Governance

School Governance:

Governors serve as a key link between the schools, parents/carers and the local community. They monitor the performance of the school, advising the Trustees of any concerns.

We have a committed team of Governors on the school Challenge & Community Board who are actively involved in the life of the school. They reflect the community we serve and include parent representatives.

The Governors are passionate about our School and are here to make sure that every pupil is given the best education, opportunities and experiences possible. They play an important role in overseeing the work of the school, acting as “critical friends” for the Senior Leadership Team and holding the school to account for performance and development.

Adam Copping - parent governor 

Adam is a parent with an understanding of the rewards and challenges that learning can provide for different children. He is passionate about supporting all children to be resilient, life long learners. 

Adam works in the financial services industry. He brings expertise in being a critical friend to support his governance role. 

• Date of appointment: 17 March 2025

• Appointed by: Parents

• Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

• Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

• Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): Parent

Joanna Dalzell - co-opted governor and Chair 

Joanna an experienced leader and manager of Inclusion Service teams and qualified teacher.  She is passionate about working in collaboration with other professionals to co-ordinate services and ensure the needs of children, young people and their families are met and engaging pupils in learning that is appropriate to their individual needs.

Joanna volunteered to be a governor to use her skills to benefit the community she lives in.

• Date of appointment: 16 July 2024

• Appointed by: Trustees

• Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

• Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

• Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None

Joanne Ling - co-opted governor 

Joanne is a former Deputy Headteacher, with a long-standing career in primary education. Joanne wishes to make a difference to the local community through her role as governor. 

• Date of appointment: 16 December 2025

• Appointed by: Trustees

• Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

• Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

• Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None

Lucy Martin - parent governor 

Lucy is a Partnership Executive for a national charity. 

Lucy cares deeply about the kind of school experience our children have - how they learn, how they feel, and how they grow. She enjoys supporting the school to continue to bring the Trust vision to life and nurture ambitious, respectful, confident scholars.

• Date of appointment: 21 March 2026

• Appointed by: Parents

• Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

• Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

• Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): Family member employed by another Trust school until 31.08.26 

Am'e Moris - ex-offico governor 

Am'e is the Executive Head Teacher and a governor by virtue of her position.

• Date of appointment: 19 March 2026

• Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

• Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

• Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): Partner delivers peripatetic classes to Primary schools in the trust. 

Debra Okitikpi - co-opted governor

Debra brings 35 years of educational experience to our governing body, including 15 years as a Headteacher. Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for equality and innovation; serving as an advisory teacher for the Development Programme for Racial Equality in Brent and a Visiting Professor at Roehampton University, mentoring the next generation of teachers.

Under her leadership, her school was the first in its Local Authority to pioneer a student social worker placement. She also championed global citizenship, leading her school to become a UNICEF Rights Respecting School and establishing international links via the British Council with schools in Kenya, Afghanistan and Spain.

After retiring, Debra continued her commitment to the sector by volunteering with the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in their education department. She has been a school governor since 2019.

• Date of transfer to Folkestone Primary CCB: 1 June 2026

• Date of appointment: 01.09.24

• Appointed by: Board

• Relevant business and pecuniary interests:  None

• Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

• Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): Spouse is trustee of Turner Schools