Governance

Jane Burnett  - Chair of Governors  

Link Governor for Leadership and Management

A  geography graduate and  a trained teacher, Jane spent 25 years in the teaching profession, culminating in headship. Following headship, Jane set up her own education consultancy specialising in leadership development and school improvement.  

As a consultant, Jane  worked for many different organisations including the DfE and the LSC. She is an accredited performance management consultant, executive leadership coach, and  following training as an OfSTED Inspector carried out many secondary inspections. Jane worked closely with many groups in the SE to develop regional and local school improvement. She has led many reviews of governance for Kent, East Sussex and Medway. 

Jane is now retired and spends time in several volunteer roles. She has been a governor for 20 years  in various schools in Kent and East Sussex. 

In her ‘spare’ time Jane and her husband farm a small herd of alpacas on the Kent /Sussex border 

Committee Membership: Education & Personnel Committees

Marianne Highwood - Chair of Governors Designate & Chair of the Education Committee

A student of politics (she was awarded her PhD from the University of Rochester, NY) Marianne is well into her second career in higher education.  Currently she is the Academic Lead – Postgraduate Taught in the Graduate College at Canterbury Christ Church University.  Before taking on this new development role at the University, she was the Section Director for Postgraduate and Professional Education in Christ Church Business School.  She is a passionate advocate of work-based learning, and while in the Business School she developed, managed and delivered two management degree apprenticeship programmes (CMDA and SLMDA/SLA).  Marianne worked closely with local employers and key stakeholders across the university to capitalise on the opportunity for organisations to both upskill existing staff and recruit new staff through degree apprenticeships.  In her new role as Lead for postgraduate taught courses in the Graduate College at the university, she uses her skills in innovation, creativity and collaborative working to support course teams to enhance further the student experience among postgraduates. Prior to returning to higher education, Marianne ran her own market research consultancy where she advised organisations on new product and service development, customer insight and staff engagement. 

Committee Membership: Education Committee

Johnny Holland  - Chair of Finance & General Purposes Committee 

Link Governor for Behaviour 

Johnny Holland has lived in Kent since the last century and became a community governor in 2015, serving on the Finance and General Purposes Committee ever since.   

Now semi-retired, he qualified as a chartered accountant and then as a chartered loss adjuster, working in London and throughout the world.  His experience has been in business, most specifically in the insurance world, and his hobbies include tennis, swimming, history and foreign languages. 

His interest in the school is focused on the administrative and operational needs of the school in delivering quality education daily throughout the year. 

Committee Membership: Finance & General Purposes and Audit & Risk Committee

Tom Saville - Chair of the Personnel Committee

Link Governor Parental Voice & Behaviour 

A law graduate, subsequently called to the Bar and admitted onto the Roll of Solicitors, Tom spent 20+ years working in London for blue chip firms in the software industry in the legal, tax and finance sectors. His main function was to create and maintain relationships with third parties, drafting business cases, managing budgets, revenue generation and contract negotiation. Tom currently works for Bloomberg Finance within their contract negotiations team. 
 
Tom has been a governor since June 2019, initially as a parent governor sitting on the finance committee but has since been appointed as  Community Governor and has served on both Education and Personnel committees. 
 
Tom was been an RFU qualified rugby coach at Ashford Rugby Club since 2014-2022 and is now part of the Bloomberg / Ropes & Gray “Bridge to the City” programme overseeing the selection and training of 12 university interns each year who have shown an interest in practicing law post-graduation.

Committee Membership: Education & Personnel Committees

James Dearden -  Health & Safety Link Governor and Link Governor for Cyber Security 

James started his career as a governor in 2017 at his daughters’ primary school.  He was motivated by an interest in his daughters’ education and a desire to contribute to the school. Since then, he has found the experience enormously rewarding. “I enjoy using my professional skills to support the school and ensure that it has a long-term vision which meets the needs of the children, staff, and the local community.”  

​James’ professional career of over 20 years has been as a technology consultant working with large organisations to deliver business and technology change; this involves project management, financial control, stakeholder management and the definition of technology and corporate strategy. On a more practical level, this means reviewing data, making decisions, resolving conflict, and communicating complex issues in a clear and concise manner on a daily basis. 

Committee Membership: Finance & General Purposes and Audit & Risk Committee

Michael-John Knatchbull  - Foundation Governor  

Link Governor for Creative Arts

After working for ABC Television in Australia in the 1970s, Michael-John returned to the UK to work in film and TV production until his retirement from that world  in 2002. He was a founder director of Invicta Sound in 1984 which was the first commercial radio station in Kent.  Since retiring from active involvement in film/tv production he has been involved in small internet start-up ventures and a management buyout in the insurance industry.  

He has also been running the Hatch Park estate near Ashford for the last twenty years, a family owned farming and property business.  

He has been an active participant in the running of a tv/film charity and a couple of long running family charities with broad awardee interests.  

His more recent interests have been focused on nature conservation and regenerative agriculture. Michael-John has been a foundation governor since 2000. 

Committee Membership: Finance & General Purposes and Audit & Risk Committee

Philip Sibbald - Foundation Old Ashfordian Governor

Careers & 6th Form Link Governor

Phil was a pupil of the Norton Knatchbull Grammar School from 1988 – 1993.  Since leaving the school in 1993, he  have been a member of the Old Ashfordians Association.   

Phil brings the knowledge and experience of a Senior Business Analyst of 10.5 years with Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal, and 9 years’ experience serving on the Board of Education for the Canterbury Diocese and served for 2 years as a Governor of the Kennington Academy.  

The school’s moto is “Benefactorum Recordatio Jucundissima Est” (Loosely translated as: "Things done well make the best memories" I didn’t study Latin at school).  This certainly sums up my time at the school and with the OAA. 

Committee Membership:  Finance & General Purposes,  Audit & Risk, Education and Personnel Committees

Charlotte Burke - Parent Governor 

Link Governor for Personal Development 

Charlotte has 10 years experience as a parent governor at a local primary school, providing support and challenge to the hardworking and talented staff team there. During that time, she was actively involved in 2 Ofsted inspections, headteacher recruitment panels, supporting curriculum development and pupil progress, and as the nominated Training & Development Governor.

Charlotte and her family have lived in a village outside Ashford for more than 10 years.

In her working life, she spent over 20 years in the cultural sector managing festivals and events and as an arts consultant and project manager, and now works with corporates and philanthropists as a grant maker in the wider charity sector. 

Committee Membership: Education Committee

Salena Hirons - Parent Governor

Link Governor Quality Assurance  

Salena  is a trained secondary school teacher of science and a  headteacher with extensive leadership experience. As an outstanding practitioner with 20 years of experience in secondary education, Salena, taught in a variety of settings across the South-East, working in many outstanding schools. During her time as a senior leader, she has worked across many aspects, most recently, leading on the quality of education, curriculum design and reporting/assessment. 

Salena's expertise enables her to both challenge and support the school, the aim being to improve the experience and education that the students at NKS receive through which doors are opened and social mobility created.        

Salena holds the opportunities that education provide very dear and believes that that students deserve and are entitled to the best education that the school can provide. 

Committee Membership: Education Committee

Alex Evans-Crane

Community Governor

Alex has lived in east Kent for last 40 years, and has lived within the borough of Ashford for the last 5. 

Alex has been a Civil Servant working for the Home Office since 2006, helping to deliver the Governments priorities, working across multiple departments and currently works in London as Chief of Staff to a Senior Director, helping to manage the area from finances and workforce, through to delivery of key outputs. 

During Alex’s career he has developed excellent understanding of communicating and influencing to get the best outcomes, working across Silo’s to help deliver challenging outcomes, and learning how to convert challenges into opportunities. During this time Alex spent 10 years on a Trade Union National Executive Committee, as national Health & Safety lead, engaging with multiple government departments, building an effective network across interests, and undertaking complex HR related union casework. 

Alex is keen to support his local community, giving something back, and helping to support today’s schoolchildren to realise the best future possible. Alex has actively undertaken mentoring over the last few years, including for social mobility programmes to help ensure that access to opportunities is only based upon merit, not social-economic status. 

In his spare time, Alex is a local beekeeper and produces several varieties of Honey from hives around Ashford.  

Committee Membership: Finance & General Purposes and Audit & Risk Committees

Jyoti Patel-  Link Governor for SEND & Pupil Premium 

With a background in high-hazard manufacturing, Jyoti has successfully overseen waste treatment plants, managed pharmaceutical manufacturing teams, and spearheaded decommissioning projects. Her expertise spans compliance with industry standards, operational improvements, and adeptly navigating change. Jyoti brings a keen eye for financial management, HSE compliance, and a pursuit of operational excellence. 

Although a Chemistry graduate, Jyoti's thirst for knowledge remains unquenchable. Currently enrolled in a Strategic Leadership MSc program at Newcastle University, she complements her academic pursuits with Leadership and Management training from the Chartered Management Institute. Additionally, Jyoti holds certifications in safety, waste management, and leadership. 

Beyond the professional realm, Jyoti finds joy in running, gardening, and managing a modest property portfolio.

Committee Membership: Education & Personnel Committees

Janette Makin -  Support Staff Governor

Link Governor for Equalities, Diversity & Inclusion

Janette is the school MIS & Data Manager, and is be on hand to provide further depth where necessary whilst being proactive to ask questions of others to improve life at NKS.  Her varied and experienced background both as a parent and an employee in the wider market prior to my time in education,  makes a valuable and meaningfully contribution to the board. 

As Safeguarding and Welfare Officer for Wye Cricket Club and a parent to 3 teens, Janette has a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing young people today. Driven and committed to improving NKS, she is keen to ensure that all the young people here receive a high-quality education generating many future opportunities. 

Being a Governor will enables Janette to help shape the school's direction, ensuring accountability, and overall support the leadership team to make NKS even better for tomorrow.    

Committee Membership: Education Committee

Matt Dickenson-  Teaching Staff Governor

Matt has taught and worked in education for 30 years –half of that teaching Business and Economics, mostly at Harvey Grammar School in Folkestone and at NKS for the past two years - and is very happy to be a full-time member of the staff team. 

Outside the classroom, Matt  has been a director of London Gifted & Talented (part of London Challenge) and more recently of two teaching school alliances. Matt brings  a wide range of school improvement experience to the governing body, informed by working with national bodies such as the DfE, QCA, Ofsted, exam boards and with hundreds of schools and thousands of teachers – on projects and training - developing teaching and learning, leadership, the curriculum and assessment, much of it aimed at improving the quality of education for more able students.

Matt is a real enthusiast for teaching and feels his experience and credibility enables him to support and challenge others and to offer a valuable perspective as an educator at all levels of the system to help our school to evolve, positively and confidently. 

Committee Membership: Education Committee

Huw Gronow-  Safeguarding Link Governor

Huw is a dedicated advocate for safeguarding, with extensive experience in both sports and governance. As an Officer of the world’s oldest rugby club, Huw ensures that the club is open to all, regardless of race, gender, background, or beliefs. In his roles as Honorary Secretary and Chair of Discipline, he oversees the safety and welfare of young players, implementing policies around conduct, safeguarding, and privacy. His commitment to creating a safe and enjoyable environment for all participants is a testament to his passion for protecting children and adults at risk in rugby, a contact sport where safety is paramount.

In addition to his club responsibilities, Huw chairs the Kent RFU Discipline Committee, working closely with the Age Grade system and RFU Safeguarding Teams. His expertise in handling sensitive situations with care and empathy is evident in his work to uphold the values of the game, particularly in addressing poor examples set by adults.

Huw’s passion for education is personal, with a son attending the School. He is especially focused on the effects of bullying and the role of effective management in fostering positive outcomes. His experience, time management skills, and commitment to training make him well-suited to contribute meaningfully to governance.

Committee Membership: Education and Finance & General Purposes and Audit & Risk Committees

David Gordon-Young, Co-Opted Governor 

As a former student (2015-2021), David values the impact the school had on shaping his journey and is enthusiastic about giving back to the school community. David is eager to contribute to the governance of Norton Knatchbull School, bringing a strong commitment to education and the development of young people.

Currently studying Law with Finance at university, David offers a fresh perspective, an analytical mindset, and financial literacy. With strong communication skills and the ability to ask pertinent questions, he aims to complement the expertise of the existing governing board.

Beyond academics, David has been actively engaged in community initiatives, including involvement with the Ashford Labour Party. This and other experiences have provided valuable insights into governance, teamwork, and the importance of aligning with a shared vision.

Passionate about ensuring all students have access to high-quality education and opportunities to thrive, David is committed to working collaboratively with the governing board. He seeks to contribute to addressing challenges, upholding the school’s values, and supporting staff, pupils, and the wider school community.

Committee Membership: Finance & General Purposes and Audit & Risk Committee