LINK19 Governance

Maddie Arnold-Jones is the Chair of Directors of LINK19 College. Maddie is a founding LINK19 Director, leading and supporting the strategic vision for post-19 learners working collaboratively and in partnership with all members of the Board. Maddie is currently Headteacher at Ifield School, an outstanding provider for pupils with profound, severe, and complex needs. Maddie obtained Qualified Teacher Status in 2008 and an MSc in Cognition and Learning in 2013. Maddie is a trustee of the Kent Special Educational Needs Trust (KsENT) and a trustee of the Gravesham Learning Partnership (GLP). Maddie is also the Safeguarding Governor at Bower Grove School and the SEND representative for Kent's Association of Headteachers (KAH) North Area Board. Maddie is a passionate and an innovative leader, committed to providing the very best educational provision and outcomes for SEND learners.

Sheila Dance was appointed as a LINK19 Director on 24 August 2022, with significant experience of the local education system and opportunities available for young people, particularly those with special educational needs. Sheila has spent 35 years working in Kent secondary and further education and has 20 years of senior leadership experience. Sheila’s most recent two positions were Deputy Head of a local High School and Assistant Principal, North Kent College, with responsibilities for English/Maths delivery, SEN, and safeguarding (Designated Safeguarding Officer).

John Gorton was appointed a LINK19 College Director on 24 January 2023. Head of Transport for several UK police forces and leader of the National Association of Police Fleet Managers, John's knowledge of special education is derived from having navigated his son through SEN provision, and eventually into full time employment in a professional field. John's primary interest is to support LINK 19 College's role in developing learners' confidence and employability skills, sufficient to achieve gainful employment, enhancing independence and sense of value and inclusion. To broaden the recognition of the social and commercial benefits of organisational inclusion, John acknowledges the need for LINK19 College to prioritise pro-active engagement with organisations outside of education/SEN.

Sam Presneill joined the LINK19 College Board in February 2023. With an extensive background in coaching, training and development, Sam leads a diverse team at the Careers & Enterprise Company supporting Kent schools and colleges with careers delivery. Before joining the LINK19 College Board, in Sam's Enterprise role, working closely with LINK19 College provided Sam the passion to support LINK19 College learners' success, increasing learners' access to local and wider community opportunities.