A message from the Chair of Governors

Langton Green Primary School is a fantastic place for children to learn, as our children and parents all know, and this was endorsed by the Ofsted team who visited us in summer 2012.

Katrina Lyle

For more information about the work of the Governing Body, 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

The Governing Body

The Governors fulfil their function through the termly meetings of the Full Governing Body, the regular meetings of the three committees, regular Governor visits to the school and ad hoc meetings to deal with non-routine matters.

Achievement and Learning Committee (Chair: Carole-Anne Squires) is as the name suggests focussed on the outcomes for pupils in terms of both achievement and progress and interacts with staff to be involved with current developments in teaching. This committee is responsible for understanding the Government's performance data for our children.

Leadership and Management Committee (Chair: Sam Stillman) is principally involved with school management and organisation, employment and performance matters. It has a further small committee that reviews Headteacher performance as well.

Resources Committee (Chair: Ben Roome) looks at all financial matters such as budgeting and monitoring, also those relating to the buildings and grounds, such as maintenance and any minor capital projects.

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 from the committees are shared, and if of over-riding concern, discussed further. In addition the Head Teacher reports on current school performance and progress against the school's development plan.  

Classlink Governors for 2023-24 are:

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

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)

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.

Di Gillinder (Co-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 (having trodden the boards with Groombridge Amateur Dramatics Society since 2004), I am finally carping my own diem and going back to University to study for an MA in Acting. 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 three of my five children. My eldest children now live and work in London in magical jobs of their own and my younger boys are pupils at TWGS Boys.

Pamela Gibbs

I was 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.

Carol-Anne Squires (Co-Vice Chair)

I was appointed as a governor in 2018.  I have one child at the school and I enjoy volunteering as a parent helper whenever I can.  I sat on the school's PTA for three years and chaired for two years, during which time we delivered on our key objectives for school improvements. During this time, I developed a good relationship with the staff of the school and gained a greater understanding and appreciation of the challenges the school faces. As a governor, I sit on the Achievement and Learning Committee and I am the class link governor for year 3. I also have a keen interest in how we promote overall well-being in teachers and pupils.  My professional background is in running large scale business and IT programs.  I did this as a Management Consultant across various industries in both the private and public sector for 8 years. I went on to work in a global investment bank for another 7 years delivering the top priority programs across Trading, Governance, Legal, Compliance, IT and Operations.  

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 R class link governor to the best of my ability. I will also share responsibility for overseeing subjects on the curriculum such as French and music.

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

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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