Governors

Diversity

As a school, we recognise that a diversity of thought, voices, and perspectives is essential to good governance and the effective running of any organisation. We regularly collect diversity information from our governors and, depending on current data, can use this to:

• target recruitment to address gaps in experience and diversity
• develop and adapt practices to ensure full participation
• prioritise training and awareness-raising in identified areas
• address potential 'blind spots' by seeking wider advice and perspectives on current and upcoming opportunities, challenges, and risks

However, we are unable to publish this information as it would mean that individual members of our Governing Body are identifiable.

Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

The Governors would like to welcome you to Ethelbert Road Primary School. Ethelbert Road Primary School is a maintained school and our Governing Body is guided by the Department of Education regulations and has 3 core functions:

• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance and management of staff
• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

Meet the Governors

Johanna Jennings

Chair of Governors  

I have been a parent governor at Ethelbert Road since November 2020 and was appointed as Co Vice Chair in October 2021. I was appointed Chair of Governors in October 2022. I have two children at the school. I want to play a part in the great work the school team already does in ensuring that the good mental health and well-being of the children is fundamental to their school experience.

• Appointed as Chair of Governors for a term of 2 years: October 2022
• Term of Office: 4 Years - 25 November 2020 to 24 November 2024
• Appointed by Parents.  
• No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.
• Pupil Premium and GDPR 
• Attendance last year: 6/6

Jonathan Richardson  

Vice Chair/ Local Authority Governor

I have been a governor at Ethelbert Road since March 2018, firstly as a parent governor and now as the local authority governor, and Vice Chair. I was appointed as a local authority governor in February 2022. It is a privilege for me to be able to support the children and staff in their learning and development, and to use my knowledge and experience to help to enable their continuing improvement and success.  

• Appointed: February 2022
• Term of Office: 4 Years - end of office February 2026
• Appointed by Local Authority
• No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.
• Jonathon is the assessment, Curriculum Monitoring, Finance and EYFS Governor  
• Attendance last year: 6/6

Michele Kirkbride                           

Headteacher

I was delighted to take up the post of Headteacher at Ethelbert Road Primary School in January 2019. With the support of a dedicated team, I endeavour to give each child the best opportunities so they can reach their true potential and leave our school as creative, curious and confident learners. I work closely with the Governing Body to monitor and evaluate the work of the school and constantly look for ways to keep improving. 

Sienna Constantine

Staff Governor

I have been a part of the Ethelbert team since September 2018 and became our Staff Governor in February 2023. I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for our children and that all have an enjoyable Ethelbert experience as we believe that each and every member of our school family is of utmost importance.

• Appointed: February 2023 
• Term of Office: 4 Years - end of office February2027
• Appointed by staff
• No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.
• Attendance last year: 4/4

Tracey Hills                           

Co-opted Governor

I am very lucky to have worked at Ethelbert Road for a number of years and I am pleased to have this opportunity to join the Governing board. I am looking forward to being part of the larger team in ensuring that all children continue to achieve their best outcomes and also continue to enjoy all the amazing experiences that the staff at Ethelbert Road can offer them.

• Appointed: March 2024
• Term of Office: 4 Years - March 2028 
• Appointed by GB Board
• No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.  
• Attendance last year: N/A

Siobhan Price             

Co-opted Governor

I have extensive experience in education delivery across multiple sectors. I currently hold the position of SEND Advisor for KCC with specific responsibility for Inclusion within school Improvement .I have had extensive senior leadership experience, having been an associate Head teacher, deputy headteacher and senior vice principal at two mainstream non selective schools.

My work as SEND Advisor for Kent includes the strategic oversight of SEND.My key responsibilities are:
Leadership of SEN/inclusion in mainstream schools
Implementation of CATIE in mainstream schools.
SEN /inclusion governance
Governance of locality-based resources model
Responsible for SEND implementation plan
Commissioning and mobilisation of projects which link to the inclusion agenda. Link to School Improvement

I am delighted to be a Governor at Ethelbert Road school. In my role as Governor I will be able to contribute to the School and help it to continue providing the best possible education for each child, looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities in the future.

• Appointed: March 2021
• Term of Office: 4 Years - end of office March 2025
• Appointed by GB Board
• No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships
• Attendance last year:6/6 

Ali Rew

Parent Governor

I have two daughters at the school.

Initially from Canterbury I have lived and worked in a variety of countries before settling back in Kent 4 years ago. I have experience in teaching and teaching training as well as student support and academic management in a variety of educational settings. I hope this background and my pragmatic approach can be useful to the school community.

• Appointed: May 2022
• Term of Office: 4 Years - end of office May 2026
• Appointed by Parents
• No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.
• Attendance last year:5/6

David Haigh                                      

Co-opted Governor

In my role as Governor I will use my skills and experience to contribute to the ongoing success of the school and to ensure that all children get the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

• Appointed: October 2022
• Term of Office: 4 Years - end of office October 2026
• Appointed by GB Board
• No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships
• Attendance last year: 4/6

Janet Harris                                      

Co-opted Governor

I have worked in the education sector for 30+ years, both in London Borough of Bexley in a Specialist school and as a School Business Manager at a four-form entry junior school in Kent.  During this time, I have been a staff governor and a parent governor and I am now delighted to be appointed as Co-opted Governor at Ethelbert Road School.

In my role as Governor, I will, using my extensive experience, be able to contribute to the school in order to ensure that the pupils continue to receive the best education that they can so that they reach their full potential.

• Appointed: October 2022
• Term of Office: 4 Years - end of office October 2026
• Appointed by GB Board
• No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships
• Attendance last year: 5/6

Erin Hill-Parks                               

Co-opted Governor

I am excited to help make Ethelbert Road succeed in all areas and be a place where all thrive. I have two children at the school. My background is in higher education and academic publishing. I have experience in data analysis and strategy setting as well as working in a team to achieve key results. 

• Appointed: October 2022
• Term of Office: 4 Years - end of office October 2026
• Appointed by GB Board
• No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships
• Attendance last year:6/6 

Sally Stoker                              

Co-opted Governor

I am an experienced manager and practitioner who has worked in a number of different roles within local authority children's services including children in care and safeguarding. Towards the end of my career I became a senior manager overseeing adoption and fostering services and other types of family placement.

These positions have led me to work closely with education services particularly in relation to special educational needs and safeguarding. I have always seen achieving the best outcomes for children as central to my practise and believe that a school governor position at Ethelbert Road Primary School will enable me to apply this to a new setting. As a stepparent and grandparent I will also offer this additional perspective to parenting.

· Appointed: July 2023

· Term of Office: Appointed by GB Board

· No business or pecuniary interests; or material interests arising from intra-governor or staff relationships.

· Attendance last year: 1/1

Our Governors Code of Conduct can be found on our policy page.