Mersham Primary School

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 15-03-24

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 Foundation Governor Laurence Stock

To 31-01-25

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 17-05-24

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

To 15-03-24

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.”

Co-opted Governor Mr James Senior

To 15-03-24

Declared business interests: No business interests declared

I have lived in Kent all of my adult life mainly around the Canterbury and Ashford areas, having initially relocated to undertake further education. A career in construction has provided amazing opportunities to be involved in some of the great structures to be created in the UK and further afield with a particular highlight of my career being the 4 ½ years as part of the senior management team delivering the New Wembley Stadium.

I am a keen sportsman, having only recently retired from playing hockey with Canterbury Hockey Club but have also enjoyed playing rugby, cricket, tennis and a variety of other sports throughout my life. The gentler demands of golf are now my main sporting passion. In my younger days I also enjoyed the challenges of the natural world and have scaled some of the tallest mountains in the world outside of the Himalayas, the most testing of these being the 6962 metre Aconcagua peak in the Andes.

I have been very fortunate in life and am now keen to contribute back into the local communities within which I live and hope to bring a wealth of experience to the role of Mersham School Governor to assist in continually improving the experience of everyone associated with the school, whether that be pupils, staff, parents or the wider community.

Co-Opted Governor Anna Nicholls

Parent Governor Sian Adams

To TBC

Declared business interests: TBC

Parent Governor Rachel Walsh

To TBC

Declared business interests: TBC

MERSHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL

GOVERNOR ATTENDANCE RECORD SEPTEMBER 2019 – JULY 2020