Governors
As a Local Authority Maintained Nursery School, we have a governing body in the same way that all other schools do.
Our governors come from various backgrounds, including staff members, parents and members of the local community with an interest in early years education. We are fortunate to have several governors from a teaching background which ensures that children's educational experiences are central to the work of the governing body. We also have governors with specific expertise in finance, community engagement and health and safety.
The governing body meet every half term to discuss and make decisions on matters such as finance, policies, staffing, resources, quality and standards and many other issues affecting the running of the Centre. Since the summer term 2017 the governors have decided that every meeting will involve the full governing body. This decision has removed the need for separate committee meetings, ensuring that information is shared more effectively across the whole governing body and providing coherent strategic oversight of the Centre.
If you would like to contact a member of the governing body, please do so using the Chichester Nursery contact details.
Ruth Campbell - Executive Head Teacher
Vikki Cripps - Head of School
Sophie Elsdon - Chair of Governors & Local Authority Governor
Abigail Blumzon - Vice Chair Co-opted
Abigail is a Chartered Project Manager and Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS), with over a decade of experience leading complex construction and building safety projects. She currently leads the South Coast Project Management team at a consultancy called Bailey Partnership and is passionate about creating safe, inclusive, and well-managed environments for communities.
As Vice Chair of Governors, Abigail brings a strong focus on strategic leadership, governance, and accountability. She is particularly interested in supporting staff development, ensuring robust health and safety practices, and strengthening the long-term sustainability of the Federation.
Abigail is also an active member of her local community and a parent, and is committed to ensuring that nursery settings provide nurturing, inclusive environments where every child can thrive.
Teresa Matthewson - Clerk to Governors
Clare Blanchard- Co-opted
Nicola Nield - Staff Governor
Nicola has been a Staff Governor since 2022 and has been part of the Boundstone team since 2013. She began her journey as a Nursery Nurse, working closely with children aged 3-4, supporting their early development and learning.
In 2024 Nicola took on a new post in the office as Finance Assistant, while still supporting in the nursery when needed. This dual role allows her to maintain a strong connection with both the operational and educational aspects of the setting.
This unique position supports Nicola to understand how the nursery operates from a range of perspectives and contribute effectively within the framework of the Governing Body.
Angela Bradley- Co-opted
Angela became a Governor at the end of 2025. This is her first such role having undertaken a range of voluntary positions previously ranging from chairperson of homeowner’s associations to operating a hyperbaric chamber!
During the day Angela is a technical advisor to R&D projects working on malaria, principally in sub–Saharan Africa. She holds a PhD in Medical Entomology from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and lived overseas for a large proportion of her career.
Previously she supported a vocational school in Uganda providing support both strategic and financial to staff, students and the charitable benefactors.
In recent years Angela has finally settled down as a wife and mother and enjoys the finer things in life, mainly her home and garden.
Vicki Ayles - Co-opted
Aedan Kerney- Co-opted
Aedan worked as a teacher in Lancing for forty-one years and in his retirement directs two local choirs. He became a governor at Boundstone Nursery School in 2009 and his own two children attended the Nursery in the 1970s. He is passionate about the importance of Early Years Education.
Tom Rogers- Co-opted
Kim Huggett Co-opted
Nicole Purkis- Parent Govenor