MERSHAM SCHOOL GOVERNING BODY 2020-2021
The governors of the school meet at least once a term. They are a group of people drawn from the community, the school and the parents. The Headteacher is responsible to the governors for the leadership and management, behaviour and safety, teaching and learning, curriculum and safeguarding aspects of the school.
Chair of Governors: Lesley Caldwell
To Mar 2020
Declared business interests: None
Lead responsibilities: Safeguarding
“My passion is good quality education and enabling all students to reach their personal best.
I have a long history of being involved in pastoral care and learning support for learning difficulties. In my last role as Assistant Principal at North West Kent College I was responsible for the strategic direction and delivery of Student Services, Additional Learning Support and Admissions functions over two main campuses, Dartford and Gravesend. I was also the designated person for the College Safeguarding responsibility.”
Vice Chair and Parent Governor Laurence Stock
To April 2021
Declared business interests: none
“With my daughter already attending Mersham Primary, and her younger brother likely to follow in her footsteps, I have a vested interest in making the school the best it can be. I have extensive corporate experience, having been part of Leadership teams for several national businesses, managing large teams and taking a strategic view to organisational development. Much of my career has been spent winning new business, and I hope to use these skills to attract additional funding for the school, and to maximise the use of its current resources.”
Headteacher Cheryl Chalkley
Declared business interests: none
Staff Governor Leah Sexton
To June 2020
Declared business interests: none
Parent Governor Barney O’Kelly
To November 2022
Declared business interests: none
I have four children at Mersham School in years five, two, one and reception so have a strong personal stake in making the school the best it can possibly be. My wife grew up in Mersham and was a pupil at the school. We also married in Mersham Church and have a longstanding relationship with the community.
I believe that every child, regardless of ability or individual needs, should have the best education and supportive school environment possible. I hope I can use my professional skills – having spent 20 years working in public relations and marketing roles in large, international businesses – to help the school become a place of learning in which the staff, children and parents have immense pride.
Foundation Governor and Lead Health and Safety Governor Richard Lavender
To May 2021
“Having been a pupil at Mersham Primary School and Ashford North School for Boys, I joined the Royal Air Force in 1957 as an Aircraft Engineer, served for twenty five years in many theatres across the globe before retiring to join the family construction business as its Financial Director. After eleven successful years with the company I decided the challenge and opportunity of the newly formed Eurotunnel Group was too much to resist. Hence in 1993 I joined Eurotunnel in the Train Crew Department, followed by positions in the Rail Control Centre, and then served as the Folkestone Terminal Manager before becoming the Property and Facilities Manager UK and finally Director of Property Services in UK and France.
After retiring from Eurotunnel I started my own Property & Safety Consultancy and remained an active Non-Executive Board Director of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce. I am currently Chairman of the Board and sit on many business stakeholder groups throughout Kent. I have spent the last eight years introducing Young Chamber into schools across Kent hoping to improve employability skills for school leavers.
I have been a Governor at Mersham Primary School for the past two years and now begin to understand the complexity of our education system.
My interests are my family, and living life to the full and making the most of every day.”
Declared business interests: none
Local Authority Governor and Lead SEND Governor Sarah Dove
To Nov 2022
Declared business interests: Company Director of Phoenix Education Consultancy
“I have worked in education for other 15 years with a strong interest in inclusive education and Special Educational Needs. I have had extensive experience in improving the quality of teaching and learning, coaching of senior educational staff and improving the outcomes of the most vulnerable students. “
Governor Mrs Charlotte Francis-Finch
Declared business interests: No business interests declared
“I am an experienced teacher and qualified SENCo and have worked in a wide variety of educational settings, both mainstream and specialist, in all primary year groups; my roles within schools have included: class teacher; Head of Key Stage 1 and Early Years; SENCo, and School Governor. I have also worked as a Provision and Evaluation Officer for Kent County Council and as a specialist SEN teacher.
I am currently working as a SEND consultant for South East SENCo Support, an organisation that my business partner and I have co-founded, that provides specialist SEND support and advice to educational settings and families.
Small village schools hold a very special place in my heart and so I feel very privileged to be part of such a wonderful family community.”
Governor Mr James Senior
Declared business interests: No business interests declared
MERSHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL
GOVERNOR ATTENDANCE RECORD SEPTEMBER 2019 – JULY 2020
Governor/ Appointing Body | End of term of office | Positions of Responsibility | Attendance at FGB meetings 2019-2020 | Declaration of Business interests (signed 23 September 2019) | Any other educational establishments Governed | Relationships with school staff, including spouse, partners and relatives |
LA Governor x 1 |
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Mrs Sarah Dove Local Authority | 16.09.2022 | FGB SEND | 4 out of 6
| No business interests declared | None | None |
HT Governor x 1 |
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Mrs Cheryl Chalkley Ex Officio | N/A | Head Teacher
| 6 out of 6
| No business interests declared | None | None |
Staff Governor x 1 |
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Mrs Leah Sexton Staff election
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| FGB | 3 out of 3
| No business interests declared | None | None |
Foundation Governors x 2 |
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Mr Richard Lavender Governing Body | 14.05.2021 | FGB Health and Safety | 5 out of 6 |
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Vacancy |
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Co-opted Governors x 3 |
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Mrs Lesley Caldwell Governing Body | 05.04.2024 | Chair of Governors FGB Safeguarding | 6 out of 6 | No business interests declared | None | None |
Mrs Charlotte Francis-Finch Governing Body | 15.03.2024 | FGB
| 2 out of 3 | No business interests declared | None | None |
Mr James Senior Governing Body | 15.03.2024 | FGB
| 3 out of 3 | No business interests declared | None | None |
Parent Governors x 2 |
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Mr Laurence Stock Parental election | 14.05.2021 | Vice Chair of Governors FGB Finance | 5 out of 6 | No business interests declared | None | None |
Mr Barney O’Kelly Parental election | 14.10.2022 | FGB
| 4 out of 6 | No business interests declared | None | None |