In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all governing bodies, the three core strategic functions of the St John's Governing Body are:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils;
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
Our Instrument of Government, which explains the structure of the governing board, can be found here.
Chair of Governors: Robyn Dye
Appointed by GB: 25th April 2021 - 24th April 2025
My background is in nursing and I currently work as an operational service manager across East Kent for the British Red Cross. This means I have experience of, and a genuine interest in, meeting the needs of my local community. Both of my children attended St John's and I have been involved in helping welcome new parents to the school. I am particularly looking forward to becoming a part of the positive changes and continual improvements taking place.
Vice-Chair: David Milham
Nominated by LA and appointed by GB: 19th May 2020 - 18th May 2024
I have been a school governor for over 25 years and am currently chair of a successful primary academy near Faversham. In 2013 I was appointed a National Leader of Governance and have helped governors at a number of schools improve pupils achievement and progress.
I am a Chartered Engineer with senior management experience within the Engineering Sector. I now run my own consultancy business based in Faversham.
Catherine Carden
Appointed by GB: 1st July 2020 - 30th June 2024
I have 12 years experience of school governance and have been a governor at St John's since 2014 having been Chair of Governors between 2016 and 2022. I have seen how the school has changed and developed over several years in order to meet the needs of the school community.
Outside of my governing body role, I work within the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport at The Open University and work as an Independent Consultant within the field of educational leadership, wellbeing, teacher education and development working with a range of educational institutions and settings offering advice, guidance and support in these areas.
I have significant experience of working within initial teacher education within higher education where I was Director of Primary Initial Teacher Education for 5 years and Director of Learning and Teaching for 3 years. Prior to this I was a teacher in secondary and further education for 10 years.
I publish in the field of education and co-founded an online teacher development organisation to support professional development for those working in education.
Revd Canon Andrew Dodd
Ex-officio foundation governor: 1st September 2022 - 31st August 2026
I am the Residentiary Canon Treasure at Canterbury Cathedral and I was invited to join the governing board at St John's as the Archdeacon’s nominee in September 2022. Before moving to Canterbury I had previously been a governor at different schools: church, community, and academies, both secondary and primary. I remain a director of a the Church of England Multi Academy Trust in Lincolnshire. Prior to ordination I worked as a Civil Engineer in local government. I have wide experience in monitoring school standards; curriculum development and school ethos as well as skills in collective worship, religious education, and wider community / school partnerships.
Keji Moses
Elected by parents: 16th March 2021 - 15th March 2025
I am the founder and CEO of Mayah’s Legacy. Mayah’s Legacy is a charitable organisation that empowers women and families to advocate for their needs as they navigate pregnancy and/or pregnancy loss. I'm also a director at Goddess Hub CIC. Goddess Hub CIC provides perinatal emotional support to improve the mental and emotional wellbeing of mothers.
I completed my five-year term as an LEA school governor at St Patricks Primary School in 2019. I also served as a LEA governor at Lyndhurst Primary School (for two years) when I was on the curriculum committee. One of my main roles as governor was to ensure the protection of learners by making the school accountable for child protection, health and safety, and wellness practices.
I am an active member of my community and I sit on a number of local committees and boards, including the Kent County Council SEND Cub-Committee Council.
I look forward to promoting a culture of excellence and ensuring that the school achieves all its objectives.
Elisabeth Smiley
Foundation member: 25th April 2021 - 24th April 2025
I am an experienced secondary school teacher, sports coach, youth worker and mother and I have been on the governing body of St John's since shortly after it was established in 2013. I have been delighted to see the progress the school has made over its first three years and have a specific interest in SEND provision at the school.
Trace Parvin
Appointed by GB: 20th November 20228 - 19th November 2026
I am a senior lecturer and the Programme Director for the BA Primary Education programme at Canterbury Christ Church University and also a member of the Primary English team. I joined the university in 2008 following fourteen years of working in Kent Primary Schools, where I was Literacy Lead and a member of SLT.
At CCCU, I teach on the Primary English courses across a range of initial teacher education programmes alongside professional studies courses. My areas of interest lie in the development of children (and students) as readers and writers.
Being a passionate reader, I derive great professional pleasure from encouraging children's and students' deep engagement with books. Such is my interest in this field, that for the past 10 years I have run a successful children’s literature book club for the BA Primary Education students. I now also lead Teachers Reading Groups for the Open University Reading for Pleasure project and am a member of the Cheltenham Literary Festival Reading teachers = Reading Pupils panel.
I have been an active member of United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA) for many years, and am currently the President of the Association.
Mark Player
Elected by parents: 16th March 2021 - 15th March 2025
I work as a Chartered Public Finance Accountant at Great Ormond Street NHS Trust and I previously worked in local government and managed the finance function at a District Council.
Laura Seaman
Elected by school staff: 20th July 2020 - 19th July 2024 (maternity leave Jan 2023 - Jan 2024: covered by Harriet Brown)
I have been a qualified teacher for over 8 years working predominantly in Early Years. Most recently, I have been working on my National Qualification in Leading Teaching which is a very exciting opportunity in my career. I have been the Art and Design and Design Technology subject leader at St. Johns since 2017 and was thrilled to be appointed the position of Staff Governor in 2020.
Joanne Williamson
Ex-officio (Headteacher)
I have been a qualified teacher for over 20 years, working in primary education. Having been a PE subject leader, KS1 and EYFS Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Head at a previous school for 12 years, I was delighted to be appointed Headteacher of St John's when it was created in 2012. I have worked in the Northgate community for 22 years and it has been a privilege to get to know so many families and I look forward to meeting many more in the future.
If you would like to contact a member of the Governing Body then please contact the school office: office@stjohns-canterbury.kent.sch.uk.
Governors’ Register of Interests and Attendance
Please click on the links to see our role descriptions: