Goudhurst & Kilndown Church of England Primary School

Meet the Governors

  • Janet Beattie
    Foundation Governor

    Janet Beattie

    I am now retired but have worked in both the public and private sectors as an economist. I have lived in Benenden for 25 years and been involved with several village organisations including St George's Church. I am currently a trustee of the pre-school and the almhouses. I work regularly as a volunteer in the community shop where I oftern meet parents and children.

    I first became involved with the Primary School when I worked as a Parish Councillor, to obtain planning permission for the new school. It has been a joy for me to see the new school built and operating successfully; and to make so many friends among the parents. I have been a governor since 2016 and I am one of two Foundation (church) Governors. I am lead governor for Safeguarding and I am also one of the governors who monitor Behaviour and Attitudes across the Federation.

  • Peter Brook
    Foundation Governor

    Peter Brook

    I am a senior project manager working for the NHS in Kent. I have a degree in Engineering and a masters in Management. I live locally in Cranbrook. I have been a Foundation Governor of Benenden CEP School since April 2017 and the 1010 Federation since April 2020.

  • Sarah Martin
    LA Governor

    Sarah Martin

    I became a school governor on the Benenden Board in 2017 and was on the Joint Committee, working with the governors from the Goudhurst and Kilndown CEP School to start the federation process. I have a background in education, having been a teacher for 38 years until I retired in 2011. My specialisation was in special needs, with a diploma for teaching dyslexia. I live in Hawkhurst, have three grown up sons, one of whom has a child at Benenden CEP School, currently in year 6.

  • Simon Cullen
    Co-opted Governor

    Simon Cullen

    I joined the governing body of the school in February 2018 and am a parent of two children, one who is still at Benenden Primary School. I am Assistant Head and Head of Sixth Form at Benenden Girls' School and I hope to be able to bring some of my experience of teaching and middle management to help take The Federation forward in meeting all of its goals.

  • Alison Brook
    Associate Governor, Acting Head of School, Behaviour & Attitudes

    Alison Brook

    I am Acting Head of School (Benenden) responsible for Behaviour and Attitudes across the Federation and the SENCO at Benenden. I am a strong advocate for outdoor learning to be offered within the curriculum as it adds so much to the engagement of the learning, as well as encouraging the development of resilience, problem solving and communication skills-to name but a few! When not at school, I enjoy running, scouting and spending time with my family. I lead worship at church, and play in a barn dance band.

  • Aimee Day
    Associate Governor, Acting Head of School, Personal Development

    Aimee Day

    I joined the Federation In January 2022 as Assistant Head and SENCO at Goudhurst and Head of Personal Development and Wellbeing across the Federation. I was appointed Acting Head of School (Goudhurst) in January 2023. Having been in education for the past 16 years, I have worked in a range of larger schools across both Bromley and Kent, but not any as small as Goudhurst and Benenden. It has been so lovely to experience the close-knit community feel that being at a smaller school brings and I am delighted to be part of the federation. Having been a senior leader for the last 8 years, I have been fortunate to work in a number of roles focused on school improvement as well as inclusion, including managing a severe and complex needs provision for 3 years. I live locally and have a daughter just starting school and another about to embark on her secondary adventure. Outside of school, I enjoy running and baking and enjoying time with my family.

  • Oliver Miller
    Chair of Governors

    Oliver Miller

    Working within the hospitality and facilities management sector, I bring a wealth, strategy and service expertise to the Governing Board. With two children at Benenden, and with a keen interest in cultivating supportive and engaging school communities, I work closely with the school leadership team and other governors to set and develop sustainable and long-term strategic plans.

    Being a keen sports enthusiast, I also am a strong advocate for well-being and mental health, ensuring that the schools have the right support and guidance to meaningfully support our students.

    Committed to the best outcomes for all pupils, I have monitoring responsibility for finance, leadership management and health and saftey. Originally joining as a parent governor in 2020, and becoming Vice-Chair, I am now Chair of Governors.

  • Lindsay Roberts
    Executive Headteacher

    Lindsay Roberts

    I was appointed Headteacher of Goudhurst and Kilndown CEP School in September 2013 and I became the Headteacher of Benenden CEP school in April 2019. I then became the Executive Headteacher of both schools in April 2020 when the schools federated and formed the 10:10 Primary Federation. I left Sheffield University in 1988 completing a B.Ed with Honours. I moved to Kent in 1991 and have worked in a number of local primary schools, including Interim Executive Head supporting schools and increasing leadersip capacity. In February 2016 I became a National Leader of Education and recently I was awarded Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. Currently, I sit on the Governing Body of the 10:10 Primary Federation and a local independent school and I am committed to collaboration and sharing good practice in order to improve the outcomes for children.

  • James Watkins
    Co-opted Governor

    James Watkins

    I have been a co-opted Governor since 2019 and am responsible for monitoring Quality of Education as well as being part of the Centre of Excellence committee. I am currently Deputy Head at Sutton Valence Preparatory School, having worked in a range of state, international and independent schools throughout my career. I have three children, one of whom has recently left Y6 at Benenden Primary School, one is still at the school and one is yet to start.

  • Greg Coleman
    Federation Business Manager

    Greg Coleman

    I joined both Benenden and Goudhurst in 2015 prior to the founding of the Federation. I am now Business Manager for the Federation. I have worked in Education for 27 years, firstly in Facilities Management and then managing all support functions as a School Business Manager. I have worked in a range of schools from a small rural school with 80 pupils to what was the largest junior school in the country. I currently provide Business Management support to a Federation in East Sussex as well. I really enjoy working in our Federation with fantastic colleagues and pupils, all in a beautiful area of Kent. When not at work I am often out hiking and scrambling (frequently in the Peak District or beyond!), playing the piano / keys or socialising with friends.

  • James Sedgwick
    Foundation Governor

    James Sedgwick

    I have been a foundation governor, first of Goudhurst & Kilndown and then Federation since 2019. I have previously served as a parent governor at another local church primary school. I work as an infectious disease epidemiologist having trained as a doctor. I live locally and have two teenagers.

  • Reverend Rachel Robertson
    Foundation Governor

    Reverend Rachel Robertson

    I've been a Foundation Governor since January 2021 when I became Vicar of St Mary's, Goudhurst with Christ Church, Kilndown. My role is to help ensure the Christian ethos of the school is secure and lived out on a daily basis. I spend time in Goudhurst & KIlndown school every week, particularly for Collective Worship on Wednesdays, and love encouraging the staff and pupils. I have three teenagers, and live in Goudhurst.

  • Caroline Stern
    Co-Vice Chair / Co-opted Governor

    Caroline Stern

    I joined the 1010 Federation as a governor in 2021 as I have strong belief that every child deserves the best start in life so they can thrive in our changing, challenging world. Previously I have been Chair of Governors in a local primary school, driving the focus on school improvement, working towards outstanding education and equipping children to discover their potential. I am CEO of a global business consultancy focused on organisation strategy and change. I am an accredited Executive Coach and team facilitator. I live locally and have three teenagers.

  • Stephen Emmett
    Staff Governor

    Stephen Emmett

    My name is Stephen Emmett and I am the Year 6 teacher at Benenden Primary School and became Staff Governor for the federation in March 2023. I am in my 9th year of teaching and have experience in most year groups in a primary setting. I graduated with a BSc from the University of Portsmouth, continued on with my PGCE at the University of Southampton and am currently studying my Masters in Education Leadership and Management with the University of Keele. My interest and thesis proposal situates around gender differences within the primary settings and closing the gap between boys and girls. I take particular interest in current research and strive to ensure my teaching approach is current, fun, adaptable and inclusive.

  • Alastair Couldrey
    Co-opted Governor

    Alastair Couldrey

  • Fiona Lennon
    Co-opted Governor

    Fiona Lennon

  • Ben Flack
    Parent Governor, Co-opted Governor

    Ben Flack

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  • Dan Andrews
    Co-opted Governor

    Dan Andrews