Our Governors
School governors are volunteers whose collective aim and responsibility is to ensure that the education and welfare of all of the children remains the primary focus of the school.
We do this by holding to account the headteacher and staff in a constructive and supportive way.
We take collective responsibility for the overall strategic management of the school and we are legally responsible for this. We are not responsible for managing the day to day running of the school – that is the responsibility of the headteacher.
Our three principal responsibilities are:
- a) To determine the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- b) To hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils.
- c) To oversee the financial performance of the school to ensure that its money is well spent.
Our Governing Body
|
Nominating Authority |
First Appointed |
Term Start |
Term End |
Co-opted governors |
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|
|
|
Mr Ashden Marlow |
Board of Governors |
19 May 2025 |
19 May 2025 |
18 May 2029 |
Mr Graham Letley |
Board of Governors |
16 Jul 2016 |
15 Jul 2024 |
15 Jul 2028 |
VACANCY |
Board of Governors |
|
|
|
Headteacher |
|
|
|
|
Mrs Kristina Dyer |
Board of Governors |
01 Jun 2019 |
01 Jun 2019 |
N/A |
Parent governors |
|
|
|
|
Dr Rachel Van de Merwe |
Parent Election |
26 Jan 2022 |
26 Jan 2022 |
26 Jan 2026 |
Mrs H Lily |
Parent Election |
09 Feb 2023 |
09 Feb 2023 |
08 Feb 2027 |
Mrs Claire Gouldson |
Parent Election |
26 Sep 2024 |
26 Sep 2024 |
25 Sep 2025 |
Staff governor |
|
|
|
|
Mr David Wood |
Staff Election |
21 Sep 2023 |
21 Sep 2023 |
20 Sep 2027 |
Foundation governors |
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|
|
|
Philip Wells |
Methodist Church |
19 Sep 2023 |
19 Sep 2023 |
18 Sep 2027 |
Dawn Irons |
Methodist Church |
16 Nov 2023 |
16 Nov 2023 |
15 Nov 2027 |
Local Authority Governors |
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|
|
|
Mr John Benner |
KCC |
27 Sep 2017 |
27 Jan 2025 |
26 Jan 2029 |
Foundation Ex-Officio |
|
|
|
|
Danny Wheadon |
Methodist Church |
01 Sep 2023 |
01 Sep 2023 |
N/A |
Governance professional |
|
|
|
|
Deborah L Stryzyk |
KCC |
20 Jan 2023 |
09 Feb 2023 |
|
Governors at St Peter’s are drawn from the local education authority, the church, parents, teachers and representatives of the local community.
In consultation with Mrs Dyer and her senior leadership team we are responsible for setting the annual budget, preparing and reviewing the multitude of policies schools are now required to have, appointing staff and agreeing pay, monitoring the school’s performance, and agreeing targets.
The governors have to act collectively and not as individuals although we encourage each governor to take a leading role in a particular area of the school’s affairs.
To sum up our role in a phrase, we are expected to act as a ‘critical friend’ to Mrs Dyer and the school. We challenge in a constructive way how the school is run and support her and her team in carrying out the policies we have agreed. We come from very varied backgrounds: some of us are retired; some of us are still at work; some are parents (with all the family demands that entails) and we can all bring a different contribution to the life of the school including expertise in various fields that can reinforce the resources available to the school. The common strength we have is that we all care about the education and welfare of the children in the school, albeit from varying points of view, and we contribute our experience freely.
We are expected to undergo regular training so that we are up to date in a wide variety of topics including: Safeguarding, Handling complaints, Analysis and interpretation of data, Financial management and Performance management of the headteacher. We monitor what is happening at the school by visiting, observing and asking questions of the staff and the children.
Governor’s areas of responsibility Academic Year 2024-25
Role/Area of Responsibility |
Governor(s) |
Safeguarding |
Mrs C Gouldson |
SEND |
Mr G Letley |
Health & Safety |
Mr J Benner |
Finance |
Mrs H Lily/Mr P Wells |
Pupil Premium |
Mrs H Lily |
Governor Training & Development |
Mr A Marlow |
Website |
Mr G Letley |
Christian Distinctiveness |
Reverend D Wheadon Mr Philip Wells |
Quality of Education |
Mrs R Van de Merwe Mr A Marlow |
Behaviour & Attitudes and Personal Development |
Mr G Letley |
Leadership & Management |
Mr J Benner |
Early Years Foundation Stage |
Mrs D Irons |
OPAL Play Governor |
Mrs R Van de Merwe |
Well Being Governor |
Mrs R Van de Merwe |
Resources Committee |
Mr J Benner (Chair) Mrs H Lily Mr P Wells |
If you want to contact governors, either with positive comments about the school or about an issue that concerns you, please do so by emailing:
jbenner@st-peters-canterbury.kent.sch.uk
Governor Biographies 2022-23
John Benner, Chair of Governors
My daughter joined St Peter’s in 2007, following in the footsteps of 5 other wider family members. The ethos of the school has always been about the children and that each and every one of them is special. I was elected as a parent governor in 2009 with the aim of helping the school in any way I could. As a child I was very lucky to have a good state education and want to help others have those chances. I trained as a lawyer and then became an accountant. I have experience running large corporates as well as small charities and I aim to help our St Peter’s team give opportunities to every child.
Dr Rachel Van de Merwe
Rachel has an academic background, completing a PhD in Molecular Medicine at Newcastle University in 2015. More recently Rachel undertook a post-doctoral research fellowship at UCL resulting in a publication in the esteemed journal Nature Immunology. Since the birth of her son, Rachel has worked as a private tutor teaching science, maths and Kent Test preparation for students from KS2 to A level. Additionally, Rachel is a co-owner of a private dental practice in Kent.
Rachel contributes to the governing body in several ways. Her experience as a business owner helps with strategic planning and financial/legal issues. Her training as a scientist helps with data analysis tasks and the critical evaluation of documents. Rachel has extensive experience of speaking at public science events. This passion for communication with others across all ages and walks of life is of great benefit to her role as a parent governor.
Graham Letley
Graham has four daughters all of whom attended St Peter's School. He became a governor of the school to serve the current St Peter's community to achieve the best outcomes for the pupils, staff and parents. He has over 30 years’ experience teaching in the State and Independent education sector as well as working as a school inspector in the UK and overseas.
Hannah Lily
Hannah is an international lawyer, focused on oceans and environmental law. Hannah's previous work experience includes as a business manager for a large international NGO, a trustee for a children's charity, and as a legal advisor for the UK's Charity Commission. This involved work on compliance issues like child protection and financial management, as well as strategic planning, project management and fundraising, which experience Hannah hopes may prove useful as a school governor. Hannah attended state schools in Canterbury herself and cares about all children being given an opportunity to fulfil their potential. Hannah's son has attended St Peter's since 2020 and she joins the Board as a parent governor.
David Wood
Dave is delighted to have been elected as the staff Governor for St Peter's. In his role as Deputy Headteacher, Dave supports the day-to-day running and management of the school alongside Mrs Dyer. He has worked in education for over 10 years, most recently as a senior leader within primary education since 2019. At St Peter's, Dave leads on Pupil Premium and is keen to champion disadvantaged pupils within the school community. Dave attended St Peter's as a child and is passionate about contributing to its continued development. Dave is proud to represent the staff team on the governing board.
Philip Wells
Philip worked in the NHS as a Medical Physicist for 40 years and Director of Medical Physics for 14 years. In this role, Philip oversaw a £30 million budget and 150 employees; with his experience in budgets and data, he is looking forward using his skills to support the school. Philip was previously a Governor at St Peter's from 1979 - 1993 and had been a Chair of Governors at another school until 2019. Philip is married with two daughters who have fond memories of St Peter's, as does his wife, Janice, who worked at St Peter's in the 1990's. Philip also has 2 granddaughters, aged 3 and 6, who live in Twickenham.
Miss Dawn Irons
Dawn was born and brought up in the Methodist Church in East London and moved to Canterbury to study Religious Studies and Education at university. Dawn has been a member of St Peter’s Methodist Church since 1991 and runs the Junior Church each Sunday morning.
As a primary school teacher around East Kent and for the last 23 years at Blean Primary School, where Dawn is a staff governor, she brings an understanding of the changing nature of education and the joys and challenges that this brings.
Dawn is pleased to be able to use her knowledge and faith to support the pupils and staff at St Peter’s Methodist Primary School.
Statutory Information
Copies of minutes of the FGB meetings can be obtained from the school office on request
Governors’ declarations 2023-24
/docs/Governance/Declarations-StPetersMethodistPrimary.pdf
FGB attendance 2023-2024
FGB Attendance 2023-24