Governance

David Strachan (Chair of LGB and Trustee of Endeavour MAT)

Mr Strachan, an ex-pupil of Wilmington Grammar School for Boys, has been a Governor of WGSB in excess of 20 years and is Chair of the Local Governing Body.  Mr Strachan is also a Trustee of Endeavour MAT.  Other governor responsibilities include being the Chair at a local primary School, St Paul's CEP, Swanley Village.  Mr Strachan has lived locally for many years and is able to supplement his educational experience with his local knowledge which can be invaluable in the role of Governing a local school.

I have a career spanning over 15 years working with children, young people and their families in a range of settings including advice and guidance, gang prevention, education and youth justice. I am extremely passionate and dedicated to ensuring children and young people are given access to the tools they require to reach their individual potential.  Using strength-based trauma informed approaches, I understand the importance of looking at all aspects of children and young peoples lives to gain better understanding of their needs, whilst empowering and enabling families to create sustainable change. I have a long running career in the Youth Justice System, managing a team of specialist staff. My experience working with schools has focused on prevention and early intervention.

I decided to become a school governor as my career has shown me the impact school experience has on shaping children and young people’s lives and I would like to be part of a team of governors that supports positive outcomes for the students at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys.

Robert Reed

Mr Reed joined the Governing Body in 1996 for four years and again in 2001 to date. Mr Reed retired from Westminster City Council as an Assistant Service Manager and brings considerable expertise with regards to business management, licensing, health and safety and acoustics to the governing body. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Noise Abatement Society in 2012 for his work in noise control.

Mr Dowle works as a director of a technology company in Kent.  Mr Dowle believes passionately about creating opportunities for young people to experience a range of skills, giving them the passion to succeed in whatever path they choose in life.  As a Scout Leader, Mr Dowle enjoys teaching children a range of practical and soft skills that they would never otherwise have had the opportunity to experience.

Mr Dowle has become a school governor in a number of settings to increase his own knowledge of education sector and offers a wealth of business and technology skills to the running of the school.

Jill Hawkins joined the Governors in 2023. She has a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy which supported a long career within investment banking in the City of London.  In 2008 Jill took on new challenges; a degree in History and Philosophy of Art, as well as getting sidelined during its completion by the new ambition to train as a teacher of Mathematics – achieving both.  Jill taught Mathematics at Dartford Grammar School for a period of 6 years across all ages, and a maternity cover in the Mathematics department of Wilmington Grammar School for Girls. She is now Dartford Grammar School's Development Officer, running, amongst other things all fundraising and the increasingly successful alumni programme.

Tom joined the Governing Body on 15th November 2023.

Naomi joined the Governing Body on 16th November 2023.