Governors
The Capel Primary School Board of Governors has four main responsibilities.
We:
- ensure clarity of vision and strategic direction.
- hold school leaders to account for the educational performance of pupils and the performance management of staff.
- oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure money is well spent.
- ensure the voices of stakeholders, including pupils, parents, staff and the wider community are heard.
We meet every term (six times a year) and in between those meetings we carry out monitoring visits across a broad range of areas, including Behaviour, Attitudes and Wellbeing, Quality of Education, Health and Safety, SEND, Pupil Premium and Finance.
Governance is strategic. Governors, other than the Headteacher and our Staff Governor, do not involve themselves in the day-to-day management/operation of the school.
Our Governors are:
Lisa Summers (Chair)
Monitoring Safeguarding, Quality of Education, EYFS
Current Term of Office: May 2020 to May 2024
I have been a Governor at Capel Primary School since 2016 and stepped up to Chair in 2018. I am a Palliative Care Nurse and mother of four children. My two youngest children are pupils here at Capel and the older two are alumni, now attending local Secondary schools.
The skills I bring from my professional role and my passion for every child at Capel school to feel as happy, safe, and eager to learn as my own children do, made me want to be part of the Governing Body at Capel. To be a part of the Capel family driving the school to be outstanding in every way is a privilege.
My favourite book as a child was Stig of the Dump by Clive King
Sue Woods (Vice-Chair) monitoring SEND, Pupil Premium
Current Term of Office: July 2021 to July 2025
I joined Capel Primary School as a member of the office team and as Clerk of Governors 25 years ago. I became the School Business Manager and a Staff Governor. I now work at Bennett Memorial Diocesan School. I am very passionate that all children should be given the opportunity to achieve and aspire to fulfill their full potential.
Suzanne Farr (Headteacher)
I have been a part of the Capel Community for over 20 years, firstly as a Class Teacher, then as KS 1 Leader, followed by Deputy Head and now as Headteacher. One of the truly special things about our school is the way we work together as a community for the benefit of our children. Every decision we make has our children at its heart. I am really excited to be leading this amazing school and working with such a dedicated and effective group of Governors.
My favourite book as a child was My Naughty Little Sister by Dorothy Edwards.
Farah Brooks-Johnson (Local Authority Governor)
Monitoring Finance and Behaviour, Attitudes & Wellbeing
Current Term of Office: May 2021 to May 2025
My working life began as a Management Consultant for Accenture. I then worked in a number of Investment Banks in Technology and Strategic Development. I enjoyed a career break while my children were very young then worked at Somerhill from 2015 to 2019. I have lived in Capel for 23 years and have two children, who are now young adults. I look forward to working with our team of Governors to make the best possible decisions, ensuring a bright future for pupils and staff at Capel Primary School.
My favourite book as a child was The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton.
Sarah Buxton (Elected Staff Governor)
Monitoring Health & Safety, Training & Development
Current Term of Office: September 2020 to September 2024
Doug Clucas (Elected Parent Governor)
Monitoring Quality of Education
Current Term of Office: November 2021 to November 2025
I have been in the Capel School Community since 2014 when my eldest daughter first entered the school. My younger daughter and son are still at the school. I have been in education now for over 15 years. I am currently Head of History, Classics and Politics, as well as Head of Atwell House and Assistant Head of Sixth form, at the Skinners' School in Tunbridge Wells. I am passionate about education and providing educational opportunities for all. I proud to play an active role as a Governor of Capel Primary School, a school that has done so much to help my children and that has shaped their lives in such an important way.
Sarah Levitt (Co-Opted Governor)
Monitoring Quality of Education and Behaviour, Attitudes & Wellbeing
Current Term of Office: March 2023 to March 2027
I joined the governing body in March 2023. I have two children within Capel Primary and live within the local community. I am a Paediatric nurse by background and now work in a regional leadership role to support services for children who are critically unwell. I am passionate about the role education has throughout a persons life and the significant role schools have in the relationship individuals have with education that lasts a lifetime. I am particularly passionate about the role schools play in the development of skills such as confidence, kindness, resilience and independence and the importance of this alongside traditional education. My aim is to work within the governing body to support the school to enable all children to reach their full potential to empower them to have their own voice in the world.
Zeljka McLean (Co-Opted Governor)
Monitoring Finance and Leadership & Management
Current Term of Office: March 2023 to March 2027
I joined the Capel Governing Board in the year that my son started Reception. I have a deep interest in the quality of education and l understand the interaction between the quality of leadership and children’s healthy, happy growth and development. I have lived in Tonbridge since 2016, and I am a mum to two boys. I am a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with experience in child development, adaptation, psychological well-being, productive and collaborative leadership systems and organisational psychology. I aim to support school leaders in continuing to provide the best education to Capel pupils, ensuring that the school environment is collaborative, open, transparent, safe and nurturing, for staff, parents and pupils.
My favourite book as a child was Snow White by The Brothers Grimm.
Bukky Obidairo (Elected Parent Governor)
Monitoring Health & Safety
Current Term of Office: September 2020 to September 2024
I joined the board in 2020 because I wanted to play a small part in supporting the life chances of every child that was dropped off at the school gates every morning. My day job is in Business Analysis so I’m comfortable with big-picture strategy setting as well as identifying key objectives and milestones to track success. I hope to work with the school leadership in order that Capel might become and remain excellent in all aspects of school life. Away from this, you will find me in the choir or spending time with my three sons.
Martin Pemble (Co-Opted Governor)
Monitoring Safeguarding, Leadership & Management
Current Term of Office: March 2022 to March 2026
I have been a Governor since 2018. My children attended the school and I have lived and worked within the Capel area for over 20 years. I have served as a Police Officer for over 30 years, and I am a qualified Teacher. The school is at the heart of the community. It is a privilege to be on the Governing Board and help to move Capel Primary School ever forward.
Jess Price (Co-Opted Governor)
Monitoring SEND, Pupil Premium
Current Term of Office: December 2021 to December 2025
Dani Saffer (Co-Opted Governor)
Monitoring EYFS
Current Term of Office: September 2023 to September 2027
If you have any questions or comments, please contact The Chair at
chair@capel-tonbridge.kent.sch.uk