TGA Governors

Caroline Preston Bell, Chair of Governors

Caroline is Assistant Director of Studies and Foundation Stage Coordinator at a large preparatory school in Tunbridge Wells and was appointed Chair of Governors in December 2016. Teaching full-time in a reception class Caroline works closely with the Head to monitor and develop the curriculum from 3-13yrs including arranging termly INSET programmes. As a parent governor at St James Junior School in Tunbridge Wells (2002-2005), Caroline chaired the Curriculum sub-committee and was instrumental in the restructuring of the governing body. Her teaching experience includes Primary, Prep and Infant schools in Kent and East Sussex teaching from Foundation to Year 6. She previously worked as an Assessment Advisory Teacher for East Sussex (‘93-‘96) and Project Officer for Assessment in Kent (‘92-‘93).

The Chair of Governors can be contacted at cog@templegroveacademy.com.

Rodney Smith, Vice Chair of Governors

Rodney has been in teaching for 26 years, teaching from Year 2 to Year 13 with time off for a one year MA in Education Management and Administration. He has served for 13 years as a deputy head and for 10 years as a schools’ inspector. Rodney is particularly interested in how pupils learn. Rodney has lived and worked in the Tunbridge Wells area for 15 years and has worked alongside an academy in Ashford where he helped Year 11 pupils to prepare personal statements. He looks forward to supporting good teaching and the enrichment of the pupils’ learning experiences at Temple Grove Academy. He was appointed Vice-Chair of Governors in December 2016.

Stephen Davis

Stephen lives within walking distance of TGA and has had previous experience of being a school governor for 4 years at a nearby Tunbridge Wells primary school where he chaired the Finance and Staffing Committee and sat on the Premises Committee.  Stephen was also a governor at Tunbridge Wells High School, in its final year before it re-opened as Skinners’ Kent Academy..  Stephen works in London for a large global IT consultancy and professional services firm and has a degree in Economics and an MBA.  

Fiona Hayes

Fiona works as internal communications manager for the consultancy arm of a large City based accountancy firm.  She has a degree in Chemistry and a Masters in Corporate Communication.   She has over 10 years’ experience working in this field, both in the private and public sectors.   Fiona lives in Tunbridge Wells.

Peter Nicholls

Peter is a retired Charity Manager with twenty years experience working with primary and secondary schools in West Kent. The work was largely with children and young people, who had challenges in their home or school life. Before that he worked as a hotel manager and a police officer.

Peter was a governor of Sissinghurst County Primary School for three years and Chair of Governors for two years. He has extensive experience of working with families who have disabled children and was the Chair of Sevenoaks Children's Trust for two years.

He is married with four children and his wife, Linda, is HR Manager on the SLA at Hillview School for Girls in Tonbridge. His hobbies are furniture restoration and he volunteers at a care home for dementia patients.

Tom Doyle

Tom has lived in the area for 13 years, having grown up in Northern Ireland and trained as a vet in Cambridge. He is a partner in a local veterinary practice and, as well as his clinical work, employs a large team of vets, veterinary nurses and support staff. For many years he was a local village councillor and worked with local schools, young people and the community to improve facilities for young people. As a new governor, Tom is looking forward to becoming part of the wonderful community at Temple Grove and helping to build on the work already done by its staff, parents and, most importantly, its amazing pupils. 

Andrea Gull

Andrea is a qualified solicitor and worked as an international finance lawyer in the City for sixteen years. She studied History and Law at Cambridge University. Andrea is also a volunteer at the charity "Inspiring the Future" which connects state schools and colleges with employers and people from the world of work.