Meet the Governors

Chair of Governors - Steve Pamphilon (Co-Opted Governor)

I have been a governor at the school since 2016 and Chair of governors since 2018.

I am a retired HR consultant living in Thanet with experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors and I am trustee for another charity supporting disadvantaged children and their families both in this country and abroad.

Vice-Chair of Governors,  Chair of Resources - Tina Fullick (Local Authority Governor)

Prior to moving to the new site and changing name, I could have walked around the old school blind folded – I never did in case the Headteacher saw me!! My daughter attended the school, I used to work as a support staff member and I am always in school attending assemblies, coffee mornings and many other events that are open to parents. It is vital for Governors to have a link with parents or carers for in the final analysis we are here to give our pupils, parents and carers the very best. The school's Family  Liaison Officer helps out many parents.

Although as a Governor we do not manage the school on a daily basis, we are the driving force in the way the school moves strategically.

I am Chair of Resources and I work well with Steve, our Chair, in terms of financial monitoring. “Resources” is more than monitoring the finances, we have buildings to maintain and staff to recruit.

One of my tasks was to sit on the “Steering Group” to help steer the new school building. Each month we met with the KCC Project Manager, our Area Education Officer, Head of Special Educational Needs (East Kent), the Senior Improvement Advisor and of course our Headteacher! It has been a long and arduous road but I am pleased we stuck to our guns and achieved so much for our school.

I have no relevant business or pecuniary interest to declare. I am not a governor for any other educational establishment.

If you are a parent and would like to contact me, please leave your details with the school office. If I cannot help directly, I will point you in the right direction. 

Chair of Learning and Development - Allen Keevil (Foundation Governor)

I am a retired teacher who spent many years teaching in the Senior Department at The Foreland School before it moved site and became Foreland Fields School. I believe my experiences as a teacher and my understanding of the education system is a great benefit to the Governing Body.

I have no relevant business or pecuniary interest to declare. I am not a governor for any other educational establishment.

Co-Opted Governors

Richard Smith

I am currently a teacher at an independent school having previously taught at 3 other local primary schools. I have grown-up and lived in Thanet for most of my life so am passionate about the area and the people within it. In 2015, I established district school football in Swale and remain secretary for the Swale Schools’ FA.  

I feel my contemporary knowledge and understanding of education and 11 years teaching experience will be of benefit to the governing body.   

I have no relevant business or pecuniary interest to declare. I am not a governor for any other educational establishment.

Mandy Carliell

It is both an honour and a pleasure to serve as a governor of Foreland Fields School. I have been working in the NHS for 26 years in a variety of roles: Patient Experience, Communications PR, Patient and Public Involvement and Corporate events. I also served as a hospital governor for 9 years.

My son was a pupil at the original school 25 years ago and I am proud to say he has been working in the NHS for 11 years. Without the passion and expertise of the fantastic and dedicated teaching staff, I am sure his path would have been very different.

To the best of my ability, I pledge to use my varied skills and work as part of a team in making a difference to the education and lives of the children attending the school.

I have no relevant business or pecuniary interest to declare. I am not a governor for any other educational establishment.  

Sue Johnson

I am currently retired after taking early retirement from my nursing career.  I originally worked as a nurse/sister in respiratory before joining the Workforce Development, Education and Training Team as a sister.

I am a local Rotarian and also ambassador for Kids Out Charity in Kent.  I have lived in Thanet all my life and like to help this community in any way I can.  With my varied experiences I hope to be able to give a positive contribution to my governor role in making a difference to the children at Foreland Fields School.

Carole Phipps

I retired in 2019 and moved from Scotland to Westgate-on-Sea in order to care for my father.  My background is in education, specifically within the Scottish system. As a pupil I was raised in the English system, but that is some years ago now!

I started my career as a teacher of English in a state Secondary school and progressed to a Pastoral role eventually becoming a Deputy of Pupil Support.  After 25 years I moved to a residential Boarding School for children with parents in the military; a sister school to Duke of York in Dover, when it catered solely for military children.  Here I had the role of Deputy from 2006 until 2019.

Since being in Westgate-on-Sea I have carried out invigilation in a local Secondary school, allowing me to reacquaint myself with the English education system.

I have found the experience of meeting staff and pupils of Foreland Fields School humbling; particularly the level of care demonstrated. If I am able to offer support or knowledge to assist, then I will be happy to do so.

Kerry Smith

Profile to follow.

John Clarke

I have lived in Thanet since 1999. I have an adult son who is on the autistic spectrum. My background is divided into prominent areas; 20 years in the health service in Essex and 15 years working within special needs environments. Why become governor at Foreland Fields School is twofold; one, having a special needs son I wish to give something back and secondly, being retired I have the time to give full support in the school moving forward.

Nicola Elson

I am a qualified teacher and have over 30 years’ experience teaching across a range of settings including in mainstream, special education and in higher education, initially in Sussex and more recently in Kent.

I moved to Kent in 2012 when I was offered the role of Head of the 14-19 department at the old site of The Foreland School, before being promoted to Deputy Headteacher. I have always been passionate about evidence-based practice and research, however, and am therefore currently studying for a PhD in Education, exploring the potential interconnection between the learning environment, nature and outdoor settings, and learning outcomes for pupils with Special Educational Needs.

With my varied educational and research experience, I am hoping to positively contribute to all aspects of life at Foreland Fields School.

Foundation Governor

Lucy Taylor

I am a Deputy Headteacher at a local special school that specialises in Autism and severe complex learning needs.  I have worked in Special Education for 20 years, my understanding of the SEN system is of great benefit to the governing body.

I am extremely passionate about working with children with SEN and enjoy every aspect of my job.  I feel extremely privileged to work with such amazing young people and their families.

I am very proud to be a Governor at Foreland Fields School, where all children are seen as individuals, the curriculum is tailored to meet individuals needs and all successes are quite rightly celebrated. 

Parent Governors

Leah Hillman

Amy Moat

My daughter has attended Foreland Fields School since September 2021 and has thrived since joining. The school has had such a positive impact on her life. 

I have worked in the education sector for almost twenty years. I am currently a Deputy Headteacher and SENCo in a mainstream school. I have a passion for ensuring that all children have the opportunity to thrive in a nurturing school environment that supports and develops their individual abilities and talents, regardless of their background or need. In my role as a Deputy Headteacher, I have a wealth of experience in driving the vision for the school, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of the educational provision that is offered to the children. 

I feel my professional experience in education, coupled with my personal experience as a parent of a child with SEND, gives me a wealth of qualities that I can use to give back to the school as a parent governor.

I have no relevant business or pecuniary interest to declare. I am not a governor for any other educational establishment.

Staff Governors

Adrian Mount - Headteacher

I joined the school in September 2015 and I am pleased to be supported by such a wide spread of talented Governors.

I have no relevant business or pecuniary interest to declare other than my role as a Trustee and a Director of the Kent SEN Trust. (KsENT).

I have no relevant business or pecuniary interest to declare. I am not a governor for any other educational establishment.  

Amanda Aby

I have worked at Foreland Fields School for nearly 4 years as part of the reception and admin team. I have enjoyed my time at the school getting to know pupils, parents and staff and have made many new friends in my role. Working at the school has been one of the best moves I have made and being a governor means I can give something back to the school.

I have over twenty years’ experience in SEN education working at Bromley College for 12 years and at a boys SEN school in Deal for 8 years.

I have no relevant business or pecuniary interest to declare. I am not a governor for any other educational establishment.

Governance Professional / Clerk 

Kay Merry

kaymerry@foreland.kent.sch.uk

I am so proud to have been the Governance Professional/Clerk for the Governing Body of this fantastic school for 6 years now.  I aim to be an effective clerk who can make a contribution to the efficiency of the governing body, enabling them to fulfil their challenging roles.

I have a vast array of knowledge and experience ranging from Administration, Training (both IT and soft skills), HR Management, Operational Management and Governance roles. I have worked for the NHS for over 20 years, with my career predominantly based around operational management and high level administration.  I also have a Certificate in School Business Management and recently completed the NGA Level 3 Certificate in Clerking of School and Academy Governing Boards. In addition, I previously undertook the role of a School Governor at a local Primary School in Thanet.  All of these skills, I know, will be helpful in my role as Clerk. I appreciate and understand the importance of the Governing Body and the good work that the Governors are doing for the sake of all stakeholders. 

I have no relevant business or pecuniary interest to declare. I have no material interests arising from any relationship between myself and a staff member.