Our Governors

Mr Robin Aldcroft

I have lived in St Mary’s Platt for over 20 years. I am currently chairman of the St. Mary’s Platt and District Society.

I have recently retired after over 35 years in Primary Education, with 25 years in senior management. I was the Head Teacher of two highly successful Church of England Primary Schools in Kent and Bexley.

I hold an MA in School Leadership and Management from Christchurch University College, Canterbury.

I believe that Primary schools should allow pupils to develop their own skills and interests and I am particularly interested in the Arts, PE and Sport and Outdoor Education.

My hobbies include:

Travel, Music, Sport especially sailing and football, local history, reading and theatre. My wife also tells me I am interested in gardening.

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.

Chair of Governors

As Chair of Governors of our wonderful school I hope to be able to work with our entire community to help to deliver our mission to live life in all its fullness according to our core values of care and compassion, learning together and forgiveness. I live locally and have a family of three children and three dogs, all of whom love running around and chasing balls! I have worked for most of my life in financial services and am also involved with an exciting youth charity in the South East. I am always happy to be contacted for whatever reason so please do get in touch

Reverend Lorraine Turner

I have a keen interest in education following on from ten years as a science teacher in West London secondary schools. As the vicar of St. Mary's, Platt it is a delight to engage with primary education in the parish.

I see my role as a school governor as one where I can draw on my previous professional skills as well as my commitment to seeing church schools thrive. I hope to be able to offer a lively christian perspective and pastoral support.

Mr Jonathan Harley

Vice Chair of Governors

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

To Contact the Governors please email:

Karen.Proctor at Platt.kent.sch.uk

replace at with @

Mr Alan Atkin-Park

My wife and I moved to St Mary’s Platt in 2018, and we, along with our two young children (and Bella the dog!), have been excited to watch the new school grow in its new location. We were keen to make a contribution to the village, so I was delighted to have been appointed as a Foundation Governor.

I work at the Thames Barrier in London, and hope I can bring some environmental and health and safety benefits to the governor group.

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. Matthew Palin

Mr Matthew Palin

I am Matt and I'm a parent governor at Platt school with two children, one who is at Platt school and one who joins later this year so I have a vested interest in the success of the school. Platt is a wonderful school and I am delighted to be a governor.

I am a qualified chartered accountant working for Hovis. I love playing football in my spare time and spending time with my family.

Mrs Fiona Newton

My husband, Ben, and I moved to St Mary's Platt, from Sevenoaks, in 2017. I am recently retired from teaching but I am delighted to still be involved in education through my role as a governor. I taught in a Catholic school for over 17 years as a class teacher and as a member of the leadership team. I have a keen interest in the teaching of maths and how schools can support parents in the development of a child's faith.

As a governor I am involved with safeguarding and monitoring the curriculum.

Natalie Sultana

Mrs Natalie Sultana

I was appointed as foundation governor in April 2022 having decided I wanted to serve the local community. I have been living in Platt since 2016 and have two grown up children. I have a background in medicine and am now retired. I am grateful for the opportunity to play my part in ensuring the children at our school are safe, happy and receive the best educational experience possible.

Jackie Lane

Miss Jackie Lane

Justine Smith

Mrs Justine Smith

Governor Details For School Website July 2022

According to the Instrument of governance Platt CE Primary School's Governing Body consists of 14 governors:

(a) 2 Parent Governors;
(b) 1 Local Authority Governor;
(c) 1 Staff Governor;
(d) 1 Headteacher;
(e) 1 Co-opted Governor;
(f) 7 Foundation Governors;
(g) 1 Ex-Officio;

The following are the Foundation Bodies, and if applicable, persons entitled to appoint Foundation Governors and the appointments are to be made on the following basis:
Three appointed by the Rochester Diocesan Board of Education.
Three appointed by the St Mary’s Platt Parochial Church Council.
One appointed by The Bishop of Rochester.

The holder of the following office shall be a Foundation Governor Ex-Officio:
The Principal Officiating Minister of the Parish of St Mary, Platt.

Diary Dates