Governor Profiles

Co-Chairs of Governors

Erin Hogben joined Bethersden Board of Governors in June 2021. She lives near Hothfield with her husband and two daughters, one who has successfully passed through the school and is now enjoying Chilmington Green School and one who is currently in Stingray class. Erin has worked for the Home Office and Border Force for eighteen years and is currently working in Operational Assurance after a variety of roles in Immigration, Anti-Corruption and Complaints. 

Roderick Pettigrew joined Bethersden Board of Governors in January 2024.  His early primary education was undertaken in a village school in Scotland of similar size to Bethersden Primary School.  Having lived and worked in London for over 30 years, he now lives permanently in High Halden.  

A former trade association group chief executive and legal department head, in retirement he greatly values being actively engaged in the local community through his role as a governor of the school. 

Vice-Chair of Governors

Stuart Batt joined the Bethersden Board of Governors in December 2021. Having grown up in Smarden, Stuart and his wife moved to Bethersden 6 years ago and have two children who attend the school, one in Reception and another in Year 2. Stuart is an Architectural Technologist and works for a local practice in Charing specialising in offsite timber frame construction having previously worked with two Canterbury practices focusing on conservation and listed building works. In his spare time, Stuart is a keen cricketer, regularly playing for a local side and has recently begun work on his ECB support coach qualifications.

Staff Governors

Lisa Moss joined the Bethersden Board of Governors in January 2022 as the staff governor. Lisa has worked in the school for over seven years and has enjoyed teaching across the school from Year One to Year Six, giving her a good overview of the school and its curriculum. She has a particular interest in the teaching of MFL and PE. Lisa lives locally with her family.

Parent Governors

Annabel Rogerson joined Bethersden Board of Governors in October 2022. As a child, she grew up in the village and then moved abroad for 22 years. Annabel returned to Bethersden last year, from Thailand with her two children who now attend the school. She is a fully qualified teacher who has teaching experience working in both this country and in international schools abroad. Annabel is also a highly qualified first-aid instructor with 22 years of teaching experience in this field. In addition, she is the newly appointed Welfare Officer for Bethersden Tennis Club.

Local Authority Governor

James Allen joined Bethersden Board of Governors in October 2022. James currently works for the London Borough of Croydon as a Performance and Intelligence Manager for Adult Social Care. He specialises in Performance Management, Inspection Readiness, Attendance and Exclusions and Child Safeguarding. James grew up in Tenterden and lived in Ashford before moving to Bethersden in 2017 with his wife and two children.

Co-opted Governors

Frank Carson moved to Pluckley from London 16 years ago. His son and daughter both attend the school. Frank is currently working in financial services as director of public policy for an insurance company, having spent too many years working in the civil service and NHS. 

Elizabeth Breen has recently moved to live in Bethersden. She is a retired teacher who has taught English, Drama and Classics in a variety of schools, both here and abroad, to children ranging from 5-18 years of age. When her children were young, she worked as a SENCO at Tenterden Infants where she held the role of parent/teacher governor for five years. She was also a Senco at Bethersden during this time. As a newly appointed governor, she looks forward to contributing to the school’s development and to using her experience to support the education and well-being of its pupils.

Wendy Settle Education has always been important to me. I taught in the Further Education sector; managed an apprenticeship scheme for a large organisation; and finished my full-time working career as a School Business Manager. School Governance was introduced to me in 1999 when I took up my first Governor post. Currently, I work with a number of primary schools either as a Governor or the Clerk. The difference is a Governor volunteers whilst a Clerk is employed by the Governing Body. The Clerk is involved in carrying out research, being up to date with procedural and legislative matters, maintaining records and documentation and taking part in training and briefing sessions. All valuable skills for being a Governor.

I am the mother of 2 men and a very proud grandmother to 2 girls, 1 of primary age and 1 at secondary school. Members of my extended family live far and wide making our catch-up times less frequent but very lively. My husband and I enjoy cruising and holidaying abroad. We regularly spend time in France, enjoying the countryside, food, and wine. Along with other couples, we take part in regularexchanges with our Dutch friends. Whether travelling or not, I can often be found with needles of some kind in my hands creating all sorts of garments, pictures, or blankets. I also enjoy Tai Chi which helps me battle Arthritis.

I have a huge appreciation of the dedication and professionalism of all Governing Board members.