Governors

Melissa is the Executive Headteacher at Ford End, Margaretting and Roxwell Primary Schools and is committed to bringing together all of her classroom and management experience to ensure that these 3 Mid-Essex Schools are best they can be. She ensures that collaborative work between the Mid-Essex Schools and LIFE Education Trust enriches the lives of the children and enhances the curriculum. Melissa has a degree in history as well as a PGCE teaching qualification and a National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership. She is currently studying the National Qualification for Headship. Melissa has a passion for the arts in the primary curriculum and has written a research paper on this topic. She is also dedicated to ensuring that all children reach their full potential and aims to prepare all children for secondary school by the time they leave in Year 6.

Sarah has had a love of teaching from a young age; she began her career teaching dance, through her local dance company, at the age of 12 years old. Throughout her secondary school and college years she would spend non-pupil days gaining experience at her local primary school. She then went on to study her BA Hons in Primary Teaching, specialising in children with special needs. After gaining her degree, Sarah secured her first teaching position in a school for children with severe special needs; through this she learnt how to support children with a huge variety of needs, Sarah then moved to a local primary school to support their SENDCo and SEND department.
In 2015, Sarah had the opportunity to relocate to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with her now husband. Whilst living in Asia, Sarah worked in the prestigious British International School teaching children from pre-foundation stages up to GCSE and A Level. During the school holidays, Sarah was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel much of Asia where she developed a love and understanding for the huge variety of cultures and foods available. Following this, Sarah returned to the UK where she joined Roxwell Primary School as the Year 3 and 4 class teacher. During her time at Roxwell, Sarah worked in various management roles, leading her to the Head of School position which she was proud to fulfil until July 2025. Since September 2025, Sarah has taken on the position of Headteacher at Ford End Primary School where she is excited to see the school continue to develop as a learning community where children flourish.
Alongside her role as Headteacher, Sarah is the Assessment Leader, RE Leader and Collective Worship Leader for the Mid-Essex Schools.
As a leader, Sarah is keen to develop new skills. In 2021 Sarah completed her NPQSL where she produced a detailed study in the teaching of RE and wrote a bespoke RE curriculum for the Mis-Essex Schools. Most recently Sarah has achieved the National Professional Qualification in Headship (NPQH).
Sarah thoroughly enjoys watching the pupils and staff within LIFE Education Trust flourish and grow, and is proud to be part of this friendly and supportive community.

Gill was a teacher, with responsibility for Maths, for many years at a similar small school to Ford End so is aware of the challenges [and benefits] of teaching more than one year group. Gill also served as a Governor at that school. Since retirement, Gill has worked providing one to one tuition at a number of schools in the area including at Ford End providing her with a good knowledge of the school community. Gill is involved in her local community as a member of her local Parish Council and a volunteer at a local organisation for Wilderness education [Wilderness Foundation], which has included mentoring vulnerable teenagers both on-site and within their school, as well as helping run educational visits by school groups. During a sabbatical in 2006, Gill worked overseas with VSO developing training for teachers. This included organising and delivering workshops and being able to communicate with various different stakeholders, where there were some different cultural expectations.

Tim has been a Governor since 2009 and has previously chaired the Governing Body and the Curriculum and Finance Committees as required.  Tim has 40 years of experience in IT and is a technology and systems, technical specialist.  Outside of work, Tim is an active Scout & Cub leader and committed to doing the best for the young people at Ford End and the local community.

Beckie has children at Ford End and is committed to promoting LIFE and the Christian ethos of the school.
Beckie is a Senior Social Worker (MA) working in Essex County Council’s Adult Social Care Safeguarding team and her experience will enable her to bring a parenting and professional perspective to the governance committee. Beckie is passionate about children having a safe and supportive space for learning and development so that they have the best opportunities to achieve their best outcomes.