What do governors do?

The governing board’s responsibility is to ensure the school improves each year. It guides the strategic direction of the school and makes sure targets are met; whilst allowing the Headteacher and teaching professionals to manage the school on a day-to-day basis.

Our Governors attend 6 meetings per year, where reports about the school's progress are discussed. They challenge and monitor key information given by school leaders and ensure the school spends its budget wisely,  in line with priorities agreed in the school improvement plan.

The role of the governing board is a strategic one, its key functions are to:

• set the aims and objectives for the school
• set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
• set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
• monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• be a source of challenge and support to the Headteacher (a critical friend)

King Ethelbert School and Dane Court Grammar School Governors 2024-2025

Vicky Crawley - Chair of Governors

Appointed 2 July 2023 to 2 July 2027

TV PRODUCER/DIRECTOR AND CASTING PRODUCER

My background is broadcast television, film and commercials for the last 30 years. I started as a researcher and associate producer and progressed through to series producer and director. I’ve made documentaries for all major channels (Ch4, E4, BBC, 5, Sky, Discovery USA), BBC food programming; Rick Stein’s Taste of Sea and others and some light entertainment shows; Room 101 is the most recognisable.  I’ve researched and produced privately-funded documentaries for international companies – Maersk, Lego and Visit California being notable examples.

I've also worked within many agencies, refining, messaging and delivering productions as well as Party Elections Broadcasts.  I'm experienced in compliance, duty of care (safeguarding in another form) and many aspects of licencing.  Although broadcast contracts and compliance procedures are peculiar to the industry.  I have a working legal knowledge of contracts, rights and legal issues.

I have been a casting producer and director for the last 10 years, mainly casting real people for major TV documentary style commercials and campaigns and now working with an actors' agency for all major drama projects.  I'm a safe pair of hands for all types of productions; whether large or small budgets, with varying size crews.  Planning, project management and communication all form important aspects of my roles.

GOVERNOR EXPERIENCE

I was acting Chair of Governors in a Tower Hamlets School setting, an outstanding nursery school called Columbia Market Nursery School.  I was Governor for 8 years in Tower Hamlets, vice chair for some.

I chaired two disciplinary panels during my tenure and was nursery representative for a steering committee in the borough.  This steering committee looked into the formation of a support structure, The Tower Hamlets Educational Partnership (THEP) to share excellence and to offer professional support to the educational settings in the borough.  There are many school closures and amalgamations as the demographics change in London and THEP was formed to ease and help these transitions.

I was one of the two Governors on site during two Ofsted inspections, both outstanding awards.  I supported the staff, senior management and other Governors and oversaw the appointment of an Executive Head of School.  I was SEND Governor representative and also health and safety.  I sat on the finance committee and curriculum committee and have been DBS checked.

Judith Baker - Staff Governor

Appointed from 11 February 2009 to 11 February 2025    

I qualified as a teacher in 1978 and taught at an Upper School in Dorset; a British Forces Middle school in West Germany; a High School in Thanet and then as Head of Food and Nutrition at Dane Court. I have worked as a Professional Mentor to trainee teachers at Dane Court since 1995 and have supported many in their entry to  the profession. I introduced the Mediaeval Banquet and International Food Evening, Coffee Mornings and Valentines Bistro. Enthusiasm for my subject led me to become Principal Examiner for A Level Food Technology in 2010 and I was subsequently made Chief Examiner. I am now Principal Examiner for IB Food Science and Technology. My extra-curricular activity at Dane Court includes being a violin player in the orchestra and an Assessor for the DofE programme. I have two boys, who both attended Dane Court and loved it here. 

Kay Cowell - Governor

Appointed 13 March 2013 to 13 March 2025

I was born and raised in Birchington, and attended King Ethelbert School as did my son in later years. I became a parent Governor in 2009. Professionally, I work in a pharmacy, working primarily to promote healthcare in the local community.    

Peter Tucker - Governor

Appointed from 30 September 2020 to 30 September 2028

I was born and bred in Preston, Lancs. I joined the Police in 1968, then moved to Kent Police in 1972. Retired in 2000, then a fraud investigator in the NHS, and finally retired in June 2016. General interest in all sports and play golf.

Sarah Hickman - Governor

Appointed from 23 January 2024 to 23 January 2028

I am responsible for estate management at Viking Academy Trust, consisting of three primary schools working collegiately to ensure that every one of our pupils receives an outstanding education and become highly effective and successful members of society. I am responsible for oversight of contracts and the management, implementation and liaison of projects. I also oversee H&S and compliance too.  My core set of skills include project management, project planning, implementation and delivery and an oversight on health & safety issues and current developments.

Holly Brown - Governor

Appointed from 8 May 2024 to 8 May 2028

Having previously served as a Governor for a year and a half at primary school in London, I was inspired to volunteer for the role at King Ethelbert after moving to Margate in January 2023. I am currently a policy adviser at the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), building on a decade of experience working both in and around secondary and higher education. While my governing and professional experience have allowed me to cover a wide range of educational issues, I am particularly passionate about social equity, and ensuring that young people are supported to find a post-18 pathway that is right for them. 

Max Houghton - Governor

Appointed from 8th May 2024 to 8th May 2028

A former Parachute Regiment officer who served also with the Australian and French armies, the UNHQ in New York and the EU in Brussels before becoming a Director of a defence engineering company in Stockport.

Debbie Shallcross - Clerk

Business Interests 2023-24

Governor attendance 2023-2024

Local governing board meeting dates 2024 - 2025

2nd October 2024 5pm at Dane Court

11th December 2024 5pm at King Ethelbert School

5th February 2025 5pm at Dane Court

2nd April 2025 5pm at King Ethelbert School

14th May 2025 5pm at Dane Court

2nd July 2025 5pm at King Ethelbert School

To contact the governors

Please write to

Chair of Governors
c/o The Clerk
Dane Court Grammar School
Broadstairs Road
Broadstairs
Kent
CT10 2RT