A Message from the Chair of the Board of Directors
Thanet’s children deserve schools that never settle for good enough. That belief is what drew me to governance in the first place, and I feel enormously proud and privileged to now bring it to the role as Chair of the Coastal Academies Trust Board, continuing the phenomenal work already under way across our schools.
Having served as a governor at Hartsdown Academy for several years, I have seen firsthand what our schools can achieve when they work as a genuine community rather than in isolation. Our six schools, Dane Court, Hartsdown, King Ethelbert, Royal Harbour, Cliftonville and Newington, each have their own character and role within the Trust, but they share a common purpose: to make Thanet a centre of excellent education and to give every young person, whatever their background, the chance to thrive.
Thanet has faced real and lasting challenges, and this Board does not shy away from that. We believe there should be no limits on our ambition for our students or our staff, and that achievement and aspiration must always be recognised and rewarded. Transformation does not happen by accident. It takes strong leadership, honest scrutiny of how our schools are performing, and a willingness to make difficult decisions when they are needed, always with the interests of our children at the heart of what we do.
As Chair, my role is to ensure this Board provides the challenge and support our schools need to keep improving, and that every decision is directed towards giving the children of Thanet the amazing future they deserve. Thanet’s future is being built in our classrooms right now, and I am proud to help shape that work.
Vicky Pottinger
Chair, Coastal Academies Trust Board
CAT Structure
