Welcome to our Governors' section. 

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities, terms of appointment for each Governor and Register of Interests 

The role of the governors is to oversee the management of the school, providing support and challenge, with the aim of providing the best education possible for Kingswood children.  The members of the Governing Body are drawn from parents and the wider community.  The skills and expertise of the individuals are used to the full in their roles within the Governing Body which has three committees reflecting key aspects of the school’s work and development. 

Currently the committees are: 

• Vision, Ethos and Strategy 

• Curriculum, Pupils and Staffing 

• Finance 

Governors sit on one or more committees. The Full Governing Body usually meets six times each academic year, and each committee meets at least three times in the year.  Governors are assigned link roles, involving visits to the school, which assist the work of the Governing Body by ensuring governors are well-informed about the school. 

Keith Geary

Now retired, my professional background is in education, including over 20 years in senior leadership in secondary education in various parts of the country, consultancy and teacher-training. I continue to work as an examiner and have been a volunteer mental health advocate with a Bristol-charity for several years.  I have been a governor in primary and secondary schools and joined the Kingswood Governing Body in 2018. I lived in Wotton for over ten years before moving to Kingswood in 2014; both my children have been educated locally in state schools, with my younger daughter leaving KLB in 2020. I am keen to support the school and its staff in providing a rich, challenging and inclusive education for Kingswood children. 

Holly Simkiss

I am a parent of 3 boys, two of whom are at Kingswood Primary School. Education has always been a big part of my life as my parents were teachers and my husband is also a teacher. I am a Planning Manager for a local builder/developer company. I work part-time hours which has enabled me to dedicate time to joining the Governing body.  

I have served on the Governing Body for 7 years and had the privilege of acting as Chair for 6 years.  This is my last year of serving as a Governor as my youngest children leave the school at the end of the academic year. 

Kingswood Primary School is a fantastic school and I am delighted that my children have benefitted from such a warm, wonderful learning environment where every child matters.   

I aspire to actively support our school and am keen to work with the staff, parents and children so Kingswood Primary School can continue to thrive.

James Kershaw

I became an associate member in September 2014 and full Governor in November 2015 and chair the Finance committee. Through my role I hope that I can help to ensure that all the children achieve their full potential and develop into confident well rounded individuals. I am a Chartered Accountant and work in the finance department at Aviva.
I have twin boys who attend Kingswood Primary School.

Steve Marfleet

I became a governor in 2017, sitting on the Finance committee and initially with oversight of Art and Music. One of my daughters has already gone through the school and is currently at KLB and my youngest is currently in year 5. I have been a civil servant for over 25 years as a Project Manager in the MoD, Defra and Government Office of the South West. I’ve worked on projects as diverse as air traffic control communications, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) protection, communications manager for the Chief Scientific Adviser to Defra and am currently a specialist in investigating the costs associated with building submarines. I feel lucky to be part of a team supporting the amazing staff we have at Kingswood. 

Anna Knight

I have been a class teacher at Kingswood Primary School since 2004. I have responsibility for mathematics at Kingswood and am passionate that all children are valued as individuals, motivated to learn and that high quality teaching enriches their experience at school. I feel very lucky to be part of the dedicated team that help the children grow and flourish. 

Neil Stacey

I became a Governor in September 2020.Both of my children are at the school. I work in the world of Television as a Post Production Editor. I work closely with Directors and Producers to edit together pictures and sound to create the Final Televised Programme. I work mostly for the world renowned Natural History Unit in Bristol but also work on familiar titles like Countryfile and Gardeners World. I studied English Literature at University and learnt all about the Art of story telling. My job is very creative and I hope to bring a unique set of skills to the Governor role and to be able to inspire children and staff alike in the fields of Art and Media.

Katie Skuse

I became a governor in July 2021. I have two daughters who currently attend Kingswood Primary and as a family we have lived in Kingswood for 13 years.  I have worked for a leading national children’s charity for 17 years, providing and managing services for children and young people.  Due to my experience, I hold the role of safeguarding as a governor.  I also contribute to the Teaching and Learning committee.  As a governor I am committed to ensuring all attending children are supported to achieve their full potential, to be inspired and to have a positive experience of education. I am passionate about the voice of children being central to the school and how it operates.  I am also aware of how important home life is to our children and as a governor I am committed to ensuring that this is recognised and valued within the school.

Janine Crocker

I was co-opted as a Governor in early 2022. While my background is in defence, I feel confident that my skills as a qualified Management Accountant and experienced Financial Controller will help to control and govern the school appropriately. But my interest in the running of the school goes far beyond the Finances, and I am keen to ensure the school offers a rich experience to all children - a safe and inclusive environment that equips them well for life ahead, full of learning opportunities. I have two children who currently attend Kingswood Primary School. 

Sarah Connor

I joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor in January 2022 and my son is currently in Year 1.  My background is in education and I have been a Computing teacher in a local secondary school for 15 years.  I have worked in a Special Educational Needs department within a mainstream setting for the past 8 years and became a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) 3 years ago.   

I have been the Mental Health lead in my current school for over 6 years and have completed the Youth Mental Health First Aid training. I am passionate about ensuring all students are supported to achieve their potential and are taught in a nurturing and inclusive environment.   

As the Link Governor for SEND I’m excited to be working with the SENCo at Kingwood Primary, Mrs Scott.  I am looking forward to seeing all of the hard work in progress to establish excellent practice across the school for students with SEND. I will be sitting on the Curriculum, Pupils and Staff Committee. 

Alex Kemp

My three children all attend Kingswood Primary School, and I became a Governor in January 2022.  

My work background is quite varied. I started out as a teacher, both in mainstream and special needs schools. 14 years ago, I moved into designing and creating e-learning for schools and businesses.  

I am keen to support the school in any way that I can, and ensure that it continues provide children with an inclusive, happy environment, giving them a wide range of learning opportunities, and preparing them well for the future. 

Val Abbott

Dan Johnson

As Headteacher of Kingswood Primary School, I sit on the Governing Body and all committees. Please see my profile in the "Staff" section of the website.