Chair of Governors - Volunteer

Turner Free School, Folkestone

• Ref:KCC886-4021-303S
• Posted:01/04/2026
• Pay:Voluntary
• Start Date:September 2026
• App Close Date:01/07/2026 at 12:00
• Interviews:To Be Confirmed

Advert

Turner Free School is seeking an inspiring and experienced Chair of Governors to lead our Local Governing Body. This is a pivotal role for someone who wants to use their professional expertise to directly impact the lives and aspirations of our students.

We are looking for someone who:

• Masters the Art of the Meeting: You have a proven track record of chairing complex discussions, ensuring every voice is heard while keeping the focus on strategic outcomes.

• Brings Educational Insight: Experience in academy governance or the wider education sector is highly desirable.

• Commits to Progress: You are willing to invest your time and energy into understanding our school’s unique challenges and successes.

• Collaborates with Purpose: You enjoy working alongside school leaders to challenge, support, and drive meaningful change.

Why Join Turner Free School?

We know that leadership requires support. At Turner Free School, you won’t be expected to go it alone. We offer:

• A Solid Foundation: A comprehensive induction program to help you hit the ground running.

• A Collaborative Culture: You will be part of a supportive, proactive team of governors and staff.

• Ongoing Growth: Once you are settled into the role, we fully fund and support your participation in the NGA (National Governance Association) Chair Development Program.

• The Chance to Make a Difference: You will see the direct results of your leadership in the confidence and achievements of our pupils.

For more information, visit https://www.turnerschools.com/about-us/local-governance. 

Expressions of interest to the Director of Governance - cheryl.southern@turnerschools.com

Information about the school

The Turner Free School is an academically ambitious and inclusive school for 11-18 year old pupils in the Cheriton area of Folkestone. In other words, it is a grammar-style school for everyone. As a smaller than average secondary school, all pupils are known and educated as individuals. The school has a knowledge-led curriculum, organised along the principles established by Professors Michael Young of the IOE and E.D. Hirsch of the University of Virginia, to ensure all pupils receive the knowledge they need to thrive in the modern world. In addition, to give pupils a leading edge for further education and employment, modern foreign languages are emphasised, with the aspiration that all pupils will achieve a working standard by the time that they graduate from the school.

As a free school the Turner Free School is a new Academy school; directly funded by central government and independent of Local Authority control. Like other free schools, the Turner Free School has a responsibility to expand the educational offer locally, to promote higher standards inclusively, to address local social issues and to ensure excellent value for the public purse.

Prospective employees are encouraged to visit us to find out, first hand, how we prepare children to be successful in life.

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

• Chartham Primary School

• Dover Christ Church Academy

• 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 giving a powerful education to local families through schools where children thrive and knowledge matters. Turner Schools is committed to ensuring the highest levels of safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. It expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We adopt a fair, robust and consistent recruitment process across all our academies 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 and Section 128 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

We would welcome applicants to visit the school prior to application to experience the culture and ethos. Please contact HR@TurnerSchools.com if you would like to arrange a tour.

Job Contact Information

• Name:Caroline Dominguez
• Address:Academy Lane, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 5FP
• Telephone: 01303 842433
• Email: hr@turnerschools.com