Governance

Trust Governance

Folkestone Academy is part of the Turner Schools Multi Academy Trust.

Our Governance Structure ensures there are clear reporting lines and explicit requirements to ensure probity, good governance and outstanding performance.

Members are responsible for determining the governance of the Trust. They approve our Articles of Association and appoint Trustees in accordance with the Articles.

The Board of trustees has collective accountability and responsibility for the academy trust and assuring itself that there is compliance with regulatory, contractual, and statutory requirements. The academy trust board provides:

• Strategic leadership of the academy trust: the board defines the trust vision for high quality and inclusive education in line with its charitable objects. It establishes and fosters the trust’s culture and sets and champions the trust strategy including determining what governance functions are delegated to the local tier

• Accountability and assurance: the board has robust effective oversight of the operations and performance of the academy trust, including the provision of education, pupil welfare, overseeing and ensuring appropriate use of funding and effective financial performance and keeping their estate safe and well maintained

• Engagement: the board has strategic oversight of relationships with stakeholders. The board involves parents, schools and communities so that decision-making is supported by meaningful engagement.

All Members, Trustees and Governors complete an annual declaration of Business Interests and declare any pecuniary interests in meetings.

The Board delegates responsibilities to the school Challenge & Community Board as set out in the Scheme of Delegation.

View our Articles and Memorandum of Association.

Trust Governance - view details of our Members, Trustees and key documents

Turner Schools Master Funding Agreement

Folkestone Academy Funding Agreement

Folkestone Academy Deed of Variation 2025 Funding Agreement

School governance:

Governors serve as a key link between the schools, parents/carers and the local community. They monitor the performance of the school, advising the Trustees of any concerns.

We have a committed team of Governors on the school Challenge & Community Board who are actively involved in the life of the school. They reflect the community we serve and include parent representatives.

The Governors are passionate about our School and are here to make sure that every pupil is given the best education, opportunities and experiences possible. They play an important role in overseeing the work of the school, acting as “critical friends” for the Senior Leadership Team and holding the school to account for performance and development.

Interested in being a local governor?

Challenge and Community Board (CCB) - Our Governors

Chair: Gregory Hunter

To contact the Chair, please email governance@turnerschools.com

Vice Chair: Andrea Bowman

CCB Safeguarding Lead: Michael Pearce

CCB SEND Lead: Jodi Bonkowski

Careers Lead: Rob Roy

Safeguarding Lead Trustee: Dr Toyin Okitikpi

SEND Lead Trustee: Tracy Luke

Challenge and Community Board

Terms of Office are 4 years

Andrea Bowman - co-opted governor

Andrea is Deputy Director of People and HR professional at MidKent College with extensive experience of working in the education sector, as well as strong compliance and assurance skills. Andrea believes in the value of education and wants to support leaders to secure the best outcomes for pupils.

Date of appointment: 10 December 2024
Appointed by: Trust Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): Partner has children who attend the school.
Attendance and Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/2025: 2/2

Nancy Bueffler - parent governor

Nancy is a parent governor who is a passionate advocate of education and a person who always wants to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Date of appointment: 23 November 2023
Appointed by: Parents
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): Child attends the school.
Attendance and Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/2025: 1/2
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2023/2024: 3/3

Jodi Bonkowski - co-opted governor

Jodi is an experienced secondary education leader who is currently the Practice Development Lead (Secondary) for Teach First. She is particularly interested in equality of opportunity.

Date of appointment: 16 July 2024
Appointed by: Trust Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Son to attend Trust school from September 2025. Works for Teach First
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None

Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25:

Alice Edgington - co-opted governor

Alice is a Head Teacher with previous experience of teaching in a variety of international settings. She is currently completing a Masters in Senior Leadership.

Alice is passionate about inclusion and an advocate for Care Experienced people, respite fostering and supporting fostering social events.

Date of appointment: 16 July 2024
Appointed by: Trust Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Head Teacher of St Stephen's Infants
Governance roles in other educational institutions: Ex officio governor for St Stephen's Infants and Vice Chair Haven Nook (Sep 2022-Sep 2026)
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25: 2/2

Louise Feaver- co-opted governor

Louise brings expertise in education leadership, school improvement and safeguarding. Louise is passionate about empowering all pupils to succeed.

Date of reappointment: 2 September 2024
Date of appointment: 2 September 2020
Appointed by: Trust Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Principal of Folkestone Primary
Governance roles in other educational institutions: Ex-officio governor for Folkestone Primary
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): Nephew attends school
Attendance and Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/2025: 2/2
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2023/2024: 3/4
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2022/2023: 3/4
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2021/2022: 3/4

Gregory Hunter – co-opted governor

Greg is an experienced education leader. He is the Deputy Head of The King's School (senior) with responsibility for the Co-Curricular.

Greg is passionate about supporting pupils to achieve their potential and enabling skills and achievements outside the curriculum.

Date of appointment: 13 September 2022
Appointed by: Trust Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance and Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/2025: 2/2
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2023/2024: 4/4
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2022/2023: 4/4

Ruth Palmer - parent governor

Ruth is a parent who wanted to give something back to the school and pupils. Ruth understands the challenges that families with mental health issues face and is proud to work with an inclusive school.

Date of appointment: 16 July 2024
Appointed by: Trust Board in the absence of parent nominations
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Parent
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/25: 1/2

Michael Pearce Dip Val Surv MRICS - co-opted governor

Michael has been a school governor since 2004 serving as a local governor and trustee in Folkestone schools. He has a particular interest in safeguarding and achieving the best outcomes for all pupils.

Michael is a Chartered Surveyor and works as Head of Litigation & Technical Policy for the Valuation Office Agency.

Date of reappointment: 1 December 2021
Date of appointment: 1 December 2017
Appointed by: Trust Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Trustee of Friends of Folkestone Academy
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance and Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/2025: 2/2
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2023/2024: 3/4
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2022/2023: 1/4
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2021/2022: 4/4

Robert Roy - co-opted governor

Rob is the Deputy Principal of Folkestone College and brings expertise of post-16 education.

Date of appointment: 27 September 2021
Appointed by: Trust Board
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: None
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): None
Attendance and Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/2025: 1/2
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2023/2024: 3/4
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2022/2023: 4/4
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2021/2022: 3/3

Steven Shaw - ex-officio governor

Steven is Head of School and ex-officio governor by virtue of this position.

Date of appointment: September 2020
Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None
Governance roles in other educational institutions: governor, Folkestone Primary, Birchwood School (September 2021)
Relationships between other governors or school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): Wife is a teacher in the Sixth (September 2021)
Attendance and Challenge and Community Board meetings 2024/2025: 2/2
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2023/2024: 4/4
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2022/2023: 4/4
Attendance at Challenge and Community Board meetings 2021/2022: 4/4