Governor Profiles

 

Marcus Bell (Chair of Governors)

Marcus has been a governor since 2012 and has been the chair of the governing body since 2013. He lives at Cranbrook and has four children: all of who attended Cranbrook Primary School until moving onto secondary school. Marcus works within the Race Disparity Unit of the Cabinet Office, in London. 

 

Frank Shepherd (Vice Chair)

Frank moved to Cranbrook with his family in 2016, following periods spent living in London, Paris and Tokyo. 

John Furminger

John has lived in Cranbrook since 1974. He taught economics at Cranbrook School where he was also responsible for university applications as well as helping with sport and serving as an elected Teacher Governor, retiring five years ago.

His wife also works with young people while both his daughters enjoyed their days at Cranbrook CE Primary before going on to Angley School (now High Weald), Cranbrook School and university.

John has been on the governing body for four years, chairing the Resources committee and acting as vice-chair. He is committed to the cause of state education in the town.

 

Sarah Goatman

Sarah moved to Cranbrook in 2020 and has three children.  She worked in corporate insurance claims in the City for several years, which involved a lot of overseas travel and a lot of time working through detailed policies with lawyers.  She is particularly enthusiastic about all pupils and staff having the best possible and equal opportunities at the school.

 

Lesley Atkins

Lesley and her family moved into the area and her children started at the school in 2009. She quickly became very active within the school, firstly as Chair of the PTA and then in October 2011 as a Governor. Lesley is committed to ensuring that all children receive the attention and support that they need to achieve their very best, and focuses on narrowing the gap. 

In her spare time Lesley is involved in supporting the local Pre-School and the Out of School Club.

 

John Mather

John is originally from Manchester, went to an independent boys Grammar school in Altrincham, Cheshire, which was the foundation of his three degrees. After five years working at PowerGen in Solihull, he went to work and live in Melbourne for seven years, where he helped restructure and then privatise two large utilities for the Victorian State Government. 

John is now a professional change manager and work often takes him overseas to Arabia, Africa and Asia, working primarily in the electricity and gas industries, for Governments, Regulators or energy companies.
John usually works with teams of engineers, various experts and accountants, to make them work more efficiently or more effectively, changing out-dated working practices, or, with the addition of some new technology and retraining, enables them to work "smarter" rather than harder to achieve their objectives.

John is an active member of the local community and has been a Headcorn Parish Councillor for a number of years. 

 

Matt Lock

Matt has worked in local government for almost 20 years, initially training as a Chartered Internal Auditor and later as a Chartered Public Finance Accountant, and currently working for the City of London Corporation.

Matt is keen to help the school to make best use of its resources and to support the Board of Governors in discharging its responsibility for ensuring effective financial management and has joined the Resources Committee as an Associate Member.