up to our expectations but has also exceeded it. As a family we attend the Salvation Army in Worthing and therefore my faith is very important to me. I am so pleased to be able to work with the school as a foundation governor. I hope that I will be able to use my experience as a teacher, and my faith, to assist with the wonderful work that already exists at Goring.

Rupert Ireland

Staff Governor

I have worked as a class teacher at Goring Primary School for the past 7 years and during that time have worked in Year 3 and Year 6 and am now teaching Year 2, as well as leading PE and Mathematics throughout the school. I care deeply about our school community and the hallmarks and values which we seek to instil in our pupils. In 2021, I became a school governor with the aim of using my experience to contribute to the school’s strategic development and partnership with the wider community. I firmly believe in the importance of a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum as a way to best prepare our children, emotionally, socially and spiritually, to thrive in the future.

Esther Larsson

Parent Governor

I have worked in healthcare for over 17 years as a Speech and Language Therapist and later as a clinical services manager in both the hospice sector and in the NHS. The focus of my management roles in healthcare has been to ensure the delivery of high quality, effective, safe and compassionate care, whilst always maintaining a patient-centred approach. This focus is equally as important in education, and I feel strongly about providing an excellent, enriching and inclusive education for all as well ensuring children and their needs are at the centre of all strategic decisions and activities. I have two girls at Goring Primary School, in years 2 and 6, who both love the school and I am delighted to bring a parent perspective to the work of the governing body and have the opportunity to actively contribute towards the ongoing success of the school. To maintain balance amidst busy work and family life, I enjoy running (especially along the beach or up Highdown Hill) and getting lost in a good book.

Rebecca Stender

Parent Governor

I have both a son and daughter at Goring Primary School and am so thankful for the care, provision and opportunities they have been given. I have been teaching in Primary Schools for 15 years and am currently a part time teacher in EY at Thakeham Primary School, I also run the children’s work at the church we attend, Broadwater Baptist Church. I am passionate about the nurture and development of children and believe that we have a duty of care to ensure that children have a safe inclusive learning environment where they can reach their full potential and be equipped with the right skills to be resilient, caring and successful citizens. My roles as both parent, teacher and my faith will enable me to use my knowledge and experience to support the school’s strategic development, Christina ethos and the wider community it serves.

Samuel Gritt

Foundation Governor

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to work alongside an incredible team of people with a shared ambition to contribute to the strategic vision, development and success of Goring Primary. I have a son in year 3 and have been very grateful for the support provided to create a platform in which he can flourish and grow. The school community is wonderful and very welcoming which creates a sense of ease and security as a parent through the knowledge that Goring is the best environment for my son and many other young people on their educational journey. Goring has far surpassed my expectations as a parent which is why I want to be able to use my experience and expertise to give something back to try and help the school and team continue to excel, thrive and continue to deliver the spiritual, emotional and social values to help our young people grow. Out of school I am a family man (married and dad of two) with a passion for sport and exercise. I am a local government professional with over 20 years of experience, Deputy Chair to the Trustees at the Sussex MS (multiple sclerosis) Centre and member of the local church community.”

Jennie Ring

Clerk to the Governors