Trustees
The Trustees of The SABDEN Multi Academy Trust understand their role and how it complements that of the role the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
We have a range of skills, bringing additional value to the Trust ensuring strategic vision and hold the school leadership to account.
We as Trustees have a wide range of technical knowledge and understanding of education, data, statutory responsibilities and performance management and are able to analyse school performance. We are responsible for overseeing leadership, setting targets for school improvement, monitoring progress and improved outcomes for pupils, assisting in the development of strategy, setting and agreeing budgets and priorities for spending, providing a secure environment in which pupils can flourish and ensuring current legislation is embedded in our day to day activities.
When appropriate, we have a visible presence in the schools and set challenging targets for performance at all levels. We appropriately challenge and question our middle and senior leaders.
We are passionate about the education, care and well-being of all our pupils and relentlessly strive to ensure they receive the best possible education and life chances.
The Full Board of Trustees meet three times a year as do the Finance, Operations,Personnel & Audit Sub Committee, Safeguarding & Attendance Sub Committee, Quality Committee (AP) and Quality Committee (SEMH).
Financial information: Please see attached to the school's financial benchmarking service: Schools Financial Benchmarking - GOV.UK (schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk)
If you wish to learn more about our work please email office@sabden.org.uk
The founding members of The SABDEN Multi Academy Trust have ultimate control over the strategic direction of the academy trust:
TSMAT Current Trustee Structure:
Trustees (7 X Trustees)
Gillian Sole - Chair of Trustees
Gill has recently retired after serving thirty years as a Sussex Police Officer working closely with the community in order to keep the people of Sussex safe. She has worked in a number of roles including Child Protection teams. Gill original trained as a teacher and together with this experience, serving as a police officer and bringing up her own family has a keen interest in shaping a better future for our children. After a successful year as a Trustee Gill has now been appointed Chair of Trustees as at September 2018. Appointment : 31 January 2023 - Term 3 years.
Barbara Molog - Trustee M.A, B.A, DipEd.
Barbara spent 30 years teaching in Secondary Schools in some of the most economically and socially deprived areas of London. Following early retirement she has worked as a consultant/project manager devising vocational qualifications. Currently, Barbara is Chair of Mediation plus, Stone Cross Mill Trust and volunteer Clerk to a Trust that maintains a historic museum. Appointment : 31 January 2023 - Term 3 years.
Erika Balkham - Trustee
Erika started her career working in the administration/finance department at Cuckmere House School and from here started the AAT qualification. She then went on to obtain a degree in Accountancy and Finance at the University of Brighton. Erika qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant in 2012. Erika has practiced accountancy for 7 years and is currently a Manager for a four partner practice in Brighton.
Appointment : 31 January 2023 - Term 3 years
Joan Canning - Trustee
Jo Canning retired from Cuckmere House School in 2022 after 25 years, working firstly as a Teaching Assistant then as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant. Jo was also a respite carer for her adopted nephew whilst bringing up her own family. During this time she was privileged to create some amazing professional relationships with numerous students, carers and staff. Her aim as a trustee is to use her experience working alongside students with SEMH needs, supporting staff to strengthen the work of SABDEN by challenging leaders to ensure the school's provision continues to be outstanding.
Appointment : 31 January 2023 - Term 3 years
Lil Johnson - Trustee
Luci (Lil) is currently Principal at Redwood Park Academy in Portsmouth which is a secondary school for pupils with complex learning difficulties. Lil has worked across East Sussex as Director of SEN at Hailsham Community College and prior to this was Assistant Principal at College Central in Hastings, a school that is part of the SABDEN Trust. Lil has recently returned as a Trustee.
Appointment : 31 January 2023 - Term 3 years
Lynne Galloway - Parent Trustee
Appointment 31 March 2023- Term 3 years
Jo Foulkes 31 March 2023- Term 3 years
Appointment 31st January 2023
Members (5 x Members)
Dr Laurie Bush - Previously held the position of Deputy Chair of East Sussex Police Commission. Dr Bush was also a long serving successful retired Headteacher of a special school with excellent knowledge and understanding of financial and strategic planning.
Appointment 1 September 2020
Margaret Southworth MBE - Before retiring in 2005, MS worked as an Education Welfare Officer (EWO) for East Sussex for over 20 years and therefore has a vast knowledge in the areas of school attendance across mainstream and special schools. Previously she worked in the Department of Health and Social Security DHSS for over 11 years as a direct entrant Executive Officer. She supervised and regulated a team of clerical officers making assessments for supplementary benefits. Later she worked as a Fraud Officer, detecting fraudulent claims, liaising with police preparing cases for court, calculating overpayments and pursuing recovery of overpayments being promoted to Higher Executive Officer and managed a Supplementary Benefits Office in London. MS has recently (Jan 2016) been awarded MBE in recognition for her services to education in governance.
Appointment 1 September 2020
Joe Galvin - Joe has worked with disadvantaged children for the past 50 years and continues to do so. He is a qualified Social Worker and has also worked as a Magistrate in youth and adult courts for 20 years in Lewes and Brighton. Joe experience as a staff Governor for over 10 years until recently. He is passionate about providing quality eduction and pastoral support for all young people. During his spare time Joe's interests including running, paddle boarding, kayaking, sailing and playing the guitar. He also enjoys family time with his wife, three children and four grandchildren.
Appointment 4th July 2019
Jan Green
Appointment 12th June 2023
Barbara Molog
Appointment 12th June 2023
