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: COG@eastchurch.school

Our Current Governors are: 

Mr Aaron Janes, Chair of Governors - Director Appointed Governor

Mrs Naomi Ivory - Headteacher Governor

Mrs Teresa Oliver - Staff Governor

Ms Vikki Street -  Co-opted Governor

Mrs Claire Lockyer - Director Appointed Governor

Ms Olivia Elphick - Parent Governor

For our latest membership and attendance information for our Local Governing Body please follow the link below

Attendance and Information 

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

 I have been involved in school governance since 2001.  I was first a “community governor” of my local School in Darenth (kent) which I actually attended as a child.  Over the past 20+ years I have been involved in governance I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute and have found it to be both rewarding and challenging.  I find it the greatest privilege to work closely with School leaders and external agencies to provide the very best for our children.  Our children are our future and they deserve the best possible start.

Over the years I have been involved in school governance I believe I have experienced almost everything that can be expected.  I have been through highs and lows but with everything I have experienced the Children have and always will come first.

I have been privileged to be Chair of Governors at Eastchurch school for 5years.  My children attended Eastchurch school and I have seen many changes and believe we are now in the strongest position we have been in since I joined the board in 2016. 

I served on the parochial church council at St Margeret’s church, Darenth for 7 years and was a church Warden there for 5.  As a Christian I am extremely proud to serve on the board of a Church of England School as part of the Diocese of Canterbury Academies trust “Aquila”.  At Eastchurch school we pride ourself on our vision.  Our vision and values is the centre part of school life in which our children experience a journey of all round education that nurtures them academically, emotionally and spiritually to be life long learners grounded in the beliefs and values of the Christian faith.  At Eastchurch school we welcome all children of any backgrounds and faith, we strive to enable all to achieve their full potential. We are a nurturing, inclusive community.

In my professional career I am a senior engineer working for the electricity industry.  I look after a team of engineers responsible for ensuring the reliability of the electricity network in south London including all new connections to the grid.  These can be small services to a new house up to large multiple high voltage services for building such as the Shard, HS1 and the London Bridge redevelopment.  I have a Diploma in health and safety from NEBOSH a worldwide recognised accreditation, a higher certificate in Electrical engineering and a masters degree in Leadership and Management.  I am a Chartered Manager.  I have undertaken several training courses in Governorship to assist me to undertake my role.

I can be contacted via the school office or on my email address COG@eastchurch.school.

I have been a teacher since 1993, and absolutely love it!!! I worked at the same school for 25 years, where I began straight from university until becoming SENCo and Assistant Headteacher. I came to Eastchurch as the Deputy Headteacher/Inclusion Manager in January 2018. My journey was a challenging one, becoming Acting Headteacher a few months later, but I embraced the privilege that this offered. As Headteacher I worked with governors to enable us to join the Aquila Trust, and my first few months as a Headteacher saw an OFSTED inspection followed by a Global Pandemic. I have now worked with the Trust to get the two sites of All Saints and St Clement split into two schools, and am so proud to now be the Headteacher of Eastchurch CEP School…..one site!

I am not at all artistic but I love all art and craft activities, when I am able I bring this into school and spend time with the children doing all sorts of creative projects. The children recently voted me the member of staff most likely to want to be a mermaid when I grew up! My desire to create a school which is like a home from home for my children can be seen at every turn.

When I am not at school I live on a 125 year old Dutch Barge in a working boatyard, where I have hook up electricity and water. I am part of an amazing community where I live and where I work and feel truly blessed to be able to do the job I do.

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