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.

Alan Baker (Foundation Governor)

Alan Baker retired from a career in teaching and education services in 2014. He has four children and three grandchildren . Alan’s career saw him start life as a PE teacher in Folkestone. He moved into Special Education after four years and
worked predominantly with young people experiencing emotional trauma that resulted in behavioural difficulties. Alan finished his career in the role of Vice Principal at an independent special school meeting the needs of young people
with a wide range of special educational needs including autism and communication difficulties.

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. 

Katie Davies (Co-opted Governor)

Katie has been a governor since January 2018. She has lived in High Halden for ten years with her husband Stewart. They have two children, both currently attend High Halden school. Katie works as a vet in a small animal practice in Tenterden. Katie is passionate about child development and helping support the school create an environment in which children can receive the best start in life. She has a share of monitoring responsibility for outcomes for pupils and science.

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.

David Bull (Co-opted Governor)

Dave has been working as a hairdresser since he left school at the age of 16, and he is currently retraining to become a teacher. Being employed at Woodchurch Primary School as a 1:1 TA and cover teacher on a full-time basis. He now enters his final year of his university studies in primary education, he is excited about the prospect of pursuing a career in primary education.

Chloe Smith (Co-opted Governor)

Chloe has lived in High Halden since 2014.  She is a parent of two, both children currently attend High Halden CofE Primary School.  Chloe is a qualified teacher and hopes that her experiences as a teacher can help her in the role as a governor.  She is passionate about quality education for all, in particular early reading and the Early Years Foundation Stage.  Chloe is keen to support both schools in the federation to provide excellent education to all children.

Jared Schiller (Co-opted Governor)

Jared Schiller lives in Woodchurch with his family. He has worked as an artist and filmmaker making documentaries about contemporary art for the last decade, with his work shown at the National Gallery, Tate, and numerous other galleries and museums both here and abroad. One of his two children currently attends Woodchurch and he is therefore excited to serve on the board.  Jared enjoys helping out at FOWSA events and believes that strong community engagement is at the heart of a successful school.

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.

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 Staff 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! 

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!