Meet our Governors
The Governing Body
Strong and robust governance is a key asset in securing high standards of educational achievement. As part of the EKC Schools Trust, Thornden Wood Local Governing Body reports into the Trust’s Board, which provides overarching strategic guidance for the whole of the Trust.
The key role of the Governors is to support the school as critical friends, providing a strategic overview and ensuring accountability. They are unpaid volunteers who represent the community the school serves.
Peter Goldsack - Chair of Governors
I have worked for a major high street bank for 41 years before retiring in 2019. I have had an interest in education since our children started their journey from Primary School through to finishing University. I firmly believe that every child deserves the best start in life possible and being a school governor means that I can give something back to the community for the education they received. I joined the Board of Governors in 2017 and am proud to have been Chair of Governors since 2022. During my time as a Governor I have seen how the school has progressed to the amazing school we have today.
I am also a Trustee on the EKC Schools Trust Board where I am Chair of the Risk and Compliance Committee.
Jaydie David - Independent Governor
I am a retired Primary School teacher.
I was a Teacher Governor at two previous schools and was anxious to remain connected to education and was delighted to be accepted as a Foundation Governor at Thornden Wood Primary School in 2024.After I retired from teaching, I volunteered as a Samaritan for seven years.
Vernon Kearl - Independent Governor
I am the Head of Department of Early Years Education and Health at Canterbury College. I am passionate about the education and welfare and of children and young people, and hope to use my skills and experience to benefit the school as best as I can. Thornden Wood is an amazing school with remarkable staff, and I look forward to assisting them to the best of my abilities.
Kayleigh Peirce - Independent Governor
I feel privileged to be a Governor at Thorndon Wood School. With 20 years of experience in Retail, I have developed strong cultural awareness and strategic thinking skills. I have a daughter in primary school and have lived in the local area for most of my life.
Maisie Blight - Independent Governor
I am a retired civil servant and co opted governor at the school with responsibility for phonics.
I have over 28 years experience as a school governor in local schools and my grandchildren have all attended the school.
Gemma Stevens - Independent Governor
I have worked in education for over 20 years in the local area from Early years to FE, my specialism is Alternative provision and learners with SEMH needs. I chose to be a governor here because I live in Herne Bay and my children have grown up here, I am looking forward to supporting the school .
Anne Leese - Independent Governor
I have worked in Further Education for over 30 years retiring as the Deputy CEO from EKC Group a number of years ago. With a passion for education and the power of learning I received a BEM for my work with young people and the transformational impact of social action.
A Human Resource specialist initially in the health service and then in education I have a wealth of employment experience and firmly believe inspiring staff to be the best they can be is the way to a happy workforce.
I am a season ticket holder for Saracens rugby union, love reading, walking and allotmenting.
Asha Crocker - Parent Governor
I have lived in Herne Bay for over 15 years, and both of my children attend Thornden Wood Primary School with my eldest in year six and my youngest in reception year. We have very close family links to the Greenhill area as my children’s grandparents have lived here for over 45 years, and my husband attended the school as a child.
I was previously a secondary school teacher before having children, so I have some experience of the challenges that students and staff face in the current education climate, and I am deeply committed to ensuring the best possible educational experience and personal development opportunities for all.
My priority as a parent governor is to remain impartial, especially when posing challenging questions to school leaders, whilst offering the governing board insight as a parent of two children that attend the school.
I feel that my knowledge and experience of our local community would contribute to supporting Thornden Wood in continuing being a great place for our children to learn, play and grow in a safe environment.
I have been impressed with the way all staff have supported my eldest to thrive and develop during the last 7 years, particularly through the difficulties and challenges that arose due to the pandemic. I suspect that these challenges will be on-going for a time yet and feel very confident in the school and staff’s ability to overcome them, with the students’ best interests at the heart of everything they do. Therefore, I feel motivated to volunteer my time and pay it forward so that the school and staff feel fully supported, and I am honoured to be a part of the governing body.
Kate Barwell - Parent Governor
I became a Parent Governor at the end of 2024. My son Jacob is currently in Ash Class in Year 1. I am a pastoral lead with responsibility for safeguarding at a local independent school and hope my experience and passion for giving children the best possible opportunities are valuable to the governing board.
Leanne Travers - Staff Governor
I am a Year 5 teacher, and I'm excited to be the new staff governor. I am now in my 11th year at the school, having spent the majority of that time teaching in Years 5 and 6. I currently lead Geography, History, and MFL, and have thoroughly enjoyed developing the curriculum in these areas.
The core purpose of governing bodies is threefold:
- To set and monitor the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the School.
- To hold the headteacher and senior leaders to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
- Oversight of the financial performance of the school, making sure its money is well spent.
At Thornden Wood Primary School, the Governing Body meets approximately four times per year. In addition to this, Governors carry out pre-arranged visits to monitor school progress or carry out other duties as required
For information about the members of our Governing Body for 2023-24 and their roles and responsibilities
The Register of Interests can be found here This will be updated in September.
Current Chair is Mr Peter Goldsack. He can be contacted at Thornden Wood Primary School, Greenhill Road West, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 7RS or via email to peter.goldsack@thorndenwood.kent.sch.uk
You do not need any particular qualifications to be a Governor, just an interest in the school, enthusiasm to see the school continue to grow and a little bit of time to help that process.
Please see below a link to EKC Schools Trust Governance:-
If you would like more information on the role of a school governor or interested in becoming a governor, please contact the chair of governors or the school office: office@thorndenwood.kent.sch.uk
Financial Information
Annual reporting and Financial information can be found on the EKC Group website by clicking here.
Thornden Wood Primary School Funding agreement can be viewed here. Once on the page please navigate to EKC Trust Funding Agreements > Thornden Wood Funding Agreements.
EKC Schools Trust Academy Articles of Association can be viewed here.
