Governance

Trust Level 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 have 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. 

School-level 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.

Challenge and Community Board (CCB) - Our Governors

Chair: Gregory Hunter

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

CCB Safeguarding Lead: Michael Pearce

CCB SEND Lead: Sophie Waddell

Careers Lead: Rob Roy

Lead Safeguarding Trustee: Dean Jones 

Challenge and Community Board

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.

Louise Feaver- co-opted governor

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

Gregory Hunter –  co-opted governor

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.

Robert Roy - co-opted governor

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

Steven Shaw - ex-officio governor

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

Pete Talbot - co-opted governor 

Pete is a Head Teacher who brings a knowledge of the local community and expertise in education and governance. 

Sophie Waddell – co-opted governor

Governors who have left in the past 12 months

Jade Bell - parent governor

Sophia Jackson – parent governor

Tracy Luke BA (Hons) - co-opted governor

Tracy has 35 years experience as a  teacher and leader within schools. She has served at all levels within a range of comprehensive, selective and boarding schools. She has been a Head of Department, Head of Year, Assistant Head, Deputy Head, Principal and Executive Principal.

In addition Tracy has been a National Leader of Education and an Ofsted Inspector. Tracy has experience as a Governor at an independent school, a Pupil Referral Unit and at a number of secondary schools. Tracy is a Trustee of Turner Schools.

Christine Gammons – parent governor

Christine has a keen interest in education and has been a teacher at a local Primary school since 2015.

Christine strongly believes in schools being at the heart of the community and delivering a creative curriculum that inspires children to succeed, not only academically but for the whole child during their school journey.