Vice Chair of the Joint Local Governing Body for Chartham Primary School and St Stephens Infant School - Volunteer

Turner Schools

• Ref:KCC-F42-421-S
• Posted:01/04/2026
• Pay:Voluntary
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:01/07/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:To Be Confirmed

Advert

Chartham Primary School & St Stephen’s Infant School

Are you ready to step up and make a lasting impact on two vibrant school communities?

Chartham Primary and St Stephen’s Infant School are seeking a collaborative and proactive Vice Chair to join our joint Local Governing Body. This is a unique opportunity to work across two school settings, providing the strategic oversight that helps our pupils thrive.

The Role: 

You will work closely with the Chair to steer our governing body, offering a steady hand and a fresh perspective. We are looking for someone who can lead with confidence and step into the Chair's role when required.

We are looking for a leader who:

• Facilitates with Skill: You know how to manage a room, ensuring meetings are productive, inclusive, and that every governor’s expertise is utilised.

• Invests in Excellence: You are eager to commit your time to understand the schools' needs and work alongside leaders to drive improvement.

• Brings Professional Insight: While experience in education or academy governance is a significant plus, we value any professional background that brings high-level strategy and scrutiny to the table.

• Embraces Collaboration: You will be joining a friendly, dedicated team that believes in the power of "working together" to deliver a great education.

What We Offer Our Governors

We believe in investing in our people as much as our pupils. When you join us, you gain access to:

• A Robust Start: A thorough induction program to get you up to speed with the schools and the Trust.

• A Professional Network: Connection to a wider Trust Governor Network, allowing you to share best practices and collaborate with peers across other schools.

• Leadership Development: Once you are established in your role, we support and fund your enrollment in the NGA (National Governance Association) Chair Development Program.

• Ongoing Mentorship: A supportive environment where you can grow your governance skills with the backing of an experienced team.

How to Apply

If you are passionate about local education and have the leadership skills to help our schools succeed, we want to hear from you.

• Learn More: Visit turnerschools.com/about-us/local-governance for further details on our governance structure.

• Express Interest: Please send your expressions of interest to Cheryl Southern, Director of Governance, at cheryl.southern@turnerschools.com.

Join us in shaping the future for the children of Chartham and St Stephen’s.

Information about the trust

Turner Schools is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) with eight schools in Canterbury, Dover and Folkestone:-

Dover Christ Church Academy, Chartham Primary School, Folkestone Primary, Folkestone Academy, Morehall Primary, Martello Primary, St Stephens Infant School, Turner Free School

We provide education through pre-school, primary, secondary and on to sixth form. Each academy is individual and responds to the needs of its local community to provide the best possible opportunity for its young people. We promote high academic standards, while ensuring crucial opportunities for personal and emotional development.

Turner Schools is committed to Transforming children’s futures…Empowering children’s futures…Strengthening communities.

To help us achieve this, Turner Staff ‘Walk the Turner Talk’

They will:

• Speak and act with care: always show compassion and respect for children. • Act boldly: be ambitious for yourself and the children and young people we serve. • Learn from adversity: be evaluative, thoughtful and reflective. • Challenge convention: be curious, welcome difference and unfamiliar thinking. • Connect with others: support colleagues, parents and pupils to make a great team. • Use your voice: offer different views and ask questions. • Do what it takes: be relentless in pursuing the best for children. • Ask for support: be open and honest when plans go awry. • Don’t give up: be calm, resilient and measured when managing challenges.

Turner Schools is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our pupils, and we expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all academies and business units which is in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance. This includes online checks for shortlisted candidates - you can read more about this in our Recruitment Guidance. All offers of employment are subject to an Enhanced DBS check, references, and where applicable, a prohibition from teaching check.

Turner Schools is committed to treating all people equally and with respect, irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation or social economic background. We therefore welcome applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds as we are dedicated to creating and sustaining a workplace that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils.

We understand the importance of work-life balance. If you are interested in this opportunity but require a different working pattern (e.g., part-time hours, compressed weeks, or term-time only), please clearly state your preferred arrangement within your application. We are happy to discuss and explore flexibility where possible for the successful candidate.

For further information on Turner Schools, please visit www.turnerschools.com

Job Contact Information

• Name:Caroline Dominguez
• Address:Academy Lane,
  Folkestone,
  Kent,
  CT19 5FP
• Telephone: 01304 272469
• Email: hr@turnerschools.com

Fax: