Governance

Alan is a lifelong public servant, safeguarding our communities for over 30 years with Kent Police. In serving as a Swale Borough and Upchurch Parish Councillor, he’s championed and shaped the local area.

This, and his 20-year dedication to education, as a School Governor, Chair, and Trustee, Alan proudly Chairs EKC Sheppey Secondary’s Governing Body.

“I am very excited about this role for two reasons. These changes offer real choice to the young people on the Island, and secondly, we get to work with local families, the Sheppey community, and a great EKC Sheppey Secondary team, to create, from scratch, an entirely new school offering a unique curriculum tailored to the needs of our pupils, preparing them for the exciting world ahead!

The Governing Body will ensure the focus is on the things that we know really matter: support, behaviour for learning, and great teaching. We have an ‘Outstanding’ Primary school and ‘Outstanding’ college on the island already, we know the community, and we are drawing on our proven track record to deliver real change. We have a great team, all of whom have young people and the community at heart and are ambitious, dedicated and looking forward to the challenge.”

Fiona is a passionate islander with decades of experience working in education in Swale. Fiona has championed the island all of her life and has shaped the futures for many families all over the island.

Fiona started her teaching career on the Isle of Sheppey 45 years ago and in that time worked across Island schools in various leadership roles. In 2012 she was appointed as a Headteacher in a Sittingbourne secondary school where she raised standards and transformed the school’s reputation. Since her ‘retirement’ she has been Chair of the Board of Directors for an academy trust of eight schools, two of which are on the Island

“I’m excited about being a governor of EKCSS, it’s a privilege to be asked and support the next generation to make a difference for our young people. I believe they have the expertise, skill set and drive to understand the community and work with all stakeholders to ensure that our future generations of children have the educational experience they deserve, within their local environment.

I learnt many years ago that the best form of governance is to challenge and support in equal measure. It certainly isn’t an easy balance to achieve at times but is crucial to a successful environment. I aim to build positive relationships with all members of staff, regularly seek the views of students and parents and be prepared when needed to have open and honest conversations.“

Jackie has educational experience spanning over 28 years within a challenging Swale School. She is committed to offering all young people a chance to be successful, whatever their background and circumstances.

Jackie has leadership experience of safeguarding, curriculum development, career education and whole school strategic planning. Her family have always lived on the Island and she spent most of her childhood school holidays staying with grandparents there.

“Having spent so many years working in education in Swale, being close to family living on the Island, I am fully aware of the challenges facing young people and their education there, which is why I am excited to be part of the Governing body working with the leaders and staff at EKC Sheppey Secondary to make a change for the future.

Governing is about challenging the school leaders and staff, whilst also supporting their work in delivering a strong ethos and education for the young people of Sheppey. I am committed to be part of a team who will turn round the opportunities available for education on the island and am delighted by this new challenge ahead.“

Denise is an experienced entrepreneur who has made an enormous difference to the lives of the young people of Swale helping those who have often felt left behind.

She ran her own successful international Interior Design business for over 30 years. Working with celebrities and corporate clients, worldwide. She took early retirement and joined Canterbury College in the Visual Arts Department, as an Industry Liaison Officer. In this role, she was responsible for getting young people work experience and getting them work ready. After 5 years, she was offered the role as Enterprise Manager at Launch It on the Isle of Sheppey, to grow the next generation of entrepreneurs and creatives on the Island.

“I am excited to be able to offer my wealth of knowledge and experience to the young people of the Island.

I am passionate about giving the next generation the chance to explore their options in the world of work and to become the best they can. I would like every young person to feel valued and enabled to reach their full potential.”

Dolley is a Labour counsellor for Sheerness. As a passionate and dedicated Islander, she has a proven track record in campaigning for positive change in Sheerness and ensuring that the voices of the Sheerness community are heard at every level.

As an experienced governor and within her own family, she has personal experience of schools on the island. She has been working in the local community for many years and is involved in a number of development projects across the island.

“I am incredibly excited to be supporting EKC group on Sheppey especially with bringing forward a new secondary school in Sheerness. Working with schools in various governance roles has been a real privilege. As a family we have benefitted from going through the education process that our island relies on and our children deserve. Providing choice, quality teaching and an educational offering that works with the community are ideals that we all share and more importantly will give the voice of the child every opportunity to be heard.

I will do my best to support children and families to enjoy and celebrate their time in education and aspire to a life beyond education that realises the individual potential that each student carries with them. I will bring commitment, understanding and expectation to the role on behalf of Sheppey and our kids.“

Clare is an experienced and committed safeguarding lead who has dedicated her career to safeguarding young people throughout Swale.

She has 15 years of experience in working with children and young people in Swale in both primary and secondary settings. She is passionate about supporting families in her role as a Designated Safeguarding Lead and being a mental health lead and qualified counsellor has enabled her to transform the lives of the young people she works with.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to be part of the improvement to secondary education for young people on the Isle of Sheppey. EKCSS have high expectations of their students and will provide an exciting option for young people on the island.

I am looking forward to drawing on my experience of working with young people and their families on the Isle of Sheppey to enable them to get the best possible educational experience with EKC Sheppey Secondary.“

Garry is dedicated to his mission to improve the life chances for all children, both within his schools and within the charities he works with. He has lived on the island for the last ten years, and some locals may remember his family taking part in the DIYSOS programme a few years ago. He is all too aware of the brilliant community that we have on the island, and how supportive it can be to our young people.

Garry has been a teacher for 28 years, and for 15 of those he was a headteacher. He is currently the CEO of The Golden Thread Alliance, a successful Multi Academy Trust of 9 Primary Schools in North Kent.

“I am so excited about working with the Headteacher, Senior Team, as well as the East Kent Schools Trust, as this brand new school, with innovative, caring and nurturing approaches, coupled with the highest expectations and aspirations, gives an excellent opportunity for our children and young people.

In my role as Governor, I look forward to being able to challenge and support in equal measure – with my main focus being on how the school provides for our most vulnerable children – especially those who are looked after, adopted, or have special educational needs.“

Alexandra started her long career in further education 15 years ago. She has had the opportunity to work nationwide in different colleges and brings this wealth of experience to her role as Principal at Sheppey College.

Alexandra is a proud member of the EKC Group Leadership Team who is dedicated to working with our young people on the island to support them into further education, degrees, apprenticeships or successful employment.

“I am excited to support EKC Sheppey Secondary on its journey to ensure that secondary education on the Isle of Sheppey is reimagined.

It is a privilege to be given this opportunity to both support but also challenge EKC Sheppey Secondary to achieve its targets in my role as school governor, and I am looking forward to continuing to support students in Sheppey achieve their goals.”

Stewart is a fully qualified Carpenter and Joiner with over 20 years of experience running his own company; in 2001, his career direction led him to Education with a passion for sharing his knowledge and experience with Carpentry students at Folkestone College.

In 2007, he became a Director, and since then, he has led a number of curriculum areas, including Plumbing, Electrical, General Construction, Computing, Engineering and Automotive. In 2013, he became the senior lead on all Estate Capital projects within the East Kent Colleges Group. Over the last ten years, he has been involved at the senior level in the Group’s expansion and has led over 70 projects, equalling more than £80 million.

“I am excited to become part of the governing body of EKC Sheppey Secondary and feel my above experiences can help develop the school to meet the needs of all students as they progress into their chosen careers.

I am a strong-willed person, and I feel this, with my life experiences, will put me in a good position to both support and challenge all aspects of the school‘s development to move forward in a positive way.“