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Governance
The Skinners' School is part of the Skinners’ Academies Trust and detailed governance arrangements can be found on the Trust website.
https://www.skinnersacademiestrust.org.uk/
Trustee report & audited accounts - Governance - Skinners' Academies Trust
Clerk to the Governors:
Key Roles and Responsibilities of the Governing Body
The Governing Body manages the School on behalf of the School Trust.However the day to day running of the School is the responsibility of the Headmaster. For further information view the documents below:
Key Role and Responsibilities of the Local Governing Body
Local Governing Body Meeting Dates
The Local Governing Body comprises 3 committees:
| Chairman | Committee | Terms of reference |
|---|---|---|
| Paola Marshall | Education Committee | Education Terms of Reference |
| Christopher Pawson | Finance and Development Committee | Finance & Development Terms of Reference |
| Jonathan Eliot | Staffing and Pay Committee | Staffing & Pay Terms of Reference |
Specific Responsibilities:
| Governor | Responsibility | Terms of reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mr Spencer Maclean | Health & Safety | Health & Safety Terms of Reference |
| Mrs Anca Pauwels | Special Educational Needs (SEN) | SEN Terms of Reference |
| Mr Shaun Simmons | Safeguarding and E-Safety | Safeguarding & E-Safety Terms of Reference |
| Mr James Mainwaring | Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance | CEIAG Terms of Reference |
| Mr Tom Baker | Training and Development |
Meet Our Governors:
Chair of Governors - Mr Jonathan Eliot
Jonathan recently retired from a 35 year international career in banking and asset management - most recently he was Chief Risk Officer and a Board Director of Insight Investment.
He graduated in 1987 from Cambridge University with an MA in Mathematics and Management.
Away from work, Jonathan is keen on technology, golf and chess, as well as enjoying a busy life with his wife and four children in Hartfield, on the edge of the beautiful Ashdown Forest.
Jonathan took over as Chair of Governors in September 2025.
- Declared Business & Financial Interests – None
- Appointed – 31 August 2022
- Appointed by Foundation/Trust
Chair of Finance Committee - Mr Chris Pawson
Chris is a former Deputy Head boy of Skinners' School, and was capped by England Schools rugby during his time at the school. He was President of the Old Boys in 2014/5. Chris has a BA from Exeter University and an MSc from Oxford University. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young (now EY) before moving to Goldman Sachs where he is currently a Managing Director in the Finance division. Chris lives in Tunbridge Wells with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys learning, walking, playing golf, travelling as well as watching cricket and rugby.
- Declared Business & Financial Interests – None
- Appointed – 15 June 2021
- Appointed by Governing Body
Chair of Education Committee - Mrs Paola Marshall
Paola was born in Florence, Italy. She later moved to the UK and earned a degree in Exploration Geophysics (BSc Hons) from UCL. However, Paola's career was not destined to be in science. She managed a small travel agency while still studying, then transitioned into sales and marketing for a large tour operator. Later on, Paola became a systems trainer for a major airline, and in 2003, she and her business partner started a successful training business specialising in airlines' systems and aviation security training. Running her own company for over 20 years has meant wearing many different hats and dealing with multiple challenges, which Paola understands well and she embraces every day as it comes.
Paola enjoys the theatre, classical music, travelling, entertaining and cooking for friends. She lives in Wadhurst with her husband and their dog. Both of Paola's sons attended the Skinners’ School, the younger finishing sixth form in 2023. With her extensive experience as a member of the Skinners' Parents' Association and knowing what a wonderful school Skinners’ is, Paola wanted to remain involved and continue to support it as much as she can, serving as a governor.
- Declared Business & Financial Interests – None
- Appointed –1 September 2023
- Co-opted
Governors
- Mr James Brimlow
- Mr Keith Bugler
- Mr Jonathan Eliot
- Mr James Mainwaring
- Mrs Paola Marshall
- Mrs Anca Pauwels
- Mr Shaun Simmons
- Mrs Julia Wilson
Parent Governors
- Mr Tom Baker
- Mr Spencer Maclean
Staff Governors
- Mr Thomas James
- Mrs Sarah Mepham
