Meet Our Governors

Billy joined the Trust in 2018 and is the Headteacher at Valley Invicta Primary School at Aylesford.

He passionately believes that every child can achieve excellence and that school should be a positive and memorable experience, that leaves children ready for the next stage of their lives. Teaching is rooted in mutual respect and relationships, and only through finding out what works for each child, can we really help them to excel and love school. Along with a very dedicated team, it is our pupils who drive our school forward, and it is the student voice that is at the heart of what we do.

Before becoming a teacher, he ran his own design company; he is a fan of anything creative and enjoys bringing this into his role at Aylesford. The creative subjects are his favourite, and through these platforms, we can express ourselves without limitations!

Christine is a retired lecturer and teacher having taught at several secondary schools in the area and finishing up at Mid- Kent College where she taught A level Biology and Access to Healthcare to mature students. She was an active member of the PTA at her daughters’ Primary School and always had the ambition to become a School Governor one day. She joined the Board in 2017 and her link roles include SEND and the Curriculum.

She brings her long educational experience to Aylesford and is particularly interested in STEM and promoting the importance of wildlife wherever possible  in an educational setting. Along with her role as a Governor Christine is involved in several charitable organisations including  Kent Wildlife Trust, Maidstone Mediation and Kent Association for the Blind.

James joned Aylesford Governors in 2020 and has a passion for education at all levels. 

James has a BSc in Sports Science as well as a MSc in Applied Exercise Physiology and is Currently a PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury Christ Church. James also works at the University both as a Lecturer in the Sports Exercise Sciences department and is also a Sports Science Consultant for SportsLab working within a range of sports and with several elite athletes and teams in Kent. 

James also has a background in Teaching in Further Education and is an FA Level 2 Football Coach. 

James lives locally in Aylesford and is Chairman of our most local Football Club Aylesford FC and has a real passion for physical activity and promoting the benefits of staying physically active for all. 

Ruth was delighted to join the Trust in 2018 as the VIAT Governance Lead/Trust Clerk after many years of volunteering as a governor. She continues to be a proactive, co-opted governor at Invicta Grammar School and at Valley Invicta Primary School at Aylesford, supporting both schools in their continued journey to excellence. She previously worked as a respected, collaborative Contracts Manager with over 20 years’ experience, at Westminster City Council. Ruth passionately believes all children deserve an outstanding education that incorporates both academic and personal development.

Ruth first became a governor at East Borough Primary School (now Valley Invicta Primary School at East Borough) in 2012, due to a keen interest in education, plus wanting to make a difference and give something back to the local community. With excellent liaison skills, she has worked positively with all stakeholders including senior leaders, school staff , parent/carers and pupils. Ruth was an active member of the Board strategy group and influenced the school Academy conversion project. Ruth led the school improvement team and represented governors in the school Aspire leadership programme. In addition to participating in Ofsted visits, she undertook strategic reviews of new initiatives and successfully completed the Governance National Leadership Chair Development programme in 2016.

In 2017, Ruth commenced a new roles as Lead Governor for the Trust primaries and Chair of the Standards and School Improvement Committee. She supported the Primary Chairs in developing the new Local School Boards (LSB) by join LSB meetings on a rolling basis to offer feedback and advice on the quality of their Local School Board's knowledge and questioning of school standards and policies. Ruth became governor and Chair at Valley Invicta Primary School at Holborough Lakes for a year to help progress the board and build the team. Ruth supported three VIAT primaries through Ofsted before being asked to work for the Trust.

Ruth’s main focus outside of governance is her children and family which includes four mischievous cats. Ruth enjoys going to the theatre and one of her favourite shows is Les Miserables. Ruth loves coffee, conversation and, when there is an opportunity, relaxing with a good book.

Sandy is a Safeguarding Manager for a National Governing Body. She provides advice, guidance and strategic direction of safeguarding to support and embed a culture where children and adults at risk are listened to, feel safe and protected from harm.

Sandy has worked with children and their families in Health, Education and Local Authority settings.

This is Sandy’s first Governor role and she is excited to be involved in Education again. Sandy believes that as a community we can create a supportive environment where all children can achieve, are respected and celebrated as individuals.

As a parent of a toddler, Sandy spends most of her time outdoors, playing with something messy and then tidying up the mess! 

Ronnie has been a teacher for 20 Years. He has a passion for helping and supporting young people and feels that the governance of a school is an incredibly important aspect of education. Being able to support and challenge are essential to ensure that young people within an educational setting get the best opportunities available to them. This in turn will lead to the greatest number of life opportunities being available to them.

Ronnie has responsibility for Safeguarding and is an experienced member of the safeguarding team at the secondary school that he works at. Ensuring that young people feel safe and secure is paramount in Ronnie's opinion. If young people are well supported at school and at home, if they fell safe, secure, listened to and happy the world is their Oyster and they will be able to achieve whatever it is that they set out to do!

Matthew joined the Aylesford Board of Governors in 2022 and is passionate about education and helping everyone achieve their best of their abilities.

Matthew graduated from the University of Kent with a BSc in Computer Science and a PhD in Electronic Engineering, with a focus on cyber security. Matthew is a Research Associate at the Alan Turing Institute, where he works on biometrics and other forms of trustworthy digital identity.

Matthew also works as an assistant lecturer at the University of Kent. He has won awards and been praised for teaching at all levels, from foundation to master. Additionally, Matthew works as a tutor for “The Brilliant Club,” where he currently specialises in teaching mathematics to Key Stage Three and Key Stage Four level students.

Matthew is passionate about theatre, comedy, and story-driven video games outside work.

Sam has worked across both the public and private sectors, and is currently Assistant Director of Learning and Development within HM Treasury, with previous roles in the NHS and University College London. Sam enjoys developing the people she works with to fulfil their potential; whether that’s recent school leavers starting work for the first time or Executive Board members who have been in a role for many years.

Sam has recently completed an MSc in Education Leadership, where her research focused on organisational culture and employee engagement across further education. Sam is also a qualified coach and digital learning expert. 

Sam has a strong personal and professional passion for social mobility, improving outreach within her roles at the NHS and further education. Sam lives in Maidstone and has two school-aged daughters. She volunteers at 1st Boxley Rainbows on a Friday evening, which she loves!