Governing body

Our main role is to support the Headteacher and the staff – the phrase often used to describe this role is ‘a critical friend’. We help them to set and reach targets and to strive for excellence across the whole spectrum of school life. The two key documents used for this are the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and the Self Evaluation Form (SEF). The SIP is an annual strategic plan for the school, with targets that everyone works towards and the SEF sets out how well the school is doing and where we aim to make improvements.

Our legal duties include:

• setting strategic direction, policies and objectives

• approving the school budget

• reviewing progress against the school’s budget and objectives

• appointing, challenging and supporting the headteacher

The Governing Body meets once every new term. We  have committees: Teaching and Learning; Resources; Pay and Appraisal; HTPM- Headteacher Performance Management; that also meet termly. All governors are informed about what happens at these committee meetings.

There are several categories of governor, appointed by different groups that have an interest in the school. These are Foundation, Co-opted, Authority, Parents, and Staff. All governors have equal status, however they are appointed.

We are committed to providing an excellent environment for all pupils to enjoy during their time at our school.

Committees

Teaching and Learning  (Chair: Rachel McQuillin)

Resources (inc. Pay & Appraisal)  (Chair: Paul Martin )

HTPM- Headteacher Performance Management  (Chair: Rachel McQuillin)

Who’s Who on the Governing Body

Paul Martin – Chair/Co-opted governor

I am a Chartered Accountant by trade and now run my own design, packaging and communications group with my business partner. My daughter, Eleanor, is a former pupil of the school and left in 2008. I have been a Governor, an active PTA father and treasurer whilst Eleanor was at the school. Since Eleanor left I have remained a Governor becoming Chair in 2015.

Appointed: 1/9/2004 by Full Governing Body

Term of office ends: 13/10/23

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Chair of Academy Members of Weald of Kent Grammar School

Attendance: 3/3

Alison Saunders - Headteacher

As Headteacher of St Lawrence Primary School (which is the best job in Kent!), I am automatically on the governing body. I am a member of both the Resources and the Teaching and Learning Committees and I meet regularly with the safeguarding governor to report on safeguarding practice and policy.

Appointed: 1/9/2002

Term of office ends: ex officio

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Married to Mr Guy Saunders, who runs the St Lawrence School Orchestra. Governor at Trinity Secondary School.

Attendance: 3/3

Mary Green – Staff governor

I have been a Teacher Governor at St Lawrence since 2014 and have been on various committees over the years. As a Staff Governor I bring a staff viewpoint and perspective to discussion and debate. I am currently a member of the Resources Committee. I have been teaching since 1994. I have 2 boys: my eldest is in his final year at Surrey University, studying International Business Management, and my youngest son is taking a gap year after A levels, before going to university to study Psychology.

Appointed: 04/02/2014 by staff       

Term of office ends: 03/02/2026

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None declared

Attendance: 3/3

Rachel McQuillin - Authority governor

Rachel McQuillin is Head of Middle School and teacher of History at Sevenoaks School, Kent. She has previously worked in an International school in Switzerland and a CofE girls’ comprehensive in central London. She has a keen interest in both the academic and pastoral aspects of school education, which are in reality inextricably linked, leading to her current role at Sevenoaks. Among a wide variety of interests, Rachel enjoys making pottery, skiing and recently, learning to surf!

Appointed: 10/5/2017  by local authority

Term of office ends: 26/5/2025

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Employee at Sevenoaks School

Attendance: 2/3

Rev. Serena Willoughby – Foundation governor – ex officio

I am Vicar of St Lawrence Church and St Margaret's Underriver. My eldest child has just left home for Bristol uni and my youngest child is studying at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for boys. My husband is Deputy Head st Skinners Kent Academy in Tunbridge Wells. In my spare time I really enjoy walking my dog with friends and as many Pilates classes as I can fit in. I've just started singing with a fun choir and am enjoying it much more than I ever expected!

Appointed: 01/9/2017

Term of office ends: on resignation

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None declared

Attendance: 3/3

Fiona Rowell - Foundation governor

I am a Human Resources professional and have spent most of my career working across finance and consultancy sectors worldwide. A majority of my roles involved leading acquisitions and mergers from a people perspective; utilising my project management, change management and leadership skills to effect successful business transformation.  In my professional life today I focus on helping others to learn and develop skills, abilities and formative behaviours that enable them to become the best version of themselves in their working lives. 

I’m a member of Seal St. Lawrence parish, I attend Seal St. Lawrence Church and my husband is a member of the PCC as well as Church Treasurer. The prospect of being able to contribute my professional experience and time to further support our community was a primary driver for taking on a Governor role at Seal St. Lawrence School.

I have three children, two are adults and live in Cheshire. My youngest daughter is in Year 8 and attends Bennett Memorial School and I also have two wonderful grandsons who attend a faith school in Cheshire and are beginning their educational journey.

In my spare time I enjoy walking, Pilates and baking (when I can!) and I’m a certified Mental Health First Aider.

Appointed: 10/02/2022

Term of office ends: on resignation

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None declared

Attendance: 1/1

Sue Fortune - Co-opted Governor

Sue has two grown up sons and three grandchildren. Although her career was not in education, since retiring she has been involved in the sector for over 20 years both as a grammar school governor and a volunteer in a junior school. She finds working with young people both inspiring and rewarding. In her spare time she enjoys reading, yoga and mind puzzles.

Appointed: 7/2/2019 by governing body

Term of office ends: 23/9/2022

Attendance: 3/3

Rebecca Tritton - Parent Governor

Rebecca has two children who currently attend St. Lawrence.  She is an award-winning goldsmith who has taught jewellery design at degree level.  Rebecca has been running her own fine jewellery business since 2014.  In her spare time she is an active member of her local running club.

Appointed: 11/2/21

Term of office ends: 10/2/25

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: 

Attendance: 3/3

David Lee - Parent Governor

David is a new parent to St Lawrence. He has a son in Year R and a daughter who will join in the next academic year. David is an Operations Manager with the British Standards Institution, managing a team and the delivery of audits to clients across a wide range of industry sectors. Outside of work David has a keen interest in youth provision and is an assistant scout leader and a trustee for a Down Syndrome charity who support young people to achieve their full potential.

Appointed: 11/2/21

Term of office ends: 10/2/25

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: 

Attendance: 2/3

Andrew Braisted - Clerk to the Governors

Hi, My name is Andrew Braisted and I am the Clerk to Governors for the Full Governing Body and the Resource Committee. I live in Meopham, am married and have two daughters, one of whom is a trainee Solicitor based in Chichester and the other is a newly qualified teacher in Reading. My wife is an Assistant Head at Ifield School in Gravesend. I have previously worked for Coutts & Co, UBS and Barclays Wealth and currently work for a Health and Safety Company in Rochester. I am also a fully qualified London Black Cab driver, having completed ‘The Knowledge’ a year or so back.