Our Governing Body
What do we do?
Royal Rise Primary's Governing Body is responsible for the strategic direction and leadership of the school.
The Governing Committee usually meets termly to monitor how the school is progressing against its stated objectives. The Governing Committee is accountable to the Trustees of Cygnus Academies Trust.
Our Governors at Royal Rise Primary School have a variety of skills and backgrounds and they work closely with the Headteacher to ensure high quality learning is accessible to all of our children, according to their individual needs. This is achieved by monitoring the children's results and learning progress, ensuring the school is a safe and welcoming environment, and delivering within the confines of the school's budget.
Our Governors all share the same purpose: to support and challenge the Headteacher and Senior Leaders of School to ensure that our school delivers a curriculum that gives our children the skills and abilities needed to succeed in a challenging and fast moving world, delivered in a safe, holistic and enjoyable way that encourages our children into a lifetime of learning.
Who Are We?
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Mel ShackletonChair of Governors
Mel Shackleton
I am a retired headteacher of an infant school in Tunbridge Wells so am delighted to continue my links with education in such a fantastic school.I have lived in Tonbridge for the last 35 years and am married with three grown up children and a granddaughter.
Being a governor at Royal Rise is a great privilege and I enjoy coming in to school each week to hear children read and to meet with Mrs Griggs and the staff.
Royal Rise is a great place to be and I am looking forward to continuing on the journey to becoming the best we can be with the staff and pupils. -
Sarah GriggsEx-officio (Headteacher)
Sarah Griggs
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Claire FosterCo-opted Governor
Claire Foster
After nine years teaching in various schools in England and abroad, I settled in Tonbridge 10 years ago, where I have lived and worked ever since. I teach English at a local secondary grammar school, which is both rewarding and demanding. My two children attend Royal Rise. It is a fantastic school and I am glad to be able to be part of this community.
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Sally HortonStaff Governor
Sally Horton
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Angelika ZaczeniukParent Governor
Angelika Zaczeniuk
I am a photographer with a solid academic background. I have had extensive work experience in a diverse environment working with a range of people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.
Personal and intellectual development has always been high on my priority list which is why I've always been passionate about education, neuroscience and psychology. I expand my knowledge in numerous courses and workshops, especially in children's emotional and intellectual development.
On a daily basis, I read a lot of books to be able to create tools, methods and strategies that help me raise creative, entrepreneurial and thinking children.
I truly wish that the potential with which children are born could meet the possibilities, which only adults can provide.
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Nishan PatelCo-opted Governor
Nishan Patel
I feel great admiration and a strong commitment towards education, where I am hopeful one day, I can fulfil my ambition to teach. An Accountant by profession, the School PTA Treasurer and having children at the School, I am invested in collaboration to shape effective policies, promote excellence in education and foster a positive school culture.
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Helen SmithCo-opted Governor
Helen Smith
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Sara PearsonParent Governor
Sara Pearson
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Christopher AshurstCo-opted Governor
Christopher Ashurst
The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The Chair and Vice Chair are elected by the governors for a two year term.
If you feel that you may have skills and abilities that may assist the Governing Committee, or you have any questions, please contact us.
For more information about our Governors, or our governance please visit the Cygnus Governance homepage here
Further Information
Royal Rise Annual Statement of Governance 2022-23
Royal Rise Annual Statement of Governance 2021-22
Cygnus Academies Trust Annual Statement of Governance 2022-23
Cygnus Academies Trust Annual Statement of Governance 2021-22
Cygnus Academies Trust Financial Reports
Memorandum of Association; Articles of Association; Funding Agreement
To enquire about any governor vacancies at Royal Rise Primary School, please contact either Mrs Griggs or Mrs Shackleton via the school office and they will happily tell you about life as a school governor. Should a vacancy become available at Royal Rise you will be informed and you can put yourself forward. Please also visit Inspiring Governance or Governors for Schools to learn more about why schools need volunteers like you and the benefits and rewards of becoming a Governor.
Letter from Governors
Dear Parents,
On behalf of the Governors I am delighted to have the opportunity to write to you about the role of the Governing Committee at Royal Rise Primary School.
The governors are volunteers who have a commitment to the school, its pupils, staff and buildings as well as to the local community of which it is a part. We are all proud to be associated with Royal Rise Primary School.
In the past three years under the leadership of our Head of School, Sarah Griggs, everyone at the school has worked very hard to improve the quality of all aspects of school life. Staff have worked so hard to create a safe and happy school where the children are able to learn and play well. The new curriculum is exciting and relevant to our pupils and they are learning so much in creative and fun ways.
Whilst the Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team have responsibility for the day to day running of the school, Governing Boards are an elected body with legal responsibilities for the strategic direction and leadership of the school.
Our Governors at Royal Rise have a variety of skills and backgrounds and they work closely with the Head of School to ensure high quality learning is accessible to all of our children, according to their individual needs.
Governors visit the school regularly to monitor all aspects of school life so we know how much the children are learning, what progress they are making, how safe the children are in school, how well behaved, polite and caring they are and how safe the buildings and grounds are. Our visits always show us how committed all the staff are to the pupils and families of Royal Rise.
We also check how the school finances are being used so that we know money is being spent well.
Visits are reported to all the governors at our termly meetings so that we have a clear picture of school life and can monitor how the school is progressing against its priorities for improvement.
The school’s results are a real cause for celebration and increasing numbers of pupils are testament to the school’s growing and well deserved reputation in Tonbridge.
As governors we have been so impressed with how the school has responded to the Covid-19 crisis and how pupils have continued to access their learning with the support of their teachers and their home-schooling parents. A big thank you goes to everyone for their commitment and dedication to the school’s pupils and their families.
The governors look forward to continuing to play their part in the life of Royal Rise Primary School over the coming months and years and to getting to know more of you as we visit the school and meet you at school events.
Mel Shackleton
Chair of Governors
