Meet our Governors 

Pen Pictures

Elizabeth Hadley – Co-Chair - PCC Foundation Governor

I am now retired but all my working life has been spent in Primary Education, firstly in Warwickshire, and then the last 20 years in Kent. Alongside my role as an Infant School teacher I have held the position of Deputy Head and SENCO. It was my experience in the latter which, in 2015, drew me to becoming an Associate Governor at Hartlip, with special responsibility for monitoring the provision for and progress of the SEND children in particular.

I am a practising Christian and regularly attend our village church, which is part of the same Benefice as Hartlip. I am involved in organising children’s activities there and within ‘The Six.’

During my visits to Hartlip School and my contact with Mrs. Jerome and her staff, I have been struck by the way that the Christian School values of Friendship, Forgiveness, Peace, Thankfulness and Trust are embedded in everything from daily routines to academic activities, but particularly in the way that each child is treated, valued and appreciated for him/herself alone.

By becoming a Foundation Governor (2017) I have been able to endorse and support these values, which sit naturally with my original responsibility for SEND. In September 2019, I was nominated and elected as Co-Chair. In this role which is supportive of management, but also challenging, I want to ensure that the well-being of every child is paramount enabling each one to achieve his/her full potential.

Ryan Condron

My second son is currently in Eagles class at Hartlip, with my eldest having left a few years ago to attend Borden Grammar School.

I am the Head of Commercial Development and Projects for a local healthcare provider. I also sit as the Deputy Chair of the Elected Members Forum of a local Social Enterprise Community Interest Company and have been a Parish Councillor in Newington. These roles, combined with my wife being Head of Science at a Medway secondary school, provides me with an understanding of the public sector, local issues and exposure to the wider educational system.
I want Hartlip School to be the best it can be, whether in terms of educational performance, financial stability or in its pastoral responsibilities. I have the requisite skillset to sit as a non-executive member of the Governing Body. I care deeply about Hartlip School and want to see it go from strength to strength; being a Parent Governor provides me with both the opportunity and responsibility to ensure this occurs.

Tracey Jerome - Headteacher

It is an honour to be Headteacher of Hartlip Endowed Church England Primary School. I have 31 years’ experience in the teaching profession and have taught at five different schools in Medway and Kent on the journey to accepting my first headship at Hartlip. I always wanted to be a teacher, a passion which had my love of children at the heart of it, wanting to make a difference in their lives. I truly believe in the saying: one childhood, one chance. I am driven by the vision to ensure that every child’s experience of school is a happy one. I want children to look back on school with fond memories, recalling events and sharing them with their families in years to come.

My journey to headship has been shaped by the different settings I have worked in under the guidance and challenge of inspirational leaders. This has set the agenda for the leader that I now strive to be, drawing on all that I have learnt. For the last 26 years, it has been the arrival of my own children which drive me on a daily basis. Every moment of every day is the time for me to ask myself the question if what I am delivering, planning and setting direction for is good enough for the two children around whom my world revolves. If the answer to that question is not a loud, resounding yes, then it is a non-starter. If it’s not good enough for my own, why would it be good enough for the children, parents and community I serve?

As a Governor of Hartlip School, I am privileged to work with a dedicated group of people, all serving the school in the best interests of our children and families. I pride myself on being a reflective practitioner and so welcome their challenge along with all stakeholders: parents, carers, children, extended family and Trustees. Together we all ensure that: one childhood, one chance, means delivery of the very best that we can.

Noel Lander – Foundation Governor

I joined the School’s Governing Body in July 2019 as a Foundation Governor.

I am married with two young children who are both at school such that I am acutely aware of the importance of primary education providing the backbone of a child’s learning and development.

Since moving to Hartlip in 2009, I have taken an active role in village life and am part of the congregation at St Michael and All Angels Church, both of which enthused me to joining the School’s Governing Body.

My experience as a Senior Director in a leading global real estate company will stand me in good stead to make a positive contribution to the strategic direction of the School as well as promoting the working relationship between the School and the Church.

Rev. Julian Staniforth - Ex-Officio Governor.

I have been the Rector of The Six benefice of churches, which includes the village of Hartlip, since March 2014. This role brings with it a number of different connections with the school, not least as the local parish priest of St Michael's & All Angels church. By virtue of this role, I hold an ex-officio post as a Foundation Governor on the School's Governing Body, and I am also a Trustee of The Mary Gibbons Trust. I have previously been Chair of the Hartlip Full Governing Body and a Foundation Governor of the Federation of Lower Halstow and Newington Church of England (Controlled) Primary school. At Hartlip I am currently part of the Admissions Committee. I bring previous experience from the world of business, as I remain a Chartered Management Accountant, having spent many years in financial management in the electronic and media industries prior to ordination. I am committed to seeing a strong working relationship between the Church & the Schools. This includes seeing the School’s Christian values as a strong foundation for the life of the school community, shaping not only attitudes to learning but to how we treat each other in life in a challenging world where everyone can flourish and make their own unique contribution.