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  • Who We Are

     

    Paul Chambers - Trustee

    Paul is an experienced finance professional, having held senior positions in several organisations, from multinational companies to smaller start-ups, along with those in-between.

    He is currently the Head of Finance for a technology company within the automotive industry. 

     

     

     

     

    Felicity Dewsbery - Trustee

    Fliss is Deputy Head of the Pen Green Centre for Children and Their Families and leads their Research, Training and Development Base.

    With over 30 years’ experience in Early Years, Fliss passionately believes that outcomes for children and their families can be improved through robust professional development opportunities.

    She holds two Masters – her first is in Integrated Practice from Leicester University and her second in Psychoanalytical Observational Studies from the Tavistock and Portman Centre. She is currently writing a research doctorate to case study early years practitioners lived experiences of supervision at Pen Green.

    James Dzimba - Trustee

    James is a senior manager and chartered engineer with Network Rail, a railway infrastructure company, providing engineering expertise and leadership within the industry. This includes the mentoring and development of engineers in the early stages of their careers. James is a trustee of a local community foundation supporting charities across Northamptonshire. He is a mentor for a youth organisation seeking to empower youths to be active citizens in their community.

    He has a keen interest in social justice and opening opportunities for others and is a volunteer in the criminal justice system as a magistrate.

    Tony McKenna - Trustee

    Content coming soon

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Robert Orr - Trustee

    Robert was head teacher of the RNIB’s Rushton Hall School for blind children with multiple disabilities from 1979 - 1992 and an inservice training officer in their education service until 1988. He then worked at Pen Green Children’s Centre in Corby from 1999 - 2004 and taught on their NPQICL courses and Masters in Integrated Services for Children and Families. Robert holds a Masters in Education (Human Relations) group counselling course and since retiring continues in a voluntary capacity with the HomeStart charity by training volunteers.

    Robert is also a trustee of the Pen Green Charity.

    David Storrs - Trustee

     

    David is an engineer with over 40 years’ experience in managing buildings and engineering services.

    He is the former group chief engineer for one of the largest private hospital groups in the UK.

    In 2006 David founded a medical engineering company of which he remains a director and is currently managing three PFI hospital sites across the midlands on behalf of investors.

     

     

    Debbie Withers - Trustee (Chair)

    Debbie has had a long and impactful connection with Kingsley, starting with her teaching role and later leading the Kettering General Hospital Team in the late 1980s. With a deep passion for supporting young people with a range of additional needs, Debbie transitioned from time in mainstream education to a position at Wren Spinney Special School. Starting in 1991 as a Teacher and over the following years serving as Deputy and then as Head teacher for the last 14 years of her time at the school. During that time she guided the school to Good then twice to Outstanding Ofsted judgements.

    During her time at Wren Spinney, Debbie’s commitment to providing students with opportunities to develop crucial life skills grew. With the help of her business manager, staff, and governors, she launched The Shop— a sweet shop in the town centre, which later expanded to include further premises that became the Post 16 base and a Hairdressing Salon. The Shop, which is now managed by a former staff member, has been thriving for over a decade and continues to provide valuable work experience for young people.

    In recognition of her outstanding contributions to education, Debbie was awarded an MBE. After retiring, she became a Governor at Kingsley and played a key role in establishing the Red Kite Academy in Corby. She remains actively involved in supporting the KLF Trust as both a Director and Member, continuing her dedication to improving educational opportunities for young people

    Sarah-Jane Astbury - CEO

    Sarah-Jane is our CEO, she is dedicated to helping children with all kinds of learning needs. With a Master's degree focused on autism and years of experience, she's devoted her career to making sure every child has the best possible education. She's worked in many different schools, from mainstream to specialist settings, and local authority specialised provision. She has also shared her expertise by training teachers, parents, and other professionals, and has worked with young people in all sorts of settings including prisons.

    For many years, Sarah-Jane was the Principal of a school that specialised in helping young people with complex autism, where she led a team who made real difference to pupils’ lives. As a school improvement partner she has used her skills to help other special schools improve, and also provides advice and support to families through her own organisation.

    Sarah-Jane understands the challenges families face, and is committed to ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive