Our Governing Body

The Full Governing Body is ultimately responsible for school performance and financial probity and is run with constant regard to the standards set out by Ofsted. In practical terms, it is the forum where key matters are shared, and if of over-riding concern, discussed further.

A message from the Chair of Governors:

Katrina Lyle

The structure of the Governing Body

Click here to read about how the work of our governing body supports the school community.

The members of our Full Governing Body are:

The governors formally adopted a circle model of governance on 21.10.24, agreeing to hold 6 full governing body meetings per academic year. 

Classlink Governors for 2024-25 are:

• Year R - Di Gillinder and Lindsey Milton 
• Year 1 - Tina Bone 
• Year 2 - Carolyn Vincent
• Year 3 - Katie Gillam
• Year 4 - Katrina Lyle
• Year 5 - Rosie Piper  
• Year 6 - Ben Roome

Click here to read more about the specific responsibilities of members of the governing body, including curriculum responsibilities. 

To read profiles of each of member of our governing body, click here.

Alex Cornelius

Prior to becoming Headteacher of Langton Green Primary School in September 2014, I was the Headteacher of Grove Park Primary School in Chiswick, London. I have been in education for nearly 25 years and have had the privilege of teaching in every primary key phase. Since joining Langton, I have been asked by the county to work for the school improvement service as a consultant Headteacher, successfully supporting schools to improve their strategy and achieve a ‘good’ in their Ofsted inspection.

Katrina Lyle (Chair)

Di Gillinder (Vice Chair)

Having started out as an Newly Qualified Teacher in a Bromley school back in 1991, it has been my privilege to be the Class Teacher or Deputy Headteacher to over a thousand children and young people in their educational adventures since. As an ex-Langtonian myself (ex-teacher rather than pupil), I am a firm believer in the sparkle and magic of learning and since I am passionate about drama, I Carped my own Diem and went back to University in 2022 to study for an MA in Acting. I now juggle many roles both as an actor and as an advocate for promoting drama in new ways in Education. After all, as the bard himself pointed out, "Knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.” William Shakespeare, Henry VI part II. I live in Ashurst with my husband, Dan the Forest Man, and the youngest of my five children. My eldest children now live and work in London in magical jobs of their own and my younger sons are still in education both in Tunbridge Wells and in Bath.

Katie Gillam

I was appointed as a Governor in 2017 and I live in Langton Green with my young family. I have one child at the school. I sit on the Achievement and Learning Committee and I am the class link governor for year 1. In addition I take an interest in the school’s teaching of music. Outside out of the school I am a Partner with a local law firm

I was appointed as a Governor in 2017 and I live in Langton Green with my young family. I have one child at the school and I sit on the Achievement and Learning and Resources Committees.  I am also a class link governor for Reception. 

Outside of the school I am a Partner with a local law firm specialising in Private Client matters. I focus predominantly on tax, estates and trust work.

Specialising in Private Client matters. I focus predominately on tax, estates and trust work.

Pamela Gibbs

I was first elected as staff governor in early 2020.  My connection with the school started in 2006 when my eldest of 2 daughters joined Langton.  After 23 years in Investment Banking, in 2010 I too joined the school as a Teaching Assistant.  In 2014, after my predecessor's retirement, I was appointed School Business Manager.  In both my roles at Langton, I am committed to ensuring quality and best possible value in all aspects of the school.

Ben Roome

I joined the Governing Body in September 2017 having expressed an interest in supporting the school’s leadership. I currently chair the Resources Committee aimed at ensuring the children get the maximum possible value from any funds available to the school. As a physicist by training, and a STEM Ambassador, I have a particular interest in the school's teaching of science, technology and maths. I am the subject link Governor for maths and Class Link Governor for Year 4. Prior to Langton I was a Community Governor for Slade, an outstanding primary school in Tonbridge. Outside Langton, I lead a company that works on behalf of government and the UK mobile operators to support both terrestrial TV and new mobile services. I live in Tunbridge Wells with my wife and our two children one of whom attends the school.

Carolyn Vincent

I was elected as a Parent Governor in June 2021 and have two children who attend the school.  I began helping as a parent reader when my son started in Reception in 2018 and loved watching the children progress throughout that time. I am a Broadcast Journalist and have worked as a newsreader and producer for ITV and BBC Radio Kent and take a particular interest in creative writing and reading. Originally from Glasgow, I live in Langton Green with my family.

Tina Bone

I was elected as a co-opted governor in September 2022, so I am very new to the role. However, I am not new to the school having worked as a TA there for the past 14 years. I am married and have 2 grown up children, both of whom attended Langton Green Primary School. 

I am honoured to have been elected and will try to fulfil my role as Year 1 class link governor to the best of my ability. I will also share responsibility for overseeing SEN and Safeguarding.

I hope that my previous knowledge of the school, and experience of supporting learning, will enable me to help in continuing to support the fantastic work that goes on helping each child to achieve their own potential.

Lindsey Milton

For information regarding governor roles, declarations and attendance, click here.

Name / Role:

Y = present

N = not present

A = apologies for absence received

N/A = was not a member of the GB or Committee at the time of the meeting.

Full Governing Body Meeting Attendance

Leadership and Management Committee Attendance

Resources Committee Attendance

Achievement & Learning Committee Attendance

To read the Governing Body's response to its parent questionnaire results in summer 2022, please click here.

At the beginning of term 6 we sent out a questionnaire seeking your views on your child's experience at Langton Green Primary School. The responses were discussed by the governors at our last meeting and I would like to share the outcome with you.

We received 80 responses in total: while this seems low, it is in fact quite encouraging for such a questionnaire, and indicates that the vast majority are happy with nothing to complain about. That said, we were extremely heartened by the headline figures that emerged from the survey, and we thank those of you that took the time to complete it.

• 93.8% of you agreed or strongly agreed that your child is happy at school
• 95% agreed or strongly agreed that your child is well looked after at this school
• 96.3% of you agreed or strongly agreed that that your child feels safe at school.

These figures evidence our overriding commitment to safeguarding and providing an environment where your child can flourish, and we are glad to see our efforts acknowledged.

Most other areas scored solidly over 80% for the agree or strongly agree boxes. Of course, there are always some topics that provoke a greater split of opinions than others. For some, academic work is too much, for others it is not sufficiently challenging. After school clubs are either praised for offering so much, or criticised for not offering enough (for a small primary school we do offer a lot, particularly bearing in mind these are often run by teachers after a full day at school). Communication will never be perfect in a busy, demanding school environment, but we are grateful to those of you who have commented positively on your experiences.

The question regarding bullying had the highest score for you not knowing whether the school dealt effectively with it, which is reassuring as it means that most of you have no experience of it. Another high scorer for "I don't know" was whether you thought the school promotes equality and celebrates diversity. We were a little disappointed here as a great deal of thought and planning goes into this, but it is perhaps unsurprising given the predominantly white middle class demographic of the school community. The governors have requested extra training for ourselves on this subject which I hope will be carried out early in the new school year to help us understand how to support this better. Well-being has been a huge focus this year and will continue to be a priority, as individuals of all ages and in all areas struggle with the fears and uncertainties of the world around us, and the school's work on this was also scored highly in the survey.

I am delighted to see a return to a more normal, social and interactive school life, and I am incredibly proud of the results achieved this year on all fronts - in pupils' personal development and confidence, in artistic, musical or other creative endeavours, in sport and in academic results. The teaching and support staff have dug deep and given their all in what has still been a challenging year, and as a governing body we are deeply appreciative. I am sure that as parents you also see the amazing effort put in by your children's teachers, and I know they would love to hear it acknowledged from you. So my final words are to ask you to do that one little act of kindness and express your thanks rather than assume it is understood, and to wish you all a wonderful summer.

With best wishes on behalf of the governing body,

Katrina Lyle

Chair of Governors