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.

Johanna is the Head of School at Ford End.  She has a degree in Education Studies and French, as well as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. Johanna has successfully completed her NPQSL and is now working towards her NPQH. She has taught in a range of primary schools, but especially loves working at Ford End because of the wonderful feeling of community. As an avid reader herself, she has a keen interest in early reading and Phonics. She is also an experienced tutor of children in all year groups. 

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.

Stephanie has children at Ford End and has become increasingly interested in the education system since working with NESTA’s The Lab on some of their education programmes. In my time at NESTA, the education programmes were focused on technology and its use within the education system; reducing the education gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children and the reduction of the reliance on examinations as measurement of success (for the school and the individual). Following maternity leave, Stephanie worked with the Facilities team and the Estate team at NESTA and was involved with the process of purchasing central London premises, renovating and marketing the space to entrepreneurs and organisations with social benefit. Through this project, she worked on the Health and Safety of the office space and some of the implications and the implementation of these rules. Stephanie currently works for the London Ambulance Service as an Emergency Ambulance Crew, working alongside Paramedics in the treatment of patients. She is also studying towards her paramedic science degree. This position has increased her awareness and appreciation of Continuous Professional Development as well as her interest in health education, and her love of working within a community. Stephanie is passionate about the Ford End School community spirit and the education and development of all of its children and staff.

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.