I started at St James in 2015 as Business Manager and I am now fortunate to work across the federation as Operations Director.  As part of a Senior Leadership Team, I believe in enhancing effectiveness to achieve high standards of learning and attainment and that the federation creates a welcoming, safe and stimulating environment.  I enjoy seeing children becoming confident and happy as well as developing a passion and commitment to lifelong learning. 

In my spare time, I like to spend time with my husband, two grown up children and our dogs - Barkley and  Noffee - and take pleasure from going on many walks in the beautiful local countryside. 

After a career in the Ministry of Defence in London, with weekends spent in Amberley, I returned to live full time in Amberley in 2016. I have been a churchwarden at St Michael’s church for about five years. As churchwarden my focus has been on strengthening links between the church and the local community, of which the school is of course an integral part. I look forward to building on these links as school governor. 

I have two daughters and five grandchildren so school issues are are very much part of family conversations! 

Victoria  Gradden OBE

Parent Governor

I became a Parent Governor in Spring 2024, joining a hugely welcoming and supportive group of people who really want to make a difference, and I have three children who attend St James’s. I am keen to ensure that parents are well represented via the Board, and I hope that my skills and experience, covering more than 20 years working in communications and engagement, both in the charity sector and the civil service, will help both schools maximise their ambitions.

My husband is an active member of the St James’s PTA, and I support as many events as I can, whether running a stand, making wreaths for the Christmas fair, or helping set up and pack away. As a family, we spend a lot of time outside, exploring, gardening, playing and supporting football and cricket matches, as well as looking after our dog, cats, chickens and fish.

Sarah Fish

Co-opted governor

I moved to Amberley in February 2021 from Kingswood in Surrey. Having visited Amberley and its sister villages over preceding years, I was familiar with the area and am delighted to find myself amidst an established, strong, and welcoming community.  

 I am a qualified nurse and spent many years of my career as Operations Director of a large care group specialising in elderly and dementia care. As with the school sector, the care sector is highly regulated and the importance of meeting and exceeding regulatory standards was a key area of my focus. I will endeavour to bring this experience and knowledge to my governor role and contribute to maintaining the high standards that have been achieved to date.

 Since I stood down from full – time employment a number of years ago, I have become involved in the voluntary sector and have taken an active role at the Royal Automobile Club where I am a member of the House Committee. I chair the Choir having previously led the Sub Aqua Section.

 My interests include singing with the Arundel Choral Society, regular visits to Chichester Theatre, weekly bridge in the village and golf at Ham Manor, Angmering. You will also spot me exercising my black lab around the village or up on the wild brooks. 

 I have a grown-up family and 3 grandchildren in pre-school or primary years so education is very much to the fore in our family.

Having visited the Arun Villages Federation schools, I’m hoping to find a way of contributing to the school’s development and supporting the staff on their journey to help the children in their care to flourish.

Sheila Ross-Hulme

Co-opted governor

I am a retired primary school teacher with training and experience in teaching children with special educational needs. I lived and taught in west London for forty years before moving to Amberley three years ago.

Having been brought up in the highlands of Scotland, I love the hilly terrain of the South Downs with its far-reaching views. As well as walking my dog and reading crime novels and poetry, I am involved with a charitable organisation offering support to refugees, and I volunteer with a local museum and the National Trust.   

I very much look forward to working in partnership with the Head and staff at Amberley School and St James in order to support and pursue the school’s ethos and values of academic excellence.