Schools' Funding Forum Election

Academy and Free Schools candidates

Academy and Free Schools candidate

Candidate details:

Jenny Ashley-Jones
Head of School Improvement
Aquila Trust

Election statement:

As an experienced member of the School Funding Forum over many years, I bring a sustained and practical understanding of the financial and educational challenges facing schools. During my membership, I have contributed actively with a strong commitment to supporting fair and effective funding decisions.

As a former headteacher and now a School Improvement Adviser within an academy trust central team, I bring current, practical insight into both teaching and learning priorities and the wider financial and operational challenges faced by schools. This dual perspective enables me to understand how funding decisions directly impact classroom practice, staffing and outcomes for pupils.

Through my work, I engage with a wide range of schools of differing sizes and contexts, representing both academies and the broader school community. This exposure enables me to reflect a diverse set of needs and perspectives, contribute informed, balanced views to forum discussions and feed back key information to school-based colleagues.

I have consistently demonstrated strong engagement and excellent attendance, ensuring I am well prepared to contribute effectively. I remain committed to evidence-based decision making and continuous improvement.

I would welcome the opportunity to continue supporting fair, transparent decision-making in the interests of all schools.

Academy and Free Schools candidate

Candidate details:

Tommy Cullen
Chief Operating Officer
Stour Academy Trust

Election statement:

Over the past two years, I have been proud to serve as an Academy Representative on the Kent Schools Funding Forum, ensuring that the voice of academies is heard clearly and constructively in funding discussions - alongside the voice of Local Authority schools. Ultimately whatever the type of school we are all dedicated to serving the same children.

During this time, I have worked to represent the diversity of our sector, advocating for fair, transparent and sustainable approaches to funding that recognise the real pressures schools face. In particular, I have been committed to bringing a realistic, hands-on perspective to discussions around SEND reforms across the county, drawing directly on my oversight of nine schools and the operational challenges and opportunities they experience.

I have sought to challenge where necessary, support where appropriate and always act in the best interests of children and the communities we serve.

If re-elected for the next two years, my focus will remain on ensuring that the limited resources available nationally are used with maximum impact - supporting both stability and improvement across all settings. I will continue to contribute thoughtfully, ask the right questions and work collaboratively to ensure funding decisions are equitable, strategic and ultimately benefit pupils across our county.

Academy and Free Schools candidate

Candidate details:

Rachael Finan
Chief Financial Officer
Mosaic Schools Learning Trust

Election statement:

I am seeking election as an Academy representative on the Kent Schools’ Funding Forum.

As Chief Financial Officer of Mosaic Schools Learning Trust, I oversee the financial strategy and sustainability of ten primary schools across Kent and Bromley, managing over £35 million of public funding. The Trust also operates five nurseries and three Specialist Resource Provisions (SRPs) supporting pupils with a range of additional needs. Our schools serve diverse communities, from areas of significant deprivation to more affluent communities, giving me insight into the varied challenges schools face.

I bring a unique perspective, combining academy trust leadership with previous experience working for Kent County Council’s Schools Financial Services Team (now part of The Education People), where I supported maintained schools with budgeting, financial planning and compliance. This has given me a strong understanding of both academy and local authority funding systems.

I am passionate about ensuring funding arrangements are fair, transparent and support the best outcomes for children and young people. If elected, I will actively engage with academy leaders, represent their views constructively and help ensure Kent schools are effectively represented in discussions that shape future funding policy.

Academy and Free Schools candidate

Candidate details:

Steffan Ball
Principal of St Augustine Academy
Maidstone.

Election statement:

I am seeking election to the School Funding Formula Panel because I am committed to ensuring that funding decisions are fair, transparent and focused on improving outcomes for all children and young people.

Throughout my experience in education, I have seen the significant impact that funding allocations can have on schools' ability to meet the diverse needs of their pupils. A well-designed funding formula should recognise differing levels of need, support inclusion and enable schools to provide high-quality teaching, pastoral care and enrichment opportunities.

If elected, I will work collaboratively with fellow panel members, school leaders, local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that decisions are evidence-based and informed by the realities faced by schools. I will advocate for a funding approach that balances equity, sustainability and accountability, while recognising the challenges posed by rising costs and increasing demands on educational services.

I believe every child deserves access to the resources and support they need to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. My aim is to contribute constructively to discussions, challenge where necessary and help develop funding arrangements that strengthen educational provision across all schools.

I would be honoured to represent colleagues on the panel and to play a positive role in shaping a funding system that delivers the best possible outcomes for learners and communities.

Academy and Free Schools candidate

Candidate details:

Shern Virdi
Headteacher
Maypole Primary School

Election statement:

I am seeking election to the School Funding Forum as a Headteacher who is committed to both learning and contributing meaningfully to the strategic allocation of resources. School funding remains one of the most critical and complex challenges we face and I am keen to deepen my understanding of the processes, constraints and opportunities that shape decision-making in this area.

In my current role, I have developed strong organisational skills and a track record of effective communication, both within my own school and across wider networks. I am confident in my ability to engage with colleagues, listen carefully to their perspectives and represent their views clearly and constructively. I am also experienced in canvassing opinion and building consensus, which I believe will support collaborative working within the Forum.

I recognise the pressures and limitations surrounding education funding, but I approach these challenges with a solution-focused mindset. I am committed to being supportive, balanced and fair, ensuring that decisions are informed by insight, transparency and the needs of all schools.

This role presents a valuable opportunity to contribute while continuing to grow my expertise and I would be proud to serve colleagues in this capacity.

Academy and Free Schools candidate

Candidate details:

Mark Chatley
CEO
Coppice Primary Partnership

Election statement:

As CEO of Coppice Primary Partnership, I work closely with headteachers, trustees and finance professionals and that experience has continually reinforced that every funding decision ultimately affects the opportunities available to children.

I would approach the role with a commitment to representing the interests of all Kent schools. The value of the Forum comes from bringing together different perspectives from across the education sector and I believe academy representatives have an important role in contributing to balanced, well-informed discussions that benefit the whole system.

I believe that collaborative bodies like the Schools’Funding Forum work best when discussions are informed by evidence, open dialogue and a clear understanding of the realities facing schools. I am particularly interested in ensuring that funding arrangements are transparent, sustainable and support high-quality education for all pupils, recognising the increasing pressures around SEND, inclusion, staffing and rising costs. I would aim to contribute constructively, ask thoughtful questions and work collaboratively with colleagues across the sector to help shape recommendations that are fair, practical and focused on improving outcomes for children.

I believe good funding decisions should leave the education system stronger than they found it, creating the greatest possible benefit for children across Kent rather than for individual institutions.

Local Authority Primary candidate

Candidate details:

Angela Woodgate
Headteacher
Selsted CE Primary School

Election statement:

I have been the headteacher at Selsted CE Primary School for the past 11 years and on the School Funding Forum for the last two.

I am taking a step down from headship in September and am moving to a deputy headteacher role in another local authority school.

I have enjoyed my time on the forum and although I am taking a step back from headship, I would really value the opportunity to remain a member as I continue to be passionate about appropriate funding for schools.

It has taken some time to fully understand, and build confidence in, the workings of the group and I now feel that I am able to contribute more effectively at a time where school funding is a huge challenge.

I have worked well with forum colleagues to be the voice of other local authority schools on the forum and always take into account other leaders views both when speaking with them one to one and through the questionnaires sent out by the authority.

Local Authority Primary candidate

Candidate details:

Tara Deevoy
Executive Headteacher
Lower Halstow and Newington CEP Schools Federation and Nursery

Election statement:

I have put myself forward as the primary LA representative for the Schools Funding Forum as I am a strong advocate for LA schools, having worked in Kent as an executive headteacher of a church and community schools federation for the past eight years. I have developed wide networks across Kent from school to school support and other collaborative activities and would draw from these to ensure I accurately represent the challenges and views of LA schools in all forum discussions.

I have a deep understanding of school financial management from both an LA and Academy perspective having led both types of schools, meaning I am able to make well-informed balanced contributions to support the financial system we all work within. I also understand the LA statutory duties, finances and funding mechanisms from my previous role within Medway Council and can therefore bring a forensic level of scrutiny to LA proposals.

I am committed to straightforward communication and feel strongly that forum members should support the LA to give clear, well-justified and timely messages regarding funding decisions and the implications for schools, ensuring everyone within the system is well-informed about how local funding is working for them.

Local Authority Primary candidate

Candidate details:

Jenny Chiverton
Executive Headteacher
St Paul's and North Borough Junior Schools Federation

Election statement:

Hello, I’m Jenny Chiverton. I have 21 years of headship experience, including 14 years in Kent. I have a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges currently facing schools across our county, particularly with regard to funding. I am Executive Headteacher of the St Paul’s and North Borough Schools Federation and have extensive experience of school leadership, governance and financial management.

I am passionate about achieving the very best outcomes for all children and young people. I believe that funding decisions should be guided by what will make the greatest difference to children’s education, wellbeing and life chances. However, I am also aware of the challenges we face, across the board, with regard to funding for schools and overall priorities. I am a strong advocate for inclusion and am committed to ensuring that all children have access to the support and opportunities they deserve.

Having worked closely with school budgets as both a Headteacher and a governor, I understand the financial pressures schools are facing and the difficult decisions leaders are often required to make.

If elected, I will be an approachable and practical voice, advocating for all Kent schools. I would be very grateful for your support.

Local Authority Primary candidate

Candidate details:

Josie Hopkins
Headteacher
Colliers Green Primary School

Election statement:

I have been headteacher of Colliers Green Primary, a small, rural school, for the last five years.

Small schools face a complex set of challenges with the constant pressure to deliver a broad, high‑quality curriculum with small budgets and small staff teams. At Colliers Green, a low PAN, plus being located in an area of low-deprivation exacerbates the financial challenges that are present in every school. These pressures are real and ongoing, and they deserve to be understood by those shaping funding decisions.

I bring practical experience of managing tight resources while keeping children’s wellbeing and learning at the centre of every decision. I understand how funding formulas translate into day‑to‑day realities, from staffing and SEND provision to building maintenance and enrichment opportunities. I am committed to ensuring that the Forum hears the perspective of schools like ours, where every pound genuinely matters.

If elected, I will work constructively, listen carefully, and advocate for fair, transparent funding that enables all Kent schools, large or small, to thrive.