The Governing Body

Theresa Homewood 

Chair of Governors

Theresa Homewood is the former Senior Deputy Headteacher at Sevenoaks School, having previously been the Pastoral Deputy Head for fourteen years. Theresa was the acting Headteacher from 2019-2020. One of the Governors nominated by Sevenoaks School, the Education Sponsor of Knole Academy, Theresa's main role is to help foster links between the two schools.

Anne Williams

Vice Chair of Governors

I first became a governor when my daughter was a student at the Bradbourne School, and then became a governor at Knole Academy.  I take a keen interest in governance as I worked for a number of years  advising  the directorate of a local authority on  governance issues. I am responsible for the induction of new governors at Knole. 

Malcolm Fisher

Governor, Chair of Teacher and Learning Committee

I am a chemical engineer, have three teenage children and have lived in Sevenoaks since 1996.

I was educated in Cambridgeshire at the local comprehensive school and sixth form college.  I studied at the University of Birmingham, achieving a First in Chemical Engineering.  I worked for ICI on Teesside for a number  of years as a Process Engineer, both in design and operations roles.  I then moved to Esso's European  Engineering Centre in Surrey where I worked on projects for Esso's refineries across Europe, before moving into their Retail Business where I took overall responsibility for Forecourt Engineering throughout the UK and Ireland.

Since 2006 I have been on a career break to look after our three children who are in their mid to late teens. My own education and career have taught me the value of STEM subjects and how important it is to inspire young people to take an interest in these subjects.  I am a scout leader and have led one of the 1st Sevenoaks scout troops for the last seven years and have seen how young teenagers can be motivated by practical activities.  I am the lead governor for child protection matters.

Sarah Rogers

Governor, Finance, Premises, Audit and Risk Committee

Sarah runs a family business in Sevenoaks, 'Riverhill Himalayan Gardens', which she and her husband relaunched in 2010.  

After completing a degree in German at Exeter University, Sarah worked in the Financial Services Industry before training as a teacher at Homerton, Cambridge.  She taught in the Primary sector in Essex and then as Assistant Head at Ben Jonson Primary School in East London before moving to Sevenoaks and having four children.  In 2010 she relaunched the local family business, ‘Riverhill Himalayan Gardens’ to include garden opening, weddings, events, school visits and a cafe . In March 2023 she stepped back from this to concentrate on her career as a landscape artist.  

Donna Farron

Governor, Teaching and Learning Committee

In 1997, I joined what was then known as The Bradbourne School, but is now Knole Academy. I was Head Girl between 2003 and 2004; I remain extremely proud of being chosen for this role.

After successfully completing my A-Levels at the Bradbourne School, I went on to study a Law Degree. In 2009, I was called to the Bar, as a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn. 

I cross-qualified to become a Chartered Legal Executive in 2015. Subsequently, I have become a Senior Associate in a specialist law firm based in the City of London.

I credit my success to the foundations built whilst studying in the supportive and encouraging environment of The Bradbourne School.

It has been an honour to have regularly been invited back to the Knole Academy to visit teachers, speak with students, participate in Celebrations of Achievement and to watch the increasingly impressive dance, music and drama performances. It is a delight to witness the Academy evolve and grow from strength to strength. 

I have recently joined the Teaching and Learning Committee of the Governing Body. I cannot emphasise enough just how much I am looking forward to working with the Governors, to continue with the development of the Academy. My particular interest is the bridging of the gap between studying and the working environment. 

I hope to pass on the ethos that was installed into me; anything is possible, if you believe in yourself and work hard enough.

Jo Wildman

Governor, Teaching and Learning Committee

I serve on the T&L committee and am the governor responsible for monitoring SEN (special educational needs) provision. I am also a governor at a local primary school, a post I have held for ten years, and Chair of the Kent Junior Chess Association which organises tournaments and promotes chess to young people across the county.

My professional background is as an editor, journalist and photographer. A previous role was managing editor at the Department for Education, which gave me a valuable insight into the development and implementation of education policy and I have also worked for national and local newspapers and as a writer

Roger Wedderburn-Day

Governor, Finance, Premises, Audit and Risk Committee

Roger is in his mid-50s and spent most of his working life as a solicitor with a major law firm based in London.   His clients included governments, international organisations, major financial institutions and other leading  companies around the world.  Having worked part time since 2011 followed by retirement in 2015,  Roger has sought to become more involved in the community and joined Knole Academy as a governor in September  2014. He is a member of the Finance and Premises Committee and is also the governor responsible for data. 

As a retired lawyer, Roger has nearly 30 years’ experience of building up and managing a substantial legal  practice and has worked with, analysed, described and investigated a wide range of businesses.  His skills  include the ability to assimilate and analyse large amounts of data, to identify problems and to find solutions.  Roger is also a trustee of his firm’s charitable foundation and a volunteer with the Institute of Advanced Motoring.

Magnus Spence

Chair of Finance, Premises, Audit and Risk Committee

I am a Chartered Accountant and have worked in financial services for the whole of my career. Currently, I work at Jupiter Asset Management where I am responsible for their Hedge Fund business. If truth be known, I wish I had been brave enough to become a teacher!

Educated at Rugby School, I studied Geography at Durham University. I have six children and live in Ticehurst,  East Sussex. I am one of the governors nominated by Sevenoaks School, the Education Sponsor of Knole  Academy.

Susanna Wooders

Governor, Finance, Premises, Audit and Risk Committee

Susanna has worked in the Financial Services Industry for over 25 years in a variety of business and risk management roles. She is Chief Risk Officer at Fidelity International UK. After completing her banking degree.  Susanna started her career at Commerzbank in Germany in the International Banking business. She then led the  credit risk department at a private commodity firm in Germany whilst completing her Master of Business  Administration degree in partnership with the University of Wales. This led to an international risk management consulting career at Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Ernst & Young, advising banks, insurance companies and asset managers around the globe on credit, operational and regulatory risks. 

Subsequently, Susanna joined Barclays as the Head of Internal Audit for Risk Management before moving to Royal Bank of Scotland's Risk Management Oversight. Susanna has lived in Sevenoaks for almost 15 years and in that time has been a voluntary teacher at the Kent German Saturday School.

Nick Clark
governor, Finance, Premises, Audit and Risk Committee

I am a Chartered Certified Accountant and have worked within both the Not for Profit and Education sectors for over 12 years.  I have experience with both privately financed and state financed educational institutions both as an external auditor and working within the finance team.  I am passionate about education and continue to work within the education sector. 

I went to Alley’s school and then studied a Higher National Diploma in Business Studies with the Professional Golfers Association via Birmingham University.

I have three young children and we live in Knockholt, Kent. This is my first appointment as Governor and I am really enjoying helping Knole Academy reach the goals they have set and beyond.

Nick is a Chartered Certified Accountant with over 15 years experience in the Education sector. Nick has worked as an external auditor, external consultant, internal auditor and Head of Finance within both private and public education settings. Currently Nick is the Deputy Director of Finance and Education for The Kemnal Academy Trust (TKAT) a multi-academy trust with 45 schools across the South East of England.

Nick has been passionate about education throughout his career and believes strongly in making decisions with current and future pupils in mind. "Finding the balance to ensure a school or trust delivers the best education for the pupils in the here and now whilst building an environment that is sustainable for the future is key to my decision making. Being a Governor at Knole Academy is an honour and a position I take very seriously and take great pride in."

Nick has been on the Board at Knole Academy since 2019.

Joanne Whitehead

Governor, Teaching and Learning Committee

I was brought up and educated in east Manchester before studying for a postgraduate degree in History at the University of Warwick. Following a couple of years in the charity sector, I joined the Civil Service and have qualified as a HR professional. My current role looks at the succession plans for senior Civil Service leaders and ensuring development and support are in place for individuals.

Jesse Elzinga

Governor, Teaching and Learning Committee

Mr Jesse R Elzinga joined Sevenoaks School as Headmaster in September 2020. He was previously Headmaster of Reading Blue Coat School in Berkshire, which he joined in 2016. During his tenure the school enjoyed the best academic results in its history. Jesse expanded the school’s innovative Outreach and Partnership Programme, created a strong network of charities and partner schools within the local community, and established a thriving Development Office.

Before this, Jesse was Director of Studies at Harrow, where he broadened the school’s academic curriculum. Previously, he worked at St Edward’s School in Oxford as Director of Studies and as IB Coordinator. He helped introduce the IB Diploma at St Edward’s and was a residential Assistant Housemaster. He started his career at Whitgift School as a teacher of Theology and Philosophy, the Assistant Head of Sixth Form and the Theory of Knowledge Coordinator.

He studied at Harvard University, where he gained a BA Honours cum laude in Comparative Religion and Philosophy, and at Oxford University, where his MSt focused on ethical philosophy.

Clare Ives

Governor, Teaching and Learning Committee

Dr Ives joined Sevenoaks in 2021 as Senior Deputy Head. Before that she taught at Canford School, in Dorset, where she worked closely with the Headmaster, leading an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. She was a housemistress and Head of History and has a wealth of both academic and pastoral experience.

Dr Ives studied at the University of St Andrews, where she earned a first-class degree in History and wrote her PhD on the Civil Rights Movement in the United States in the 1960s. Prior to starting her teaching career,

Dr Ives spent eight years working as a civil servant, and is proud of serving her country in this manner. She is delighted to join the Governing Body at Knole Academy and is keen to continue to foster the strong links between Sevenoaks School and Knole Academy.

Neil Reddin

Parent Governor, Finance, Premises, Audit and Risk Committee

Neil is a qualified practising accountant of over thirty years experience working with small business and private clients.  He has previously served as a governor of a grammar school for over six years and a primary school governor before then, with particular experience in finance and curriculum matters.

He is currently a councillor in a neighbouring authority, serving as chairman of the Audit committee and also sitting on the Education Children and Families committee. He has visited many other schools, spoken to numerous school leadership teams and has had a valuable insight into the wider fields of school funding and standards.