Governor Profiles
Jo Barker-Platt (Chair of Governors)
Jo and her family moved to Cranbrook in 2021 and her daughters joined Cranbrook Primary School. Jo was Chair of Governors at her children's previous school and had really enjoyed the role and the opportunity to give back, so when the chance arose to join the Governing Body at Cranbrook, Jo was delighted to be involved.
Jo has worked in the Education Sector for over 8 years now and is currently HR Director for a Multi Academy Trust, consisting of 11 schools in North Kent.
She is passionate about ensuring all children have access to education and opportunities to allow them to fulfil their potential. Jo is looking forward to working with the school as it embarks on its next exciting chapter.
Holly grew up in Cranbrook and attended all three local schools (Cranbrook C of E Primary, High Weald academy and Cranbrook School). After university, she travelled round the world working in the polar regions before returning to Cranbrook with her young family.
Holly is an experienced educator both inside and outside of a classroom setting. She was Head of Science at a school near Sevenoaks teaching both primary and secondary aged students. She has also lead a number of Science expeditions for teenagers to the polar and tropical regions of the world. Holly is keen to use her own educational background to support the leadership in developing and maintaining an excellent standard of education for everyone.
Charlie Baker
Charlie moved to Cranbrook in 2014 and has 3 young children, the eldest of which currently attends Cranbrook Primary School. She has been a PE teacher at a school near Maidstone for just over 12 years and prior to having children also held the post of Head of Sixth form. Charlie is passionate about education and ensuring that children and young people from all backgrounds have access to high quality education.
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.
Andrew Gasson
Andrew grew up in Cranbrook and attended both Cranbrook Primary School and Cranbrook School. Following university, he began a career in education working first at Abingdon School and then Cheltenham College, where he held various positions including Head of Geography, Senior Tutor and Assistant Head. Having retired in 2017, he moved back to Cranbrook and, in addition to becoming a school governor, he has joined St Dunstan’s PCC, is a member of the Cranbrook Literature Festival committee and is one of the leaders of the local well-being walks. In terms of leisure interests, Andrew enjoys travel and is a committed supporter of Kent County Cricket and Gillingham FC.
Matt Lock (Associate Governor)
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.
Shelly Sutton
Francesca Shaw
Headteacher Governor
Francesca joined Cranbrook Primary in 2017 and became Headteacher of the school in 2023. She has worked in education roles for the last decade and finds working with children, and watching them thrive, to be the key motivator for working in this sector. In her spare time she enjoys reading, swimming and travelling.
Carl McCabe
Staff Governor
Carl started teaching at Cranbrook Primary in September 2019 after five years’ previous teaching experience at another Primary School in Kent. Carl then became one of the Assistant Headteachers in September 2020 and holds the responsibility of being the assessment and data lead for the school. He currently teaches Year 6 and leads maths across the school. Carl helps to develop and maintain close links between Cranbrook Primary Staff and the Governing Body.
