Our Governors
Meet the Governors
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Rachel RowlandChair of Governors
Rachel Rowland
How long have you been a Governor at Ryarsh  Since 2002
Any other Governor experience: I have worked informally with several governing bodies in local schools advising them on how to structure their monitoring to maximise their effectiveness.
I am the chair of the governing body, a post which I have held since 2007. I meet with the Head Teacher on a regular basis so that I am always up to date with what is going on in school, and so we can share ideas.
Why are you a governor
The school is a big part of the local community and it is important to me to play a role in that community. It is a real contrast to my work in an office, and I feel like I am making a difference to the children's education. I am proud to take part in staff interviews which is always an interesting task, and the children are just really good fun to be around! The role of a governor has changed enormously since I started, we have a high degree of accountability and responsibility, but luckily we have a great team of governors who share in our vision.
About me
I am married to James and we have two children who were lucky enough to attend Ryarsh Primary School, and have both now graduated from university. We have lived in the village for over 20 years, and love the community spirit here. I can often be found supporting the Duke of Wellington on a Friday! I work in Canary Wharf for a financial services company, specialising in client asset protection, leaving home at a time when most sensible people still have a couple more hours in bed. I studied French and German at university and have since learned Italian too. I love to watch cricket, preferably when the sun is shining, and I have also recently started dressmaking again when I have some spare time. I have recently done a couple of 25km charity walks, so can often be spotted out pounding the pavements when it's not raining of course!
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Carmel SuttonVice Chair of Governors (Co-opted Governor - appointed by GB)
Carmel Sutton
Occupation:ï ¿ ½TeacherHow long have you been a Governor at Ryarshï ¿ ½Since 2001
Which Governor committee/stream/ partnerships do you sit on for Ryarsh primary schoolï ¿ ½Vice-Chair, Pay Committee, Appeals Committee.
Why are you a Governor :ï ¿ ½I have been a governor since my oldest child was in year R, mainly becuase I wanted to contribute to the wonderful school community and be part of making the school as outstanding as possible. Over the years, we have achieved this and it has been a very rewarding experience to be a part of.
Carmel is married to Graham, is a qualified secondary school teacher and has been teaching for 25 years in both grammar and private schools. Both of her children attended Ryarsh and loved their time at the school and have now moved on to university in Exeter and Winchester.ï ¿ ½Carmel has previously been the chair of Governors and is currently the vice chair. She is a keen sportsperson, plays hockey twice a week and loves to be outdoors or enjoying a pub lunch or afternoon tea.
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Daniel Childs,Headteacher
Daniel Childs,
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Niall GardenerParent Governor
Niall Gardener
Occupation: Accountant
How long have you been a governor: since 2017
Why are you a governor: The school is an integral part of the village and as a resident with two young children I was keen to be involved in supporting the school to deliver its vision and contribute to the outstanding education it provides.
ï ¿ ½Niall studied Pharmacology at Bristol University before training as an accountant in London, where he worked for a number of years before moving to Ryarsh. He currently works for a large construction company within their FP&A team at their head office in Kent.
ï ¿ ½Niall enjoys most sports although this enjoyment now comes more from spectating than participating as the years creep on. He also enjoys travelling having spent time working in Australia and travelling through much of Africa, South America and Australasia. He is actively involved in a small charity that funds a school in a remote village in Sierra Leone.
ï ¿ ½Niall is married to Caroline with two children one of whom attends Ryarsh, with the other due to start in the not too distant future.
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Abbie HolyerParent Governor- elected by parent body
Abbie Holyer
How long have you been a governorï ¿ ½Since 2020
Why are you a governor
Ryarsh Primary School plays such an integral part in our local community and I feel privileged to contribute as a governor of the school. I want to help ensure that all children at Ryarsh are happy and thrive while in our care.
About me
I grew up in Scotland and moved down to London with my job. I met my husband in the Central Lobby of the House of Commons and now I am stuck down South!
I qualified as an accountant before joining IBM as a Commercial Manager on Global Outsourcing contracts covering Operations, Audit and Finance for some large corporate companies.
I have more recently been enjoying a career break discovering a passion for gardening and cooking. I am a Trustee Director for a local charity and enjoy volunteering on the ground for another charity. I also spend time walking, cycling and swimming. I hope to discover the benefits of wild swimming soon!
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Steven HughesCo-opted Governor- appointed by GB
Steven Hughes
Occupation:ï ¿ ½Head of Buying Retail
How long have you been a Governor at Ryarshï ¿ ½Since 2011
Which Governor committee/stream/ partnerships do you sit on for Ryarsh Primary Schoolï ¿ ½SEN Governor, HT Assessment, Outcomes.
Why are you a Governorï ¿ ½The school is a massive part of the village and as a resident with one child at the school and another who has now left having benefitted from the school, I feel it is important to give something back.
Steve has been in the retail supermarket business forï ¿ ½30 years and currently works for one of the big four Supermarkets at their head office.
Steve moved to Kent 20 years ago having originally been from Essex!
Steve enjoys all sports and played in the front row within the national rugby and London league for a Kent side before old age caught up with him and he hung up his boots. He is now a keen spectator at rugby and football matches. Steve is currently contemplating whether to join two other village residents on a cycling challenge to follow up their last challenge two years ago when they completedï ¿ ½the Coast to Coast cycle ride.
He is married to Erin and has two children, one of whom attends Ryarsh Primary School. The other has moved on to Invicta Grammar School for Girls having benefitted from an excellent primary education at Ryarsh Primary School.
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Jon NaylorCo-opted Governor - appointed by GB, Co-opted Governor - appointed by GB
Jon Naylor
Occupation: Consultant,How long have you been a Governor at Ryarshï ¿ ½Since 2006
Why are you a Governorï ¿ ½As a resident of Ryarsh for over 18 years, I think it is important to support village life in whatever way possible. The school is a vital element in this.
Jon qualified as an economist before plying his trade in the cut-throat world of consumer electronics. In recent times, he has taken to advising some of the UKï ¿ ½s largest retailers on how to maximise the benefit gained by better deploying their resources, whether human or capital.
Jon is a keen skier and an avid fan of Norwich City. He has two dogs andï ¿ ½four cats and currently has a hen house for sale following an attack from a local fox.
He is married to Debbie and has two daughters who attend Invicta Grammar school having benefitted from an excellent primary education at Ryarsh Primary School.ï ¿ ½
Stop Press:
The Hen House is now sold
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Stewart SpeakeCo-opted Governor - appointed by GB
Stewart Speake
Occupation: Firefighter
How long have you been a Governor at Ryarshï ¿ ½Since 2007
Which Governor committee/stream/ partnerships do you sit on for Ryarsh primary schoolï ¿ ½Health & Safety and Premises, Effectiveness of Leadership and Management
Why are you a Governorï ¿ ½As a resident of Ryarsh, I think it is important to support village life in whatever way possible. The school and the pub is a vital element in this.
Stewart worksï ¿ ½in the fire serviceï ¿ ½and is currently stationed in London. Before he joined the fire service, he worked at a college with young adults with troubled backgrounds taking them to do outdoor pursuits.ï ¿ ½
Stewart is a keen skier and loves the outdoors. He has completed the 3 peaks challenge and Coast to Coast cycle ride raising money for the Heart of Kent Hospice with other local people. He is hoping to cycle from Lands End to John O Groats next year.
He is married to Ali and has two children who attended Ryarsh Primary School. They have moved on to MGS and Invicta Grammar Schools having benefitted from an excellent primary education at Ryarsh Primary School.
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Louise RochfordCo-opted Governor - appointed by GB
Louise Rochford
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Karen TaitStaff Governor
Karen Tait
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Victoria OagParent Governor- elected by parent body
Victoria Oag
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Philip MorrisParent Governor- elected by parent body
Philip Morris
