Ms Loraine Bant - Chair of Governors/Foundation Governor

I am the Chair of Governors on the Governing Body and take particular interest in the Christian and spiritual aspects of the school. I also take responsibility for over-seeing Safeguarding, Additional Educational Needs, The Impact of Pupil Premium Funding, Online Safety and Wellbeing within the school. As Chair of Governors I am Chair of the Governing Strategic committee but also attend the Learning and Development and Resources meetings too. I am the Hub Governor for Computing , SEND and RE and Spirituality as well as being Phase Governor for Phase 1. I enjoy taking Collective Worship at the school and listening to the singing - I especially like meeting the pupils and hearing their views.

I spent my working life in secondary schools - mainly in Kent . I taught PE and Food and was a head of PE for many years before becoming a senior leader. I am a Churchwarden, President of Kent Women's Hockey and a Rotarian.

Ms K Barham - Headteacher

I am immensely proud of being both the Headteacher and a Governor at Birchington CE Primary School. As the Headteacher, I am a member of all the Governor committees.
I have been Headteacher at Birchington since April 2007 and since then have overseen many positive changes, including the expansion of our school. I lead a friendly, hardworking and proactive team whose aim is to be outstanding in every aspect of school life – it is an absolute pleasure to work here and I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else!

I came to Birchington after being Headteacher of Sheldwich Primary School in Faversham for six years and before this I was Deputy Headteacher at the same school. My first teaching post was at Dame Janet Junior School in Thanet.

Mr J Forwood - Deputy Headteacher/Co-opted Governor

I am the Deputy Headteacher of the school and a member of all the Governing Body committees.I have been at the school since January 2011. I work very closely with Ms Barham and the rest of the Governors in driving the school towards 'Outstanding'. Prior to joining the school I worked at two other large primary schools in East Kent, and before having a career in Education I worked in the City of London in various financial institutions.  

Mr Stephen Hughes - Vice Chair of Governors/Local Authority Governor

Stephen is a Local Authority Governor and former pupil of the school. With a background in finance and systems, Stephen spent most of his working life in the travel industry as an International Tour Operator.

Mrs Lucy Winn - Staff Governor

I am proud to have been asked as a teacher, to represent the staff on the school Governing Body. I started my journey as a teacher here at Birchington as an NQT in 2018, and am currently in my second year of teaching. Being a part of such a supportive and friendly school community makes this school a happy and positive one, not just for us as staff, but also for the children. It is clear that each member of staff here at Birchington wants the best for the children, and will go above and beyond to give them the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

I am excited to be representing the voice of the staff as part of the governing body, and look forward to undertaking a more active role in the school’s bright future.

Mrs Teresa McCloud -  Co-opted Governor

I joined Birchington CE Primary School as a supply teacher and loved the place so much that I ended up staying for a few years teaching and joining the leadership team!  I joined the Governing Body as a Staff Governor and served until I left the school to explore a new career path.  I currently support youth into employment so now see the impact a child’s education has on their future prospects. I have rejoined the Governing Body as a Co-opted Governor and am supporting the well-being and the Healthy Mind and Body Hub team.

In my spare time I am an active member of a local church and feel that this will be beneficial in supporting the school going forward.

Mrs Annemarie Riordan - Parent Governor

My name is Annemarie Riordan and I am very pleased and proud to have been appointed as a Parent Governor. I have been a primary school teacher for thirteen years, all of which has been based within Key Stage 1. I have a passion for the early years and thrive on planning creative and engaging lessons for my pupils. I have many roles in my current position as a Year 1 teacher in a catholic primary school. I am the Maths coordinator in Key Stage 1 and I lead phonics across the school. I also take great pleasure in leading the school council, I enjoy giving the pupils a voice and involving them in the decision making that will impact on their education.  I currently work 3 days a week because being a mum of two beautiful girls I want to balance my career with being a hands on parent. At home I love nothing more than arts and crafts with my daughters, we also love to investigate – I think secretly I want to be a scientist. I love to be outdoors, particularly in the sunshine, but you will often catch me in a pair of wellies. I am excited to take on this new role as Parent Governor at Birchington Primary and look forward to helping to drive the school’s vision of helping every child develop the skills and values they need to succeed and have the confidence to make a difference.

Mrs Samantha Stanton - Co-opted Governor

My name is Samantha Stanton and I am delighted to be working with the staff, children and Governors at Birchington School. I’m looking forward to spending more time at the school to understand how it can develop and improve upon the fantastic standards already in place.

I want to use my experience as a Chartered Accountant and business leader to help with the resources committee; to provide guidance on the best way to utilise the funds available and ensure the team at the school have the best facilities and an environment that helps to support the learning goals of the school. My family love living in the local area. We regularly go for walks and bike rides in Minnis Bay, which is a great place to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Our families favourite afternoon is spent catching crabs and rock pooling down by the sea.   

Reverend Mark Ham - Vicar Ex-Officio Governor

My name is Mark, or Rev Mark, and I am Priest-in-Charge, the local Vicar if you like, of three of the churches in Birchington – All Saints’, St Thomas and St Mildred.   I am here to help and support people of all ages spiritually and pastorally and I live in the Village.  Our churches are here to show the love of God to all and everyone is welcome.

I want to be a Governor as I am passionate about education.  A good education provides a firm foundation and the opportunities needed to aspire and flourish in life.   Learning helps us all to grow, not just academically, but also spiritually, socially and mentally, and it equips us to contribute to the greater good of our wider community and society as a whole.   I am excited about becoming part of our school in Birchington as a Governor as I want to support the Headteacher, staff, other Governor colleagues and all of its children, in the best way I can, to help it continue flourishing and in being the best school that it can be.

Before I was ordained, I was a manager within the National Health Service for 25 years and have experience in business and strategic planning and I am aware of the importance of effective governance and due diligence.   As a priest I hope that I can offer prayerful and spiritual support to all within Birchington School.  I am looking forward to working with all within the School and hope that I can make a useful contribution to its life.

Miss Felicity Stafford - Clerking Professional

I am Clerk to the Governors, and was once a teacher myself but I am retired now. I enjoy a variety of interests one of which is reading.

Mr Tony Walker-Banfield - Parent Governor

I am the Parent Governor and my expertise lay in languages and geography. I have studied in travel and been lucky enough to have had a very long career in the tourism industry. I have travelled to in excess of 126 countries and have always endeavoured to learn new languages and embrace every new culture I come across. My French teacher inspired my passion at primary school age and so my subject areas which encompass “understanding the world” include all teachings that I believe can truly take our children places.
 

Mrs Tina Seymour - Foundation Governor

I am pleased to be appointed a Foundation Governor. I am a mother to 3 children and a grandmother to 5 children. My husband and I moved to Thanet 9 years ago from Bromley, where I worked as a Teaching Assistant in a SEN school for 24 years. I loved working in a school environment and am excited to join Birchington CE Primary School and share in their beliefs and values. Whilst helping with Breakfast Club I saw how beneficial it was to the families. It was also good to interact with the students and parents. My interests and hobbies are crafting, reading, gardening, and going away in our caravan.

Miss Tracy Leighton - Co-Opted Governor

My name is Tracy Leighton and I am delighted to join the team of Governors at Birchington CE Primary School.
I have lived in the local area since 1990 when I qualified from Christ Church College as a primary school teacher. During my 31 years in primary education I have been a class teacher, assessment coordinator, Assistant Head, Deputy Head, Head of School and Headteacher. I taught at 4 schools, including an elementary school in America as part of a years teaching exchange. I have also worked for the local authority in their data management team. In 2021 I left primary education and worked as a driving instructor before deciding to take early retirement. I now consider myself semi-retired as I currently work part-time as a finance officer within the education sector.
I am excited to take on this new role as a school governor and I am looking forward to learning more about the school and the community it serves.