Governors

Local Governing Board

Our Governing Body

School governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education. Governors are one of the most substantial volunteer forces in the country and have an essential part to play in raising school standards. The role of the governing board is key to the effectiveness of a school. The purpose of the Governing Body is to provide strategic management, and to act as a “critical friend”, supporting the work of the headteacher and other staff. School governing bodies are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. Together with the head teacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management, they set the school’s aims and policies

Chair of Governors

John Dorrington (Parent)

Vice – Chair of Governors

Stephanie Hedley Barnes (Co-opted)

Headteacher
Holly Obank (Staff)

Rita Harries ( Foundation)

Diane Read (LA)

Annie I’Anson (Co opted)

Debbie Polley (Staff)

Lisa Cook (Parent)

Caroline Franklin (Parent)

Amber Fitch (Clerk)

Click here for Governor email contact information.

The Trustees

Andrew Barton

Trustee (Finance Specialist) and Chair of Mid Essex Anglican Academy Trust

Date of Appointment: March 2015 (for second term)

Term of Office: 4 years (second term)

Appointed by: Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

Born in Chelmsford, I attended KEGS going on to study Metallurgy at Imperial College, London. During my early business life, wishing to broaden my outlook and opportunities, I studied for my accounting qualification. The combination of science and business disciplines enabled me to follow a career managing businesses in Nigeria and South Africa, America, New Zealand, Australia and Britain. For the last few years I have been an 'at home' Dad to James, a former pupil at St Mary's school. My skills in the kitchen have developed and, as a counterbalance, I have re-discovered cycling. Father also to two grown-up sons, I have three grandchildren, one at primary school, who all live in the West Country. Since coming to live in Shenfield in 2000, I have been an active member of St Mary's Church and for several years a member of the PCC. This involvement led to my appointment as a PCC Foundation school governor in 2011 and I became a trustee for the Mid Essex Anglican Academy Trust upon academy conversion.

David Bryant

Trustee (Resources Specialist)

Date of Appointment: September 2017 (second term)

Term of Office: 4 years (second term)

Appointed by: Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

I have been involved with St Mary's Church for the last 10 years and was invited to be a PCC-appointed governor in 2013. I became a trustee for the Mid Essex Anglican Academy Trust upon academy conversion, where I seek to add value from my experiences gained in over 20 years of management. My youngest son started in St Mary's School in 2011, while my oldest son left in 2014 after a happy and successful time to move into senior school. For most of my career I have worked in IT, specialising in the financial services sector and I hold a senior position at well known IT company.

David Churchill

Trustee (Education Specialist) and Chair of Local Board of Governors

Date of Appointment: May 2016 (for second term)

Term of Office: 4 years (second term)

Appointed by: Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: Director of The Kemnal Academy Trust (TKAT), Governor of Holly Port College, Windsor (from September 2019)

With my wife Gill and son Oliver, we moved from South-East London to Essex in Summer 2011. Oliver started in the Foundation year at St Mary's in September 2012. I work for The Kemnal Academies Trust. TKAT looks after over 40 primary and secondary schools, and by learner numbers is one of the largest trusts nationally. I used to work for the Department of Education on a range of priorities (academies, school leadership, school funding). Before that, I was a languages teacher in schools in the UK and abroad.

Stephanie Hedley-Barnes

Trustee (Education Specialist)

Date of Appointment: December 2018

Term of Office: 4 years

Appointed by: Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

I became involved with Mountnessing C of E Primary School when our daughters attended the school. I now serve as both Governor and Vice Chair on the Local Board having previously Chaired this for 2 years. I have a range of experiences in education, Local Authorities and nationally that I hope will assist me in the new role of Trustee for the Mid Essex Anglican Academy Trust.

I am currently a Secondary School Teacher after retraining when my children were young. Over the last 18 years I have been an elected District Councillor and managed committees, delivered projects. I have also worked with families of children with life limiting conditions and a range of special educational needs. Specialised in areas of deprivation. Managed Lottery Funded Projects and advised Local Authorities Nationally on Government Policy including at the House of Commons and to release DfE Policy nationally.

Amelia Mauger

Trustee (Personnel Specialist)

Date of Appointment: January 2017 (second term)

Term of Office: 4 years (second term)

Appointed by: Members

Relevant business and pecuniary interests: None

I am a parent governor and was elected for a 4-year period in January 2013. I have thee children who currently attend St Mary's School and I work part time at a Big 4 Accountancy firm. I became a Governor as I am keen to bring to the governing body my energy, constructive challenge and enthusiasm to support the school in continuing to provide an outstanding Christian education, and in continuing to be ambitious for all children to get the best out of their time at St Mary's.