We are a very active governing body, meeting formally twice each term, but maintaining a high profile within the school at various school and fundraising events. Our current members are:
| David Cooper | Chair, Chair of Finance Committee | |
| Catherine Hines | Vice Chair | |
| Michael Lawrence | ||
| Sarah Fulbrook | Parent Governor | |
| Andy Jones | Teaching Staff Governor | |
| Lara Gardiner | Chair of Data & Curriculum Committee | |
| Toby Kinsey | ||
| Victoria Hedlund | Parent Governor | |
| Rebecca Sigston | Head Teacher, ex-officio | |
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Teresa Nickolson Clerk |
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David has been a parent at Ivy Chimneys since 2001 when the first of his four children joined the school and has been a governor since 2011. As well as being appointed as the overall Chair of our governing body, David is also Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee in addition to advising the school on information technology policy (he's a technology consultant by day). David is especially interested in how software and devices can improve learning for children and enjoys working with the staff on finding new and fun ways for children to use computing to help them all get more out of their time at school.
Cat has been a parent at Ivy Chimneys since 2011 when her eldest child joined the school and she has been a governor since 2012. In her day job Cat is a Human Resources Manager within the Public Sector, currently specialising in Inclusion and Diversity. Cat is particularly interested in ensuring the school is an inclusive academic institution. Cat is Vice Chair of the governing body.
Michael has been a co-opted governor since January 2018. He also has two children at Ivy Chimneys. Michael works at the financial services regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, in the area responsible for supervising the activities of firms like banks and financial advisers. Although education and finance are obviously very different areas, Michael is keen to use his background in regulation, and his knowledge of how successful organisations are run, to benefit the school. Michael sits on our governing body's Finance & Resources Committee and has a particular interest in ensuring that Ivy Chimneys' transition into the new multi-academy trust is a success.
Sarah was delighted to be elected as a parent governor in early 2018, having been a parent at Ivy Chimneys since 2014 when her eldest child started school. She has enjoyed watching both her children thrive in such a supportive and stimulating environment. Sarah has always taken a keen interest in the school, representing various classes on the parent forum committee, volunteering as a parent reader and at FOICs events, as well as helping out on various school trips. Sarah is proud to be part of the Ivy Chimneys' community and is passionate about helping the school continue to do well by offering to our children the best support, educationally and socially, that it can. Sarah's background as a lawyer and legal recruiter has equipped her with useful skills and an understanding of the need for challenge where necessary as well as strong communication and openness.
Sarah currently sits on our governing body's Data Performance & Curriculum Committee and has responsiblity for EYFS and governor training opportunities. Since beginning her role as parent governor she has undertaken several governor monitoring visits both in relation to EYFS and other areas which have enabled her to gain a more thorough understanding of the school as a whole.
Andy's association with Ivy Chimneys started when his oldest child began attending the school in 2006; joining a well-established school with a rich history of tradition and a caring ethos. When his younger child began school Andy started teaching at Ivy Chimneys part-time, moving to full-time teaching (year 3/4) the following year. Since then Andy has taught every year group in the school, albeit only occasionally in EYFS, and has seen many changes in that time. His passion for PE and interest in science helps with his subject responsibilities and, although his children now both attend Epping St John's Secondary School, he continues to play an active role in all areas of Ivy Chimneys. Andy is our teacher governor and helps our governing body to gain an insight into how the school is progressing and how future plans could lead to further development. He is both proud and pleased to be able to say that Ivy Chimneys would still be his first choice of local school, upholding the welcoming atmosphere, traditions and character that make it a special place for staff and children alike.
Lara has been a governor at Ivy Chimneys since 2014. She is an experienced teacher, currently teaching in another local primary school , and a qualified SENCO. Her involvement with Ivy Chimneys goes back to 2007 when she undertook a placement here as a trainee teacher. Lara has children at Epping Upland Primary (another school which is part of our mutli-academy trust) and Epping St John's Secondary School. She is also involved in the Epping Anglican Church Team as warden at All Saint's, Epping Upland. She is a Chair of our governing body's Data Performance & Curriculum Committee, having a working knowledge of school data. In her governor role Lara also has responsiblity for SEN and disadvantaged pupils.
Toby has been associated with Ivy Chimneys since 2008 when his first child joined the school. His second child completed his time at Ivy Chimneys in 2019. Toby is a model maker by profession and was co-opted to join our governing body in 2018. As a governor his specific focus and interest is on Facilities, Health & Safety, and Wellbeing. In addition to being a governor at Ivy Chimneys, Toby is also Chair of a local Scout group. He is passionate about creating a positive learning environment for young people and at Ivy Chimneys atttended a number of career fairs and conducted presentations for the children on Toy and Model making. He is an active supporter of FOICs and has designed and donated a number of games and resources which FOICs use to generate additional revenue and fun at the Christmas and summer fayres. He is keen to ensure the school continues to evolve well and provide a solid foundation for the development of well rounded young people.
Victoria was elected as a parent governor in November 2018 and has a child in year 1. Victoria's strong background and diverse experience in education drive her role as governor. Her interests lie in progressing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) interventions, reflected in her studies for a PhD in science education with the University of Warwick. Prior to the birth of her chidren she worked with Goldsmiths University as a lecturer in Education, where she worked with prominent educationalists to progress creative interdisciplinary pedagogy. Having worked as a successful Teacher of Physics (Head of Physics, Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator) for many years at an Outstanding school, she is well-grounded in high expectations for inclusive education; an ethos that permeates through her role as governor. Currently she works ad hoc as a visiting lecturer whilst happily raising her young daughter.
Victoria holds the responsibility of Safeguarding Governor and has developed the Communications work group, focused on parent-governor communications.