Governors - Brabourne Church of England Primary School

What is the role of the Governors?

The governing board has a range of duties and powers and a general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting the best development of children – academically, emotionally and socially. The three key areas of responsibility are:

that the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school are clearly defined
that the headteacher performs their responsibilities for the educational performance of the school
the sound, proper and effective use of the school’s financial resources

We must, by law:

act with integrity, objectivity and honesty and in the best interests of the school
be open about the decisions we make and the actions we take and be prepared to explain our decisions and actions to interested parties

More specifically governors support the process of setting an improvement plan and then conduct visits and check data to ensure the school is delivering planned improvements. Schools are expected to be aware of their own strengths and weaknesses and governors also ensure that the school maintains an accurate self-evaluation. This will include challenge based on pupil performance data (both attainment and progress) as well as other educational evidence the governors obtain. Governors also monitor pupil wellbeing through attendance data, pupil surveys and visits. In a Church of England school such as Brabourne, governors are responsible for ensuring the Christian Distinctiveness of the school is promoted and the ethos and values of the school are maintained.

Governors are responsible for the recruitment and performance management of the Headteacher. They are also involved in the recruitment of other teachers and approve performance related pay decisions based on target setting and appraisals conducted by the Headteacher. However, there is also a duty of care to the Headteacher and all staff – their wellbeing is as important as that of the pupils.

Governors also make sure the budget projections are realistic and that the financial systems are robust. School spending is reviewed in detail and challenged based on bench-marking against other similar schools and against the forecast.

We operate a committee structure with three main sub-committees – teaching & learning, ethics & culture and finance – feeding into the full governing board. Some governors also have individual responsibilities which are listed below.

Governors have no operational, day-to-day responsibility for the school. The Headteacher has responsibility for delivering every aspect of education and support to the pupils. Governors help set the vision, the Headteacher and his staff deliver it.

If you would be interested in joining the Governing Board of Brabourne School, please do contact us via the school office.

Who are the Governors?

Hester Fenwick – Co-opted Governor (Chair)

I have been a governor since September 2013, for the most part as a parent governor with three children having gone through the school. Now they’ve moved on to secondary, I’ve been appointed as a co-opted governor. After studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge, I joined Unilever on their Management Development scheme, working with them for ten years in various supply chain roles in the UK and abroad.

I left to do an MBA at Stockholm School of Economics with the intention of moving into the not-for-profit sector but then got diverted into childcare for a few years, as well as moving from Sweden to Switzerland with my husband. We moved back to the UK in 2012 and I’m now self-employed running a holiday cottage, vineyard and smallholding in East Brabourne.

I became a governor to support the school. I love the broad, Christian ethos that has stood it well through generations but appreciate the need for it to also meet the challenging standards of modern education and I believe it delivers both. I bring financial and project management skills and am proud to co-ordinate a board of governors who offer such a wide range of skills, experience and enthusiasm for the benefit of the school.

Appointing Body: Governing Board
Joined Governing Body: 01/09/2013 (as a parent governor)
Reappointed: 31/08/17 (parent governor) 31/07/2020 (co-opted governor) 09/07/2024 (co-opted governor)
Term of office: 08/07/2028
Committee(s)/Responsibilities: Finance; Headteacher performance panel; Governor Training and Development; Teaching & Learning, SEND Link governor,
Business Interests: Governor at Chilham St.Mary’s CEP School, Trust Member at Towers Academy, Governor at Stelling Minnis CEP School, Spouse is senior manager at Unilever (potential supplier)

FGB Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 6/6
Fin Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 6/6
T&L Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 3/3

Vacancy – LA Governor

Appointing Body: Local Authority
Joined Governing Body:
Term of office:
Committee(s)/Responsibilities:
Business Interests:

FGB Meetings attended in 2025/2026:

Jo Stride – Co-opted Governor

Hello, I’m Jo and I’m currently Chair of the Finance Committee. Whilst I’m new to the role, I have worked in Finance within education for the last 17 years in which I have a diploma in School Business Management and most recently a Certificate in Financial Reporting for Academies.

Working within a school, and now as a governor is so rewarding as you get to see every child flourish to the best of their ability. I look forward to working with Brabourne School and watching the school continue to flourish.

Appointing Body: Governing Board
Joined Governing Body: 06/02/2025
Term of office: 05/02/2029
Committee(s)/Responsibilities: Finance (Chair), Pay Panel
Business Interests: None

FGB Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 3/3
Fin Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 4/4

Ben Gilbert – Foundation Governor

Bio to follow

Appointing Body: Diocese of Canterbury
Joined Governing Body: 22/11/2023
Term of Office: 21/11/2027
Committee(s)/Responsibilities: Ethics & Culture
Business Interests: tbc

FGB Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 6/6
E&C Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 2/2

Rachael Burley – Parent Governor

Hi, I’m Rachael, a mum of two and a serving police officer with 17 years of experience. I’ve spent my career managing high-pressure situations, coordinating teams, and making sure communication is clear and thoughtful—skills I bring with me into the school community.

As a parent governor, I’m passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where every child can thrive. I believe in listening, working collaboratively, and making decisions that reflect the needs of both families and staff. With a strong sense of responsibility and a heart for service, I’m here to help our school grow stronger together.

Appointing Body: School parents
Joined Governing Body: 10/05/2024
Term of office: 09/05/2028
Committee(s)/Responsibilities: Ethics & Culture, Health & Safety governor

FGB Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 2/6
E&C Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 1/2

Yolande Roberts – Parent Governor

I am currently Chair of the PTA and have been part of the association for nearly 2 years. Having had four children attend this amazing school (two of them are still at the school), I have thoroughly enjoyed supporting the collective effort to enrich school life.

I have a BA (Hons) degree in Modern Foreign Languages (Russian and German) and spent time in Russia studying. After finishing my degree, I qualified as a teacher and taught at a primary school in Ashford before moving to SE Asia with my husband’s work in the military. Having returned to the UK, we moved to Brabourne.

As a teacher, it was so rewarding to see children flourish and achieve things for themselves, particularly when they thought they were unable to. It is evident that Brabourne School strives to create the same environment so that every child feels safe, encouraged and valued. The school values of respect, responsibility, courage and hope are integral to this environment. I believe that the school’s Christian ethos and values play an important part in helping the children develop an appreciation of others and their own sense of worth.

I attend a local church and am involved in teaching Sunday School and am also involved with a local charity providing international aid.

Appointing Body: School parents
Joined Governing Body: 05/11/2022
Term of office: 04/11/2026
Committee(s)/Responsibilities: Teaching & Learning, Headteacher Performance Management Panel

FGB Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 5/6
E&C Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 2/2
T&L Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 3/4

Adam Lott – Parent Governor

Adam’s youngest son began Brabourne reception in 2021 and he has been impressed by the variety of support and learning the school provides. Adam also has two grown up children who are now in their mid-20’s so has experience schooling and supporting his family over a some years. He was part of the school PTA for 18 months planning and supporting events and fundraising and is now a helper for the PTA as and when. Adam loves the community feel of this beautiful rural school.

His full time career has been 20 plus years in the NHS working across public health, community services, hospital care, mental health and national improvement teams for NHS England. Majority of this role has been focussed on health inequalities in the population and equality and inclusion across NHS employment. Adam spent many years working in schools and supporting young people in youth settings promoting health and wellbeing, providing group work support and 121 support for children and young people. This has often been working closely with voluntary and charitable sector organisations. At the same time training health and social care professionals in a range of key topics to enable inclusion and wellbeing to practically support communities most at risk of health issues and those who are less likely to access health and social care services. He has a research background in health and a Masters Degree in Health and Social Care. He has previously held role of Trustee for Porchlight and enjoyed a role Chair of Board of Trustees for a local charity, Dads Unlimited, supporting families in separation, mental health of men and men experiencing domestic abuse and violence.

Adam began as a Parent Governor at Brabourne in December 2022 and hopes to be able bring his insight from governance and improvement experience as a Governor as well as support inclusion and sense of community and caring for our children, teachers and families at the school.

Appointing Body: School parents
Joined Governing Body: 05/11/2022
Term of office: 04/11/2026
Committee(s)/Responsibilities: Ethics and Culture (Chair), Safeguarding Governor
Business Interests: None

FGB Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 4/6
E&C Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 2/2

Selina Eyles – Parent Governor

I have two young children, my daughter is in year 6 and my son is in year 1. I love living in Brabourne, and I’m proud to be part of the community. I volunteer with the local Brownie unit, this time has really shown me the importance of inspiring and challenging children to be their best.

I have a degree in Business and come from a Financial Services background, with numerous years of leadership and operations management experience. These roles have involved managing teams, performance, recruitment, process efficiencies, budgets, quality assurance, customer care and complaints.

I currently work in the office at another local village primary school. I hope I can bring my work experience to support the school values and continue to build on the success of the school. I believe that every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential and be supported to do so both academically and emotionally.

Appointing Body: School parents
Joined Governing Body: 10/12/2020, reappointed 06/02/2025
Term of office: 05/02/2029
Committee(s)/Responsibilities: Finance, Pay Panel
Business Interests: Employed by Aldington Primary School

FGB Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 6/6
Fin Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 4/6

Rev.Susan Manners – Foundation Governor

Rev Susan Manners is the vicar of the Stour Downs which includes Brabourne. She has lived in five countries teaching and managing English language programmes and setting up and running international programmes for teenagers from overseas.

Appointing Body: Ex Officio (parish priest)
Joined Governing Body: 20/08/2024

Term of office: Ongoing
Committee(s)/Responsibilities: Ethics & Culture
Business Interests: None

FGB Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 5/6
Fin Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 4/5
E&C Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 1/2

Andrew Stapley – Headteacher

I have been the Headteacher of Brabourne CEP School since January 2017. I have a BA (Hons) degree in French and Italian and a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages. I began my career as a secondary languages teacher at the Norton Knatchbull Grammar School where I worked for 6 years as Head of Italian. I took on the role of Primary Regional Trainer for primary languages, working with local schools to train and prepare them for the primary languages entitlement. This led me to Brabourne School, where I have worked as a Year 5/6 teacher, Assistant Headteacher and now Headteacher.

Appointing Body: Ex officio (previously staff governor)
Joined Governing Body: 24/07/2010 (as staff governor) 1/1/2017 (as Headteacher)
Term of office: Ongoing
Committee(s)/Responsibilities: Teaching & Learning, Ethics & Culture, Headteacher Performance
Business Interests: None

FGB Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 6/6
E&C Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 2/2
T&L Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 3/3

Katie Vasu – Staff governor

I have worked at Brabourne School since 2014 as a teaching assistant. This followed my initial role as Clerk to the Governors of the school. I currently work in Jupiter Class as class TA. I have a specific interest in pastoral care, SEN and specifically meeting the medical needs of children within school. This follows on from my previous career as a paediatric nurse. I am lucky enough to be part of the teaching of art and PSHE in Jupiter supported by the class teacher. Both my children attended Brabourne School and loved it! I am committed to being part of its continued success as a welcoming, supportive school with high academic standards.

Appointing Body: School staff
Joined Governing Body: 20/04/2021, reappointed 27/03/2025
Term of office: 26/03/2029
Committee(s)/Responsibilities: Teaching & Learning
Business Interests: None

FGB Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 5/6
T&L Meetings attended in 2024/2025: 3/3

Sara Emmerson – Clerk to the Governors

I am really privileged to have worked in the Civil Service for nearly 42 years. I started my career as a Customs Officer at Portsmouth Ferry Terminal before moving along the coast to work and live in magnificent Chichester. I spent 30 years living and working in London, during which I have worked at the Prime Minister’s Office and in a variety of different job roles in HM Revenue and Customs. I am an accredited Project Manager – good governance is at the heart of effective project delivery.

I moved to Kent 5 years ago and was keen to become part of the community. I have volunteered at a garden, been a helper at beavers and cubs and also support a local coffee hub.

Alongside the day job I enjoy my role for KCC as a celebratory officer; officiating at local venues as a wedding celebrant or registrar is a joy and a privilege.

When the opportunity came to be the clerk to BCEP governors I jumped at the chance to be part of this fabulous school. It has been a massive learning curve (I don’t have children or grand children of my own), but one year in I think I have finally cracked the acronyms. I enjoy hearing how the HT and staff are shaping and delivering the curriculum and the opportunity to bring my knowledge and experience of good governance to the role has been very satisfying.

Kent is a wonderful county and gives me ample opportunity to enjoy my favourite pastimes of swimming, walking, literary festivals and wine tasting.

Starting Date – October 2024