About CET

Governor 

Chair of Trustees

Term of office

October 2019 – 30 September 2027

I am passionate about Cavendish School and its place within the Eastbourne community.  Having been a Deputy Headteacher at the school and until quite recently, living close to the school, I know both it and the community it serves well.

In 2018 I retired, after 40 years in education and I hope that I am able to draw upon my experiences, where appropriate, to ensure Cavendish Education Trust is able to make a difference to young people’s life chances both now and in the future.

Trustee

Term of office

1 September 2021 – 31 August 2025

Tom is a lifelong teacher, first at Winchester College from 1998 until 2013, teaching A-level Economics and history, literature, arts and culture through the school’s non-examined humanities course. From Winchester Tom and his wife Jessica moved to Christ’s Hospital school in Horsham where Tom was Deputy Head. He became Headmaster of Eastbourne College in 2016.

Tom is a governor of Marlborough House school and Willingdon Community School. Previous roles include being on the board of a putative free school, Rivendale School Trust, an intern for the Small Business Committee of the US House of Representatives, researcher for the Social Market Foundation, Westminster, and for the Institute of Community Studies, Tower Hamlets where he conducted research which was the genesis for Tower Hamlet’s Summer University, now ‘Futureversity

Trustee

Term of office

1 September 2021 – 31 August 2025

Tom is a chartered certified accountant working in the local area. Tom grew up, went to school and attended college in Eastbourne.  His outside interests are his young family, motorcycles and keeping fit.  Tom is Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

Trustee

Term of office

26 September 2023-25 September 2027

Christopher is the Senior Partner of Janet Sinden & Co solicitors of Hastings and Hailsham.

Christopher studied Law at Southampton University before attending the College of Law in Guildford and qualified as a Solicitor in 1995. He went on to be a Partner at Hart Reade Solicitors and one of the Senior Partners at Gaby Hardwicke Solicitors. He acquired Janet Sinden & Co in 2022.

Christopher has been very involved in the local community, working with the Hospice, Dementia Action Alliance and local schools. He is a past President of the Eastbourne Law Society and member of the Hastings Law Society. He sat on the Executive Committee of the Law Society Property Section in Chancery Lane, London, and was a founding member of the Conveyancing Association. He also sat on the Land Registry Advisory Council and the Mortgage Fraud Forum.

Christopher is Chairman of the Let’s Do Business Group and a non-executive Director of the Hydro Hotel (Eastbourne) plc.

Trustee

Term of office

1 July 2025-30 June 2029

Christian attended  Cavendish School as a pupil from 1993 to 1998.  He then went on to study Building Construction and the Building Environment at Hastings College of Technology.  Christian continued his education at Brighton University to obtain a degree and postgraduate Diplomas in Architecture, and Practice Management and Law in Architecture.   He fully qualified as an Architect in 2009 and has been a Chartered Architect since 2010.

Christian has been working for local architectural practices for over 20 years, on both local and national projects including housing, accessible facilities, Sports Halls, Community Centres and large new build Churches.

Christian’s fondest time during all of his years of education was those spent at 
Cavendish School, and he is keen to give back to those who helped him progress in his own career.  Outside work, Christian is a keen sports person, previously a member of the Cavendish football team, but also now a keen golfer playing courses in the local area.

Trustee

Term of office

1 July 2025-30 June 2029

Julie worked in the Primary school sector for 29 years, both as a class Teacher and a Headteacher in schools across Brighton & Hove, West and East Sussex. During this time, she was seconded to work for the local authority, leading and supporting headteachers in failing schools to improve the Teaching and Learning. She led initiatives in Literacy, Maths, Creative Curriculum and believes passionately in high-quality Education for every student. She has since worked for the University of Brighton as a University Tutor, coaching and mentoring student teachers, providing guidance and support whilst on school placement. Julie has also been a governor at Stafford and Roselands until very recently.

Trustee

Term of Office 10 May 2021-10 September 2024