Meet the Governors
Our governors are committed to working hard to ensure the best for all pupils at Hernhill. They can be contacted directly by leaving a note/letter at the school office or via email governors@hernhill.kent.sch.uk
All our governors are appointed for a 4 year term of office.
The Hernhill governing body consists of 14 governors;
- 2 parent governors
- 1 local authority governor
- 1 staff governor
- 6 co-opted governors
- 3 foundation governors (1 is the priest in charge of the parish)
- 1 headteacher governor
The governing body meets 4 times per school year with additional committee meetings. There are 3 committees - Resources / Learning & Development / Christian Distinctiveness.
Our governors
Mrs Fiona Palmer
Co-opted Governor (Chair of Governors)
Re-appointed March 2023 (original apppointment March 2019)
I have a daughter at Hernhill, therefore I am passionate about supporting the school to help every child flourish. I come from a background in education; I have worked within various primary schools for 18 years, as a mainstream teacher, SENCO and special needs teacher. I am keen to use my experience to support this amazing school in its ongoing journey.
Mrs Helen Figgis
LA Governor (Chair of Distinctiveness Ctte)
Re-appointed November 2022 (original appointment 2004)
I have been a governor for the last nineteen years and was part of the move from the old school to the new building in 2004. I have been chair of governors since 2005. I am a country person, enjoy sport and I have two grown up children, one of whom attended Hernhill when they were younger. I have had close links with community all of my life. It is a privilege to work with keen and motivated staff who are all eager to provide the best for the children here at Hernhill.
Mrs Sarah Alexander
Headteacher
Appointed September 2016
I became headteacher of Hernhill CE Primary School in September 2016. I am passionate about providing every child with the best opportunities so that they can achieve to their fullest potential. I am very proud to lead such a hard-working and dedicated team of staff who go ‘above and beyond’ every day. Our core Christian values of compassion, forgiveness, resilience, respect and truthfulness are at the heart of all that we do.
Mr Harvey Sharp
Staff Governor
AppointedJanuary 2025
I graduated from Middlesex University in 1993 with a Geography degree before working in television for 7 years. I qualified as a teacher from Christchurch University, Canterbury in 2001. I have been teaching at Hernhill Church of England Primary School since September 2006. This will be my second term as a teacher Governor. Hernhill is a wonderful school with amazing children. I feel extremely privileged to work alongside such talented, caring and considerate staff.
Revd. Cathrine Ngangira
Foundation Governor
Appointed October 2023 (ex-officio)
I am the Priest-in-Chareg of the Benefice of St Michael's Hernhill, Boughton with Dunkirk and Graveney with Goodnestone. The position includes the Governor position at Hernhill school. I was born in Zimbabwe and moved over to the UK in 2016 to be part of the Community of St Anselm at Lambeth Palace in London. Ordination followed some years later. God has brought me to Hernhill and I look forward to being part of the school community.
Mrs Lisa Alexander-Bailey
Foundation Governor
Re-appointed January 2021 (original appointment August 2011)
I was elected onto the Governing body as a Local Authority governor in 2011, which following the reconstitution subsequently changed to become a co-opted governor. I have worked for the last 21 years with KCC within the social services, education and property units. My role is varied as I cover all schools within the Kent County Council maintained area (excluding Medway) – which has meant that I deal with maintenance programmes; asset rationalisation of buildings; building projects; expansion of schools; relocation of schools; pupil referral units etc thus ensuring that the built environment for education is suitable and fit for purpose. I have three children and am also a Sunday School teacher at our local church. I am also a governor at Barton Manor Secondary School in Canterbury.
VACANCY
Foundation Governor
Mrs Amy Merritt
Parent Governor
Appointed November 2023.
I work in children’s services for Kent County Council. One of the things I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to listen to and understand different people’s experiences. I’m passionate about making time and space for everyone’s voice to be heard. I have experience in working with schools and families and in managing projects. Over the last 15 years in my job, I’ve also learned a lot about how we can make best use of (often limited) resources to support children, families and communities. I currently have two girls in the juniors at Hernhill.
Mrs Jess Yeldon
Parent Governor
Appointed December 2022
I currently have a daughter in the infants. I also have two sons who are both in secondary school, but spent their entire primary career at Hernhill. This is my 10th year here with 6 more to go! I was an active member of the PTAFA for 6 years and spent three of them as Co chair, so I have been heavily involved in school life to date. Before becoming a mother I was a secondary school English teacher so have always a keen interest in Education. In fact I completed my Masters in Dickens and Victorian Literature just after my daughter was born. I have always been interested in becoming a Governor, and now that I am back at the school it seemed like the perfect time to join, as I going to be here for a significant time going forward.
Mrs Kelly Lasarow
Co-opted Governor
Appointed December 2022
I am a Chartered Wealth Manager (CISI & CII) with 18 years in Banking and Private Client Wealth Management. My Chartered Qualifications include Economics, Corporate Governance, Board Structures, ESG investment, Tax & Trust Planning to name a few. I took all of these exams in my own time to further develop my skills. We are blessed with 3 wonderful boys under 5, our eldest is at Hernhill with our two younger boys to follow. Giving our children the best start in life is top of our priority list and I am passionate about supporting the development of ours and fellow parents children.
Mr Craig Scandrett
Co-opted Governor (Vice Chair and Chair of Resources Ctte)
Re-appointed September 2022 (original appointment September 2018)
I was appointed as a co-opted governor in September 2018 whilst my two children were pupils of the school. They have both moved on to secondary education however I have remained a governor, currently as vice-chair of the board and chair of the Resources Committee. As a qualified Chartered Accountant, my finance expertise helps me assist the school in successfully maintaining budgetary control of its resources. I am currently employed by a company that clears unexploded remnants of war around the world, and this work to create a better future mirrors my desire to help the school give its pupils a bright future, by allowing all of the children the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Mrs Liz Wright
Co-opted Governor
Appointed December 2020
I was appointed as a co-opted governor in December 2020. I am the link governor for the Creative Curriculum and a member of the Christian Distinctiveness Committee. I currently work part-time as a TA at St Edmund’s School in Canterbury. Prior to having my family, I worked as a HR Consultant in a number of different sectors. My family moved to the area over four years ago and have been warmly welcomed into the village. As a governor I want to contribute to the Hernhill community, who have been so kind to us, by supporting and assisting the school, which is at the heart of this lovely community.
Ms Lucy Duff
Co-opted Governor
Appointed December 2023
I am a Hernhill parent with a son in year R. As a Constructed Textiles graduate and musician, I have a creative approach to strategizing and problem solving which has led me to my current role as Area Manager for Kent Music, a music education charity and lead partner of the Music Education Hub for Kent. Previously I worked as a TA and Music HLTA at a primary school, planning and delivering the music curriculum and extra-curricular activities. I am passionate about enabling all pupils to access diverse, creative and authentic learning experiences.
Mr Nik Bell
Co-opted Governor (Chair of Learning & Development Ctte)
Appointed December 2023
I am a current lead teacher of a secondary school within Canterbury and a parent at Hernhill. With my personal experiences with dyslexia, I strive to make sure every child feels like they can access everything within the school’s environment and their educational journey. I firmly believe every child has a right to a brilliant education and I am excited to work with the support of the community and all the fantastic staff to ensure we provide this.
What do governing bodies do?
The school’s governing body is responsible overall for the conduct of the school and must lead the school with a view to promoting high standards of achievement. It should fulfil its functions in a strategic way. Broadly speaking governing bodies have responsibilities in the following areas:
- Ensuring the school’s clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff, and,
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
How are governing bodies made up?
Governing bodies were required to undergo a process of re-constitution before September 2015. This was to ensure they have a dynamic governing body which is no larger than it needs to be, with governors who are actively contributing the relevant skills and experience. They are:
- Parent governors - elected by other parents at the school;
- A staff governor - elected by teachers and support staff working at the school;
- The Headteacher;
- A local authority governor - nominated by the local authority; appointed by the governing body
- Co-opted governors - chosen and appointed by the governing body; and
- Foundation governors at church schools - appointed by the diocesan boards and church authorities.
Relevant business and financial Interests
For academic year 2022-2023
Governing Body Diversity data
Diversity data 2023-24 - anonymised
Governors who have served over the past 12 months
- Mrs Emily Andrews. Parent governor. Appointed October 2020. Stood down July 2023.
- Mrs Alison Soltani-Davies. Parent governor. Appointed October 2020 stood down November 2022.
- Mr David Dowle. Co-opted governor. Appointed December 2021, stood down September 2022.