Name

Category of Governor

Date Appointed

Term of Office until

Kathryn Waters

Chair of Governors

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

Elected Parent

30 September 2021

29 September 2025

David Keen

Co-Opted

13 September 2020

23 September 2024

Wendy Mainstone

Co-Opted 

1 September 2020

29 August 2024

Sarah Meacher

Headteacher

Ex officio

-

Sara Rose

Elected Staff

1 September 2018

31 August 2022

Dr Richard Spandl

Elected Parent

17 October 2018

17 October 2022

Derek Trollope

Co-Opted

1 February 2020

31 January 2024

Claire Magnusson

Elected Parent

02 March 2020

01 March 2024

Elisabeth Edwin

Elected Parent

02 March 2020

01 March 2024

Kevin Brailey

30 September 2021

29 September 2025

Kathryn Waters -  Chair of Governors

It is my great pleasure to support Mrs Meacher and her team in leading this wonderful school. 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 I can still see how the strong ethos of the school has influenced them as they grow into young adults. I take an active part in school life, both through my role as governor and by supporting Forest School sessions. Holly Trees is such a great school and I am proud to be a part of the community here.  Please click here to read my Chair of Governor's statement regarding the importance of the work we do in the school.

Neville A Brown JP - Vice Chairman

As Chairman of the Governing Board for nine years; I stood down in September 2020; due mainly to some health problems. I feel that my business background (a long and varied career with Shell), and my various continuing activities within our local community, have contributed to our School governance over time.  Having largely  “recovered”, I am now prompted to stay on, as Vice Chair, in the hope that I may offer some continuity and support.

Maria Bloom - Vice Chair 

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

Bob Barr

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 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.

Sara Rose - Staff Governor

I have been a teacher at Holly Trees for the past 13 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 Rachel Hadley - Parent Governor

I joined the Governing Body in September 2019 as a co-opted governor and am now an Elected Parent Governor. I am an HR Director for a local Housing Association and have lived in Brentwood for 20 years. I feel that my professional experience will be valuable to the school, particularly in my role around Mental Health and Wellbeing on the governing board. I am a working parent of two: through my eldest I have insight into SEND provisions at Key Stage 2 and beyond; my youngest is in Year 1 at Holly Trees. I look forward to supporting the school in the coming years.  

Mrs Wendy Mainstone

I have been a Learning Support Assistant at Holly Trees for 8 years. I took on the role of staff governor in 2019. My children were former pupils of Holly Trees and continue to have fond memories of the years that they spent in the school. As part of my supporting role I focus on intervention and supporting children with English as an Additional Language (EAL)

I am also a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee

Mrs Claire Magnusson - Parent Governor

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 - Parent Governor

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.

Mr Kevin Brailey - Co-opted Governor

I was co-opted to the Governing Body in September 2021. I have lived in Brentwood for twenty years and my youngest son attended the school a few years ago. For thirty years I worked in East London, firstly as a Secondary School teacher and then in Local Government but now I'm no longer working full time I'm keen to get back involved with my local primary school. I am a member of the teaching and learning committee and will be the link governor for maths.