Governance
Trust Governance
St Stephen's Infants School is part of the Turner Schools Multi Academy Trust.
Our Governance Structure ensures there are clear reporting lines and explicit requirements to ensure probity, good governance and outstanding performance.
Members are responsible for determining the governance of the Trust. They approve our Articles of Association and appoint Trustees in accordance with the Articles.
The Board of trustees has collective accountability and responsibility for the academy trust and assuring itself that there is compliance with regulatory, contractual, and statutory requirements. The academy trust board provides:
Strategic leadership of the academy trust: the board defines the trust vision for high quality and inclusive education in line with its charitable objects. It establishes and fosters the trust’s culture and sets and champions the trust strategy including determining what governance functions are delegated to the local tier
Accountability and assurance: the board has robust effective oversight of the operations and performance of the academy trust, including the provision of education, pupil welfare, overseeing and ensuring appropriate use of funding and effective financial performance and keeping their estate safe and well maintained
Engagement: the board has strategic oversight of relationships with stakeholders. The board involves parents, schools and communities so that decision-making is supported by meaningful engagement.
All Members, Trustees and Governors complete an annual declaration of Business Interests and declare any pecuniary interests in meetings.
The Board delegates responsibilities to the school Challenge & Community Board as set out in the Scheme of Delegation.
View our Articles and Memorandum of Association.
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 Challenge & Community Board who are actively involved in the life of the school. St Stephen's Infants and Chartham Primary schools have a joint Challenge & Community Board, membership is representative of both school communities and includes parent representatives.
The Governors are passionate about our schools 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.
Challenge and Community Board (CCB)
Chair: Kimberley Foulkes
Vice Chair: Debra Okitikpi
To contact the Chair, please email governance@turnerschools.com
CCB Safeguarding Lead: Emily Wassell
CCB SEND Lead: Debra Okitikpi
Lead Safeguarding Trustee: Dr Toyin Okitikpi
Michael Bishaey - co-opted governor
Michael is a Cyber Security Manager with expertise in risk management, continuous improvement and adaptation which he applies to the role of school governor.
He is passionate about supporting the school in achieving its goals and serving the local community. He is motivated by making a positive contribution to the educational journey of young learners.
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): Child at Chartham Primary since 2023
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25
Alice Edgington - ex-officio governor
Alice is the Head Teacher of St Stephen's. She is currently completing a Masters in Senior Leadership.
Alice is passionate about inclusion and an advocate for Care Experienced people, respite fostering and supporting fostering social events.
Date of appointment: 01.09.24
Appointed by: Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: Vice Chair Haven Nook (from Sep 2022-Sep 2026), governor at Folkestone Academy (July 2024 - July 2028)
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25:
Kimberley Foulkes - co-opted governor
Kimberley is an Audit Supervisor with a specialism in Multi-Academy Trust audit and advisory work. She is a qualified accountant and Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Association.
Kimberley has served as the joint Vice Chair of an Academy Trust Board and Chair of a MAT Finance Audit and Risk Committee. Kimberley is also the Vice Chair of a registered charity. She is delighted to contribute to the vision and future of Chartham Primary and St Stephen's Infants schools.
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): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25:
Dr Agnieszka (Aga) Gordon - co-opted governor
Aga has worked as university lecturer for several years, run her own company, and founded and manages a Polish supplementary school. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Aga is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, and has a PhD in Chemistry and an MBA. Aga is an experienced governor.
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): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25:
Debra Okitikpi - co-opted governor
Debra is a retired Head Teacher who taught for 35 years and held various management and teaching posts.
Debra is an experienced governor.
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): Husband is trustee of Turner Schools
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25:
Suzanne (Suzy) Mikhail - co-opted governor
Suzy is a Chartered Accountant specialising in governance, internal audit and risk management. She is well accustomed to being a critical friend and giving constructive challenge in a professional capacity.
Suzy is an experienced governor who is passionate about personal development and pupil well-being. Suzy enjoys supporting schools to achieve their strategic priorities.
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): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25:
Claire Morgan - Parent governor (Chartham Primary)
Claire has a financial, audit and risk background working in the financial services sector. She is pleased to be a parent Governor and utilising her assurance skills to support the school in achieving its mission and vision.
Date of appointment: 01.09.24
Appointed by: Board (elected by parents prior to transfer of Inspira trust to Turner Schools)
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): Child at Chartham Primary
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25:
Jamie Noble - ex-officio governor (Chartham Primary)
Jamie is the Head Teacher of Chartham Primary and governor by virtue of this position.
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): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25:
Natasha Wallace - Parent governor (St Stephen's Infants)
Natasha is a freelance writer and copy editor predominantly working for the London Business School, collaborating with their Faculty to create course content for the University's publishing arm, and copy edit their online courses.
Natasha brings governance experience from the education and arts and heritage sectors and is delighted to support Chartham Primary and St Stephen's to achieve their strategic objectives.
Date of appointment: 01.09.24
Appointed by: Board (elected by parents prior to transfer of Inspira trust to Turner Schools)
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): Child at St Stephen's Infants
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25:
Emily Wassell - co-opted governor
Emily is the manager of The Firs Nursery on the site of Chartham Primary School. She previously worked as a teacher, SENCO and assistant head-teacher in schools throughout Kent.
Emily has a passion for Early Years Education and enjoys supporting the school and its staff to drive the strategic direction and development, raising standards of achievement.
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): Children at Chartham Primary
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25:
Emma Whitehead - co-opted governor
Emma has been in Primary Education for over 20 years as a KS2 teacher with a subject responsibility for music. Latterly, Emma has run her own peripatetic music teaching business, working across a number of schools.
Emma spent 7 years as a staff governor during her role as a KS2 teacher. She has also served as a governor for Chartham Primary School whilst part of Inspira Trust, utilising her experience in the Primary sector to provide insight into the strategic leadership aspects of school life.
Date of appointment: 01.09.24
Appointed by: Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: Nominated person on the Firs Nursery management committee (since 2020)
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives):
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25: