Meet our Governors
Below you can find information about our wonderful team of Governors at SST:
Mr Terry Newman
Chair/Co-opted
Why Terry Became a Governor:
After setting up the Police Schools team across Kent, Terry recognised the opportunity to support SST in creating a positive culture from the very beginning. Becoming a governor allowed him to use his professional experience to help shape the ethos and direction of a new school.
His Role as Governor:
As Chair of the Local School Board with responsibility for safeguarding, Terry plays a pivotal role in supporting and challenging the school to continually improve. He works closely with the senior leadership team, reality tests policies to ensure they are embedded across the school, and regularly listens to feedback from both students and staff during visits. He also chairs permanent exclusion meetings, ensuring parents’ voices are heard and decisions align with school policies and procedures.
Outside SST:
Terry retired from the Police and is now an operational manager for a large children’s home. In his spare time, he referees at county level and is also a dedicated dad, often on taxi duty for his two boys!
Goals for This Year:
Terry is committed to ensuring SST continues to improve and provide a first-class education. His priorities include supporting the delivery of the new Sixth Form and helping SST maintain its reputation as one of the most popular schools in Kent.
Dr Andrew Riedl
Co-opted Governor
Why Andrew Became a Governor:
With a passion for science and education, Andrew was keen to become a governor to help inspire and support young people in their learning journey.
His Role as Governor:
Andrew is responsible for Quality of Education, reviewing the school’s progress and working closely with the leadership team to ensure high standards are maintained across teaching and learning.
Outside SST:
Andrew studied Medical Biochemistry at the University of Surrey before completing a PhD in Pharmacology at King’s College London. He began his career at Glaxo Smith Kline before returning to Maidstone, where he has worked at Kemet International Limited for over 20 years, progressing to Joint Managing Director. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys tennis, table tennis, running and golf.
Goals for This Year:
Andrew is committed to continually improving educational outcomes for all students, ensuring every young person at SST has the opportunity to succeed.
Mrs Sally Seymour
Co-opted Governor
Why Sally Became a Governor: With her background as a primary school teacher, Sally understands the importance of a strong governing body. She joined SST’s board to broaden her skills and share her expertise in education, supporting SST in providing the best experience for students.
Her Role as Governor: Sally focuses on behaviour and attitudes, working closely with the teaching and leadership staff to ensure a positive learning environment where every student can thrive.
Outside SST: Sally is an Assistant Headteacher and Year 6 teacher at a local primary school. She’s also a mum to two teenagers and a passionate netball player!
Goals for This Year: Sally is dedicated to supporting SST’s leadership in providing outstanding care, education, and opportunities for all students.
Mrs Olivia Zhardan
Co-opted Governor
Why Olivia Became a Governor:
Olivia believes in the transformative power of education to shape future leaders, innovators, and responsible citizens. Her motivation to become a governor stems from a commitment to ensuring that every child has access to high-quality education and a positive, enriching learning environment.
Her Role as Governor:
Olivia works alongside the governing board to set the school’s strategic direction, ensure accountability, and oversee financial performance. She contributes to policy development, engages with staff, parents, and students, and focuses on promoting a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment where all students can succeed.
Outside SST:
Olivia is a UK-qualified lawyer and senior legal consultant, working on complex projects for a range of clients. She values bringing her professional expertise and diverse experience into her role as governor. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, who are a daily source of inspiration.
Goals for This Year:
Olivia is focused on promoting inclusion across the school community, supporting effective use of resources to strengthen outcomes, and fostering student engagement to nurture a lifelong love of learning.
Miss Molly Jenner
Staff Governor
Why Molly Became a Governor:
I have worked here for the past 3 years however, my connection to the school began even earlier, in 2020, when my sister became a part of the founding cohort and my connection with the trust started in 2013 when I joined Valley Park as a student. This has given me valuable insight into the community from both a staff and family perspective.
Her Role as Governor:
As a member of the office team, I am able to see the daily operations of the school first hand and work closely with staff across all departments. This has helped me to develop a deep understanding for collaboration and communication not only within the school but also with all of our stakeholders.
Outside SST:
Outside of work most of my free time is spent being the fulltime carer for my younger sister. However, when I do get some time to myself, I enjoy running and have even started entering races. To further develop my knowledge and experience in events, I volunteer for The Cats Protection as an event coordinator. This is a fairly new role, but it includes meeting with the events team, brainstorming fundraising ideas and plan the execution to bring them to life.
Goals for This Year:
Molly is looking to bring a practical perspective to the governing body, representing the views of staff and contributing to the continued success and wellbeing of our community.
Mr Julian Weekes
Parent Governor
Why Julian Became a Governor:
With his son joining SST as his first school in the UK after completing primary education in Japan, Julian felt fortunate to become part of the SST community. Wanting to give something back, he was inspired to take on the role of Parent Governor to support the school and its continued success.
His Role as Governor:
Julian joined last year and had his first meeting in December 2024. He is eager to learn how he can best contribute and support the SST community in his role.
Outside SST:
Julian has been a single parent since 2019, caring not only for his son but also for his elderly parents who live locally. Professionally, he spent his career as an international school educator in upper Primary and Elementary education, working for 4 years in Bogotá, Colombia, and 22 years in Yokohama, Japan.
Goals for This Year:
Julian’s main goal for this year is to understand how he can best serve and contribute as a Parent Governor. He is committed to working in the best interests of the SST community and is excited to begin this journey.
Mrs Susan Cooper
Co-opted Governor
Why Susan Became a Governor:
Susan is passionate about improving the quality of education for young people and wanted to use her governance experience from the charity sector to make a positive impact. Becoming a governor allows her to contribute to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve their very best.
Her Role as Governor:
Susan’s role is to both challenge and support the leadership team, ensuring there are effective plans in place to help every pupil progress and succeed. She has recently taken on the role of Personal Development Link Governor, where she monitors and supports the delivery of the school’s Personal Development curriculum.
Outside SST:
Susan has two children in primary school, where she is also a parent governor. Professionally, she works for a charity, overseeing governance and HR, bringing valuable expertise to her role on the SST governing board.
Goals for This Year:
As a new governor, Susan’s main goal is to gain a deeper understanding of SST and the Trust, while supporting the school’s vision of providing exceptional care, education, and opportunities for all students.
Mrs Louise Agley
Co-opted Governor
Why Louise Became a Governor:
With a strong background in education and a passion for enriching school environments, Louise became a governor to help foster positive outcomes for young people. She enjoys working closely with schools and leaders, finding it both rewarding and inspiring to contribute to the growth and development of students.
Her Role as Governor:
Louise is the Safeguarding Governor for SST, ensuring that safeguarding practices are robust and that student welfare remains a top priority.
Outside SST:
Louise is a school improvement partner for several schools in Kent and also serves as an Ofsted inspector. Prior to this, she worked in a range of secondary schools across Kent and Medway, bringing a wealth of professional expertise to her role.
Goals for This Year:
Louise is committed to supporting SST’s continuous improvement and helping the school reach its full potential. She is also focused on supporting the school’s expansion, ensuring that students and staff are well supported as the SST community continues to grow.
Mr Alan Adkins
Parent Governor
Why Alan Became a Governor:
When Alan’s son joined SST, he was immediately struck by the school’s distinctive focus on Science, Technology and Engineering alongside the wider curriculum. Inspired by the energy and “buzz” of the school, he wanted to contribute, learn more about how the school works, and support its unique approach to education.
His Role as Governor:
Alan is a Parent Governor and the Parent and Community Lead. His role involves attending Local School Board meetings, visiting classrooms, and supporting school events such as concerts, productions, and awards evenings, helping to ensure the parent and community voice is represented.
Outside SST:
Alan is a structural engineer and runs his own company in Maidstone. Away from work, he enjoys walking, cooking, mountain biking, and table tennis. He is also a long-time supporter of Maidstone United, holding a season ticket for over 10 years.
Goals for This Year:
Alan’s key goal is to continue strengthening the link between parents, the community, and SST, supporting the school’s mission to provide exceptional opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
Mrs Ushara Lankathilaka
Co-opted Governor
Why Ushara Became a Governor:
Ushara wanted to use her expertise and skills to help grow the future generation into young people who can give back to their communities. Becoming a governor at SST allows her to play an active role in shaping opportunities for students to thrive.
Her Role as Governor:
Ushara focuses on supporting career development, working with the school to ensure that students are well-informed and guided in making choices about their future pathways.
Outside SST:
Ushara works for Barnardo’s children’s charity as a Merchandising Manager, bringing valuable experience from the charity and retail sectors.
Goals for This Year:
Her key goal is to support students in gaining a better understanding of career choices and to work closely with the SST team to create more opportunities for exposure to different industries and career pathways.
