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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 |
|---|---|---|
| Christopher Thompson | 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 |
| Data | Data Terms of Reference | |
| Mr Jonathan Eliot | 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 - Mr Christopher Thompson
Christopher graduated from the University of Cambridge with a PhD in History. Christopher is a History teacher at Tonbridge School where he is also currently a Boarding Housemaster and has previously been a Head of Department.Outside of work, Christopher enjoys fellwalking and choral singing.
- Declared Business & Financial Interests – None
- Appointed –15 November 2018
- Appointed by Governing Body
Governors
- Mr James Brimlow
- Mr Jonathan Eliot
- Mr James Mainwaring
- Mrs Paola Marshall
- Mr Shaun Simmons
- Mrs Judith Tew
- Mrs Julia Wilson
Parent Governors
- Mr Tom Baker
- Mr Spencer Maclean
Staff Governors
- Mr Thomas James
- Mrs Sarah Mepham
