I have been a governor since 2013, when I was elected as a parent governor. My children are now adults, but my commitment to all children getting the best possible start to life at primary school remains. At various points in my life I have been a lawyer, bartender, financier, backpacker, parish councillor and farm manager, and have lived in Germany, the UK and New Zealand. My background in law and finance is occasionally useful, however the primary role of governors is to support, monitor and challenge the leadership team, constantly looking to improve outcomes for the children. I am excited to work with our very experienced board of governors to provide positive support in achieving this. 

I was Headteacher of Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School from 1999 to 2024, and a Governor of Broadwater Down Primary School since 2013, having been actively involved in primary/secondary school transition in the Tunbridge Wells area since first becoming a headteacher. In addition to my role as headteacher, I have worked with a number of governing bodies to appoint their new headteachers, and support them in the performance management of their school leaders. As Chair of the Kent and Medway Grammar Schools' Association since 2004, I believe strongly that schools should work together in the best interests of all of the young people in a community. I live locally in Langton Green and have two sons, now grown up, who attended The Skinners' School.

I believe that schools should be at the heart of their communities and that education is key to unlocking children's potential. Being a local resident I joined the governing body in 2016 as I wanted to support Broadwater Down in achieving this ambition. I currently sit on the Resources Committee. Previously employed in various corporate and regeneration roles I currently work for a London Borough leading school development and school place planning. Outside of work I have previously been a member of the Interim Executive Board of a special school in SE London and a Director of a Community Credit Union.

I was elected as a co-opted governor in September 2022, so I am very new to the role. However, I am not new to the school having worked as a TA there for the past 14 years. I am married and have 2 grown up children, both of whom attended Langton Green Primary School. 

I am honoured to have been elected and will try to fulfil my role as Year 1 class link governor to the best of my ability. I will also share responsibility for overseeing SEN and Safeguarding.

I hope that my previous knowledge of the school, and experience of supporting learning, will enable me to help in continuing to support the fantastic work that goes on helping each child to achieve their own potential.

Having started out as an Newly Qualified Teacher in a Bromley school back in 1991, it has been my privilege to be the Class Teacher or Deputy Headteacher to over a thousand children and young people in their educational adventures since. As an ex-Langtonian myself (ex-teacher rather than pupil), I am a firm believer in the sparkle and magic of learning and since I am passionate about drama, I Carped my own Diem and went back to University in 2022 to study for an MA in Acting. I now juggle many roles both as an actor and as an advocate for promoting drama in new ways in Education. After all, as the bard himself pointed out, "Knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.” William Shakespeare, Henry VI part II. I live in Ashurst with my husband, Dan the Forest Man, and the youngest of my five children. My eldest children now live and work in London in magical jobs of their own and my younger sons are still in education both in Tunbridge Wells and in Bath.

Gemma is a dispute resolution solicitor with experience of acting for and advising several schools and other educational providers.  Gemma is particularly keen to provide support to ensure that the pupils meet their potential and enjoy their time at the school. Gemma is part of the Learning and Development Committee and is also the Early Years Foundation Stage governor.

I have worked in Early Years and childcare for over 20 years with children aged 0-9. I own two preschool settings in Tunbridge Wells and have worked in Showfields for the last 8 years with strong links to the community. I have a passion for education and inclusion and believe all children deserve the very best for their educational setting to ensure life long success. I am part of the Local Children’s Partnership Group for the local district help to ensure positive outcomes for children and their families. We have achieved an Ofsted Outstanding grade at our Bayhall Road setting and as a result have begun to offer consultancy to other early years settings in need of support in the local area, to improve standards in Early Years Education.

I was appointed as a co-opted Governor in 2023. I live in Langton Green and have one daughter at the school, however I’ve admired the magic and sparkle of Langton Green Primary and its pupils from afar since moving to the village ten years ago.

My background is in education, and I have taught in the Early Years and Primary sector, as well as having enjoyed 7 years as a headteacher at a local school. I now work across schools in Kent as an education consultant, coach and tutor.

In my spare time I run a charity based in Africa, aiding orphaned and abandoned children, and am also a trustee of a charity that works in Merseyside supporting children’s early development in deprived areas.

It’s been a privilege to be able to join the Governing Body at Langton Green and see more of the extraordinary work that goes on behind the scenes to make Langton Green Primary School such a special place to attend for its pupils.