Meet our Governors

A little bit about our Governors:

     
Jemma Bale
I adore my role as staff governor and have delighted in learning about the school from lots of different perspectives. I wanted to become a governor to learn about what goes on behind the scenes at BGPS. I have been at the school for six years and joined the governing body in September 2020. I am inspired by the other teachers in the school as well as my husband and children. As well as being staff governor, I am also a reception teacher, helping the youngest members of our school family on their learning journeys. I believe that every child has considerable magic within them; watching them unlock their magic is the most amazing thing. If I had a free day, I would snuggle up with a cosy blanket, read book and watch TV. My favourite food is pizza. My favourite things to read are Sherlock Holmes stories. In my childhood I enjoyed learning timetables and I have fond memories of learning these at school. I would describe myself as caring and thoughtful.

Stephen Cole
When Stephen was growing up, he was fortunate to have fantastic teachers who believed in him, cajoled and encouraged him to achieve his potential. He became a governor to help create an environment where teachers and pupils can both achieve their potential. Stephen was inspired by his mother to be the best he could be in everything he tried and now his son inspires him to keep doing this. He works for a company that provides training to drivers that have committed offences and is responsible for keeping their information safe on a computer system. In his spare time, Stephen loved being active outdoors, such as cycling and hiking in the local area. He also enjoys cooking, playing football and watching rugby (Ireland and Munster) with his son. His favourite food is fresh, locally grown fruit – particularly cherries from Offham and strawberries from Ightham. Stephen would describe himself as stubbornly determined, passionate about people achieving their potential but, according to his son is embarrassingly unfunny.

Julie Harvey
I became a governor at Borough Green in July 2022 after moving to the area in 2020 and when my daughter joined the school, I wanted to take more of an interest in the local community and this was a perfect position. I have enjoyed my time in this role learning the governance side of education, having been a teacher and leader in primary education since 2010. I have a keen interest in Quality of Education and helping both children and staff develop through coaching and mentoring. The team at Borough Green work extremely hard to provide an enjoyable and thorough education and my children are thriving at the school. Outside of the school building, I enjoy many things but none more so than reading, travelling and going to the theatre. This was certainly inspired by my own teachers growing up who led me to love stories and gain a fascination of the world. As a result, I eventually chose to study Geography at university before my teacher training a few years later.

Charles Copping 

Charles grew up in Suffolk and initially moved to Kent to attend university, but ended up settling here in Borough Green where he has lived for the last 18 years.  Charles’ interest in becoming a Governor came as a result of his own children starting at Borough Green Primary School and, having enjoyed his own education, wanted to re-engage in the education environment.  Charles joined the Governing Body in December 2022 as a Co-Opted Governor and became Co-Chair in September 2023.  Charles works as a Quantity Surveyor and has recently set up his own business.  Charles enjoys spending time with his children, undertaking DIY tasks, watching Rugby, Football (Ipswich Town) and Cricket.

Claire Nash

Claire’s desire to become a governor at Borough Green Primary School stems from a keen interest in understanding and supporting children's learning experiences through a fun and varied curriculum. The interactive and ‘themed’ classes she had at school have certainly stuck with her! Over the past 13 years, Claire has held successful marketing roles within large FMCG brands and start-ups, contributing towards exponential growth including the growth of a business to a $12 million valuation in 18 months. More recently, she has run a marketing consultancy and currently holds a senior marketing position at a children’s hospice. Whilst she hasn’t previously worked in a school, her experience gives her the ability to provide alternative perspectives on the strategic direction of the school and how it can achieve its School Improvement Plan. She also appreciates that no two children are the same and one of the roles as governor is to support, whilst also constructively challenging, the school to develop teaching that benefits all Borough Green pupils. Outside of work and her governor role, Claire enjoys spending time with her children, reading, swimming, seeing friends and being in nature.

Ben Taylor

Ben wanted to become a governor at Borough Green to give something back to the school that he attended himself as a child. It was at Borough Green, through the inspiration of his teachers, that Ben discovered his talent for numbers and problem-solving. That led him to study maths at university and then to pursue a career in finance. His life changed when he met his wife, and they decided to start a language translation company together. Ben was Managing Director for many years before selling their translation business to a large technology company. Since then, Ben has worked as a mentor and adviser to many young entrepreneurs starting their own businesses. In his spare time, he is a competitive tennis player and loves travelling with his family to new places and doing fun activities like skiing and watersports together.  

        Faye Wood

I have lived in Borough Green since 2006 and have four children, all whom have attended or still attend Borough Green Primary School.

I have always wanted to work with children, so after studying child development and health and social care, I went to university and qualified as a paediatric nurse. I then worked at Steps to School day nursery for 6 years. After my 2nd son was born, I became an OFSTED registered childminder, which I love, as it has enabled me to care for my own growing children, as well as nurture and educate many other children that have attended my setting.

Over the years, I have also carried out various SEN, Makaton, communication, safeguarding and early years curriculum training.

When my eldest son joined the primary school in 2015, I joined the PTA and became co-chair in 2021. For the last few years, I have been very involved with the school, including organising events, improving the school grounds and classrooms, and purchasing new resources and books. I still remain on the PTA now but have stepped down from co-chair to take on my new role as parent governor. I joined the governing body in September 2023 and although I still have a lot to learn, I hope my experience will be a great benefit to the school.

Jayne Ingman

Having worked in marketing, I first engaged with education again when my children started school. I became a parent Governor and class volunteer, which led me to retrain as a primary school teacher. With a passion for teaching English, I became a Specialist Leader in Education supporting colleagues in other schools with improving the quality of teaching literacy. Latterly I worked as a headteacher in Sevenoaks. I have been a School Governor in Kent for over 20 years in both primary and secondary schools. I believe my extensive experience in education from both the teaching and governance sides has equipped me well to support Borough Green Primary School on its journey. It is a privilege to work with the other members of the Governing Body and all the staff to drive improvements in the education Borough Green Primary offers and our children deserve.     

    Tammy Flower

Tammy is a Partnership Governor with previous governor experience having been a governor and former Clerk at BGPS.  Tammy is a teacher in the independent sector.Tammy lives in the village and all of her 3 children attended the school.  Tammy believes the school is an important asset to the village, and it benefits everyone that the school should be the best it can be. Tammy wanted to help the school achieve this by being involved and providing oversight and accountability. 

Tammy enjoys dancing, hiking and walking, theatre and dance, reading and cooking.