Chris Davies (Local Authority Governor)

Chris Davies grew up in Ashford and now lives in Hamstreet with his wife Charlotte and two young children. He is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 12 years experience in audit and risk management across a number of industries. He currently works in finance for a large national retailer based in London. Chris is keen to utilise this expertise in supporting the school to achieve its strategic objectives. Outside of work he enjoys playing golf and reading history.

Fran Chevis (Foundation Governor)

Fran has lived in High Halden for twenty years and is a member of St. Mary’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) who she represents in her role as Foundation Governor for the Flourish Together Federation. Fran has been connected with High Halden school for many years as both her teenage children were former pupils from Reception through to Year 6. Over this time she has been involved with children’s activities within the village such as Messy Church, the 9 o’ Clock Club parent and toddler group and holiday clubs run by the church. Fran’s job as a preschool Forest School leader and Early Years practitioner gives her an understanding of the importance of a nurturing school environment in which children feel safe, respected and inspired. Fran is excited to be a part of the Governing body of the Flourish Together Federation and sees her role as forming part of the link between the two schools and the churches of St. Mary’s and All Saints, focusing on and encouraging their Christian character and vision.

Reverend Sue Rose (Ex-Offico Foundation Governor)

Reverend Sue was licensed as Rector of Bethersden, High Halden and Woodchurch in October 2020. Sue’s husband Mike is also ordained, and they minister together in our three village churches. They have adult children, and a grandson who all live in Sussex. Reverend Sue enjoys leading collective worship, and getting to know pupils at the school through regular class visits, both as priest and governor. Before ordination, Sue worked as a general manager in the NHS and as a Director for a software house working in health and social care.

Rob De-Keyzer (Staff Governor)

Rob joined High Halden in September 2022 where he is the current Year 5/6 teacher and PE, geography and history lead. He has been teaching for 7 years where he has held a variety of roles across the school including leading LKS2, KS1 and maths. He lives in Ashford and made the move to High Halden to be closer to his family as he has two young sons with his wife (who is also a teacher at Woodchurch). He is passionate about developing an inclusive curriculum, providing sporting opportunities for all and teaching!

Clare Silcock (Chair of Governors)

Clare lives in Woodchurch with her husband and two teenage sons, both of whom attended Woodchurch School. She has been a governor at the school since 2019 and was Chair of the Woodchurch board for just over two years. Since moving to the village ten years ago, she has been involved in various aspects of life in both Woodchurch, where she has been a
Parish Councillor and Chair of the PTA, as well as High Halden where weekends have been spent cheering on both sons as High Halden Hornets players. She remains passionate about the difference a thriving village school makes to its pupils and the wider community and is delighted to be bringing her enthusiasm and drive to the Flourish Together Foundation
governing body, supporting the teams at both schools and ensuring that both schools deliver the best possible primary school experience for pupils and their families.

Nik Le Maréchal (Co-opted Governor)

Nik has been a Governor since May 2013.  He has worked in Banking and Finance for over twenty years in numerous customer and non-customer facing roles. He is a father of three children,  one of which attends High Halden CEP School (the other two have now moved on to secondary school). He is a keen cricketer and coaches colts cricket locally.

Louise Collins (Co-opted Governor)

Louise has been a governor since 2015. Louise has 2 children in secondary education.  Louise has worked for a large, global lifestyle brand since 2005. Her role within the Retail Operations team is Planning and Resource coordinator, with the remit of the global estate. The varied role encompasses third party relationship management, purchase ledger, data analytics, health and safety, compliance and succession planning. 

Hilary Ndongong (Parent Governor)

Hilary Ndongong lives in Woodchurch with her family and has twin girls who are current pupils in the school. Hilary is an experienced English teacher with a particular interest in the pastoral support and the holistic development of pupils. Having moved to Woodchurch in 2019, she is excited to serve as a Parent Governor and support its future strategic direction. She believes wholeheartedly that happy pupils who are inspired and supported both at school and by their local community will flourish as motivated, positive and thoughtful young people.

Richard Holden (Co-opted Governor)

Richard lives in Woodchurch with his family. He has three children, two are current pupils at the school. Richard works in the travel industry, specialising in travel technology, where he has over 20 years of experience in project management and strategic planning. With a keen interest in the arts and sports, Richard is keen to support the school in its strategic objectives.

Amy Mealham (Parent Governor)

Amy has been a governor since July 2018. She has lived in High Halden since 2015 with her husband and two children, both of which attend High Halden C of E Primary School. With parents as teachers she is passionate for children’s education and providing a stimulating environment to encourage children to develop into individual personalities and achieve their very best potential. Amy works as a Senior Investigator, overseeing the case management of criminal investigations. She brings her investigative skills and ability to conduct detailed audits of business procedures, finances and legal compliance, along with her desire for continuous improvement to her role on the Governing Board.

Kelly Burlton (Ex-Offico Governor/Executive Headteacher)

Kelly joined High Halden Primary as an NQT in 2004 having trained at Canterbury Christ Church University. She's held many roles within the school; teaching across the year groups, ICT lead, English co-ordinator, Senior Teacher. In 2013, she was appointed as the substantive Headteacher of High Halden. In 2019, she was asked to temporarily support Woodchurch Primary School in the role of Acting Executive Headteacher and has now been appointed as the substantive Executive Head.  Kelly lives in Singleton with her husband and son; together they enjoy visits to the beach, farm and soft play! 

Gina McKay (Foundation Governor)

Gina moved, with her husband, to Woodchurch in March 2020. They have a grown-up son working in the pharmaceutical industry and two teenager grandchildren. Before retiring in 2011, Gina spent 41 years in the education sector being involved in Mother and Toddler groups, playgroups, primary schools, and secondary schools. She is passionate about all children having access to high quality education and that they are taught how to learn through positive experiences. She believes that you are never too old to learn after learning to ride a bike when she was in her thirties and play the piano in her forties. Her aim is ‘to
learn something new each day’. Since moving to the village Gina has become involved with Woodchurch Village Life Museum and has been on hand to help the children with their topic work when they visit the museum. Gina was appointed to the Governing body of the Flourish Together Federation in March 2023 and is very happy to be part of the team in supporting both schools. She helps in Year Two at Woodchurch CE Primary School and when time allows, would like to help at High Halden CE Primary School also.
In her spare time, she loves making personalised cards to give to family and friends for birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas. She also like gardening and growing her own produce which, she uses when cooking.

Peter Brabner (Co-opted Governor)

Peter Brabner grew up in Eastbourne where he enjoyed creating music and walking by the coast. A Kent Physics graduate turned educator and with a PGCE from Christchurch University, he's passionately taught for five years. He currently resides in Cranbrook where he lives with his girlfriend who is a midwife and community nurse. Peter joined Woodchurch in 2023 and leads the subjects of MFL and music. This is his first governor role and he is excited about the opportunity to deliver the best primary school experience to students and their families. 

Paul Moran (Co-opted Governor)

Paul lives in Tenterden with his wife and two year old son. He currently looks after his son on a full time basis having previously worked as a logistics professional. Within his role he was responsible for helping to define strategy and then facilitate its implementation as the continuous improvement manager. A firm believer that people are the most important part of any organisation and it is leadership’s responsibility to ensure they have all the support needed to succeed. He joined the board in December 2023 and will strive to make sure the pupils of both schools are given every opportunity to flourish.