Our Governors

Colin Reader - Chair of Governors

LDBS Governor - Resources, Premises and Finance Committee - Expiry 04/05/2027

I have been a Governor at Kentish Town for more than ten years, initially as a Parent Governor when my two sons were pupils. My career was in finance and I am now the school Treasurer and Governor with Financial Responsibility as well as being the Chair of the Governing Body.

Shirley Skrentny - Vice Chair of Governors

LDBS Governor/ Vice Chair of the Children, Families and Communities Committee - Expiry 24/2/2028

I was a parent at Kentish Town School for over 17 years and have lived in NW5 for over 25 years. I have a long-standing connection and deep gratitude to this school for providing my four children with an excellent education and sense of social responsibility.  As a Foundation Governor I consider how the school can keep its vision of The parable of the Good Samaritan in its focus.  I particularly care about the inclusive, community aspect of school life.

Father Guy Willis

Ex-officio Vicar - Chair of the Curriculum and Monitoring Committee/ Collective Worship and RE

Father Guy Willis
Vicar of Kentish Town – Ex-officio Governor – Curriculum and Monitoring Committee/ Collective Worship and RE

I was appointed to the Parish of Kentish Town (Saint Benet’s church, Lupton Street) in October 2021, having previously served curacies in Camden Town and Holborn. Before training for ordination at St Stephens House, Oxford, I worked at Accenture in IT Strategy Consulting. I have previously been a Governor of Saint Albans C of E Primary School, Holborn and I am delighted to once again be part of an inclusive Camden school with a strong Christian ethos. In previous governor appointments I have had a wide range of responsibilities including Safeguarding and Health & Safety as well as involvement in the interview, appointment and mentoring of staff at all levels, including the Senior Leadership Team.

It is wonderful that there is a strong collaborative and positive relationship between Saint Benet’s Church and School and I am delighted to continue and deepen that work as Vicar and Governor.

Hilary Horton

Local Authority Governor/Curriculum and Monitoring Committee Expiry: 7/2/2027

I have supported Kentish Town school for many years as a Literacy Consultant and have always been impressed with its positive atmosphere and creative ethos; every child genuinely matters. Throughout all the changes in education the school has never compromised on its core values. I have worked with and have experience of many Primary schools across a number of authorities and Kentish Town school is an exceptional model of inclusion. My experience enables me to support the school in planning and monitoring, to ensure that all children have the best learning opportunities. I have a wide knowledge of children’s literature and recognise the importance of stimulating a love of reading across the curriculum. I live in Haringey and my three sons were all educated in local community schools.

Beata Goodwin

PCC Governor/ Chair of the Children, Families and Communities Committee Expiry: 9/12/2026

I’m very happy to become a PCC Governor.

My son finished his primary education at Kentish Town School nine years ago, but I still remember what an inclusive and supportive environment it was. For the last 10 years I’ve worked for The Children’s Literacy Charity as a Senior Literacy Intervention Tutor, based at Soho Parish School and St Mathews in Westminster.

My special field of interest is in SEN (Special Educational Needs) and I look forward to supporting the school in this area.

Cheryl Rhyner

PCC Governor/Children, Families and Communities Committee - Expiry: 1/9/2028

Father Nigel Palmer

Deanery Synod Governor /Chair of Resources, Premises and Finance Committee Expiry Date: 25/2/2027

Father Nigel Palmer
Deanery Synod Governor /Resources, Premises and Finance Committee Expiry Date: 25/2/2027

I was born in Lincolnshire, where my father was a sheep farmer, providing me with invaluable early experience in pastoral ministry. I studied English at university, and then taught English, and English language teaching skills in India for eighteen months as part of the Voluntary Services Overseas scheme. I have spent the best part of my working life in London, where I was a solicitor specialising in the world of film and television for over thirty years. I took a further degree in Theology from St Stephen’s House in Oxford in 2015, and I returned to St Stephen’s to train for ministry in 2016. I was ordained Deacon in July 2017, when I joined the Parish of Kentish Town as assistant curate and was priested in 2018. During my time in Kentish Town, I assisted in leading collective worship in our school. I have now moved to Croydon as assistant curate at St Michael’s Croydon, but I have enjoyed my time at our school so much as governor that I asked to continue to support it in that role.

I am a governor of one other school in the London Borough of Camden.

I lived in Kentish Town for two years whilst I was training to be a solicitor. I find though much has changed, much, rather comfortingly, remains the same. I now live in Greenwich.

John Zachariah

Deanery Synod Governor/Premises and Finance Committee

Karen Trussler

Staff Governor/Curriculum and Monitoring Commitee - Expiry 31/05/2027

I have been associated with Kentish Town School for over 21 years as a parent, Chair of the Friends of KTS, a teaching assistant and now as a teacher and governor. During this time there have been many exciting and significant changes to all aspects of school life. As a governor I feel passionate about being able to support the school as it evolves, whilst striving to ensure that it retains its unique inclusive character that is hugely valued by our wider community.

Ellie Besley-Gould

Parent Elected Governor/Safeguarding Governor/Children, Families and Communities Committee - Expiry: 12/10/2029

I was elected as a Parent Govenor in October 2021 and have three children at the school. The inclusivity and diversity of Kentish Town School is so important to our family and I wanted to be part of supporting the work that makes it all happen behind the scenes.

I’ve worked in charities for fifteen years, and I’m Chair of the board at a drug and alcohol NGO – Foundation for Change. With my day job hat on, I work with companies to improve their impact on sustainability and not-for-profit work and hope to get involved in how we can become more sustainable as a school in a way that works for the teachers, the children and the community.

Clare Ellis

Parent Elected Governor/Curriculum and Monitoring Committee - Expiry: 12/10/2029

Miriam Nadarajah

Associate Member/ Resources Committee

Emma Benham

Associate Member/ Children, Families and Communities Committee

Jana Martiskova

Associate Member

Grant Jacobson

Ex-officio Headteacher/ Finance and Resources Committee

Ryan Kirkpatrick

Associate Member/ Children, Families and Communities Committee

It is wonderful working at Kentish Town. Individuality is celebrated and inclusion is at the heart of all that we do. The children, staff and families make each day unique and there is always a buzz of enthusiasm and excitement throughout the school.