The Governance responsibilities include the main functions as identified by the Department for Education (October, 2020):
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff;
- Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent
As a Voluntary Aided school with a church foundation, there are additional responsibilities – such as being the employers of all staff, being the admission authority and maintaining our Christian distinctiveness.
In January 2021, the Governing Body was replaced by an Interim Executive Board (IEB) at the direction of the Regional Schools Commissioner. This is a smaller and more experienced group of individuals who are required to work on the rapid improvement of the school. As the name suggests, it is a temporary measure and the longer term goal is to return governance functions to the new Governing Body.
The IEB will operate differently to a Governing Body: each member will carry specific responsibilities and will report on the area at very regular meetings of the Board. We do not have a committee structure.
If you wish to contact our LGB, please email Abenaa Opong (Governance Professional) at oponga@aletheiatrust.org.uk.
Governors
| Full Name | Governor Type | Governor Role | Term of Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chair: Jane Prideaux | Trust Governor | Chair | 1st November 2023 - 28th October 2027 |
| Amalia Gasson | Parent Governor | SEND | 21st November 2023 - 20 November 2027 |
| Jayne Ingman | Trust Governor | SEND | 1st November 2023 - 31st October 2027 |
| Jude Johnson | Trust Governor | Safeguarding and Behaviour & Exclusions | 1st November 2023 - 31st October 2027 |
| Kelli Moon | Staff Governor | 27th November 2023 - 26th November 2027 | |
| Simon Pleace | Trust Governor | Finance | 15th December 2023 - 14th December 2027 |
| Graeme Taylor | Trust Governor | Health & Safety | 5th January 2024 - 4th January 2028 |
| Khuzan Irani | Trust Governor | 21st March 2024 - 20th March 2028 | |
| Graham Ward | Headteacher | Ex Officio | - |
Meet the Governors
Jane Prideaux • Chair of Governors
I am delighted to be the Chair of Governors at Ditton Junior School. I have a background in secondary education having taught in both West Sussex and Kent schools for many years before retiring several years ago. I have a keen interest in education and look forward to helping the school move forward to provide an exciting, inclusive and challenging education for all the children. I live in the area and in my spare time enjoy walking my two dogs, gardening and socialising with friends and family.
Khuzan Irani • Trust Governor
I am a Polymer Research and Development Engineer with over 12 years of experience working on a multitude of future innovation projects, primarily in the Automotive Industry. I have recently relocated to Kent to work for a company that creates “mindfully designed furniture” for challenging environments such as mental health facilities, prisons, and schools.
In my free time, I enjoy travelling, watching travel documentaries, learning about human psychology and mindfulness. I actively participate as a STEM Volunteer with the intention of raising awareness of the influence of STEM in our day-to-day lives.
Simon Pleace • Trust Governor
I’m a qualified accountant who has worked in local government finance for over 30 years and I have extensive knowledge of school funding within Kent and nationally.
I am a school governor at two other Kent schools, and I am a non-executive director of Commercial Services Group.
In my spare time I am a keen runner and I regularly share my home with guide dog puppies.
Graeme Taylor • Trust Governor
I am thrilled to be a governor at Ditton C of E Junior School to help and support the excellent work the school is building on.
I am an experienced human resources professional, with most of my experience in several government organisations, including local government in a council and the charity sector.
As a governor, I want to help Ditton C of E Junior School to create an inclusive culture where everyone can develop, have a sense of belonging, where every child can thrive and look back many years later with pride in attending the school, and if still in the area, want to send their children to the same school. This means creating the right infrastructure that underpins the school.
This is my first role as a school governor and although I have been involved at a board level in several other roles, I look forward to doing this at a local level, transferring my corporate knowledge into a local community capacity.
Jayne Ingman • Trust Governor
Having spent 15 years working in Advertising and Marketing I retrained as a Primary School teacher when my children were very young. I worked in a Junior School for a large part of my career becoming the Literacy/English Leader and went on to support colleagues in the wider school community as a Specialist Teaching in Education. Finally, I achieved my goal to serve as a Headteacher.
I have also served as a School Governor in Kent for over 20 years supporting both Primary and Secondary schools. I am delighted to now be part of the Local Governing Board. I believe my knowledge, experience and skills are well suited to help the school develop further and am committed to working with Mr Ward, the staff and fellow Governors to ensure we provide the best education possible for your children.
Jude Johnson • Trust Governor
My journey in school governance began back in 2001. Over the years, I have held positions as a school governor in various primary schools. My expertise also led me to serve as a National Leader of Governance for the Department for Education until its closure in October.
Currently, I am employed as a Governance Professional for a new Multi-academy Trust. Before this, I served as a Governance Officer for a local authority and an education consultancy, specialising in providing training and guidance on statutory compliance to governing boards.
I continue to make a difference as a Local Lead Governor, offering valuable support to chairs of governors during my spare time.
Beyond my governance responsibilities, I wear another hat as a Trustee for a Christian Schools-Work charity.
Amalia Gasson • Parent Governor
I have a child who started at the junior school in year 3 in 2023, as well as a child who started reception at the infant school at the same time.
I am keen to help use my experience of being a parent at the school to help support the school development as a parent governor.
I also work as a Clinical Psychologist and have a particular interest in how mental health and neurodivergence are supported through education settings.
Abenaa Opong • Governance Professional
Governors Documentation
Ditton’s Local Governing Body was formally established at the end of 2023, and therefore attendance has not been recorded for the new LGB. For Interim Executive Board attendance please see the below.
Aletheia Academies Trust Governance
For more information about how the Aletheia Academies Trust system of Governance operates including the Names of Trustees and Members and the Scheme of Delegation, please visit the Trust Governance website page here.
For more information about how Aletheia Academies Trust Finance operates including documentation such as The Annual Report, Annual Audited Accounts, and Trust Executive Pay, please visit the Trust Finance website page here.
Ditton CofE Junior School does not exceed the Executive Pay bracket.
