Welcome to the Kemsing Primary School Governor’s page.

Our Governing Body is a diverse group of volunteers, made up of parents, staff and members of the local community, who have a common interest in education and have made a commitment to the staff and pupils to provide strategic leadership and accountability. Each Governor has an area of responsibility and reports back to the full Governing Body at least once per term.

Our Governing Body has 3 core functions, as set out by the Department for Education:

· Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.

· Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils.

· Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure it is money well spent.

Our Governing Body carries out these responsibilities by reviewing and monitoring core policies, overseeing school improvement and ensuring a broad and enriching curriculum is taught. Through regular meetings and visits to the school we have strategic oversight of curriculum, finance, safeguarding, SEND and Health & Safety. Whilst day-to-day management of the school is the responsibility of the Headteacher, the Governors provide challenge, support and constructive advice.

On this page, you can meet all of the Governors of The Darent Federation, and learn a little bit of their background and their interest in governance.

Kemsing is a happy school, filled with smiling, confident children, with a love of learning. As part of our monitoring visits, we are privileged to witness this in action and we are all proud to serve on the Governing Body of such a nurturing, welcoming school.

Meet the Governors

Here is a list of Governors and their roles within the Hybrid Model of Governance. Attendance at Governing Body meetings in 2022/23 is noted in brackets below each governor and shows how many meetings they attended against how many they were required to attend.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE GOVERNORS

Tom Hardwick - Executive Headteacher

As  Executive Headteacher of the Darent Federation of Schools, (Sundridge & Brasted  and Kemsing), I take great pride in working alongside our Governing Body, staff team and parent body to ensure that our schools provide the very best education for each and every one of our pupils. Previously in my career I have been a staff governor at three other schools and have been involved in school governance for over 10 years. 

Rebecca Hamburger - Co-Chair

I am Co-Chair of Governors for The Darent Federation. Previous to that, I was Chair of Governors for Sundridge & Brasted for many years and prior to that my role was Community Governor. My daughter was at Sundridge & Brasted school for seven years from Reception through to Year 6 and was extremely happy there. I also have responsibility for mathematics which means I monitor the learning and teaching across the schools. In my other life I work as an Independent Educational Consultant.

Kirsty Oliver - Co-Chair

I have been involved with Sundridge & Brasted as a Governor since 2003 and became Vice Chair of the Governing Body in 2013. I am now Co-chair of The Darent Federation's governing body with Rebecca Hamburger. I am a Chartered Accountant, employed by a London firm and work mostly from home. I have lived in Sundridge since 1999. I have three children.

Tara Anderson - Vice Chair

I am a full time mum to 3 children, who all attend(ed) Kemsing Primary School. Before children, I worked in both politics and investment banking whilst, more recently, I have been kept busy working on our self-build project. I became a governor in June 2015 as I’d been an active member of the PTA for 6 years and wanted to make a contribution to and support the school in a different way. I have a keen interest in education and how it is evolving and wanted to help ensure the school continues to provide our children with an excellent education, whilst caring for their wellbeing and also nurturing their individuality.

Reverend Sophie Sutherland

I have lived in Brasted for 20 years and was for many years a junior church leader Sunday at St Martin's Brasted. Following ordination in 2012 and four years as assistant curate at Chevening Church I have worked since 2017 as an Associate Priest and Chaplain to Older People at St Peter and St Paul  Bromley and a  Chaplain at the Princess Royal Hospital. I am also a Diocesan Lead for Anna Chaplaincy across Bromley and Bexley Archdeaconry. My original subject was Modern Languages and I worked for many years in national museums and galleries, principally in the Victoria and Albert Museum. I am married to Rory and twin daughters in their twenties. 

Graham Gee

I have two children who attend Kemsing Primary School and have lived in the area since 2016. I My late father spent his entire career in education and has inspired me to offer whatever help I can to the Federation, resulting in my becoming a governor in July 2023. I run an IT business in central London and enjoy hiking on the downs and travelling with my family.

Denise Hart

Having worked in education publishing for over ten years I understand the pain points and challenges teachers and schools face today and wanted to help and support a local school deliver quality education. I believe that being a school governor is one way to make a difference, keeping my passion alive in a rewarding and extremely satisfying role that compliments and informs my understanding of the sector.

I have been a co-opted governors for about 18th months now and although still learning am hoping that I am adding value too.

Lucy Berks

I have 2 daughters at Kemsing Primary School and have enjoyed supporting the school as a volunteer helping with reading, sports and the PTA. I joined the governing body in summer 2023 with the aim of taking my involvement in the school, the federation and the community further. I believe that every child should have the opportunity to thrive at school - this means having fun, enjoying learning meeting their potential.  I am committed to doing all I can to support Mr Hardwick and the fabulous staff in achieving this. Alongside volunteering I work as a Civil Servant in one of the Government departments based in Westminster. My strengths lie in policy, analysis, communication and diplomacy!

Jannine Ravens

I have lived in Sevenoaks since 2005 with my husband and 3 children. Professionally, I am a strategic market analyst and have worked at a number of consulting/professional services firms and a European Private Bank.  

As part of my first degree, I studied Education leading to a joint honours degree in Biology and Education. Recently, I have led a business challenge workshop for a Year 10 class from a London school and run a financial literacy session for a Year 11 class.

Becoming a school governor is an opportunity for me to use my 25+ years of experience as an analyst to support the school in delivering excellence.

Fiona Christmas

I have been part of the Kemsing Primary School team since 2017. I spent time working as both a 1:1 Teaching Assistant and as a class Teaching Assistant before retraining as a teacher. I worked as an editor and designer in children's publishing for 18 years before deciding to embark on a new career path. Having three children of my own means that I have spent the last 15 years in and around schools and it was volunteering at my children's primary school that encouraged me to make the career leap. I have been a staff governor for about 18 months now and am enjoying the new challenges this role brings. I am passionate about ensuring that all of our children feel happy and safe in school. I love being part of a team that is striving to provide a nurturing, exciting and engaging environment that will equip our pupils to become caring, independent and inquisitive members of their community. 

Reverend Hannah Glover

I was ordained last year, and I am currently working as a curate at St George's Weald though I am living in Sundridge. Before ordination I worked for 15 years in adult social care for the London Borough of Lambeth and have also worked as an advocate in several law centres. I have qualifications in law, science, and theology. I am enjoying living in Sundridge and especially enjoy the country walks. I appreciate how vital the early years in education are and am happy to be supporting a local school.

Stephanie Stephens

I have 2 children, one who has been through Kemsing Primary School and one that currently attends.  I have been on the governing body for a few years and am passionate about education and helping children reach their full potential.  In my work life, I have been a primary school teacher for over 20 years and have had many years experience in leadership and strategy.  In my spare time I love to exercise, walk my dog and have days out with my children.  I am very excited to work with the amazing team within the Darent Federation to strive to achieve the best opportunities for all of the pupils.

The Chair of Governors can be contacted via the Clerk to the Governing Body via the school office or at gclerk@kemsing.kent.sch.uk