Board of Trustees (Governors)
Welcome to Our Trustees' Page
Who are the Luddenham School Trustees and what do they do?
At Luddenham we have Trustees rather than Governors. This is because the School is an Academy Trust and receives its funding direct from central government. Trustees do the same job as Governors in other schools. Luddenham's Trustees are there to support the Headteacher and staff, to be 'critical friends' to the School. Trustees are required to make decisions which they believe are in the best interests of the whole school: children, parents and staff.
Our Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that Luddenham has an effective and appropriate systems of control, financial and otherwise. However, such a system is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve school objectives.
The Board of Trustees has delegated the day-to-day responsibility to the Headteacher, as Accounting Officer, for ensuring financial controls conform with the requirements and responsibilities assigned to it in the funding agreement between Luddenham School and the Secretary of State for Education.
The Trustees are a mix of individuals who have a current interest in the school (parents), those who have a long-standing association (parents of children who have since left the school), and people who want to support families and the local community. All Trustees, with the exception of the Headteacher, are volunteers.
We undertake an annual Skills Audit which seeks to identify the main skills covered by the current Board. The Skills Audit identifies gaps in knowledge and the Trustees look at ways to mitigate those gaps, through training or the recruitment of new Trustees. The Board has a broad balance of skills and experience.
The Board maintains an up-to-date Register of Business Interests and has the declaration of conflicts of interest as a standing item for each full Trustee Board meeting. If a potential conflict of interest is identified or declared, the Trustee affected will not take part in any discussions or decisions relating to the conflict. The Academy Trust avoids conflicts of interest in its ownership or control of any subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates. The current Register of Business Interests can be found in the documents listed below.
Our Trustees
Dominic Deeson Chair
Trustee Appt’ed Elected: 28/01/2022 Term Ends: 27/01/2026
Declaration of Interest: Nurture for All CIC Meeting Attendance: 4 out of 4
| I have been a governor / trustee for primary schools since 1988. With three of my children attending Luddenham, I have been involved with the governing body of the school for many years. I was delighted to return to the board at Luddenham in January 2022 as Chair. I am a retired magazine publisher.
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Claire Vincett
Principle Ex-Officio Elected: 03/10/2022 Term Ends: n/a
Declaration of Interest: School Employee Meeting Attendance: 4 out of 4
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I have been a qualified teacher for over 20 years with over 15 years in senior leadership. I have worked in all year groups from EYFS to Year 6. I have had additional responsibility prior to this role in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Maths, Assessment, Attendance, Mentoring and Pupil Premium. I have also been a staff governor in a previous school. I am extremely excited and privileged to take on the role of Headteacher at Luddenham where I look forward to working with such an enthusiastic and dedicated team focused on providing an ambitious curriculum for all our pupils so that ‘Every Child can Achieve.’
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Paul James
Trustee Appt'ed Elected: 16/01/2023 Term Ends: 15/01/2027
Declaration of Interest: Close friend of Headteacher Meeting Attendance: 3 out of 4 |
Over the last 20 years I have worked for Berkeley Homes and I am currently Head of Quality Control for East Thames. I worked with high-end customers (VIPs) in West London and also managed the facilities at one of our Regional offices at Chelsea. Before my current position I was Head of Customer Services, looking after our customers on post-occupation. Dealing with minor leaks to major building related projects. Before joining Berkeley Homes I was in the Corps of Royal Engineers for 23yrs. I have enjoyed working in different countries and engaging with various cultures all over the world. I was a keen sportsman representing the Tri-Services at Fencing and Rugby at Regimental level. My memorable moment was to help out at the 2012 London Olympics. I volunteered as a Games Maker for the Olympic Fencing Committee working in the 'Call Room' and main arena.
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Katrina Fisher Vice Chair
Member Appt'ed Elected: 09/05/2023 Term Ends: 08/05/2027
Declaration of Interest: Nothing to declare Meeting Attendance: 3 out of 4 |
Prior to my retirement, I had a varied teaching career ranging from classroom teaching early years to adults. I moved on to senior leadership taking on the headship of a small failing primary school which was successfully turned around. I started working for Leadership Learning South-East (LLSE) and was invited to be part of the planning team for the Senior Leader and Headship programmes (National Professional Qualification for Leading Teaching). I am a trained assessor for the new suite of NPQs and undertake assessment work for NPQ Online. I am married and live with my husband who is also retired. We love to travel and own a house in France, giving me a chance to use the French skills I acquired working in the French department of a London secondary school. The Trustees of Luddenham share a compelling and inspirational vision for the future and I very much look forward to being part of this journey.
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Paul Smith
Member Appt'ed Elected: 09/05/2023 Term Ends: 08/05/2027
Declaration of Interest: Nothing to declare Meeting Attendance: 3 out of 4 | Having trained to become a primary teacher at University of London, I left to live and work in northern Greece. Returning to the UK I was appointed as a primary teacher with the responsibility for the management of PE and History. Prior to my retirement in July 2015, I had held two very successful headships in London and Enfield. Having retired, I lived in SW France having set up my own small gite business before returning to the UK in Oct 2022. Throughout my career my philosophy for primary education has been pretty consistent. It should be based on a broad, balanced curriculum that allows children a whole range of experiences, from music to art to sport to outdoor education, which together with high expectations and enlightened teaching is life shaping. Get this in place and all the other factors that make a good school would naturally follow.
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Graeme Burrows
Member Appt'ed Elected: 19/06/2023 Term Ends: 18/06/2027
Declaration of Interest: Nothing to declare Meeting Attendance: 3 out of 4
| Prior to my recent retirement, I was a youth worker for over 30 years working primarily with young people 'at risk of offending'. Developing an inevitable interest in the causes of crime and its potential solutions, I later studied Criminal Justice at Leicester University. On completion of my Masters degree I worked in local government for the next 10 years as a Borough, then later a County Community Safety Officer. My role within the Trustees team at Luddenham is to contribute to, and develop, the 'Wellbeing' strategy for both staff and pupils.
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Jenna Mehigan
Member Appt'ed Elected: 21/09/2023 Term Ends: 20/09/2027
Declaration of Interest: Director of Primary ITT at KMT/Leigh Academies Trust Meeting Attendance: 3 out of 4 | Having worked in the sector for many years, I firmly believe in the transformative power of high-quality inclusive education, a broad and balanced curriculum and high expectations on pupils' futures. I have previously been a primary school teacher and senior leader and currently lead a primary initial teacher training programme; my current role ensures that I have an in-depth understanding of up-to-date evidence-informed practice. My areas of expertise include curriculum development, assessment, teaching and learning, and teacher development, and I hold additional postgraduate qualifications in mathematics education and educational leadership and management. I very much look forward to working with the Board of Trustees to support the development of Luddenham School for the benefit of pupils, parents, staff and the local community.
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Laura Barnett
Parent Trustee Elected: 25/11/2024 Term Ends: 24/11/2028
Declaration of Interest: School Parent Meeting Attendance: 2 out of 2 | My son attends Luddenham School and I am thrilled to have been elected a parent trustee to have the opportunity to contribute to the school's remarkably supportive and holistic learning environment. I am a novelist, former journalist and theatre critic, with a keen interest in education, creativity and children's wellbeing, and particularly value the emphasis placed at Luddenham on outdoor and nature-based learning activities. | ||
Nicholas Perry
Parent Trustee Elected: 25/11/2024 Term Ends: 24/11/2028
Declaration of Interest: School Parent Meeting Attendance: 2 out of 2 |
I have three children currently at Luddenham, the youngest in reception, oldest in her final year. As such I have a heavily vested interest in the school, and will continue to do so for some time. Since walking into the school almost 8 years ago I have never had any doubt that the school is a great place for children, providing a holistic approach to education and I will support the board, teachers and parents to ensure this continues. | ||
Chair of Trustees
Mr Dominic Deeson - ddeeson@luddenham.kent.sch.uk
Vice Chair of Trustees
Mrs Katrina Fisher - kfisher@luddenham.kent.sch.uk
Governance Professional (Clerk)
Nikki Crossley - clerk@luddenham.kent.sch.uk
Board of Trustees Structure
| Chair | Dominic Deeson |
| Vice Chair | Katrina Fisher |
| Headteacher | Claire Vincett |
Finance Audit & Risk (FAR) Committee Chair to be elected at the first meeting of the new academic year | Claire Vincett Dominic Deeson Katrina Fisher Paul Smith (Chair) In attendance: Valerie Harwood, Chief Financial Officer Nikki Crossley, Clerk |
Pay Committee Chair to be elected at the first meeting of the new academic year | Claire Vincett Dominic Deeson Katrina Fisher Paul Smith (Chair) In attendance: Valerie Harwood, Chief Financial Officer Nikki Crossley, Clerk |
| Curriculum Trustee | Paul Smith |
| Early Years Foundation Stage Trustee | Katrina Fisher (Shadowed by Laura Barnett) |
| Health & Safety Trustee | Paul James |
| Leadership and Management Trustee | Katrina Fisher |
| Pupil Premium and Sports Premium Trustee | TBC |
| Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) Trustee | Paul James |
| Safeguarding Trustee | Nick Perry |
| Special Educational Needs & Disabilities Trustee | Jenna Mehigan |
| Wellbeing Trustee | Graeme Burrows |
Trustees Strategic Responsibilities & Scheme of Delegation
Statutory Documents
Register of Business of Interests
Trustees Meeting Attendance & Terms of Office
Agendas and minutes of all Trustee meetings, together with any associated documentation, are available upon request from the School Office.
Financial Statement 2023 - 2024
Financial Statement 2022 -2023
Members
Mrs Susan Bayford - Appointed 15th January 2018
Mr Richard Woodroofe - Appointed 2nd March 2012
Mr Matthew Hogben - Appointed 30th June 2022
Companies House Registration No. 7974434