Mel Payne Chair of Governors Co-Opted Governor
I am a parent of 3 children, two of whom currently attend Swalecliffe School, and one of whom has now left the school, has a diagnosis of Autism and was previously supported at school with an EHCP.
I qualified as a teacher with a B’Ed from Nottingham Trent University in 1996 and up until my twins were born, worked full time in London. I have worked in 4 different schools during my career and was a Deputy Head of a very large inner city primary school in Woolwich, south east London for 12 years before moving to Whitstable.
The school in London was in an extremely socially challenging location and when the Head and myself joined, was a failing school. When I left to have the twins, we had successfully gained an Ofsted grading of ‘Outstanding’ which is the biggest achievement of my career.
I am very interested in assessment of progress and achievement of all children and during my career have trained teachers and senior school leaders in this area. I also have a personal interest in inclusion and SEND. I am now Chair of Governors.