Meet our Governors

At East Farleigh we are fortunate to have a very supportive and knowledgeable Governing Body who support and challenge the Headteacher, ensuring that the drive for improvement in all areas of school is always our top priority. The Governing Body want to achieve the very best they can for our school and that means the very best for your children.

Our Governors work hard for our school and are always keen to listen to your ideas, thoughts and opinions on how to make our school an even better place to learn. Our parent governors are often in the playground at the beginning and end of the school day so if you have any suggestions for improvement do share these with them so they can be fed back to the full Governing Body.

Chair of Governors

Lacey Austin has been a co-opted governor at East Farleigh Primary School since 2014.  Lacey became Chair of Governors in September 2021 and is also the safeguarding governor. 

Lacey is an advisor for a large Multi-Academy Trust and specialises in curriculum development and leadership.  Lacey has an MA in Leadership and Management of Education and is currently writing her doctoral thesis on school governance.  Lacey is a chapter co-author in WomenEd's book 'Being 10% Braver' and has published articles in a number of education journals.  

Lacey is one of Kent's six Evidence Leaders in Education and supports schools on the EEF's 'Tackling Disadvantage' and 'Memory and Metacognition' projects.

Vice Chair of Governors - Co-opted

 I had the pleasure of being staff governor for two years, before becoming a co-opted governor in September 2021. 

I graduated from Durham University with a BA (Hons) in Primary Education, in 2014. Following this, I spent six very happy years working at East Farleigh, teaching in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and leading KS1, before taking a break to be mum to my now one year old. During my time at East Farleigh I had experience leading both Maths and English, and spent a considerable amount of time working on the development of reading from EYFS through to KS2. I currently spend most of my time being ‘mum’, but also work as a tutor, deliver speech and language interventions in school and work with teachers in a coaching capacity. I have witnessed, and enjoyed being part of, the exciting development of the school over the past few years and I am thrilled to be part of the wonderful East Farleigh community in this governing capacity. 

Co-opted Governor

I am one of the Co-Opted Governors on the Governing Board at East Farleigh Primary School having started as a Parent Governor in 2015.  I had a daughter at East Farleigh and am so immensely happy that she was able to spend her formative years here 

In my professional life, I have been a Registered Nurse for people with Learning Disabilities for around 20 years. In my current role I am responsible for finding or developing specialist placements for people with complex needs associated with Learning Disabilities, Challenging Behaviour, Autism and Mental Health issues. I have also trained and worked as a Health Visitor during my career. I have extensive experience of supporting some of the most vulnerable people with complex needs to have the best care to maximise their potential and to have a good quality of life.   a

I am a licensed chaperone for children involved in performing arts and regularly attend festivals with my daughter and her dance school and volunteer at their yearly show. It is such a privilege to support the children doing what they love whilst they work towards delivering such an amazing production each year.

I have knowledge, skills and experience of working with child and vulnerable adult safeguarding processes within my professional life, as a School Governor and as a licensed Chaperone for Children in Entertainment. 

I am so proud to be a Governor at East Farleigh Primary School, and am so pleased with the progress that has been, and continues to be, made through the dedicated staff team and the infectious enthusiasm of our children. I am looking forward to the challenges we will need to face but know that East Farleigh School will continue to go from strength to strength on its journey to becoming an outstanding school. 

Co-opted Governor

Helen Randall has been a governor at East Farleigh Primary School since January 2010. Initially a Parent Governor, Helen has served and chaired various committees including Finance, Staffing, Resources, Curriculum and Strategy. Helen has served on two Head Teacher recruitment panels, aided with staff recruitment including appointment of a Deputy Head and experienced three Ofsted inspections. Helen served as Vice Chair of the Governing Body from 2012-16 and Chair of Governors from 2016-21.

Helen is a Chartered Engineer working full time as an Engineering Manager in industry where her role includes leadership, management, strategy, training and development, recruitment, early careers and promotion of Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM). Helen is passionate about the importance of primary education in preparing children for secondary school and the future beyond. Helen believes experiences at Primary School are crucial to developing and enabling children to be positive contributors to society who embody values of respect and a sense of community.

Helen is married with twin daughters, both of whom had their primary education at East Farleigh Primary School. In addition to volunteering as a school governor, Helen is also a Kent STEM Ambassador and volunteer with Guide Dogs UK, fostering dogs in their final stages of training.

Co-opted Governor / Health and Safety

Diane has been a co-opted governor since 2017.

Graduate in Personnel Management. Retired H.R Manager in the banking sector with experience in Payroll, Personnel, Project Management, Acquisitions and Mergers. 

Currently President of the local Women’s Institute. 

Married with three children and seven grandchildren, two of whom attend East Farleigh Primary School.

Hobbies and interests include fundraising for various community projects. Craft, gardening and of course childcare when required. Diane is a regular volunteer for the weekly school reading group when Covid permits.

Understanding the importance of good governance in supporting the school achieve its overall objective in becoming an excellent school, is paramount for the benefit of all the children 

Local Authority Governor / shadow health and safety

I joined the governing body in May 2019 as a Co-opted governor, I wanted to join the board as I have two young children who started their education journey at East Farleigh, and I wanted to lend my support/skills to the school in a meaningful way. However, due to our relocation outside of Kent during 2021 my children have left the school, but I have seen so much drive passion and improvement from the senior leadership within the school in just the past 18 months I want to continue my position on the governing board.

I am a very driven and self-motivated individual, currently I own and run four local businesses in West Farleigh and Maidstone town centre, employing around twenty staff in both the retail and road transport sectors. I believe I hold strengths in strategic & financial planning, a good depth of knowledge of project management and a keen eye for data and compliance, along with a passion for efficiency and always striving to achieve more.

It has been an absolute pleasure to see, in the past 2 years, the immense changes and improvements within the school and I am exceptionally proud of the school’s response to creative and virtual learning during the pandemic, it goes to show what a truly exceptional senior leadership team the school has in place. I look forward to supporting the next stages on our way to delivering a “outstanding” school for the community. 

Co-opted Governor

I have been a co-opted governor since 2022. After working as a teacher and leader within primary schools for over twenty years, I am currently a mathematics curriculum advisor for a group of primary schools within a Trust.  I have been lucky enough to lead and develop subjects I am passionate about, such as PE, art, MfL and science.  I also believe they are components of every pupils’ entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum.   

My interest in developing my practice as a mathematics teacher led to further study and I became a Mathematics Specialist Teacher.  For the last ten years, this has allowed me to work in a range of schools, supporting staff and children to develop maths teaching and learning, which I have truly loved.

I  firmly believe in the power of lifelong learning and it is a true privilege to work with children, building curiosity and resilience. 

It is an honour to be part of the governing body for East Farleigh and I look forward to being part of their exciting journey to excellence.

Parent Governor

Parent Governor

I have been a Parent Governor since September 2022. I have two children at East Farleigh Primary School and have been an East Farleigh Parish resident since 2015.

I graduated with a first class BA (Hons) in Social Science and Geography in 2007. Since then I have completed the Chartered Management Institute diploma in management and leadership, the Oxford Brookes University’s certificate in commissioning and I have become a Prince 2 Practitioner. I am currently studying the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s (CIPS) diploma in procurement and supply and I am a member of CIPS.

Professionally, I began my career as a Learning Support Assistant within a Maidstone Secondary School before joining a Post Adoption Support Service. I have also worked as a Transport Planner supporting schools across Kent to increase sustainable travel to school.

Since 2011, I have worked within Strategic Planning and Strategic Commissioning at Kent County Council, supporting children’s health, early intervention and social care services. I am currently a Senior Commissioner leading commissioning of the Healthy Child Programme and supporting the development of Family Hubs across Kent . 

I look forward to supporting East Farleigh Primary School to continue their improvement journey.

Staff Governor                

I have worked at East Farleigh for six years now and it is a pleasure to have been appointed the staff governor role.  I graduated from Canterbury Christ Church University with a BA Hons in Primary Education in 2016 and have worked within the infants at East Farleigh ever since. I currently teach Year Two as well as leading Maths, MFL and PE within the school. 

I am passionate about ensuring the education at East Farleigh is the best it can be to enable our children to reach their full potentials. Outside of school I have a keen interest in sports, particularly netball, tennis and dancing.