Introduction to the Governors
Responsibilities and Functions
The Governing Body exists to support and contribute to the strategic development plan of our school.
The Local Governing Body has two core strategic functions: ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction, and holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils. Whilst the Headteacher is responsible for the day-to-day management and leadership of the school, the Governing Body is involved with overseeing the curriculum, pupil welfare, premises, personnel and school finances at a strategic level.
The governors implement a programme of monitoring in the following key areas:
- Safeguarding
- Effectiveness of Leadership and Management
- Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
- Personal Development, Behaviour, and Welfare
- Outcomes for all pupils
We are fortunate to have a very dedicated team of governors, who are actively involved in the life of the school.
Contact us
If you wish to bring any matters to the attention of the Governing Body, please address your correspondence to: Chair of Governors, c/o Kents Hill Junior School, Kents Hill Road, Benfleet, Essex, SS7 5PS
Interested in joining us?
If you have a keen interest in the school and be prepared to play an active role, we would love to hear from you!
You don’t have to be a parent or have any special qualifications to become a Governor: If you care about children and young people and the education they receive, and can spare some time, you can make a difference by becoming a school governor and helping shape the future our pupils!
Having been inducted, optional training will be available as the successful applicant develops within the team. There are presently three Local Governing Body meetings a year starting at 6.00pm and six monitoring sessions, usually from 9.00am until 1.00pm. Whilst it may not possible to attend on all occasions, governors are expected to prepare for and attend as many as possible. For any questions, please contact the Chair of Governors.
If you are interested, we warmly invite you to contact the school office for an application form. To support the written application, the selection will also be based on an informal interview. The successful candidate will also need to undertake an Enhanced DBS check, which we will arrange.
Introduction to our Governors
Mrs Annie Sutton (Chair) Co-opted Governor, of Multi Academy Trust
Date of appointment: 20/10/2018, Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr N Alston) and Headteacher (Mr. M. Thomas)
Business and pecuniary interest: Governor at Kents Hill Infants School
Mrs Emma Howell (Vice Chair)
Date of appointment: 28/04/2017, Term of Office 4 years
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr Nick Alston) and Head of Academy (Mrs H Alabaster)
Business and pecuniary interests: none
Mr Paul Anderson (Parent Governor)
Date of appointment: 18/12/2017, Term of Office 4 years
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mrs Tanja Collins) and Head of Academy (Mrs H Alabaster)
Business and pecuniary interests: none
Miss Nicola Hovey (Staff Governor)
Date of appointment: 16/09/2015, Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr N Alston) and Headteacher (Mr. M. Thomas)
Business and pecuniary interest: Teacher at Kents Hill Junior School
Mrs Vicky Murray (Co-opted Governor) Link Governor from The King John School
Date of appointment: 09/10/2018
Business and pecuniary interest: Teacher at King John School
Miss Jacqueline Line (Co-opted Governor)
Date of appointment:08/01/2019
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mrs Tanja Collins) and Mrs Annie Sutton (Vice Chair)
Mr Michael Thomas (Executive Head Teacher)
Mrs Sharon Littlejohn (Clerk)
Governors who have resigned :
Mrs Tanja Collins (Chair of Local Governing Body), Link Governor for Safeguarding, Special Educational Needs and Governor Training
Date of appointment: 10/10/2017, Term of office: 4 years
Business and pecuniary interest: Parent Governor at The King John School
Previously Co-opted Governor, appointed 20/10/2014
Term of Office: 4 years Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr N. Alston) and Headteacher (Mr. M. Thomas)
Mr Jon Galgey (Parent Governor)
Date of appointment: 17/12/2017, Term of Office 4 years
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mrs Tanja Collins) and Head of Academy (Mrs H Alabaster)
Business and pecuniary interests: none
Mr Paul Finch (Associated Member to the Local Governing Body)
Date of appointment: 10/02/2014, Term of Office: 4 years, stepped back to become Associate Member in November 2017
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr N Alston) and Headteacher (Mr. M. Thomas)
Business and pecuniary interest: None
Mrs Nicola Spearmen (Associate Governor) Link Governor from The King John School
Date of appointment: 16/09/2015, Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr N Alston) and Headteacher (Mr. M. Thomas)
Business and pecuniary interest: The King John School, Head of KS3
Mr Michael Noakes (Parent Governor)
Date of appointment: 02/01/2018, Term of Office 4 years
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mrs Tanja Collins) and Head of Academy (Mrs H Alabaster)
Business and pecuniary interests: none
Mrs Samantha Challis (Parent Governor)
Date of appointment: 28/04/2017, Term of office 4 years
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr Nick Alston) and Head of Academy (Mrs H Alabaster)
Business and pecuniary interests: none
Mr Nick Alston Chair of Local Governing Body, Co-opted Governor, Member of Multi Academy Trust and lead governor for monitoring the Sports Premium and Pupil Behaviour.
Date of appointment: 06/11/2013 Term of Office: 4 years Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr S Taylor) and Headteacher (Mr. M. Thomas) Business and pecuniary interest: None
Mrs Iris Mead Co-opted Governor, of Multi Academy Trust; lead governor for monitoring teaching and learning,British values; Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Education.
Date of appointment: 17/04/2002 Term of Office: 4 years (Has been extended) Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr N Alston) and Headteacher (Mr. M. Thomas) Business and pecuniary interest: None
Mr Craig Crighton Parent Governor, Lead governor for Health and Safety and Pupil Premium Grant
Date of appointment: 10/11/2015 Term of Office: 4 years Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr N Alston) and Headteacher (Mr. M. Thomas) Business and pecuniary interest: None
Mr P Calvert Previously Parent Governor,
Date of resignation: 03/11/2016 Date of appointment: 10/11/2015 Term of Office: 4 years Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr N Alston) and Headteacher (Mr. M. Thomas) Business and pecuniary interest: None
Mrs Hannah Alabaster Staff Governor,
Date of resignation: 31/08/2018 Date of appointment: 16/09/2015, Term of Office: 4 years
Appointed by Chair of Governors (Mr N Alston) and Headteacher (Mr. M. Thomas)
Business and pecuniary interest: Head of Academy
