Governance

Trust Level Governance 

Dover Christ Church Academy is part of the Turner Schools Multi Academy Trust.

Our Governance Structure ensures there are clear reporting lines and explicit requirements to ensure probity, good governance and outstanding performance.

Members are responsible for determining the governance of the Trust. They approve our Articles of Association and appoint Trustees in accordance with the Articles. 

The Board of trustees have collective accountability and responsibility for the academy trust and assuring itself that there is compliance with regulatory, contractual, and statutory requirements. The academy trust board provides: 

• Strategic leadership of the academy trust: the board defines the trust vision for high quality and inclusive education in line with its charitable objects. It establishes and fosters the trust’s culture and sets and champions the trust strategy including determining what governance functions are delegated to the local tier. 

• Accountability and assurance: the board has robust effective oversight of the operations and performance of the academy trust, including the provision of education, pupil welfare, overseeing and ensuring appropriate use of funding and effective financial performance and keeping their estate safe and well maintained.

• Engagement: the board has strategic oversight of relationships with stakeholders. The board involves parents, schools and communities so that decision-making is supported by meaningful engagement.


All Members, Trustees and Governors complete an annual declaration of personal and pecuniary Interests and declare any updates or interests in meetings. Relevant interest are published.  

Delegated responsibilities are set out in the Scheme of Delegation.   

View our Articles and Memorandum of Association. 

School-level governance:

The Board of trustees have established an Interim Academy Board (IAB) to support significant school improvement. The Interim Academy Board  is a subcommittee of the board and accountable to the Board of trustees. The Interim Academy Board replaces the previous governing body and will remain in place until standards and governance have improved and robustly holds leaders to account. A Challenge & Community Board will then be formed and local governance resumed.

The Interim Academy Board will fulfil the role of local governance and secure a sound basis for the future improvement of the academy.  

The IAB holds the Principal and leadership team to account for progress of the School Development Plan priorities, acting as “critical friends” to the Senior Leadership Team to ensure strategic leadership is in place and having the intended outcomes.

In line with CCB responsibilities the Interim Academy Board  will carry the Trust’s vision, values, policies and priorities forward, provide internal assurance and develop community links. The Interim Academy Board is part of the leadership of the school and serves as a key link between the schools, parents/carers and the local community.

They monitor the performance of the school, advising the Trustees of any concerns.

Interim Academy Board (IAB) 

Chair: Hilary Macdonald

To contact the Chair, please email governance@turnerschools.com 

IAB Safeguarding Lead: Hilary Macdonald

IAB SEND Lead: Kristina Yates

Careers Lead:  Gillian Rowland

Lead Safeguarding Trustee: Dean Jones

Interim Academy Board

Jason Cook 

Jason is Headteacher of an inclusive primary school in Dover. He brings expertise in education leadership, supporting pupils with SEND and safeguarding.  Jason is passionate about empowering all pupils to succeed.

Tracy Luke

Tracy is an experienced teacher and school leader who has served at all levels across a range of schools.  Tracy has also been a National Leader of Education and an Ofsted Inspector. Tracy has experience as a trustee and governor at an independent school, a Pupil Referral Unit and at a number of secondary schools.

Hilary Macdonald 

Hilary is an Education Consultant with years of experience as a Senior HMI and a specialism in safeguarding.  

Hilary is a qualified teacher with successful headship experience of schools facing challenge. She previously worked in local authority children’s services and as an education officer.

Hilary brings expertise in accurately evaluating leadership, quality of education and safeguarding and SEND provision.

Seamus Murphy 

Seamus is CEO of Turner Schools. He is an experienced leader of schools in challenging circumstances and OFSTED inspector who brings expertise in school improvement, raising standards especially for disadvantaged pupils, provision for SEND pupils and leadership development. 

Gillian Rowland 

Gillian was Partnership Development Lead for Canterbury Christ Church University up to 2022.  She is a qualified teacher with experience as Secondary School Teacher and Senior Leader and ITE Senior Lecturer. 

Gillian is an experienced School Trustee and Member. 

Kristina Yates 

Krissy is Executive Principal of Turner Free School and the Trust lead for inclusion and community engagement. 

Krissy is an experienced school leader and governor with expertise in curriculum development.