Governance

Trust 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. 

The Board of trustees has collective accountability and responsibility for the academy trust and assuring itself that there is compliance with regulatory, contractual, and statutory requirements. The academy trust board provides: 

• Strategic leadership of the academy trust: the board defines the trust vision for high quality and inclusive education in line with its charitable objects. It establishes and fosters the trust’s culture and sets and champions the trust strategy including determining what governance functions are delegated to the local tier 

• Accountability and assurance: the board has robust effective oversight of the operations and performance of the academy trust, including the provision of education, pupil welfare, overseeing and ensuring appropriate use of funding and effective financial performance and keeping their estate safe and well maintained

• Engagement: the board has strategic oversight of relationships with stakeholders. The board involves parents, schools and communities so that decision-making is supported by meaningful engagement.

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 Board as set out in the Scheme of Delegation.  

View our Articles and Memorandum of Association. 

Challenge and Community Board (CCB)

Chair: Jenny Fox

To contact the Chair, please email governance@turnerschools.com, contact via the school office or  01303 275128

Vice Chair: Nick Smyth 

CCB Safeguarding Lead: Benjamin Williams

CCB SEND Lead: Maja Hjelmskog 

Safeguarding Lead Trustee: Dr Toyin Okitikpi

SEND Lead Trustee: Tracy Luke

Our Governors:

Terms of Office are 4 years

Natalie Barrow - ex-offico governor

Natalie is Principal of Martello Primary and and ex-officio governor by virtue of this position.

• Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

• Governance roles in other educational institutions: Local governor for Chilton Primary School (Oct 2022-2026) 

• Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None

Camilla Barry - co-opted governor

Camilla is brings a wealth of legal knowledge and experience to the CCB, following her career as a Lawyer. Currently volunteering with the Samaritans, Camilla has a keen interest in pupil and staff mental health and well-being. 

• Date of appointment: 10 December 2024

• Term of Office: 10 December 2024 - 9 December 2028

• Appointed by: Board

• Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

• Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

Jenny Fox - co-opted governor

Jenny lives in Folkestone and is a Manager for HSBC.

• Date of reappointment: 1 September 2022

• Date of original appointment: 1 September 2018

• 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

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

• 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

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: Trustee of Friends of Folkestone Academy Charity (2.10.23)

• Governance roles in other educational institutions: None

• Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None

Nick Smyth - co-opted governor

Nick is the Head of Sales for a UK UK leading distributor of fixings, fasteners and building consumables to the construction and infrastructure sector.  He is well accustomed to working with Senior Leadership teams and wanted to extend this experience to further support the community.

• Date of appointment: 23 April 2024 

• Appointed by: Board

• Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

• Governance roles in other educational institutions: Governor at St Richard's Catholic Primary School (effective 3 May 2024)  

• Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None

Kathryn Taylor - parent governor (Martello primary)

• Date of appointment: 4 February 2025

• Term of Office: 4 February 2025 - 3 February 2029

• Appointed by: Elected 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): Works at Martello Primary school and Children attend Martello primary school. 

Benjamin Williams - co-opted governor

Ben is a qualified Teacher and Education leader.

• Date of reappointment: 1 June 2024

• Date of original appointment: 1 June 2020

• 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

Leanne Wysner - parent Governor (Morehall)

Leanne is a parent who worked as a modifier for visually impaired children since 2021. Prior to this, she was a Teaching Assistant. 

Outside of work she has also been a Welfare Officer for Hawkinge Town Youth for about 8 years which included safeguarding children within grassroots football. 

• Date of appointment: 16 July 2024

• Appointed by: Trust Board in the absence of parent nominations 

• 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): Works at Turner Free School (part of Turner Schools trust), parent of child at Morehall Primary.