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.

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.

Originally from Cheltenham, Tom moved to Dartford in 2004 and has worked as a teacher of Drama and Head of Year at Dartford Grammar School for 20 years. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience regarding pastoral care and support, as well as a highly developed understanding of school structures and curriculum planning. With his son having started in Year 7 in September 2023, Tom is keen to support his local community school and to offer his own expertise in supporting the students of Wilmington.

Mrs Naomi Takeda joined WGSB from another local grammar school where she was Head of Year 11 and Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead. She has 17 years' experience teaching and leading English in both grammar and comprehensive schools in and around London. Currently halfway through an MA Education degree with Exeter University, Mrs Takeda is keen to develop and extend her own research and understanding of learning to enable all students to reach their full potential. Mrs Takeda enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog Albert, and horse riding in her spare time.

Sarah has over 25 years’ experience working in trading houses and investment banks within the financial sector. She has a keen interest in supporting charities, in particular those that help the homeless. Sarah’s determination has always helped with her professional and personal goal and by being appointed a governor Sarah hopes to help the students become more confident and be ready for the exciting world that awaits them.

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