Name

Category of Governor

Date Appointed

Term of Office until

Neville A Brown JP
Chairman of Governors

Local Authority

25 June 2018

24 June 2022

Bob Barr

Co-Opted

1 September 2019

31 August 2023

Maria Bloom

Co-Opted

1 September 2019

31 August 2023

Jo Gray

Co-Opted

1 September 2019

31 August 2023

Rachel Hadley

Co-Opted

1 September 2019

31 August 2023

David Keen

Co-Opted

14 September 2016

13 September 2020

Wendy Mainstone

Co-Opted Associate Member

1 September 2019

31 August 2023

Sarah Meacher

Headteacher

Ex officio

-

Sara Rose

Elected Staff

1 September 2018

31st August 2022

Dr Richard Spandl

Elected Parent

17 October 2018

17 October 2022

Derek Trollope

Co-Opted

1 February 2020

31 January 2024

Kathryn Waters

Co-opted

23 September 2019

23 September 2023

Susannah Tilbury

Elected Parent

15 February 2019

14 February 2023

Claire Magnusson

Elected Parent

02 March 2020

01 March 2024

Elisabeth Edwin

Elected Parent

02 March 2020

01 March 2024

Neville A Brown JP
Chairman of Governors I enjoyed a long and varied career with Shell and remain very active in the local community. After many years involved with school governance (Secondary), I joined the Holly Trees GB in 2011 and this is my eighth successive year as its elected Chairman. 

It is a wide remit and perhaps my Chairman's Statement (click here to read) will give you some measure of the deep satisfaction and fulfilment which comes with my role.

I have been a member of the governing body of the school for 17 years.  I have worked as a finance manager for the BBC Radio and more recently as the mental health project lead for NHS Havering Clinical Commissioning Group. I served as a member of Brentwood Borough Council from 1999 to 2004 representing Warley residents. Having a financial background my role on the governing board is primarily focussed on the financial management of the school through the Resources Committee.

I work for a charity providing legally based advice, training and information on special educational needs and the duties of schools and local authorities. On the basis of this, and my longstanding knowledge of the school (I first became a parent governor at Holly Trees when my 16 year old son was a key stage 1 pupil), I was appointed a co-opted governor in September 2015. My areas of responsibility are Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development and Special Educational Needs. I am vice chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee

I started my term as a Parent Governor, and am now a Co-opted Governor; I am a teacher at a local secondary school, but had little experience of primary school beyond having attended one myself!  I wanted to bring the experience of a full-time working parent to the governing board, to represent the parents who are unable to meet their children’s teachers at the classroom door.

My role as Governor comprises understanding the financial operation of the school whilst also monitoring and reporting on the Health and Safety aspects. I sit on both the Resources and the Pay Appeals committee.

My background is in Branding, Design and Procurement.

Following retirement as a primary school Headteacher I worked at Holly Trees as Special Needs Coordinator and then supporting classes throughout the school.

I have been  a governor for four years and currently chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee, responsible for monitoring English and creative development.

I have been a co-opted governor since 2015. I have over 20 years’ experience in education as a teacher and school leader and am currently studying for an MA in Advanced Child Protection. Both my children attended Holly Trees and my youngest is currently in Year 6. I take an active part in school life, including through governor visits and supporting Forest School sessions. Holly Trees is such a great school and I am proud to be a part of the community here.

Sara Rose

I have been a teacher at Holly Trees for the past 11 years and have recently taken on the role of Staff Governor. My two children are past pupils and I am very proud of the school's strong values and inclusive approach. I am passionate about child development and learning across the whole curriculum, and have elected to be on the Teaching and Learning Committee.

Dr Richard Spandl

Parent Governor

I am a father of two and my eldest son started at Holly Trees in September 2018. Since completing a PhD I have worked as a science teacher for over 10 years and I am now a Deputy Headteacher of a large secondary school in London. I have lived in Brentwood since 2008 and I regularly run the Brentwood Half Marathon. The community spirit of Holly Trees is fantastic and I feel privileged to be able to support the school as a Governor and help ensure that all of the pupils continue to receive a first class academic and holistic education.

Mrs Susannah Tilbury

Parent Governor

I applied to be a parent governor as my son has just joined reception so feel now is a good time to connect with the school and get truly involved. I have lived in Brentwood since 2012.

I am a Chartered Accountant working in the city of London and look forward to working with the Governor team, with particular interest in the financial operation of the school."

Mrs Rachel Hadley
Parent Governor

I joined the Governing Board in September 2019 as a co-opted governor. I am a Senior HR Manager for a large blue-chip local employer and feel that my professional experience will be valuable to the governing board. I also sit as a non-executive director on the board of an East London charity focused on skills and jobs growth, particularly in STEM areas.  I am a working parent of two: through my eldest I have insight into SEND provisions at Key Stage 2 and beyond; my youngest joined Holly Trees in reception in September 2019. I’m looking forward to supporting the school and developing as a governor over the coming school year.”

Mrs Wendy Mainstone

Mrs Claire Magnusson

I am a mother of two and my eldest started in reception at Holly Trees in September 2019. As a parent just starting the journey through primary education, I really wanted to be immersed in the school environment and play a role in its community, so I applied to be a parent governor. I am a brand strategy and public relations director and hope to bring my expertise in communication and passion for creativity to the role. I look forward to supporting Holly Trees wherever I can over the coming years.

Mrs Elisabeth Edwin

My eldest child started at Holly Trees in 2018 and we have enjoyed being a part of the school community. As a Parent Governor, I want to contribute to the continued success of the school.

I am a chartered accountant and have worked across small businesses, charities and financial services. I currently work part-time leading the finance team for an organisation that invests in social enterprises and charities.