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

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.

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 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 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

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

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.

Governor Details For School Website 12 July 21

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 Governors;
(d) 1 Headteacher;
(e) 1 Co-opted Governor;
(d) 8 Foundation Governors;

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