Mersham School
Governing Body
2025-2026
The governors of the school meet at least once a term. They are a group of people drawn from the community, the school and the parents. The Headteacher is responsible to the governors for the leadership and management, behaviour and safety, teaching and learning, curriculum and safeguarding aspects of the school.
Chair of Governor:
Charlotte Francis-Finch
Declared Business Interests : One (see link below for details)
Lead Responsibility: Chair, Safeguarding, SEND
From : 16.03.2024
(chair from 07.10.2025)
To : 15.03.2028
(First Appointed : 16.03.2020)
“I am an experienced teacher and qualified SENCo and have worked in a wide variety of educational settings, both mainstream and specialist, in all primary year groups; my roles within schools have included: class teacher; Head of Key Stage 1 and Early Years; SENCo, and School Governor. I have also worked as a Provision and Evaluation Officer for Kent County Council and as a specialist SEN teacher.
I am currently working as a SEND consultant for South East SENCo Support, an organisation that my business partner and I have co-founded, that provides specialist SEND support and advice to educational settings and families.
Small village schools hold a very special place in my heart and so I feel very privileged to be part of such a wonderful family community.”
Vice Chair/Foundation Governor:
James Senior
Declared Business Interests : One (see link below for details)
Lead Responsibility:
Vice Chair and Health and Safety
From : 28.06.2025
To : 27.06.2029
(First appointed: 16.03.2020)
“I have lived in Kent all of my adult life mainly around the Canterbury and Ashford areas, having initially relocated to undertake further education. A career in construction has provided amazing opportunities to be involved in some of the great structures to be created in the UK and further afield with a particular highlight of my career being the 4 ½ years as part of the senior management team delivering the New Wembley Stadium.
I am a keen sportsman, having only recently retired from playing hockey with Canterbury Hockey Club but have also enjoyed playing rugby, cricket, tennis and a variety of other sports throughout my life. The gentler demands of golf are now my main sporting passion. In my younger days I also enjoyed the challenges of the natural world and have scaled some of the tallest mountains in the world outside of the Himalayas, the most testing of these being the 6962 metre Aconcagua peak in the Andes.
I have been very fortunate in life and am now keen to contribute back into the local communities within which I live and hope to bring a wealth of experience to the role of Mersham School Governor to assist in continually improving the experience of everyone associated with the school, whether that be pupils, staff, parents or the wider community.”
Clerk: Nicki Cox
Declared Business Interests :
Headteacher:
Cheryl Chalkley
Declared Business Interests : Three (see business interest link below for details)
Staff Governor:
Jazmyn East
Declared Business Interests : None
From : 16.07.2025
To : 15.07.2029
“I completed my Schools Direct teacher training at Mersham in 2022/2023 and fell in love with the school and the amazing team. I have now completed my ECT years and am looking forward to being involved with the wider school community and Governors to impact positive change in our school.”
Community Governor:
James D’Mello
Declared Business Interests : None
Lead Responsibility : Finance and Pupil Premium
From : 26.09.2024
To : 25.09.2028
“Having grown up in Kent I now live locally with my family and have a strong interest in contributing to the community. Becoming a governor at Mersham gives me the opportunity to support the school’s continued success and ensure that it remains a place where children can thrive.
My professional background is in financial services. My skill set involves managing relationships, fundraising, and ensuring strong governance and accountability, all skills which I hope to bring to the governing body in my role as Finance Governor.”
Co-opted Governor/LA Governor: Judy Hawkins
Declared Business Interests : One
Lead Responsibility:
Well-Being
From : 08.01.2023
To : 07.01.2027
Parent Governor:
Rachel Walsh
Declared Business Interests : None
Lead Responsibility : EYFS and Training
From : 22.05.2021
To : 21.05.2025
“My daughter recently started at Mersham primary which gave me an incentive to be more invested in her education and learning environment. I feel passionate about making her and her peers’ educational journey the best it can be.
My background is legal operational management and project management within educational, legal, and healthcare sectors. I hope my experience can help contribute to the governing body to make Mersham primary the best it can be.”
Parent Governor:
Kelly Plummer
Declared Business Interests : None
Lead Responsibility :
From : 30.11.2023
To : 29.11.2027
“I am a parent of two children in the school and have previously volunteered supporting in the Year 4 class. I very much enjoyed the time I spend in the school and with the children. I am privileged to have gained insight into what it is like to be a pupil at Mersham primary and to watch the school values in action.
I am committed to supporting our brilliant school and hope that as a parent governor, I can help deliver the best educational experiences and outcomes for our children.”
Associate Governor:
Leah Benjamin
Declared Business Interests : None
Lead Responsibility :
From : January 2022
To : Ongoing
“I have worked at Mersham Primary School since 2014. Initially as a teacher and now as Deputy Headteacher, and am very proud to work with our dedicated team of governors to impact change in the school and enjoy having a strategic view of school improvement to make it the best place for our staff to work and the children to learn.”