Chilham, St Mary's Church of England Primary School
Voluntary controlled primary school in Canterbury (Kent).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
'We learn to love and we love to learn' We are a Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School with a strong Christian ethos. We are a diverse, loving community, committed to providing firm foundations built on God's love and forgiveness for all.
Within our family of learners, guided by Jesus example, we nurture and encourage every individual to have the confidence to achieve their own potential, now and in the future. The parable of The Prodigal Son in Luke's Gospel (Luke 15:11 32) provides us with the basis of our school's Christian values of love, trust, respect, honesty, forgiveness and perseverance .
The story gives us a framework that encompasses our vision and values, which are at the heart of everything we do. It provides examples of how our whole school community endeavours to live out our vision and values.
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
12 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Archery
- Athletics
- Computing
- Dance
- Dodgeball
- Football
- Hockey
- Music
- Rugby
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Forest School
Awards
2 awardsiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Healthy SchoolsHealth and wellbeing
- Sing UpRecognised award
Key facts
- URN
- 118665
- Type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Phase
- Primary
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Nursery
- No Nursery Classes
- Local authority
- Kent
- Constituency
- Weald of Kent
- Setting
- Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city
Governing body (7 current, 3 former)
Maintained school governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr James Dearden | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Sarah Osborne | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Miss Rebecca Dolan | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Doctor Sophie Duncan | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Vanessa Hutchinson | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Charlotte Tillyard | Governor | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2022 · until 2026 ends 2026 |
| Mrs Hester Fenwick | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2019 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mr Jonathan Daniel Sherlock Former | Governor | Elected by parents | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
| Miss Chloë Arnold Former | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
| Mrs Brenda Ladley Former | Governor | Appointed by foundation/Trust | since 2014 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record