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Meet the Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

Our Governing Body

The key role of the Governors is to support the school as critical friends, providing a strategic overview and ensuring accountability. They are unpaid volunteers who represent the community the school serves. 

If you wish to contact the governors all communication should be addressed to Ms Sharon Page, the clerk, via the school office.

The governing body is made up of 8 governors as shown below:

  • 3 parent governors; appointed by parental election.
  • 1 LA governor; appointed by the local authority.
  • 1 staff governor; elected by a vote of the staff
  • 1 Headteacher
  • 1 foundation governor
  • Up to 4 co-opted governors, appointed by the governing body to fill any gaps in their skills base.

Mr Max Gregory - Chair of Governors

Appointed: January 2023

  • Term of Office: 4 years
  • Appointed as a Co-Opted Governor
  • No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.
  • Member of: 
  • Attendance 2023/24: 8/8

Taralee Kennedy - Headteacher (Ex officio)

  • Appointed September 2022
  • Attendance 2023/2024: 8/8

Sara Patterson - Staff Governor

  • Appointed: November 2020
  • Term of Office: 4 years
  • Appointed as a staff Governor
  • No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.
  • Attendance 2023/2024: 8/8

Mrs Lisa Shaw - Parent Governor

I was in the Police for 12 years specialising as a detective within child protection which is a role I loved and found very rewarding, alongside this I also worked as Family Liaison Officer supporting families who had experienced bereavement.

I am married with 3 children, they all attend the school.

I am also the Chair of the PTFA, I love being involved in organising the events for the children and seeing their enjoyment while also raising much needed money for the school and am sure that these two roles will compliment each other and benefit the school.

I wanted to be a parent governor to be more involved with the school and how it works as well as having a keen personal interest in child welfare, development and education.

In my role as a parent governor no matter what decisions I am involved in I will always have the best interests of the children at heart.

  • Appointed: April 2023
  • Term of Office: 4 years
  • Appointed as a Parent Governor
  • No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.
  • Member of the Learning & Development Committee
  • Attendance 2023/24: 8/8

Mrs Poppy Montgomery

Having lived in the Parish of St Nicholas–at–Wade and attended the Church for the last 43 years I am delighted to have joined the Governing body of the school.

I initially qualified as a primary school teacher and moved to Thanet following my marriage.  I have spent the last 42 years running a farm/holiday letting business locally.

As a Grandmother of four I realise the importance of these formative years in instilling and developing the values and skills in young people that will serve them well throughout their lives.

  • Appointed: July 2024
  • Term of Office: 4 years
  • Appointed as a Foundation Parochial Church Council (PCC) Governor
  • No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.
  • Member of the Learning & Development Committee
  • Attendance 2023/24: 8/8

Mr James Kendall - Co-Opted Governor

I began my teaching career in Margate in 2003. I began working at a large, all through primary school called Drapers Mills and entered onto the accelerated leadership programme in September of that year. The national college gave me opportunities for leadership at an early point and I became Numeracy coordinator in my second year. I taught various year groups from Year 1 to Year 6 but spent most of my time in Year 6.

In 2006 I became Assistant Head Teacher responsible for upper KS2, all statutory assessments and behaviour. I progressed to Deputy Head Teacher in 2008. I embarked upon my NPQH in 2010 and in June 2012 I moved to my first headship at Northdown Primary School. This school had a challenging demographic and had been requiring improvement for a number of years. We moved the school to Good in 2 years.

In September 2015, I took on an executive headship by adding Salmestone Primary School in Margate to my leadership responsibilities.

After 12 years in Thanet, I took the opportunity to work in North Kent for The Pathway Academy Trust. I was the Head Teacher of Riverview Junior School from April 2017 to July 2022. Riverview is a large 4 form entry Junior school with nearly 500 pupils. This school also serves a challenging demographic and had been judged as Requiring Improvement in its last 2 inspections, the last being June 2016. At our most recent Ofsted, February 2022, the school was judged as Good but we were awarded Outstanding for Behaviour & Attitudes, Personal Development and Leadership & Management.

I have recently been appointed as Executive Head Teacher within The Golden Thread Alliance, a medium-sized trust comprising of 9 schools.

I am currently The Education People’s lead trainer on the ‘PE & Sports Premium Funding’ and ‘Evidencing Impact for Governors.’

I will be commencing my Ofsted training this year.

I truly believe that all children should reach their full academic potential and look back at their time in Primary school with absolute admiration, irrespective of Gender, Race, Disability or Background.

I was born in Margate and apart from a few years away, I have lived there all my life. I understand the community and have a passion for doing all I can to improve the life chances of children who live in Thanet.

I live on the outskirts of Margate with my wife, Vicky and our three children.

Outside of school, I am a passionate follower of sport and will try and attend as many events that time will allow.

Appointed: July 2022

  • Term of Office: 4 years
  • Appointed as a Co-Opted Governor
  • No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.
  • Member of: Learning and Development Committee
  • Attendance 2021/22: 7/8

Mr Alan Cadby - Co-Opted Governor

Appointed: January 2023

  • Term of Office: 4 years
  • Appointed as a Co-Opted Governor
  • No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.
  • Member of: Learning and Development Committee
  • Attendance 2023/24: 5/8

Resigned within the previous 12 months:

Dr Peter Troke 

  • Appointed November 2020
  • Resigned November 2024

Mr Ashley White 

  • Appointed March 2021
  • Resigned July 2024

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