The core responsibilities involved are:

• Setting the school’s vision, aims and values
• Agreeing the schools strategy
• Ensuring accountability by acting as a ‘critical friend’ to the Head Teacher
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Planning for the long term future of the school
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

• Ensure the Christian ethos of the school is maintained and developed.

• Ensure there is daily Collective Worship and weekly teaching of Religious Education.

The role of the Governors is to ensure that all the statutory duties of governance in the school are carried out.

In addition they are charged to ensure that the school carries out its School Improvement Plan. 

The Chair of the Governors is more than happy to answer any questions on governance and can be contacted through the school or on the following email address: kfrench@aquilatrust.co.uk 

If you are interested in supporting the work of our Governing Body please contact our Clerk or Chair of Governors. 

I have worked in education for most of my career, as a teacher, Headteacher of three schools as well as advisory and training roles.

I am very pleased to now serve the community of Eastchurch CE Primary School by working with the Governing Body. I have been working with Aquila for a number of years representing the Bishop of Dover on the Members' group and have now been appointed to the Intervention Board (IB).  

I have been involved in school governance for several decades and over that time occupied almost every position on a governing body – in ex officio, staff, parent, local authority and foundation governor roles. More recently I was designated by the Department for Education as a National Leader of Governance and supported a number of Chairs across the South East in sometimes quite challenging circumstances.

In my day job as Principal Lecturer in Education, I work part-time at Canterbury Christ Church University on a number of undergraduate or teacher training programmes as well as supervise Masters or Doctoral research students. 

I also live and worship in Canterbury.

In my spare time, I enjoy walking, bird watching, folk music and visiting art galleries

Claire holds a first-class business degree and has been able to use the skills she began developing at University in her varied career roles, taking her from investment banking roles at Goldman Sachs, to retraining to be a primary school teacher and onto her current role working for Judicium Education, a specialist law firm providing compliance support to schools. Claire specialises in data protection, using her skills and experience from working in schools to provide education-focused guidance and advice for a broad spectrum of schools throughout England and Wales.

Claire lives in Iwade and has four teenage children, all in Sittingbourne schools. Having taught in Sittingbourne, Claire knows and understands the local area and the challenges facing local children. This is Claire's first Governor role and, as well as supporting School's leadership team in their pursuit of excellence, she brings to School her mix of enthusiasm and commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for both students and staff.

In order to find further information around the structure and remit of Aquila - Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust please click on the links below:

Aquila Articles and Funding Agreements

Scheme of Delegation

Financial Information 

Trustee information 

For copies of Local Governing Body Minutes, please contact the clerk: 

Kerry French

kfrench@aquilatrust.co.uk