Our Governors
Sue DeanCo-opted Governor & Chair of Governors
Category: Co-opted (Chair of Governors)
Date of appointment: 1 September 2017
Term ends: 1 September 2025
Appointing body: Governing body
Committee(s): Teaching, Learning & Children; Finance, Resources and Premises Committee
My background as a Chartered Accountant and Tax Adviser enables me to offer valuable input to the Finance Committee. I am also Chair to the Children, Families & Community Committee, which offers me the opportunity to contribute to developing and improving engagement with our families through forums such as the Parent Council.
I have two children at the school with another due to start in 2019. I am extremely passionate about Fern Hill and feel very privileged to be a Governor here.
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Diane HutchenceAssociate Governor
Category: Associate (no voting rights)
Date of Appointment: 22 March 2016
Term ends: No end date
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committee(s): Finance, Resources & Premises
I have worked at Fern Hill since 2001 and seen a lot of change!
Originally from Lancashire, I did an Accounting & Finance degree in Bristol then moved up to London for work. Initially for a design company, I then worked for 3 major retailers in the West End and qualified as an accountant whilst working mainly in management accounts.
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Sarah KhanStaff Governor
Category: Staff
Date of Appointment: 3 September 2020
Term ends: 3 September 2024
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committee(s): Teaching, Learning & Children
After graduating from UCL with a degree in Geography, I have been lucky enough to live and work abroad before settling in Kingston to raise my three children, currently all in local secondary schools. I have a background in education and have worked in a range of schools in the local area over the past 15 years. I was formerly a Learning Support Assistant with responsibility for SEND and EAL provision before qualifying to teach and I have really enjoyed the joys and challenges of teaching in KS2. I joined Fern Hill in 2017-18 academic Year and am currently teaching Year 2. In my spare time I participate in inter-faith engagement and charity work with education across different settings.
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Hugh KincaidCo-opted Governor & Co-Vice Chair of Governors
Category: Co-Opted (Co-Vice Chair)
Date of Appointment: 2 October 2014
Term ends: 2 October 2022
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committee(s): Teaching, Learning & Children; Finance, Resources & Premises (Chair)
I grew up in Northern Ireland and attended state primary and secondary schools before I went to the Queen's university of Belfast for an MEng in aeronautical engineering.
Then I went to a flying college and qualified with an Airline Transport Pilots Licence.
I am now an airline pilot of over 25 years experience, with two children who have both attended Fern Hill.
In my spare time I play squash, workout at the gym and read books on history and science.
As a governor, my roles include chairing the Finance, Resources and Personnel Committee and acting as the link Safeguarding/ Child Protection Governor.
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Francesca LeeClerk to the Governors
I work as clerk to the governors, ensuring the smooth running of the Governing Board, by organising meetings and maintaining records, as well as offering legislative and procedural advice on school governance.
My background is in education, having worked as a teacher trainer and teacher of English as a foreign language, in various settings from language schools to an NHS hospital.
My son attended Fern Hill until 2020 and I volunteered for many years at the school, building up a knowledge of and passion for Fern Hill.
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Dean MorleyCo-opted Governor
Category: Co-opted
Date of Appointment: 1 March 2019
Term ends: 1 March 2023
Appointing body: Governing Body
Committee(s): Finance, Premises & Resources
I have over 30 years professional HR experience, working across private, central government and higher education sectors.
I believe my experience as an HR Director in Higher Education, organisational change and strategic workforce planning will provide valuable insights & contributions to the Finance, Resources & Premises Committee.
My wife and I have one daughter at Fern Hill and I am very pleased and privileged to have the opportunity to contribute to helping sustain and improve Fern Hill’s future success.
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Rebecca NormandParent Governor
Category: Parent
Date of Appointment: 24 May 2021
Term ends: 24 May 2025
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committee(s): Finance, Resources & Premises
My background is third sector corporate governance and I currently work part-time for a European body. As part of my professional career, I’ve sat on various voluntary boards and committees and enjoy the diversity of discussion, challenge and personal development each provides.
I am a competitive ballroom dancer and enthusiastic cyclist. I love fancy dress and will take any opportunity to dress up. I have two children, the eldest of whom joined Fern Hill in 2020.
The greatest asset I’ll bring to the Board is energy and enthusiasm; I’m privileged to have been elected a parent governor of Fern Hill.
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Adam ScottEx officio Governor & Headteacher
Category: Ex officio (Headteacher)
Date of Appointment: 30 June 2014
Term ends: No end date
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committee(s): Teaching, Learning & Children; Finance, Resources & Premises
As Headteacher of Fern Hill, I sit on all Committees and work with the Governing Body to develop the school's Strategic Vision and Development Plan. It is also my responsibility to ensure that the school implements the strategy effectively and I look to the Governing Body to support and challenge the Leadership Team to ensure that we do.
I took on the role of Headteacher in 2015 having already been at Fern Hill for 15 years (10 of those being in the role of Deputy Head).
I have three daughters who keep me very busy when I'm not at the school and I enjoy sports and the great outdoors.
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Saphina Sharif-CrockerCo-opted Governor
Category: Co-opted
Date of Appointment: 1st May 2019
Term ends: 1st May 2023
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children
I am a qualified Project Manager, having spent most of my career to date working for a global engineering consultancy. As well as working on several multi-discipline projects, including project managing the London2012 enabling works project, I have experience in business development and planning.
I am passionate about supporting our community and using my business skills in strategy, project and change management to benefit the school. I am also a committee member of the North Kingston Forum and of Friends of Latchmere Rec., as well as an active STEM Ambassador.
I have two daughters at Fern Hill.
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Marcus StantonCo-opted Governor
Category: Co-opted
Date of Appointment: 1 March 2019
Term ends: 1 March 2023
Appointing body: Governing Body
Committee(s): Finance, Premises & Resources
I am a former law lecturer and qualified solicitor, now non-practising. I run my own marketing and communications consultancy initially working with professional services firms but now spread across both business and the charity sector. Through my consultancy I have spent a lot of time helping deliver national arts programmes and activities to both primary and secondary schools, one aspect of that has been working with pupils who are at risk of missing out on the arts due to social, economic and special educational needs.
I am also the marketing adviser to an independent nursery and preparatory school in London.
I have sat on various committees to do with children and young people, including those relating to children with autism and their access to theatres, galleries and museums, as well as committees fundraising for projects for schools.
My daughter attends Fern Hill and since the time she started at the school, I have been actively involved in school life - coming into school each week to help in my daughter's class and as a volunteer helping with school trips and PSA events.
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Claire StrongLocal Authority Governor
Category: Local Authority
Date of Appointment: 21 September 2016
Term ends: 21 September 2024
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committee(s): Teaching, Learning & Children
Claire is a local authority governor and joined the board in November 2016. She is a Chartered Secretary and has qualifications in Charity governance. She and her husband have lived in Kingston since 2013, have two children, and have been active in the local community since then by volunteering with a local charity and a junior cycling club. Claire is a member of a local choir and loves being outside, swimming, cycling, running or walking. Claire's term as a local authority governor was extended in September 2020 for another four years.
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Jo TatumCo-opted Governor & Co-Vice Chair of Governors
Category: Co-opted (Co-Vice Chair)
Date of Appointment: 21 October 2014
Term ends: 22 October 2022
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Children (Chair)
I have been a governor at Fern Hill for several years. Many of you will already know that I also worked at the school: I started at Fern Hill in 2008 as a Teaching Assistant in Year 4 before moving to work in the office as a Finance Assistant looking after clubs and trips.
Before coming to Fern Hill I worked for Marks and Spencer for 17 years in many different roles from Store Finance Manager, to Head of Customer Services.
I love living in Kingston, have a very busy life with lots of family activities, holidays and tennis.
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Rob TerryParent Governor
Category: Parent
Date of Appointment: 18 October 2018
Term ends: 18 October 2022
Appointing Body: Parent community at Fern Hill
Committee(s): Teaching, Learning & Children (Vice-Chair)
Several years ago, I left my job as a Project Manager to look after my two children. In that time I've become increasingly involved in supporting Fern Hill through helping in class on a weekly basis, going on school trips and as a member of the Parent Council. Subsequently, when the role of Parent Governor came up I felt this would be a great opportunity to devote more time and further my involvement.
Both of my children, Jackson and Martha, attend Fern Hill; it's a fantastic school and, as a parent, we've been incredibly impressed with both the teaching and devotion of all the staff from day one.
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Alan WatermanCo-opted Governor
Category: Co-opted (formerly Parent)
Date of Appointment: 23 May 2017
Term ends: 24 May 2025
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Committee(s): Finance, Resources & Premises (Vice-Chair); Teaching, Learning & Children
I have been heavily involved with the school since my daughter joined Fern Hill in 2014, previously through my work with the PSA. I was keen to put myself forward as a candidate for Parent Governor when a vacancy came up as I wanted to contribute to the school even further.
My professional background in finance enables me to support the Governors during a period when pressures on schools' finances continue to mount. As well as my financial skills I am also keen to use my experience as a parent to support the school in its continuing attempts to develop its engagement with the wider community.
I am very proud to have been elected as a Parent Governor and to now serve in a co-opted capacity and look forward to continuing to support the school over the coming years.
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