Our Governing Body
Who are we and what do we do?
We are a team of volunteers (comprised of staff, parents and community representatives) who work closely with the Headteacher to make key strategic decisions to ensure the successful running of the school, that standards of achievement are raised to make decisions on the school budget and staffing. Our most important job, of course, is to make sure that pupils are getting the best education possible.
How can we be contacted?
The Governing Body (including the Chair) can be contacted via the school office; our one parent governor can often be found at the school entrance/on the playground at the beginning or end of the day and are more than happy to talk to fellow parents should you wish to speak to them.
Minutes of Meetings
The Governing Body meets regularly and the minutes of their meetings are available via the school office should anyone wish to see them.
None
| Name | Role | Type of Governor | Appointing Body | Term of Office | Notable Business Interests |
| Nicola Archenoul | Chair of Governors | Co-opted Governor | Governing Body | 22/04/2018 – 21/04/2022 | None |
| Trevor Croucher | Vice Chair of Governors
Lead Governor for Finance, Health and Safety Committee |
Co-opted Governor | Governing Body | 05/02/2020-04/02/2024 | None |
| Kerry Seales | Headteacher | Head teacher Exofficio | N/A | 01/09/21 onwards | Employee |
| Shellie Hyde | Staff Governor | Staff | 11/09/18 – 10/09/2022 | Employee | |
| Tom Gellett | Co-opted Governor | Governing Body | 06/12/2017 – 05/12 2021 | None | |
| Chloe Brown | LA Governor | Medway LA | 10/10/2018 – 09/10/2022 | Ex Employee
Staff member of another Medway School |
|
| Paul Brivio | Co-opted Governor | Governing Body | 05/12/2018 – 04/12/2022 | None | |
| Neil Charlwood | Co-opted | Governing Body | 10/07/2019 – 09/07/2023 | None | |
| Craig Herdman | Parent Governor | Parent elected | 08/09/2020 – 07/09/2024 | None | |
| Martin Forbes | Parent Governor | Parent elected | 21/02/2022 – 20/02/2026 | Owner of MFSE, school’s breakfast and after school club and sports provision. |
| Finance, Health and Safety Committee | ||
| Lead Governor | Trevor Croucher | |
| Nicola Archenoul | ||
| Paul Brivio | ||
| Neil Charlwood | ||
| Kerry Seales |
Governing Body Meetings
Full Governing Body meetings take place usually six times a year during which the business of the school is discussed. Each meeting contains detailed information about the standards and achievements of the pupils (including a breakdown of vulnerable groups); safeguarding; financial management; health & safety; staffing and professional development. The FGB monitor, review and challenge pupil progress and attainment data and provide strategic oversight of the delivery of the school curriculum. The FGB monitors the School Improvement Plan at each meeting, evaluating the strategic development of the school. The Governing Body also timetables in the opportunity for subject leaders and members of the Senior Team to provide information about the areas of responsibility they hold.
In addition we hold separate Finance, Health and Safety Team meetings to focus more specifically on school finances.
Finance, Health and Safety Lead (Trevor Croucher)
The main purpose of the Finance, Health and Safety Team is to have strategic oversight of the school budget, buildings and staffing. In particular, it ensures that the school operates in accordance with its Finance Policy as well as that of the Local Authority. This includes ensuring value for money and that budget spend is to the benefit of the pupils’ education.
REGISTERS OF ATTENDANCE
Academic Year 2019/2020
Governor Attendance 2019 – 2020
Academic Year 2020/2021
Governing Body Profiles:
Nicola Archenoul
I joined the Governing Body as a parent governor in 2006 as my two children attended the school. I became Chair in 2011. I have 23 years experience in the Civil Service working for a Government department with responsibilities in managing change and leading effective teams.
Being a governor has given me an insight into the running of a good school and most importantly an appreciation of the time and effort put in by staff to ensure they deliver the best education possible for your children.
I am very proud of our school and believe that it does the best for all the children that pass through. However we are always looking to improve and I am keen to support the staff team in all that they want to achieve.
Chloe Brown
Hello
I have been a governor at the school for five years now having originally been the staff governor representative. I resigned from my post at Crest in September 2018 to take up a promoted position as an Assistant Headteacher at another Medway school and in October 2018 I was re-appointed to the Crest Governing Body as the LA Governor.
I have particularly enjoyed seeing all the wonderful things the school does, not only for the education of the children, but also for their families and the wider community. My role as a governor is to focus on inclusion and vulnerable groups.
My personal passion is for all children to be given the opportunity to be the best they can be and this is something I know, from first hand experience, plays a vital part of the ethos behind everything Crest Infant School does.
Tom Gellett
I originally became interested in becoming a governor after previously in my career wanting to become a teacher and also now having a young son of my own who is about to start his school journey. The role has opened my eyes and given me opportunities to understand how the school and all it’s staff work to deliver the best possible outcomes. Growing up and living in the Medway area I feel very strongly about giving back what I can to local children and schools so I hope in my role as a co-opted governor I can continue to deliver this at the school. Outside of my governor and professional work role I am a keen cyclist and soon to be triathlete (attempting to be), which helps challenge me and raise funds for many charities nationally and locally to the community and school.
Paul Brivio
Paul has had experience of working with Sports England and is passionate about health and wellbeing. Paul seeks to support the leadership team to provide quality sport and PE opportunities for the children at Crest.
Neil Charlwood
Neil has two young children, both of whom have attended Crest. Neil works in the health sector and was interested in becoming a governor as he could see how committed the staff team are at the school. Neil currently leads on English and School Council. He thoroughly enjoyed attending a Council meeting just before the COVID-19 pandemic started and is looking forward to when he can do so again.
Shellie Hyde
Shellie has enjoyed working at Crest in a full-time, part-time and supply teacher capacity for many years and has taught all age groups. She am currently teaching in the Nursery for two days a week and leads the School Council. Shellie has been married for over twenty years and her husband works in pharmaceutical logistics. Shellie has three sons who are now either working or at university. She really enjoys cooking and reading as well as taking Sully, her dog, for long walks. At the weekends Shellie is usually to be found on a rugby field watching one of her boys play rugby.
Trevor Croucher
Trevor had many years experience of being a school governor in another Medway primary school before joining the Crest team. He was a Chartered Accountant prior to his retirement and has served as Finance Lead as well as Chair of Governors in the past. Trevor lives in Medway and is married with two daughters and twin granddaughters.
Craig Herdman
Craig has been on the governing body for a year now but has had a connection with the school for almost 10 years when his oldest daughter started at the school. He is extremely supportive of all that the school does. Craig wanted to give something back.
Martin Forbes
Martin is the newest member of the governing body but has had a connection with the school for a couple of years through his company MFSE and also his daughter joined our Reception in 2021.