Provide a strategic view which sets out and continuously reviews the broad framework within which the headteacher and staff run the school. The focus is on:
Act as a critical friend by giving advice and support and fostering good relationships. They ask challenging and critical questions and strive for improvements. Ensure accountability by setting out the overall aims and conduct for the school, approving policies and plans to support this.
The headteacher and staff report to the governors on the school’s performance. Proposals are discussed, questioned and refined, with regard to the professional roles of the staff and their day to day responsibilities within the school. The governors are also answerable for their actions to the Local Authority and the London Diocesan Board of School.
Link Governor for: PSHE
Other roles: SEND/Inclusion Governor, Pupil Premium, LAC Governor, Wellbeing for All and Stakeholder Governor
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee, Pay Committee (Chair), Headteacher’s PM
Term of Office: 23.07.2023 to 22.07.2027
(10.09.2019 to 22.07.2023 and 10.09.2015 to 09.09.2019 Parent Governor)
2023/24 Attendance: 9 out of 9 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 13 out of 13 meetings
Louise is a parent to 3 daughters. Her eldest is in secondary school and her twins are in Key Stage 2 at ACE.
Louise works part time for the charity Twins Trust as their Head of Family Services where she oversees the running of their helpline, online community, peer support and bereavement service.
Other roles:
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee
Term of Office: 01.09.2023 -
(27.09.2022 to 31.08.2023 - Associate Member)
2023/24 Attendance: 9 out of 9 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 11 out of 11 meetings
Link Governor for:
Other roles:
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee and Admissions Committee
Term of Office: 13.01.2014 -
2023/24 Attendance: 0 out of 8 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 0 out of 10 meetings
Father Stuart and his wife Amanda moved to Ashford after living in Wokingham for twelve years. They have four children all who have now left school. He is a qualified teacher and has worked in a broad variety of educational roles since he qualified. During his time in Wokingham, he was a governor in local schools and held various briefs. He hopes that the experience that he brings will be useful in helping the school with its mission moving into the future.
×Link Governor for: EYFS, English, PE & Sports Premium, and Parental Involvement
Other roles: Finance
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee, Pay Committee and Headteacher’s PM
Term of Office: 26.11.2024 – 25.11.2028
(30.11.2020 – 29.11.2024 Foundation Governor for St Hilda’s, 30.11.2016 to 29.11.2020 Parent Governor)
2023/24 Attendance: 8 out of 10 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 13 out of 14 meetings
Clare is a qualified Lawyer working in private practice but has over 20 years previous experience working in the Public Sector. She was originally appointed as a Parent Governor before becoming a Foundation Governor for St Hildas.
Clare has 2 children, one at secondary school and the other is a pupil at ACE.
Clare is fully committed to the continued success and improvement of our school for the benefit of each and every pupil.
Link Governor for: RE and Worship
Other roles: Safeguarding Governor, Prevent (Anti-Radicalisation)
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee (Chair) and Admissions Committee (Chair)
Term of Office: 21.12.2024 to 20.12.2028
(21.12.2020 to 20.12.2024 and 21.12.2016 to 20.12.2020 - LDBS Governor, 24.11.2016 to 20.12.2016 - Associate Governor)
2023/24 Attendance: 11 out of 11 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 13 out of 13 meetings
After completing a BSc (hons) in Behavioural Sciences, Jenny worked as an Administrator to the Line Managers at Nokia UK. Since 2004 she has managed the day to day running of the design business she is a director of. She also works as PA to the Headteacher in a local primary school and for a Christian children’s ministry.
Having witnessed the considerable improvements the school has made in its journey towards outstanding and particularly, how the ethos has become a central part of school life Jenny is keen to support the school to continue to build on this important aspect.
Jenny has 2 grown up daughters.
×Link Governor for: History, Geography
Other roles:
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee and Admissions Committee
Term of Office: 30.01.2023 to 29.01.2027 (31.01.2019 to 30.01.2023)
2023/24 Attendance: 9 out of 9 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 11 out of 11 meetings
Donna was appointed as Foundation Governor for St Hildas Church in January 2019. She currently works as a Deputy Client Service Manager at a Commercial Insurance Brokers. She has a keen interest in the local community and is committed and enthusiastic about being a school governor at ACE and helping to make positive improvements to drive the success of the school and its pupils.
×Link Governor for: Maths, Science
Other roles:
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee
Term of Office: 18.12.2024 to 17.12.2028 (18.12.2020 to 17.12.2024)
2023/24 Attendance: 4 out of 7 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 8 out of 10 meetings
Link Governor for: RE and Worship, Art and Music
Other roles: Health and Safety
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee, Admissions Committee and Pay Committee
Term of Office: 26.04.2022 to 25.04.2026
2023/24 Attendance: 8 out of 11 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 13 out of 13 meetings
Paul became a Foundation Governor (LDBS) at ACE in April 2022.
While studying for his BMus (Hons) degree in composition & arrangement at Trinity College of Music, Paul started teaching piano, composition & songwriting, and music theory to individuals of all ages and stages of learning. During this time, he also began working as an arranger and engraver for several leading Christian music publishers and hymn & songwriters. He now works as Publications Editor at Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers (part of the Concord group), where he commissions and edits books and resources for developing musicians and classroom teaching.
He is on the staff team at St Richard’s Church, Hanworth, where he spent twenty years as Director of Music before becoming the Communications, Online Church & Music lead in 2022.
Paul is a former ACE pupil with a daughter in Key Stage 2.
×Link Governor for: Computing and Online Safety, PE
Other roles: Date Protection, Finance
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee and Pay Committee
Term of Office: 04.05.2022 to 03.05.2026
2023/24 Attendance: 6 out of 8 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 13 out of 13 meetings
Chris was appointed as a Parent Governor in May 2022 and has two sons that attend the school.
Chris has over 20 years experience in Supply Chain and Technology and works for the software development arm of a large global Logistics group leading their Support, Service Transition and Customer Success teams.
×Link Governor for: French/MFL
Other roles:
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee and Admissions Committee
Term of Office: 27.04.2023 - 26.04.2027
2023/24 Attendance: 10 out of 10 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 4 out of 5 meetings
Sarah is a Foundation Governor (Parish of St. Mary Stanwell and St. Matthew Ashford).
After beginning her career as an Early Years teacher in Hackney, then Richmond, Sarah undertook a degree in Theology and became a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) in 2014.
Sarah enjoys spending time with her 3 children and their partners, frequently providing 'Granny day-care' to her 5 grandchildren, reading, geocaching and holidaying in Devon.
×Link Governor for: DT, Eco Lead
Other roles:
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee
Term of Office: 14.12.2023 to 13.12.2027
2023/24 Attendance: 3 out of 5 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: N/A
Fr John is married to Liz and has two grown up children. He was a policeman for 30 years before accepting the calling to the priesthood. He has lived in Ashford for 28 years. This is his first school governorship, and he hopes to learn a lot from it.
×Link Governor for: Maths
Other roles: Building & Maintenance/Premises, School Trips and Visits Governor, Ashford Strategy Group, Developing Governor Subject Roles and Links and Developing Leadership
Committees: Achievement & Learning Committee, Pay Committee (Chair), Headteacher’s PM
Term of Office: 20.11.2020 – 31.08.2024
(20.11.2016 to 19.11.2020 and 20.11.2012 to 19.11.2016 - Foundation Governor for St Matthews; 18.11.2010 to 19.11.2012 - Parent Governor)
2023/24 Attendance: 7 out of 7 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 12 out of 14 meetings
Phil has worked in the public sector for over 15 years and brings a wide range of skills to the governing body. He was appointed as a parent governor before becoming a representative for the parish of St. Matthews and more recently representing the Spelthorne Deanery. In 2013 he was appointed Chair at Ashford. Phil has broadened his knowledge and understanding of governance by supporting other schools within the Diocese forming part of a Rapid Improvement Group consisting of 4 experienced advisors.
×The best way to contact the Governors is via the school office.