Meet the Governors
If you wish to contact the Governors please email
governor@harrietsham.kent.sch.uk
Who are we?
The Governing Body is made up of:
We work in partnership with the Headteacher and her senior leaders to make the school the best it can be for all staff and pupils. It is our responsibility to set the ethos, vision and strategic direction of this welcoming and inclusive village school and ensure all statutory duties are met. We do not get involved in the day-to-day running of the school which is the responsibility of the Headteacher and her team. Governors are volunteers and do not get paid for being governors.
We are made up of a cross section of this vibrant community – parents, staff and local representatives who give their time and knowledge to the school. This cross section of influence allows our Board to maintain the character of our Church of England school and its great relationship with the wider community including strong links to our local churches in the Len Valley Benefice.
How do we work?
Governors work to monitor progress towards targets on specific areas of the school. The targets are set by the Headteacher and set out in the School Plan (link) and the Five Year Strategic Plan. We do this by visiting the school, checking relevant information and asking questions so we can report back to the committees.
We have three committees which have a specific focus: Curriculum and Quality of Teaching; Finance and Personnel; and Christian Ethos and Wellbeing. Actions can be agreed at the committees and decisions can then be ratified at the full Board meetings which are held four times a year.
Although Governors hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of the staff, we take a collaborative approach to ensure we work as one team. We also oversee the financial performance and ensure the school’s money is well spent.
The Governing Board has specific responsibilities and legal duties in respect of the curriculum, safeguarding, discipline, finance, appointments and dismissal of staff, school premises, health and safety matters and for pupils with special educational needs.
Supporting the Governing Board is the Clerk to the Governors. This role is part of the school team and on the school payroll and is undertaken by Mrs Debbie Stryzyk.
The following list shows the current governors and their roles:
Jo Greasley
Chair of Governors (Local Authority Governor)
Lead roles: HT Performance Management Panel; Curriculum Committee; Finance & Personnel Committee; Safeguarding Governor
Term of office: 8th July 2021-7th July 2024
Register of Business Interests: None
I’m very pleased to have another chance to work with this lovely school. Some of you may know me from my time as an LSA in Dormice Class (Year 2) which I enjoyed immensely. I’ve lived in the village with my husband and step-daughter for over 20 years and have seen many changes not least with the school itself. I love taking long walks with our dog, Basil, and spending time travelling.
I’m hoping my prior knowledge of the school and skills and experience from my career in central Government will help the school to continue to prosper.
Ali Waller-Davies
Head Teacher (Ex-Officio)
During my long and varied teaching career, I have taught all year groups across the primary years; working in Surrey, The Borough of Bromley and Kent. My husband and I moved to Maidstone over twenty years ago and when our children were small I taught part term and have been at Harrietsham since September 2007. Although teaching is a challenging job, I have never regretted my career decision.
I love being outside, walking and enjoying the countryside and I also get a buzz from singing, having been in choirs and choral groups since the age of 7.
I am passionate about the education and nurture of our children and I am extremely proud to be leading this school.
Robbie Ferguson
Joint Vice-Chair of Governors (Parent Governor)
Lead roles: Chair – Curriculum Committee; HT Appraisal (appeals)
Term of office: 12th October 2020-11th October 2023
Register of Business Interests: None
Louise Wickenden
Joint Vice-Chair of Governors (Parent Governor)
Lead roles: Vice-Chair – Finance & Personnel Committee; Finance Governor
Term of office: 7th October 2021-6th October 2024
Register of Business Interests: Book-keeper – client is parent at the school
I have been a parent of children at Harrietsham School for the last 8 years. I have a vested interest in both the school and the local parent community. This interest led me to take on the role of parent governor. One of my children is now at secondary school, while the other is working her way up through the school.
Over these years, I have become very familiar with the workings of the school both as a parent and also as a member of the PTFA. During my last 3 years on the PTFA I took on the role of treasurer.
This experience within the school setting, alongside my finance background, has enabled me to take on the role of Finance Governor, which is a challenge I enjoy.
Chris Back
Parent Governor
Term of office: 14th November 2022-13th November 2025
Elinir Roberts
Co-Opted Governor
Term of Office: 30th November 2022-29th November 2025
Simon Betts
Parent Governor
Lead roles: HT Performance Management Panel; Christian Ethos and Wellbeing Committee; Safeguarding Governor
Term of office: 7th October 2021-6th October 2024
Register of Business Interests: None
Hi I’m Simon and I have recently been appointed to the role of parent governor. I have twin boys who joined the school last academic year, so I was keen to get more involved with the school to help shape its future direction and continue to achieve its aims and targets.
My background is in running commercial teams for large organisations, this have provided me the skill set in creating high performing teams, who are set up to deliver their plans with all the support in place. It also means I am used to numbers, budgets and tackling complex problems. I hope this experience will help Harrietsham continue to perform at the highest level for staff and children and the wider community.
Emily Brazier
Foundation Governor
Lead roles: Curriculum Committee; SEND Governor
Term of office: 10th May 2022-9th May 2025
Register of Business Interests: None
Rev. Charlotte Coles
Foundation Governor
Lead roles: Vice-Chair – Christian Ethos and Wellbeing Committee
Term of office: 9th November 2020-8th November 2024
Register of Business Interests: None
Rebecca Emson
Co-opted Governor
Lead roles: Curriculum Committee; Training and Development Governor
Term of office: 18th March 2021-17th March 2024
Register of Business Interests: None
Ben Walker
Staff Governor
Term of office: 29th September 2022-28th September 2024
Revd. John Huggins
Foundation Governor (Ex-Officio)
Lead roles: Chair – Christian Ethos and Wellbeing Committee; HT Performance Management Panel (Chair)
First appointed on: 30th October 2017
Register of Business Interests: None
I joined the Governing Body as an Ex-Officio Foundation Governor after being licensed to be Priest-in-Charge of Len Valley Benefice, which includes Harrietsham. I have a background in leadership within science and industry, and am of course trained in pastoral care and child development and spirituality. In my previous post, I was chair of Governors of a small village school and took particular interest in monitoring EYFS. I look forward to helping the school continue to build on their school vision of quality teaching within a Christian ethos.
Ryan Slaughter
Co-opted Governor
Lead roles: Chair – Finance and Personnel Committee; Pupil Premium Governor
Term of office: 12th May 2022-11th May 2025
Register of Business Interests: None
My wife and two children moved to Harrietsham last year, moving our daughter Erin from schools to another was the potentially the most stressful part of the process. But the school has been amazingly welcoming, inclusive and supportive and has been a transformative experience both educationally and in non-curricular actives for our daughter. With our son starting at the school in September, I feel it is great time to give something back, especially in a strategic role as a School Governor.
Professionally I work for UNISON the Public Service Trade Union representing over 100,000 workers in services across the South East including education, local government, health services, police, energy and amenity services. Whilst I have previously led on our strategic industrial policy and relations across Kent for a number of years gaining an extensive knowledge of both primary and secondary education, including funding, reorganisations, academy conversions and delivery across the county. I have 15 years’ experience both negotiating with large public and private employers and advising on employment law and public policy. Currently I lead our policy, campaigning and political work across the South East developing key strategic political relationships with decision makers both at National and Local levels, managing and delivering high profile communication projects and financial oversight and controls over campaigning projects to protect public services and make working people’s lives better.
It is that strong sense of public service and giving back to the community which drove me to stand as a School Governor.
We work in partnership with the Headteacher and her senior leaders to make the school the best it can be for all staff and pupils. It is our responsibility to set the ethos, vision and strategic direction of this welcoming and inclusive village school and ensure all statutory duties are met. We do not get involved in the day-to-day running of the school which is the responsibility of the Headteacher and her team. Governors are volunteers and do not get paid for being governors.
We are made up of a cross section of this vibrant community – parents, staff and local representatives who give their time and knowledge to the school. This cross section of influence allows our Board to maintain the character of our Church of England school and its great relationship with the wider community including strong links to our local churches in the Len Valley Benefice.
Governors Attendance