Name

Category of Governor

Date Appointed

Term of Office until

Kathryn Waters

Chair of Governors

Maria Bloom

Co-Opted

1 September 2023

31 August 2027

Sarah Meacher

Headteacher

Ex officio

-

Sara Rose

Elected Staff

1 September 2022

31 August 2026

Dr Richard Spandl

Co-Opted

17 October 2018

15 October 2026

Elisabeth Edwin

Co-Opted

7 May 2025

6 May 2029

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 25 years’ experience in education as a teacher and school leader and have recently completed 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 Chair of Governors and as Safeguarding Governor. Holly Trees is such a great school, and I am proud to be a part of the community here.

Neville A Brown JP - Vice Chairman

With a long and varied career with Shell, it was my business background and a young family which sparked my original interest in Governance for which I have just reached a total of some 50 years in Essex Schools.  Throughout I have been closely involved with the local community.

Since 2010 I have enjoyed my time on the Board at Holly Trees where I served as Chairman for some nine years before stepping down in that role due to a period of poor health.  Now largely recovered I have been pleased as a Vice Chairman to continue to contribute to Holly Trees Governance activities, including participation since its formation in September 2024 on the School Intervention Board.   

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 son, who is in his 20s, was a key stage 1 pupil!) I was re-appointed a co-opted governor in September 2023. My areas of responsibility are Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development, PSHE and Special Educational Needs. I am vice chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee

Sara Rose - Staff Governor

I have been a teacher at Holly Trees since 2008 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 - Co-Opted 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 Elisabeth Edwin - Co-Opted 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 Board 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. 

Mrs Kristen Barke - Parent Governor

My eldest daughter started at Holly Trees in 2014 and is now in secondary school. My two boys are currently in Year 1 and Year 4. I was co-opted February 2022 and it is a privilege to be a governor at such a warm, friendly school. I have been teacher 3 years and currently work in a local private school. Before teaching I worked in Marketing in a large law firm in London. I am a member of the teaching and learning committee and will be the link governor for literacy. 

Mrs Alice Gupta - Elected Parent Governor

My journey as a Holly Trees parent began in 2015 and since then, I have been eager to represent a range of parental perspectives. With over 17 years of experience working in the Housebuilding industry, I will use my corporate background to provide support wherever and whenever needed. Beyond my professional life, I am also an enthusiastic runner, actively raising money for various charities and competing in races. 

Most importantly, my son looks forward to attending Holly Trees every day, and I am committed to ensuring that all children at the school continue to receive a high-quality education and support.
Overall, I am excited to serve as a parent governor and look forward to working collaboratively with staff, parents, and fellow governors to help shape the direction of Holly Trees Primary School.

Mr Khemindra Nadarajah -Co-Opted Governor

I am a 40 year-old professional, who has grown up in Australia, with a Sri Lankan ethnicity and have two lovely boys with my wife, originally from Norfolk.  My career in process improvement and software is to translate client operational challenges and inefficiencies into technology solutions that support key priorities and objectives related to cost optimisation and digital transformation.   

I believe as Parent Governor, my exposure to different business scenarios and cultures will support the Committee’s key agendas. On a personal note, I would like to contribute to the continued development of the school. 

Mr Tobi Tayo - Co-Opted Governor

I have lived in the Harold Wood area for the last 4 years and grew up in Essex. I'm currently a Senior Manager in Technology at KPMG, focusing especially on digital transformations at the Enterprise and Supply Chain levels. I am of Nigerian heritage and as a Co-opted governor, I'm looking forward to supporting the schools desire for improvement across the board, whilst promoting diversity and inclusion.