Our Governing Body
Who are we and what do we do?
We are a team of volunteers (comprised of staff, parents and community representatives) who work closely with the Headteacher to make key strategic decisions to ensure the successful running of the school, that standards of achievement are raised to make decisions on the school budget and staffing. Our most important job, of course, is to make sure that pupils are getting the best education possible.
How can we be contacted?
The Governing Body (including the Chair) can be contacted via the school office.
The Governing Body meets regularly and the minutes of their meetings are available via the school office should anyone wish to see them.
None
| Name | Role | Type of Governor | Appointing Body | Term of Office | Notable Business Interests |
| Tom Gellett |
Chair of Governors Lead for Attendance, Finance, ICT, Safeguarding, Website, Wellbeing |
LA Governor | Medway LA | 06/12/2017-12/07/2026 | None |
| Kerry Seales | Headteacher | Headteacher Exofficio | N/A | 01/09/21 onwards | Employee |
| Neil Charwood |
Vice Chair of Governors Lead for Music, School Council |
Co-opted | Governing Body | 10/07/2019-09/07/2023 | None |
| Trevor Croucher |
|
Co-opted Governor | Governing Body | 05/02/2020-04/02/2024 | None |
| Claire Passmore | Lead for Health & Safety | Co-opted Governor | Governing Body | 08/06/2022 - 07/06/2026 | None |
| Linda Thomas | Co-opted Governor | Governing Body | 13/07/2022 - 12/07/2026 | None | |
| Stephanie Cesana | Co-opted Governor | Governing Body | 15/3/2023 - 14/3/2027 | None | |
| Martin Forbes | Lead for Early Years | Parent Governor | Parent elected | 21/02/2022 – 20/02/2026 | Owner of MFSE, school’s breakfast and after school club and sports provision. |
| Sarah Ring | Staff Governor | Staff elected | 07/12/2022 - 06/12/2026 | Class Teacher to the school | |
Governing Body Meetings
Full Governing Body meetings take place usually six times a year during which the business of the school is discussed. Each meeting contains detailed information about the standards and achievements of the pupils (including a breakdown of vulnerable groups); safeguarding; financial management; health & safety; staffing and professional development. The FGB monitor, review and challenge pupil progress and attainment data and provide strategic oversight of the delivery of the school curriculum. The FGB monitors the School Improvement Plan at each meeting, evaluating the strategic development of the school. The Governing Body also timetables in the opportunity for subject leaders and members of the Senior Team to provide information about the areas of responsibility they hold.
REGISTERS OF ATTENDANCE
Academic Year 2020/2021
Academic Year 2021/2022
Academic Year 2022/2023
Governor Attendance tbc
Governing Body Profiles:
Tom Gellett
I originally became interested in becoming a governor after previously in my career wanting to become a teacher and also now having a young son of my own who is about to start his school journey. The role has opened my eyes and given me opportunities to understand how the school and all it’s staff work to deliver the best possible outcomes. Growing up and living in the Medway area I feel very strongly about giving back what I can to local children and schools so I hope in my role as a co-opted governor I can continue to deliver this at the school. Outside of my governor and professional work role I am a keen cyclist and soon to be triathlete (attempting to be), which helps challenge me and raise funds for many charities nationally and locally to the community and school.
Neil Charlwood
Neil has two young children, both of whom have attended Crest. Neil works in the health sector and was interested in becoming a governor as he could see how committed the staff team are at the school. Neil currently leads on English and School Council. He thoroughly enjoyed attending a Council meeting just before the COVID-19 pandemic started and is looking forward to when he can do so again.
Claire Passmore
I have over 15 years experience as a school governor including time as both Vice Chair and Chair of Governors of a local primary school which was part of an academy. I helped steer the infant school through an amalgamation to become a primary school as well as joining a multi academy trust. I have been through numerous Ofsted inspections including one as Chair of Governors. I decided to stand down when I no longer agreed with the ethos of the trust. As well as supporting my previous school as a governor I was an active member of their parent teacher association for the 7 years that my daughter attended the school, I went on to spend a further 3 years on the parent teacher association of her senior school too.
I have lived in Rainham all my life and recently entered a civil partnership with Christopher having been together for over 27 years. We have one daughter who is in her final year of a four year degree at Queen Mary's University London.
Linda Thomas
Linda has spent her whole working life within the Finance sector, with all of her qualifications being within the banking industry. She has many years experience as both a staff and co-opted governor within a Medway Primary school whilst also undertaking the role of a Business Manager in a local maintained school. Linda has two grown up children and loves spending time with her two new granddaughters.
Martin Forbes
Martin is the one of the newest members of the governing body and has had a connection with the school for a few of years through his company MFSE, who provide the wraparound care for Crest Infants and Nursery School. Martin is a Parent Governor and his daughter joined the school in 2021.
Sarah Ring
to be updated
Stephanie Cesana
to be updated
Trevor Croucher
Trevor has had many years experience of being a school governor in another Medway primary school before joining the Crest team. He was a Chartered Accountant prior to his retirement and has served as Finance Lead as well as Chair of Governors in the past. Trevor lives in Medway and is married with two daughters and twin granddaughters.