Governing Body

Welcome to the section of the website where you can find out more about the school’s governors, and the work that we do.

Our main role is to support and challenge the Headteacher and the staff to help them set and reach targets and to strive for excellence across the whole spectrum of school life. The key document used for this is the School Improvement Plan (SIP) which now incorporates the Self Evaluation Form (SEF). The SIP sets out the 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.

The role of the governing board is a strategic one, our legal duties are to:

set the aims and objectives for the school
set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
to be a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher (a critical friend).

The full Governing Board meets at least once every term (six times a year). In addition to these meetings we have monitoring pairs who visit the school three times a year and focus on one area of the SIP, meeting with the Headteacher and/or member of staff concerned. Reports are written and fed back to all governors at the next full Governing Board meeting. Also classroom visits are carried out by two governors with the relevant topics, which are linked to the SIP, agreed by governors and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) prior to the visit.

We attend training sessions and seminars to help us keep up to date with changes in schools and education and to help us do our job effectively. All governors are committed to providing an excellent environment for all pupils to enjoy during their time at our school.

If you wish to know more about becoming a school governor please contact us care of the school office or email us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NICK HASSALL

Parish Church Council Foundation Governor - Term of Office 04.02.22 - 4.02.2026

Areas of responsibility include the Effectiveness of Leadership and Management, Safeguarding and SEN

Whilst I am no longer a parent of children at the school all my three girls attended this school. I am keen to ensure all pupils get the start in education they deserve and my children have had. I have lived in the village since moving here in 2001 and am an active member of our church family being particularly interested in the church supporting the school and 'values' that it holds and promotes within everyday school life. I am a partner in a small joinery company and enjoy the challenge of triathlon in my leisure time. I am very pleased to serve and be an active part of our school and wider community.

BILL VENNART

Archdeacon’s Nominee Foundation Governor - Term of Office: Ongoing.

Areas of responsibility include Personal Development, Behaviour and Attitudes and SIAMs.

I am a physicist who has worked in the Health Service in Nottingham, as a reader in Physics at the University of Exeter and latterly leading a team in Pfizer; currently I am retired, but still sit on various scientific committees and advisory boards. Through my various responsibilities at St Nicholas’ Church I have close contact with people in Ash, and am keen to serve the local community. Throughout my career I have maintained a close interest in education at schools and universities and seek to continue this as a Governor. My wife, Margaret, and I have 4 children and 12 grandchildren – 9 attend primary schools.

FIONA CRASCALL

Headteacher – Term of Office: Ongoing.

I am proud to be the Headteacher of Ash Cartwright and Kelsey. Leadership is my passion, I have worked in education for many years; spending 7 years teaching in Early Years as a Leading Early Years teacher before moving to teaching across key stages 1 and 2. I also worked with KCC as a key stage moderator. I am very proud of our recent Ofsted and SIAMS reports and I feel blessed to have such a dedicated and creative teaching team. I get immense joy from working with children and I am a very hands on Headteacher – working closely with staff and governors to ensure the best teaching and learning takes place. We feel that children deserve the very best education and should all have the opportunity to flourish.

I am married with two children and live near Dover with my family and pets. In my spare time I enjoy travelling (Italy is a favourite!), reading and I am a keen history buff.

CHARLIE DUNN - Chair

Parent Governor - Term of Office 16.07.2020 - 15.07.2024

Areas of responsibility include Behaviour and Attitudes, Headteacher performance management, Health and Safety and Attendance

I have lived in Ash since I was born. My family and I run a local farming business just on the outskirts of Ash and we are very much a part of the local community. I have 3 children, one has flown the nest & is at Brighton University and my two youngest both attend the school, my son is in Eagles & my daughter is in Magpies.

Paul Devitt - Joint Vice Chair

Foundation Governor - Terms of office 12.05.2022 - 11.05.2026

Areas of responsibility: Safeguarding and SEN

I have lived in the Village of Ash for the past 8 years with my wife and 3 children who all attend the school. We feel very fortunate that our Children attend such a fantastic school, as good Primary education and pastoral care plays such an important role at the start of their journey in life.

I have previously been involved with the PTFA and am keen to put back into a local community that has already given us so much.

I am a currently working as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in an NHS Orthopaedic Service and have been a Chartered Physiotherapist for the past 16 years. My current role involves Staff development, implementation of national guidance, medicines management, Clinical audit and service development and I hope to bring the skills I have developed to support my role with the School.

PAULA MILLER - Associate governor

Previously Diocesan Board of Education Foundation Governor

Areas of Responsibility include the Effectiveness of Leadership & Management, SEN and Safeguarding.

I have worked in education for more than 20 years and have had experience of teaching and leading in a variety of different schools and settings, including primary, secondary, mainstream and special education. I originally trained as a Primary School teacher and my previous roles have included; Deputy Headteacher, SENCo, Curriculum Leader, and Specialist Lead Teacher.

I am currently Headteacher at a Special School for pupils with Autism and Complex Learning Difficulties. I consider myself to be fortunate to do the job I do. I believe that all children have unique potential waiting to be unlocked and it is a privilege and a joy, as a teacher and a leader to be able to inspire, motivate and nurture the young people I work with to do this.

I am delighted to be able to offer my experience, expertise and enthusiasm to support the school to enable every child at Ash Cartwright and Kelsey to achieve their unique potential.

BETHANY BARBER - Joint vice chair

Parent Governor - Term of Office 18.10.19 – 17.10.23

Areas of responsibility include the Early Years Provision, Training and Development and Website Compliance.

I was brought up in Kent and I enjoy raising my family in the lovely village of Ash. I have children at the school in reception and year 5.I have worked in administration, marketing and communications throughout my career. These skills enable me to help raise the profile of the school and promote its values and achievements.

Currently I am working as the Administrator for the Canonry Benefice (Canterbury Diocese), which supports churches in seven local parishes, including St Nicholas Church, Ash.

I am currently on the PTFA Committee which I enjoy and it is a great opportunity to raise funds to further enhance the school experience.

ADAM HART

Staff Governor - Term of Office 14.01.2021 - 13.01.2025

Areas of responsibilities include personal development and attendance

I have worked at the school as year 4 teacher and English leader since September 2019 and feel very honoured to be representing the staff on the governing body.

I hope all my experiences and commitment contribute to ensuring the school becomes the very best it can.

TOM WACHER

Parish Church Council Foundation Governor – Term of office 31.08.22 - 31.08.2026

Area of responsibility includes Finance, Head Teacher Performance Management and GDPR.

Having been brought up in East Kent, I moved to Ash in 2009 and now live in Staple. I am a partner at a firm of accountants in Canterbury, enjoy playing hockey and am the treasurer of 2 local charities. My daughters both attend the school where they are in Hawks and Falcons.

I believe that a good education is a fundamental right for all children and that this is of particular importance in their early years. I hope to be able to transfer some of my financial and other skills to help with the governance of the school and to continue the development and improvement of the school, its education and children.

CARL WATSON

Diocesan Board of Education Foundation Governor - Term of Office 22.11.2022 - 21.11.2026

Areas of responsibility include Quality of Education; Finance, Headteacher performance management, Pupil Premium and Data

I am a 41 years old father of two children, both attended the school and are now at secondary school. For the past six years I have run a small business in Sandwich where I have responsibility for managing the finances as well as working in a highly analytical role subject to high levels of regulation and oversight from government agencies worldwide. My experience of analysing large amounts of experimental data and access to analytical tool mean that I’m able to provide insights in to the performance of the school that help drive improvements in the outcomes for all pupils in the school.

I have been lucky enough to be able to apply my work skills for the benefit of the school by being a member of the PTFA for the past three years. I have greatly enjoyed this role and the chance to support the school by raising funds to enrich the education of the children in the school.

Clerk

Governance professional - Linda Walkerdine - Term of Office: Ongoing

Copies of minutes are available by request from the school office