Governance
Trust Level Governance
Martello Primary is part of the Turner Schools Multi Academy Trust.
Our Governance Structure ensures there are clear reporting lines and explicit requirements to ensure probity, good governance and outstanding performance.
Members are responsible for determining the governance of the Trust. They approve our Articles of Association and appoint Trustees in accordance with the Articles.
Trustees focus on three core functions of governance:
Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Holding executive leaders to account
Overseeing and ensuring effective financial performance
All Members, Trustees and Governors complete an annual declaration of Business Interests and declare any pecuniary interests in meetings.
The Board delegates responsibilities to the school Challenge & Community Committee as set out in the Scheme of Delegation.
View our Articles and Memorandum of Association.
School-level governance
Governors serve as a key link between the schools, parents/carers and the local community. They monitor the performance of the school, advising the Trustees of any concerns.
We have a committed team of Governors on the Challenge & Community Committee who are actively involved in the life of the school. They reflect the community we serve and include parent representatives. Morehall and Martello primary schools have a joint Challenge & Community Committee, membership is representative of both school communities.
The Governors are passionate about our School and are here to make sure that every pupil is given the best education, opportunities and experiences possible. They play an important role in overseeing the work of the school, acting as “critical friends” for the Senior Leadership Team and holding the school to account for performance and development.
Challenge and Community Committee (C & CC)
Chair: Jenny Fox
To contact the Chair, please email jenny.fox@turnerschools.com, contact via the school office or 01303 275128
Committee Safeguarding Lead: Vacancy from 12 May
Committee SEND Lead: Maja Hjelmskog
Trust Safeguarding Lead: John Bushby
Our Governors:
Jenny Fox - co-opted governor
Jenny lives in Folkestone and is a Manager for HSBC.
Date of appointment: 1 September 2018
Term of Office: 1 September 2018 – 31 August 2022
Appointed by: Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 3/3
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2020/2021: 7/7
Emma Hammond - parent Governor* (*Morehall Primary)
Emma is a Parent Governor. She has a background in employee engagement and communications and a personal interest in education and pupil wellbeing.
Date of appointment: 9 November 2020
Term of Office: 9 November 2020 – 8 November 2024
Appointed by: Parents
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): Parent
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 3/3
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2020/2021: 3/5
Maja Hjelmskog - co-opted governor
Maja is an experienced Occupational Therapist and specialist dyslexia teacher who spent 7 years working in London at a specialist day school for children with specific learning difficulties.
She has worked with a broad range of children, providing assessment and intervention for children on the autistic spectrum, children with dyslexia and dyspraxia. She is particularly interested in supporting pupils with SEND and passionate about supporting and nurturing children’s well-being and anxiety around learning.
Date of appointment: 14 December 2021
Term of office: 14 December 2021 - 13 December 2025
Appointed by: Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 2/2
Virginia (Gini) Mitchell - parent Governor
Gini has been actively involved as a parent, serving on the PTFA and initiating the development of the community garden.
Gini has expertise in supporting businesses at Board level as well as Change Management, Communications and Project Coordination for international companies.
Gini has a strong interest in the connection between promoting well being and a love of learning. She has 25 years experience of community engagement and bringing neighbourhoods together through activities and events.
Date of appointment: 31 January 2022
Term of Office: 31 January 2022 - 30 January 2026
Appointed by: Parents
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Parent
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 1/1
Am’e Moris - ex-offico governor* (*Morehall Primary)
Am’e is Principal of Morehall Primary and ex-officio governor by virtue of this position.
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 2/3
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2020/2021: 7/7
Charlotte Speed - ex-officio governor
Charlotte is Head of Martello Primary School and and ex-officio governor by virtue of this position.
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022:
Martha Tracey - parent Governor
Martha is a parent with expertise in HR, sustainability and communications. She is committed to representing the varied views and needs of the community.
She is excited to help Martello to be well connected with the environment, life and community of Folkestone in order to provide a diverse, inclusive, welcoming and high-performing school.
Date of appointment: 11 October 2021
Term of Office: 11 October 2021– 10 October 2025
Appointed by: Parents
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Parent
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 2/2
Benjamin Williams - co-opted governor
Ben is a qualified Teacher and Education leader.
Date of appointment: 1 June 2020
Term of Office: 1 June 2020 – 31 May 2024
Appointed by: Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Employee of Folkestone Academy
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 3/3
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2020/2021: 6/7
Governors who have left in the past 12 months:
Linda Pickles - co-opted governor
Linda Pickles is a qualified teacher and was the Principal Adviser for primary school improvement for Kent County Council until July 2019. She is a former Headteacher and trained as a lead inspector (HMI) for five years.
Date of Leaving: 11 May 2022
Date of appointment: 02 September 2021
Term of office: 02 September 2021 - 01 September 2025
Appointed by: Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 3/3
Stephen Deeming - parent Governor* (*Morehall Primary)
Date of leaving: 21 February 2022
Date of appointment: 22 March 2021
Term of Office: 22 March 2021 – 21 March 2025
Appointed by: Parent governor appointed by GB/Board due to no election candidates
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): Parent
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 2/2
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2020/2021: 1/2
Wayne Beech - ex-officio governor
Date of leaving: 31 December 2021
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 1/1
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2020/2021: 7/7
Nikki Morrison - parent Governor
Date of appointment: 18 January 2021
Date of leaving: 26 November 2021
Term of Office: 18 January 2021– 17 January 2025
Appointed by: Parents
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Parent
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2021/2022: 0/1
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2020/2021: 2/4
Matt Dechaine - co-opted governor
Date of appointment: 9 June 2020
Date of leaving: 22 September 2021
Term of Office: 9 June 2020 – 8 June 2024
Appointed by: Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: Governor at Westmeads Community Infants School (Nov 19-Nov 22)
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2020/2021: 5/7
Linda Pickles - Chair
Date of appointment: 10 September 2019
Term of office: until 31.07.2021 (end of commissioned governance)
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Education Consultant, commissioned governance
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2020/2021: 7/7
Sarah Suggett - parent Governor
Date of appointment: 15 June 2020
Date of leaving: 23 July 2021 (due to child leaving school)
Term of Office: 15 June 2020 – 14 June 2024
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Parent
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Committee meetings 2020/2021: 3/7