Our Governors

Chair of Governors

Mr Paul Vallance

Paul Vallance has been a foundation governor since 2008 and has been in the post of Chair of Governors for 4 years. Paul has lived in Platt since 2004 and has three daughters, They all attended Platt School and are now at Invicta Grammar and Hillview School.
Paul works in the IT Industry as a Consultant.

Mr Robin Aldcroft

Mrs Sandra Brown

I am pleased to have been appointed as a School Governor for your school.

I have a background in education both in the classroom and through the local authority from which I have now retired.   I have lived in the village since 2009 and as a founder member of the Open the Book team, I have been a regular contributor to school assemblies. 

 It is my aim to see every child reach their potential and to this end I am looking forward to serving your school as a Governor.

Mr Howard Clark

Howard works in arts administration and leads the Visitor Experience department consisting of: estates, customer services and operational teams. His role covers the delivery of service, safety, security and environmental objectives at two iconic theatres in London.

Over the last 20 years, Howard has undertaken numerous voluntary and board level roles in charities, with an objective to improve the quality of life in working to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in London Boroughs. His voluntary work has involved developing youth engagement projects, working with schools and youth centres on road safety, knife crime and the improvement of parks and open space. These projects have been developed across London to educate young people.

Furthermore, Howard has extensive experience in estate management, Human Resources, charitable governance and he specialises in Business Continuity, Health, Safety and Environmental Law.

As a resident of Platt, Howard is passionate about keeping this part of Kent beautiful and safe. He takes a key role as one of neighbourhood watch coordinators and helps to inform the local community of ways to keep their home secure.

He sees the role of the primary school as being a fundamental part of the village life.

Mr James Cooper

I am excited to take up a position as a Foundation Governor for this brilliant local school. My wife and I live in St Mary's Platt with our young son and 2 dogs and love the local community. 

I am hoping to bring my expertise from working in financial services and understanding of risk management, statistics and communication as a member of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries to help to improve the futures of all of our local children.

Outside of work I am a keen sportsman, dog walker and family man.​​

Mr Brian Fissenden

Brian is a lifelong practising Christian. He attended Platt as a child and upon his return to the UK; both his daughters emulated that tradition, whilst his wife completed the family connection through helping out in the classroom when their daughters were attending the school.

Brian has held a variety of senior positions on the boards of many companies, here and overseas. Prior to emigrating, he was a senior industrial chemist and later entered academia, where he taught business studies. Upon his return to the UK, he has practised law in the charitable sector, where currently he heads an Employment Law department in Surrey.

He has a wide variety of interests and maintains close connections with his parish in his role as a Eucharistic Minister.

Mrs Liz Barrette

I’m excited to become a parent governor for Platt CE Primary School. My family moved to Platt from London in 2017 and I have two sons at Platt CE Primary, one in year 3 and one in reception.

I have a degree in English Literature from UCL and, after working for several well-known PR agencies in London I set up my own marketing agency in 2014. I work with a range of consumer brands across brand building, PR, social media, experiential and content creation. I’m looking forward to using my experience to help raise the profile of the school.

Mr David Knox

I am delighted to be appointed a Governor for our wonderful school.  I live locally and have a passion for education. I am involved in a number of charitable ways to help young people fulfil their potential.  I have three children of my own, all approaching adulthood and self-sufficiency, it seems almost too quickly.  I have spent a career primarily in financial services and love sports - playing and watching.

Reverend Lorraine Turner

Mr Richard Hughes

I welcome my appointment as a foundation governor at this key time, with the new school due to open in September 2021.  A former Civil Servant, I have worked across Whitehall, including the DfE and most recently at the Home Office in a senior planning role to consolidate its property estate.

I have lived in St Mary’s Platt for over ten years, and am an active church member.  I believe it is essential that children receive excellent education based on core Christian principles to give them the best start in life.  As a governor, I will support the development of the school, the delivery of high quality education and the promotion of Christian values through the experience and opportunities it offers to all its pupils, regardless of their background.

Mr Jonathan Harley

I have lived in St Mary's Platt since 2011 with my wife Heather. We have three children, our eldest two are pupils at Platt Primary School, and our third attends the nursery.

I am a qualified chartered surveyor with 18 years of experience working in commercial and real estate. I have spent the last 12 years working in strategic asset management and property management, on both the advisory and client side.

Outside of work and family, I am a keen runner, cyclist, and enthusiastic amateur gardener.

Clerk to the Governors - Mrs Karen Proctor

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