St Mark's Primary School Gets New Interim Executive Board

Brighton and Hove City Council has announced additional support measures at St Mark's Church of England Primary School to strengthen leadership and governance. An Interim Executive Board, known as an IEB, will be introduced to guide the school through the next stage of improvement.

What is changing at St Mark's

The council says an IEB is a temporary governing body made up of experienced education leaders who can provide additional support, oversight and expertise during a period of change.

It says parents and carers will be invited to meet the new chair and members of the IEB in the coming weeks, with further details to be shared shortly.

What has happened so far

The council says recent changes at St Mark's, such as mixed-age classes and a smaller intake, are helping the school adapt to changing pupil numbers and move towards a more sustainable future.

In June 2025, Michelle Lord, an experienced headteacher, was seconded to lead the school as Executive Head, alongside additional support from the council and the Diocese of Chichester. The council says that since then the school has seen improvements in attendance and behaviour, and that it is working closely with leadership to ensure this continues.

What the council says

Councillor Jacob Taylor, Deputy Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: “St Mark's is an important part of the community and we're focused on doing everything we can to help the school continue its improvement journey.”

He added: “We recognise the challenges the school has faced, which is exactly why additional support has been put in place. The IEB brings together a broad range of experience and expertise and will work alongside the school's leadership, the council and Diocese.”

He said the board's role will be to strengthen the improvement and sustainability work already under way, giving the school greater capacity, support and oversight as it moves forward. “Ultimately, these measures all have the same purpose: ensuring children at St Mark's receive the best possible education and building a sustainable future for the school and the community it serves.”