Trustee About

Chris Eades
 

Chris is the chair of governors at Weald of Kent having joined the board in March 2021. Prior to taking the Chair position Chris was the vice-chair and Chair of the Education Committee, which he continues to sit in. Chris has worked as a teacher his entire career starting in Southampton before working in Reading, London and now at Tonbridge School as a boarding housemaster. Chris has a Masters in Education from the Institute of Education with a specialist focus on developing intrinsic motivation in educational study and is a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. In his spare time Chris is a keen cook and sportsman, coaching Rugby, Football and Cricket, the latter of which he still plays when he can. He has a young family the eldest of whom has just started primary school in the local area and an energetic miniature poodle

Toby Fountain Toby joined the Board of Trustees in October 2022. Toby started his career as a research scientist and spent time working at universities in Finland and Sweden. On returning to the UK he joined the Civil Service with roles including Head of Office for the Minister of State and Private Secretary to the Chief Scientific Adviser. He currently heads up a policy team at the Department for Transport. Toby has a PhD in Genetics from the University of Sheffield. At Weald of Kent he currently chairs the Leadership and Management committee. Toby spends much of his free time exploring local nature with his partner and young daughter.

Liz Kinnersley

Liz is the safeguarding link trustee at Weald of Kent having joined the board in March 2020. Liz has worked as a Paediatric nurse her entire career, initially in the London children’s hospitals and then as a ward manager in Greenwich where she gained considerable multiagency child protection experience. For the past 20 years Liz has worked as a Paediatric Professional Development nurse. She worked as a project lead for WeCanTalk, an NHS England initiative to improve the experience for children presenting in acute mental health crisis. Liz currently works in clinical governance and managing risk. In her current role at Weald of Kent, Liz chairs the Safeguarding and Personal Development committee with a focus on student services, pupil voice, staff, and student wellbeing and sits on the education committee. Liz enjoys hiking, going to the gym and the arts in her spare time. She has three adult sons and a daughter in sixth form at Weald. She has a small menagerie of pets including two superstar dogs.

Robin Jones

Robin joined the Board of Trustees in November 2023 and sits in the Quality of Education committee. Robin has spent his career to date working in financial services regulation, both at the FSA and now the Financial Conduct Authority. During his time at the regulator, he has worked in policy, supervision, strategy and technology roles. During the pandemic he led the FCA's cross-organisational response to the challenges those times presented and then spent more than two years leading part of the FCA's Risk and Compliance Oversight function. Most recently he has taken on the role as director of Internal Audit with a focus on providing assurance to the FCA Board on the effectiveness of the organisation's risk management, governance and controls. Outside of work Robin also contributes to the running of a charitable organisation and enjoys running, reading and watching cricket in the sunshine.

Tori Tomalin Tori joined the Board of Trustees in September 2023 and sits on the Leadership and Management committee. Tori is a qualified accountant and has spent the majority of her career working in commercial and financial roles in both the private and public sector. Tori currently works for the UK Civil Service where she leads the team responsible for Government spending on major transport projects at HM Treasury. Tori grew up in Kent and went to Weald for both secondary school and sixth form. Tori now lives in London but enjoys regularly returning to Kent to spend time with family and friends. In her spare time, Tori enjoys doing DIY in her flat, playing Tag Rugby and trying out new baking recipes.

William Varley

William is a parent trustee at Weald of Kent having joined the board in June 2023. After attending Ermysted's Grammar School in Skipton, William graduated from the University of Reading with a BA in French and Management Studies before building his career selling financial data, analytics and trading systems to global financial institutions. William is passionate about children's education and is particularly interested in the role sport plays in building confidence and wellbeing. He is a member of the Leadership & Management sub-committee on the board. William has a keen interest in the City of London and is a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Blenders. Traditionally an avid rugby and cricket player, William is now more likely to be seen on the touchline watching his two daughters play hockey and netball.

Andrew Barnett

 

Alessia Ropkins

 

Jane Craigie-Payne

Jane has been a trustee of Weald of Kent Grammar school since March 2024 and is the Director of HR at Sevenoaks School. She has over 20 years broad HR & OD experience, gained across the private, government and most recently, independent school sectors.  Jane’s specialisms include strategic HR, senior level business partnering, governance and risk management, Learning & Development, large scale organisational change programmes and equity, diversity & inclusion. Jane is a qualified Mental Health First Aider, Career Coach and Chartered member of the CIPD, as well as being qualified in psychometric testing and Neuro-linguistic Programming. In her spare time, Jane enjoys running and going to the gym, sewing, learning upholstery and looking after her needy rescue cat, Mick.

Amelia-Jane Clark  
Saima Islam  
Gautum Sehgal  
Ben Katz

Ben Katz is Deputy Head of Maths at Tonbridge School, bringing a wealth of experience from his dedicated career as a Maths teacher. With a Masters degree from Cambridge, Ben has a passion for tackling challenging mathematical problems and inspiring students to engage deeply with the subject.

As a father of two young daughters, aged 4 and 6, Ben is committed to helping shape the educational experiences of future generations. His decision to join the Weald of Kent Governing Body stems from a desire to contribute to the community and share his expertise in education.

Ben has a particular focus on supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and hopes to help the school thrive through his involvement. Outside of work, he enjoys refereeing rugby and football.