Governing Body

The Governing Body at the school acts to advise on strategy and direction and supports identified linked-areas of the school. The members of the Governing Body are below.

Claudia Bickford-Smith

Claudia Bickford-Smith is the Chair of the Governing Body in her capacity as the Nominated Proprietor of the school and as a Director of Kingsley Education Ltd. Claudia oversees financial, legal and regulatory compliance for the school, while chairing the Management Board and reporting to the Board of Directors and shareholders. Claudia is the governor with responsibility for Safeguarding and Health & Safety.

Claudia is also CEO of Aldates Global Education Ltd, which has innovative pedagogy, Sustainability Education, Wellbeing, Inclusion and SEND at its heart. She works with the senior team to transform student achievement and there are plans for further research and development of global programmes that aim to make a real difference to learning outcomes.

Click here to contact Mrs Bickford-Smith directly by email

Claudia Bickford-Smith can also be contacted at Aldates Global Education Ltd, 95-96 St Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1DA.

The members of the Governing Body of Kingsley School are the following:

• Claudia Bickford-Smith, (Chair of the Governing Body, Safeguarding, Health and Safety)

• Mark Richards (Staff and Student Wellbeing)

• Sally Akam (Curriculum and Progress)

We are currently seeking three new members for our Board of Governers. Areas of specialism required are:

• Health and Safety Governor
• Safeguarding Governor
• Boarding Governor

Also in attendance at the Governing Board meetings are:

• Mr Robert Pavis, Headteacher, Kingsley School

• Mr Stephen O'Brien, Director of Finance, Kingsley School

• Mr Andrew Trythall, Headteacher, Preparatory School, Kingsley School

• School Office Manager, Clerk to Governors

The key responsibility of the Governing Body is to ensure that Kingsley School has a clear sense of purpose and strategic direction. Members are responsible for creating an ethos of high expectations for the school and their role is to monitor, evaluate, challenge and support the School. There are six key questions which the Governing Body asks and will be able to answer:

1. How well are we doing?
2. How do we know?
3. Could we do better?
4. What do we need to do to improve further?
5. Are our pupils safe?
6. How well are we promoting staff and pupil wellbeing?

Kingsley Education Limited has offices at G16, Central Court, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, England, WC2A 1AL and is registered with Companies House.
Aldates Global Education​ Ltd has offices at 95-96 St Aldates, Oxford OX1 1DA and is registered with Companies House.