Governor Biographies 

Carolyn Chivers - Chair

I have been a co-opted governor of Lympne Church of England Primary School since September 2024. I have recently retired as the Headteacher from a local primary school. I taught for more than thirty years and have a wide experience of strategic leadership in primary education. I am also a Governor at Brockhill Performing Arts College and work for the NHS as a Lay Chair on consultant recruitment panels. But my great love is Early Years education, supporting children and their families during those crucial first years at school. I have three children, all grown up now and seven grandchildren and  I understand not only the joys but the challenges navigating the current education system can present to families. But I know that everyone associated with Lympne is fully committed to helping the 'light shine' for our children.

Diane Clark - Vice Chair

I joined the governing board at Lympne in June 2024. I retired from teaching in a local primary school where I was the assistant head with responsibility for SEN and English across the school. I worked in special needs for many years both in specialist provisions as well as mainstream schools. I took on the role of staff governor twice during my career I would like to use this experience to support the governing body and the school.  

The Reverend Barry Knott - Ex Officio / Foundation Governor

I have been the Rector of the Lympne & Saltwood benefice since June 2020. Ordained ministry is a second career following thirty years with Kent Police. My career covered many disciplines predominantly in crime investigation and intelligence at local, national, and international levels. I have a broad ecumenical background having been a Trustee of the Christian Police Association for fifteen years where I was also Vice-Chair of the National Council and Chair of Finance. I was also a Trustee of the Police Rehabilitation Centre at Goring -on-Thames for seven years. Experience with school governance began in the 1990s at a primary school in what was then in the top ten socio-economic deprived areas in Europe. I am also a school governor at Saltwood CE Primary School and Brockhill Performing Arts College, where I am Vice-Chair of the board and Safeguarding lead. Since becoming Rector I have had weekly contact with the school during term time through Collective Worship. The school is at the heart of our community and a beacon of joy. I relish in the community cohesion this brings.

Anna Ladd – Staff Governor 

I am our staff Governor, I have been a member of the teaching staff at Lympne CEP School since 1999 and have taught across all year groups, progressing to Deputy Head teacher and more recently additionally taking on the SENCO role in school. I feel extremely familiar with the school, our Christian values and in my ability to reinforce the school vision to ‘let our light shine’. I value the opportunity to be part of the children’s lives and education here at Lympne, I strive to work hard to make a difference and respect the importance of working as part of a community and effective team here at Lympne. 

Olivia Roe – Parent Governor 

I became a parent governor after Easter 2024. I joined as I felt the skills I gained working as a teacher in the UK and in international schools and as a teacher trainer and leadership development facilitator with the charity Teach First, could be put to good use. I am now a life coach and do coaching and training in a variety of settings including prisons. I love the warm and welcoming atmosphere of our school and both my son and I instantly felt very settled into the community. 

Martin Henderson - Parent Governor