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Local Academy Board

The Local Academy Board (LAB) members are responsible for the school on behalf of the Members of the Academy Trust.

The Abbey School's LAB are people from the school’s community who wish to make a positive contribution to children’s education. We are volunteers who attend meetings and work together to further The Abbey School’s development. Together with the Principal, we set the future direction for The Abbey School.

The LAB makes decisions collectively on matters such as setting strategic direction, school policies, ensuring accountability, the school’s development plan, and monitoring and evaluating school performance. 

If you wish to contact the Local Academy Board, this should be by letter addressed to the Chair of Governors and sent via the school office.

Governance Information

The Local Academy Board of The Abbey School: 

  • Dr Rowland Speller (Principal) 
  • Dr Frances Rehal (Trust Appointed - Vice-Chair of Governors) 
  • Sarah Priest (Staff)
  • Gladys Enti (Trust Appointed - Chair of Governors) 
  • Andrew Massoura (Parent)
  • Edd Withers (Trust Appointed)
  • Jane Laker (Trust Appointed)
  • Ben Oyewole (Staff)

For details of the Members and Directors of The Howard Academy Trust please click here.

Terms of Reference for our Local Academy Board can be found here.

Meets
 

Name Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests
(including governance roles in other education institutions)		 Attendance record at meetings for the academic year
('23-'24)
Dr Rowland Speller (Principal) 
Appointed: Ongoing 		 Fellow of Chartered College of Teaching and Fellow of Royal Society of Arts  4 of 4
Dr Frances Rehal (Trust Appointed) 
Appointed: 01/04/23 

Self Employed 
Director & Trustee: Improving Outcomes and Solutions 
Membership: Manager Faversham Refugee Sponsorship Lead Citizens UK

 4 of 4 
Sarah Priest (Staff) 
Appointed: 02/06/23 		 None Declared  1 of 4 
Gladys Enti (Trust Appointed) 
Appointed: 16/11/23 

Sole proprietor & Director - Bright Future Education Ltd  
Runs an education recruitment supply agency and offers tuition 

 2 of 3
Andrew Massoura (Parent)
Appointed: 24/03/24

Director - Research & Innovation Development Office, Anglia Ruskin University

 2 of 2
Edd Withers (Trust Appointed)
Appointed: 21/02/25

Foster Carer
Business Canterbury City Show CIC
Director Canterbury City Show CIC, CSP Events CIC, Radio Canterbury Ltd

 N/A

Jane Laker (Trust Appointed)
Appointed: 21/05/25

 Exam Invigilator
Membership QTS		 N/A

Ben Oyewole (Staff)
Appointed: 21/02/25

 None Declared N/A

Past Governors who have served in the last 12 months

Susie Keeling (Trust Appointed) 
Appointed: 01/04/23 
Resigned: 01/05/24

 Retired 2 of 3

Gille-Anne Johnson (Parent) 
Appointed: 01/04/23 
Resigned: 25/05/24

 Employment - Memoria 0 of 4
Cian McCormack (Staff) 
Appointed: 25/05/23 
Resigned: 26/11/24		 None Declared  2 of 4 
Trevor Martin (Trust Appointed) 
Appointed: 01/04/23 
Resigned: 10/03/25

Civil Servant
Trustee: Faversham district Scouts, Faversham Municipal charities.
Membership: Councillor Faversham Town Council, Confederation of the Cinque Ports Faversham Champion, Hon Life Member Faversham Cricket Club, Hon Treasurer Cinque Port Mayors Association, Vice President Faversham Carnival Club, Member Ramblers Association, Member PCS Union, Member English Heritage, Member Liberal Democrats, Member Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors

 4 of 4
Kate Hostead (Trust Appointed)
Appointed: 03/04/24
Resigned: 05/05/25

Teacher at Ospringe CE Primary School
Chair of Whitstable Rugby Club - Junior Section (Ages 6-17 yrs)

 2 of 2

Last Updated: 10th May 2025

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