Federation of Minster and Monkton Governing Body | Monkton Church of England Primary School

Monkton Church of England Primary School is a calm, happy and caring place that provides a Christian environment where pupils are made to feel special and respected as individuals. There are four mixed aged classes with 105 children on roll ranging from 4 to 11 years of aged.

The school was founded in 1872 and modernised in 2007 and has an excellent learning environment. In April 2019 Minster and Monkton Church of England Primary Schools joined together to form The Federation of Minster and Monkton CEP Primary Schools.

The school promotes its Christian Foundation and is proud of its distinctive Christian values:

Trust, Friendship, Compassion, Forgiveness, Justice

We are supported by the Diocese of Canterbury and have close links with the village Church. We cherish our relationship with the local village and play a part in community life. The school uses the local Church for services at key points in the year and members of the clergy regularly lead Collective Worship in school.

The teachers are an exceptional team, who plan an inspiring curriculum for our children. They are all hard-working, dedicated and talented professionals. They are always looking for ways to improve and develop their teaching and the pupils’ learning. They are supported by experienced teaching assistants and a dynamic business manager.

It is our intention at Monkton School to cater for the all-round development of the child. We aim to develop self-respect, a knowledge and respect of others as well as self-discipline in behaviour and attitudes to learning. We value the traditional high standards in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics. We see knowledge as important but stress the value of learning through investigation and self-discovery.

Our school is a happy, stimulating environment where parents feel at ease to discuss their child’s progress so that learning becomes a partnership between home and school.

The school benefits from a dedicated Sports Specialist and visiting sports coaches. We currently have Football, Netball, Swimming and Cross country teams, who have won a number of sporting accolades over the years. The school choir takes part in the annual Young Voice Festival at the 02 in London.

The school has an active and supportive PTA who organise various events throughout the year. These include children’s Christmas Party, Easter Egg Hunt and Strawberry Fair; they also provide refreshments at all our school productions and community events.

The Federation of Minster and Monkton CEP Schools Governing Body

Outline of our Governing Body

The Governing Body is responsible for

Holding the Executive Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

The Full Governing Body meets three times each school year. There are currently two Committees

Finance, Resources and Personnel
·Curriculum and Learning

Each Committee consists of at least five Governors who meet three times a year and report back to the Governing Body.

All Governor monitoring visits are recorded and shared with the Full Governing Body. They can be used to monitor aspects of each Schools Plans. Minutes are taken at all Full Governing Body and Committee meetings to evidence the work of the school and Governors.

The Governing Body is made up of 13 Governors as shown below:

2 Parent Governors – appointed by parental election

1 Local Authority Governor – appointed by the local authority

1 Staff Governor – elected by staff

1 Executive Head Teacher

3 Foundation Governors – one being the Principle Officiating Minister of the Parish in which

the schools are situated

5 Co-opted Governors – appointed by the Governing Body

The Federation of Minster and Monkton CEP Schools Governing Body

Correspondance:

c/o Monkton CEP School

Monkton Street

Monkton

Ramsgate

Kent

CT12 4JQ

Darren Philpot - Parent Governor

Appointed by: Parents

Term of Office 20/09/21 -19/09/25

Committee:

Responsibilities: Full Governing Body Chair

I am focused on the education of children and how governance can lead to increased chances for all children. This is something that I am fervently passionate about.

In my professional life, I am a Partner in a Law firm and so I feel I am well placed to deal with the demands of school governance. Through my career, I have always acted in the best interests of my clients and I am excited to be able to be an advocate for the children of Minster and Monkton.

I pride myself on my ability to make decisions that are right, rather than those that are easy. My role has given me the opportunity to hone my communication skills and I ensure that I hear all voices before making a decision that is right for those that it affects, i.e. in this case, the children of the Federation.

I am well versed in leadership and in chairing meetings and financial performance and accountability, which are important to the role of Chair of Governors.

My wife is also a primary school teacher and this has allowed me to have a firm understanding of the demands of educators and parents alike, which I feel benefits this role.

Victoria Solly - Co-opted Governor

Appointed by: FGB

Term of Office: 23/04/19 - 22/04/23

Committee: Finance, Resource and Personnel

Responsibilities: Finance, Resource and Personnel Chair, Safeguarding & Child Protection Governor, Executive Head Teacher Performance Management Panel

I have over 14 years of Governance, having previously been a staff Governor at the school I work at. I was originally elected as a Parent Governor on the Monkton CE Governing Body and played a pivotal role in the Federation of Minster and Monkton CE Primary Schools. Since Federation I have become Chair of Governors, a role that I am thoroughly enjoying and find incredibly rewarding. I am passionate about Governance and the role it plays in ensuring that the children in our care receive the best care and education possible. I bring a wide range of skills to the Governing Body, principally in my extensive skills and knowledge of all aspects of Primary Education, but in Leadership, School Finance and HR. The role of Governor can be a challenging and varied role, but I feel privileged to be able to work with both schools in ensuring that there is a constant drive for school improvement, enabling all children in our care to receive inspirational and aspirational school experiences which will provide them with solid foundations for their future.

Wendy Stone - Executive Headteacher

Committee: Finance, Resource and Personnel, Executive Headteacher Management Panel

Strategic Leadership of The Federation of Minster and Monkton Church of England Primary Schools

I have worked in education since I qualified as a teacher in 1987. Before becoming a Headteacher in 2004, I had several terms of office as a staff governor and now I sit on the Governing Body in my current role. As a governor, I was proactive on the various Governing Boards and committees I sat on over the years, and I gained much experience from this, working with many different people in many different settings.

I started as the Headteacher at Minster in September 2004, taking on the temporary Executive Headteacher role at Boughton-under-Bean and Dunkirk for 2 years in 2014, while they recruited for a substantive Headteacher. In 2017, I was pleased to start working with Monkton and we formally federated in April 2019.

I am delighted to work across our Federation, and have an excellent team of professionals at both schools, who are just as committed as I am, to the children in our care.

Our aim is to provide a high-quality educational experience, with a strong Christian ethos, allowing each child to develop as an individual, enabling them to flourish and live life in all its fullness.

Trish Chinnery - Parent Governor

Appointed by: Parents

Term of Office: 20/09/21 - 19/09/25

Committee: Curriculum and Learning, Health and Safety Governor

I have been involved in Minster Church of England Primary School for 8 years now. I am a dedicated and passionate person and I can honestly say that I believe both Minster and Monkton Schools are two of the very best in Kent, if not the country! I chose to stand for election so that I, alongside the rest of the Governing Body, could give all of the children in both School communities the very best education.

I am a happily married mum of 3 children. Two of my children attend Minster, one of whom is in year 5 and the other is in year 1. My eldest child is now at secondary school. I live locally to both schools and enjoy spending time walking, day trips out and most importantly spending time with my wonderful family.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work within the Federation and feel very humble to have been voted onto the Governing Board as a Parent Governor. Over my 4-year term of office, I promise to serve and work on behalf of all the children within our Federation and to be their voice. I am extremely excited to be a part of a team who together will strive to achieve the absolute best for all of the children and have both Schools' Vision, Values and Foundations at the heart of everything we do!

I know many families from both villages and would just like take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me to hold the position of Parent Governor. You have my word that I will do my absolute best for all your children over my term of office. For those of you who do not know me, I very much look forward to getting to know you and your children on our journey together over the coming years. If you see me at either School or near the gates, please do stop to say hello. It's always so nice to see new faces and meet new people.

Elizabeth Shervington - Foundation Governor

Appointed by: Parochial Parish Council

Term of Office: 23/04/19 - 22/04/23

Committee: Curriculum and Learning

My name is Liz Shervington and I am a Foundation Governor. I became a governor as I am a member of the Parochial Church Council at St Mary’s in Minster. I feel it’s important to invest in the future of children also to foster the links with the local church and the school has an important role in the local community. I have two daughters, who are now in their 20’s, both attended the school. I live and work in Minster.

Joanne Guilder – Staff Governor Senior Teacher – Monkton CEP School

Appointed by: Staff

Term of Office: 23/04/2019-22/04/2023

Committee:- Curriculum & Learning

Responsibilities: Training and Development Governor

My name is Joanne Guilder and I am the Senior Teacher at Monkton CEP School. My role includes being the line manager to the Teaching Assistants, leading Maths, Computing and Forest School, as well as overseeing the Early Years Foundation Stage.

This is my thirteenth year of teaching at Monkton. I started teaching Key Stage Two in the Year 3/4 class for 4 years before moving into the Early Years Foundation Stage where I taught for 7 years. This is now my second year in Key Stage One where I teach Year 1/2. I feel very lucky to have worked in all three Key Stages since working at Monkton as this gives me a real overall of School life.

My passions involve staff and child well-being, hence leading and developing Forest School. I love seeing children in the outside area and including them in leading their learning. By having the Forest School on site it also gives children a sense of pride as they develop each area and set up activities for the classes that follow on from then – such as planting in the allotment and year 5/6 are currently building a fairy garden for the younger children and they have loved every minute of this (and so have I).

Through my involvement in Maths and Early Years I have been lucky enough to have already seen the strength and support that can be built by working together across the Schools. With my role as staff Governor I look forward to building these links in other subjects to build a larger team with the interest in making both Schools, staff and children the best they can be.

Nicky Sworder - Co-opted Governor

Appointed by: FGB

Term of Office: 23/04/2019-22/04/2023

Committee: Curriculum & Learning

Responsibilities: Vice Chair of FGB, Chair of C & L, and SEND, Pupil Premium & Catch-up Premium Governor

My name is Nicky Sworder and my professional background is in Mental Health. I originally trained in London as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and later in Kent as a BACP Accred. Counsellor, specialising in working with children, young people and families. I set up a School Counselling service working in different Kent schools. I also worked as a supervisor and trainer, offering workshops related to children and mental health. After gaining my MSc I reduced my work load and for the past few years have been involved in research. Mainly in connection to school policies, the psychological and emotional wellbeing of pupils and the whole school community.

I am pleased to be part of the Governing body as a Co-Opted Governor and aim to voice the mental health perspective when discussing school issues. As a team I believe we share a common goal: to create a healthy, happy and academically achieving school.

Mr Nicholas Roberts - Co Opted Governor

Appointed by :- Governing Body

Term of Office :- 24/05/22 - 23/05/26

Committee:- Finance, Resource and Personnel- pay committee

Born in 1951. I left my Secondary School with GCE A levels in Pure and Applied Mathematics, and GCE A and S level in Geography. I immediately joined the Meteorologic Office as a Scientific Assistant and trained for three years at Heathrow Airport before my first posting to Manston. In my 42 years in the Meteorological Office my duties ranged from Observing, Forecasting, and Training before specialising in commercial activities, becoming Manager at Southampton Weather Centre. After that I headed the Utilities Team where I managed a revenue in excess of £15 million per annum. Upon retirement I had reached the equivalent grade of a Principle. For the last 10 years in the Met Office I became an expert on the likely effects of Climate Change on Utility infrastructure. I travelled extensively, liaised with numerous high profile businessmen and politicians, and was awarded the Office’s highest award, The Chief Executives Prize for excellence.

Outside of the Office I founded a food processing factory, receiving a number of awards for the excellence of the product. In 1988 the DTI recognised our achievements as my company won both regional and national awards for the Enterprise of the Year. After selling the business I created a privately funded weather app with Met Office support. This Commercial App, under the brand “Weather For”, produced site specific weather information and radar, for a multitude of sectors ranging from Education to Sport.

I remain active, playing golf several times a week, and still able to navigate Black Runs when the Family goes skiing

Image preview Colin Mills - Co Opted Governor

Appointed by :- Governing Body

Term of Office :- 18/07/22 - 17/07/26

Committee:- Finance, Resource and Personnel- pay committee

I have 4 years of Governor experience, at Dane Court Grammar School, Broadstairs, where I was a Modern Languages teacher from 1993-2014. Prior to that I taught for 11 years in schools in Essex, East Sussex and Kent.

I currently work for one of the main teachers' unions. My lifelong experience in state education therefore puts me in a good position to be a Governor.

I have been a Minster resident since 1999, and currently serve on the Parish Council. I have also been a member of Minster Church choir for 20 years.

Like my fellow Governors, I hope to contribute to the schools' continued success, where the pupils thrive and achieve their full potential in a happy and caring environment.

Paul McCarthy - Staff Associate Member - no voting rights