Monkton Church of England Primary School is a calm, happy and caring place that provides a Christian environment where pupils are made to feel special and respected as individuals. There are four mixed aged classes with 98 children on roll ranging from 4 to 11 years of aged.
The school was founded in 1872 and modernised in 2007 and has an excellent learning environment. In April 2019 Minster and Monkton Church of England Primary Schools joined together to form The Federation of Minster and Monkton CEP Primary Schools.
The school promotes its Christian Foundation and is proud of its distinctive Christian Foundations:
Compassion, Courage, Justice
We are supported by the Diocese of Canterbury and have close links with the village Church. We cherish our relationship with the local village and play a part in community life. The school uses the local Church for services at key points in the year and members of the clergy regularly lead Collective Worship in school.
The teachers are an exceptional team, who plan an inspiring curriculum for our children. They are all hard-working, dedicated and talented professionals. They are always looking for ways to improve and develop their teaching and the pupils’ learning. They are supported by experienced teaching assistants and a dynamic business manager.
It is our intention at Monkton School to cater for the all-round development of the child. We aim to develop self-respect, a knowledge and respect of others as well as self-discipline in behaviour and attitudes to learning. We value the traditional high standards in reading, writing, spelling and mathematics. We see knowledge as important but stress the value of learning through investigation and self-discovery.
Our school is a happy, stimulating environment where parents feel at ease to discuss their child’s progress so that learning becomes a partnership between home and school.
The school benefits from a dedicated Sports Specialist and visiting sports coaches. We currently have Football, Netball, Swimming and Cross country teams, who have won a number of sporting accolades over the years. The school choir takes part in the annual Young Voice Festival at the 02 in London.
The school has an active and supportive PTA who organise various events throughout the year. These include children’s Christmas Party, Easter Egg Hunt and Strawberry Fair; they also provide refreshments at all our school productions and community events.
The Federation of Minster and Monkton CEP Schools Governing Body
Outline of our Governing Body
The Governing Body is responsible for
- Holding the Executive Head Teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
The Full Governing Body meets three times each school year. There are currently two Committees
- Finance, Resources and Personnel
- ·Curriculum and Learning
Each Committee consists of at least five Governors who meet three times a year and report back to the Governing Body.
All Governor monitoring visits are recorded and shared with the Full Governing Body. They can be used to monitor aspects of each Schools Plans. Minutes are taken at all Full Governing Body and Committee meetings to evidence the work of the school and Governors.
The Governing Body is currently made up of 10 Governors as shown below:
1 Parent Governor – appointed by parental election
1 Local Authority Governor – appointed by the local authority
1 Staff Governor – elected by staff
1 Executive Head Teacher
1 Foundation Governors – one being the Principle Officiating Minister of the Parish in which the schools are situated
4 Co-opted Governors – appointed by the Governing Body
1 Staff Associate Member - no voting rights
The Federation of Minster and Monkton CEP Schools Governing Body
Correspondance:
c/o Monkton CEP School
Monkton Street
Monkton
Ramsgate
Kent
CT12 4JQ
Darren Philpot - Co-opted Governor
Appointed by: Parents
Term of Office 25/09/23 -24/09/27
Committee: Finance, Resources & Personnel
Responsibilities: Full Governing Body Chair
I am focused on the education of children and how governance can lead to increased chances for all children. This is something that I am fervently passionate about.
In my professional life, I am a Partner in a Law firm and so I feel I am well placed to deal with the demands of school governance. Through my career, I have always acted in the best interests of my clients and I am excited to be able to be an advocate for the children of Minster and Monkton.
I pride myself on my ability to make decisions that are right, rather than those that are easy. My role has given me the opportunity to hone my communication skills and I ensure that I hear all voices before making a decision that is right for those that it affects, i.e. in this case, the children of the Federation.
I am well versed in leadership and in chairing meetings and financial performance and accountability, which are important to the role of Chair of Governors.
My wife is also a primary school teacher and this has allowed me to have a firm understanding of the demands of educators and parents alike, which I feel benefits this role.
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Paul McCarthy - Executive Headteacher
Committee: Finance, Resources & Personnel, Curriculum & Learning, Executive Headteacher Management Panel
Strategic Leadership of The Federation of Minster and Monkton Church of England Primary Schools
My name is Paul McCarthy, and I am the Executive Headteacher of the Federation between Minster and Monkton Primary Schools.
I have been teaching for 27 years, 13 years of which have been as a School Leader. I have a vast experience of teaching in a variety of settings and have a strong vision and passion for how teaching and learning should look in our Federation. Combined with an incredible teaching and learning team and support staff, it has enabled us to go from strength to strength.
Prior to my appointment as Executive Headteacher in September 2023, I was Head of School at Minster CEP. During that time, I helped to create and develop good working practices across both of the Federation schools and am proud of the strong links that we have, as we continually strive to enhance these further.
On a personal level I enjoy spending time with my family. I manage my son’s football team at the weekends and love a long dog walk with my daughter and partner. I also love nature and when I have time, I can be found by the side of a lake or river fishing!
I have a very keen interest in sport both as a spectator and participant – I regularly play football and cycle to help maintain my own fitness. An active life helps to keep the brain active and alert – something that I ensure happens in both of my schools through a fun, engaging and invigorating curriculum during lesson time, playtimes, through inspiring school trips and at after school clubs as well.
Grant Mynheer - Co-opted Governor
Appointed by :- Governing Body
Term of office :- 05/02/2024 - 04/02/2028
Committee :- Finance, Resources & Personnel
Responsibilities: Health & Safety
I was born and raised in Thanet and have spent the last 25 years working across Kent & Medway in frontline emergency response. This has given me the experience to deal with a wide range of challenging situations, working to try and achieve the best outcome for the people involved. I currently manage a team, looking after training, welfare, career development, Health & Safety and wellbeing. I bring a skill set that is transferable in a variety of ways, placing the children and staff at the centre, helping them to be the best they can be every day.
I have a large family and also provide support as a Foster Carer, delivering a therapeutic approach to parenting and sharing my experiences in this sector within the school.
I will commit fully to the role of Co-opted Governor, supporting the teams to deliver the educational, ethical and religious values that both schools aspire to. I will also challenge the teams where appropriate to uphold the highest standards in all aspects of education to ensure that the children receive the very best school experience.
In my spare time I enjoy distance running which supports both my physical and mental wellbeing. We also enjoy family dog walks, the beach and just spending time together.
Elizabeth Shervington - Foundation Governor
Appointed by: Parochial Parish Council
Term of Office: 22/04/23 - 22/04/27
Committee: Curriculum & Learning
Responsibilities: Safeguarding & Child Protection, Cyber Security & Online Safety, Website Monitoring, EHT Performance Management Panel
My name is Liz Shervington and I am a Foundation Governor. I became a governor as I am a member of the Parochial Church Council at St Mary’s in Minster. I feel it’s important to invest in the future of children also to foster the links with the local church and the school has an important role in the local community. I have two daughters, who are now in their 20’s, both attended the school. I live and work in Minster.
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Mike Kenny – Staff Governor Deputy Head – Minster CEP School
Appointed by: Staff
Responsibilities: Training & Development Governor
Term of Office :- 23/04/23 - 24/04/27
Committee:- Curriculum & Learning
Responsibilities: Training and Development
As well as being a staff governor I am also Deputy Headteacher at Minster. I joined Minster in 2021 and I am very proud to be a teacher in our wonderful school. Before joining Minster, I gained twenty years of experience working in different school settings. I have fulfilled the role of teacher governor in a previous setting too.
Outside of school I have a family of my own - two teenage daughters - so I also have the parental view of education. Personal family experience has also given me a view of the whole journey of children through the education system. I grew up in Ramsgate and have a good background knowledge of our local area as well.
I look forward to using my experience in the positive decision-making process for both Minster and Monkton schools as a member of the Federation Governing Body.
Nicky Sworder - LA Governor
Appointed by: Local Authority
Term of Office: 12/07/2022 - 11/07/2026
Committee: Curriculum & Learning
Responsibilities: Vice Chair of FGB, Chair of Curriculum & Learning, SEND, Pupil Premium & Catch-up Premium
My name is Nicky Sworder and my professional background is in Mental Health. I originally trained in London as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse and later in Kent as a BACP Accred. Counsellor, specialising in working with children, young people and families. I set up a School Counselling service working in different Kent schools. I also worked as a supervisor and trainer, offering workshops related to children and mental health. After gaining my MSc I reduced my work load and for the past few years have been involved in research. Mainly in connection to school policies, the psychological and emotional wellbeing of pupils and the whole school community.
I am pleased to be part of the Governing body as a Co-Opted Governor and aim to voice the mental health perspective when discussing school issues. As a team I believe we share a common goal: to create a healthy, happy and academically achieving school.
Mr Nicholas Roberts - Co Opted Governor
Appointed by :- Governing Body
Term of Office :- 24/05/22 - 23/05/26
Committee:- Finance, Resource & Personnel
Responsibilities: Chair of Finance, Resources & Personnel, Pay Committee
Born in 1951. I left my Secondary School with GCE A levels in Pure and Applied Mathematics, and GCE A and S level in Geography. I immediately joined the Meteorologic Office as a Scientific Assistant and trained for three years at Heathrow Airport before my first posting to Manston. In my 42 years in the Meteorological Office my duties ranged from Observing, Forecasting, and Training before specialising in commercial activities, becoming Manager at Southampton Weather Centre. After that I headed the Utilities Team where I managed a revenue in excess of £15 million per annum. Upon retirement I had reached the equivalent grade of a Principle. For the last 10 years in the Met Office I became an expert on the likely effects of Climate Change on Utility infrastructure. I travelled extensively, liaised with numerous high profile businessmen and politicians, and was awarded the Office’s highest award, The Chief Executives Prize for excellence.
Outside of the Office I founded a food processing factory, receiving a number of awards for the excellence of the product. In 1988 the DTI recognised our achievements as my company won both regional and national awards for the Enterprise of the Year. After selling the business I created a privately funded weather app with Met Office support. This Commercial App, under the brand “Weather For”, produced site specific weather information and radar, for a multitude of sectors ranging from Education to Sport.
I remain active, playing golf several times a week, and still able to navigate Black Runs when the Family goes skiing.
Andrew Tye - Parent Governor
Appointed by :- Parents
Term of office :- 17/11/2023 - 16/11/2027
Committee :- Curriculum & Learning
Ashley Danes - Co-Opted Governor
Appointed by :- The Governing Body
Term of office :- 23/01/2023 - 22/01/2027
Committee :- Finance, Resources & Personnel
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Chris Marston - Staff Associate Member - no voting rights
Term of Office: 01/09/19 - 01/09/25
Responsibilities: Head of School Monkton Church of England Primary School/Inclusion Leader
Governor Information
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