Governance

Trust Level Governance 

Turner Free School 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.

Terms of Office are 4 years with the exception of the ex-officio governor who is appointed by virtue of their position. 

Challenge and Community Board (CCB) - Our Governors

Chair: Ray Coulstock

To contact the Chair email governance@turnerschools.com or contact via the school office or 01303 842400, option 3.

CCB Safeguarding Lead: Louise Lythgoe

CCB SEND Lead: Russell Smith

Careers Lead: Maha Rai

Lead Safeguarding Trustee: Dean Jones

Ray Coulstock - co-opted governor


Ray is Managing Director of a small training agency that supports global software companies. He is an experienced governor and director who believes in the transformative power of education. 


Ray brings strategic leadership to the local governing board.  

Harriet Allen – co-opted governor

Anthony Dinn – parent governor

 Leonard Hurn – co-opted governor

Louise Lythgoe - co-opted governor

Louise has expertise in Trust Primary Improvement and brings expertise in education, safeguarding and curriculum development.

Scott Norman - co-opted governor

Scott is Headteacher of The Harvey Grammar School, a post he has held since January 2014, leading the school from Good to Outstanding in March 2016.  Scott has extensive experience in school leadership and is a serving inspector for Ofsted. He is also member of the Ofsted Headteacher Reference Group for the South East.

Caroline Purvey - co-opted governor

Caroline brings expertise in health and well-being as well as strong communication skills.

Maha Rai - co-opted governor

Maha came to the UK in 1999 as a dependent of his Father who was serving in the British Gurkha Army. Since 2006 he has lived in Cheriton, Folkestone. During this period, many retired British Gurkha families started to settle in Cheriton and they formed a local Nepalese Community to help each other. From 2012, Maha has been voluntarily working for the community to collaborate with the local council of Folkestone and other communities for integration events, cultural exchanges and funding events. In July 2018, Maha was awarded a PhD in Physics from the University of Kent.

Maggi Rose - co-opted governor

Maggi is a pragmatic solutions-focused problem solver with compliance, technology and IT risk skills. She has done STEM Ambassador volunteering in schools.

Russell Smith - co-opted governor

Russell graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in English and Education having previously worked for several years in London for the Civil Service. He worked in various schools and spent ten years as Head of English in a Kent comprehensive school where he gained diplomas in Management and in teaching Gifted and Talented children. In 2008 he gained the NPQH qualification. Russell retired in 2010 as Vice Principal of The Marsh Academy. Since then he has continued teaching A-level part-time in local schools and on a voluntary basis in local primary schools, teaching creative writing. He was brought up in Cheriton and attended local schools.

Jennifer Van-Deelen– ex-officio governor

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


Governors who have left in the past 12 months:

Cally Cooke – parent governor

Professor Helen James OBE, Eur Ing CEng FIMechE FHEA BSc (Hons) MA DBA - co-opted governor

Tracy Luke MBE – co-opted governor