Governors

I have lived in Thurrock since my parents moved from inner London when I was 3 months old. My parent’s belief that a ‘good education’ was the key to independence and greater choice in adult life, has been a significant influence. After completing a degree in Psychology/Sociology, I trained as a teacher. My first teaching post was in Tilbury, within one of the first ‘Nursery Units’ in Essex, later returning to South Ockendon as a Head teacher, before spending 21 years as a Schools’ Adviser and Inspector for Essex Local Authority. I was very fortunate to meet the children and staff of many different schools in very varied circumstances. My daughter, attended Little Thurrock Primary School, and I became a school governor during the time she was there. I wanted to help make a positive contribution to the school’s development and help to ensure that all children at the school would receive the best possible educational experiences and opportunities. Little Thurrock Primary School provided my daughter the opportunity to learn French which subsequently led to her studying French and working with a French Company. I would like present and future pupils to have similar aspirational opportunities whilst at Little Thurrock Primary school.

Our son Mark joined the school in year 1 in February 2018 when we moved into the area, and we have been as active as we can to support school activities since then. I am the part-time minister of Grays United Reformed Church on Bradleigh Avenue. Overall I have fifteen years’ experience in this role which has included seeking to represent the local community and to respond to local needs within congregations and with the wider community. When seeking to engage with the wider community I have always aimed to do so with an open agenda, making church facilities available to create space for social interaction and community engagement, whilst still highlighting church activities and responding to questions when appropriate. I was involved in establishing a neighbourhood group in Warrington and also the Voluntary Community and Faith Sector Network in South Ribble, Lancashire; and have begun to attend events of Thurrock CVS. I have gained much experience of serving on trustee bodies for both local and national organisations and have always sought to be reliable, effective and constructive.

Having lived and worked in Grays for 30+ years, I feel that it is a great place to live and is very friendly. I have a successful business locally and love to give to the community what I can. I have been a governor at several schools and chaired a PTA for fundraising. I am community spirited and wish to support the learning in Little Thurrock in any way I can, it’s a great area and this is a great school. People I meet during my day job regularly comment on how happy their children are at Little Thurrock Primary School. Since being involved it is easy to understand why the teachers work very hard in achieving the best outcomes for their learners so its easy to give my time, effort and enthusiasm to this cause.

I have been a primary school teacher for 15 years and I have been a parent governor at Little Thurrock for the past two. I hope my experience and perspective will be valuable to the school. I enjoy my role as a parent governor and will continue representing other parents ensuring the school provides the best possible opportunities and experiences for all our children.

I was born in Thurrock and lived literally a stones throw from Little Thurrock School, after my parents moved into the area having grown up themselves in nearby Aveley. I have amazing memories of being a pupil at the school and now have two of my own children in attendance – with the third primed and ready to join in the next few years when she is old enough! In terms of my professional career, I have worked in London for over 20 years as an accountant at a top 10 firm. I have worked with a range of different UK and multi-national businesses, assisting them with building an efficient and reliable finance function - ensuring they are getting quality management information in order to make informed business decisions. In the past few years my role has moved into a slightly more internal facing one, allowing me to help develop the National Team through support with their internal processes, risk management and overall financial performance – skills that should fit in well with my responsibilities as a governor at Little Thurrock. My firm encourages staff to assist in their communities and after years of really focusing on my own career and personal development, I decided it was time to that I gave some time back to the local area where I have spent my entire life. Giving my assistance to the school that supported me and is now looking after my children in their early years of development seemed an obvious choice. Perhaps I had initially been too keen however, as I am now also the Treasurer of the Schools PTA as well as being a governor, but I really enjoy being involved in both sides and doing whatever I can to make a difference to the lives and education of the children at Little Thurrock.

I am mother to two young children at Little Thurrock Primary School. I moved to the area in 2019. I run my own business and I am a qualified social worker and Children’s Guardian, having worked in safeguarding for over 15 years. I have extensive experience of working with vulnerable young people and working collaboratively with partner agencies to promote effective working relationships. My previous experience also includes working with schools as I was a member of the Islington Early years Strategy Board between 2004-2008. As a parent governor I want to ensure that the voices of the parents and children of Little Thurrock are heard to enable positive experiences

As a parent with one child in Year 3 and another due to start in September, I am deeply invested in the success and wellbeing of the school community. I believe my extensive experience in Learning and Development along with my commitment to helping people reach their full potential would be invaluable in helping LTPS in achieving its educational goals. With over 10 years of experience in Learning and Development and a CIPD qualification, I have successfully implemented new learning strategies to diversify and progress businesses. My work involved recruiting and sourcing new apprenticeship programmes demonstrating my abilities to foster partnerships and develop innovative educational pathways. Additionally, my role has required me to be actively involved in OFSTED inspections, giving me a thorough understanding of the importance of this process in ensuring educational quality and compliance. I am passionate about education and believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life. As a parent governor, my focus would be on supporting the school’s strategic objectives, contributing to governance decisions and ensuring that the school maintains high standards in teaching and learning. I am also committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity within the school community. I am excited for the opportunity to play an active role, work collaboratively with other governors, staff and parents to bring my skills, experience and enthusiasm to the role of parent governor and to contribute to the school’s ongoing development to help shape a positive future for our children.

I am passionate about education and children's welfare. Professionally, I have dedicated myself to policing for over nineteen years; leading safeguarding investigations, including those related to child exploitation and forms of abuse. I understand the value of a rich education and fully support the work that pupils, parents & staff at Little Thurrock are undertaking to grow, invest in the children & their cultural capital both in terms of the broader & hidden curriculum. The school & our community should empower our children to learn, informed by a tapestry of experiences at home & school; meeting cultures, communities, animals & landscapes & arts. Personally, I am a parent and know the joys and challenges that come with it. I believe every child deserves a space where they can learn, feel secure and valued. As a parent governor; I will ensure that our school environment supports the healthy development of its students and fosters emotional stability, safety, and overall well-being. I will engage with stakeholders and implement effective strategies that focus on our children's welfare and academic achievement at Little Thurrock. I will undertake the role of parent governor with commitment, diligence, and passion. I will encourage scrutiny to ensure accountability and fairness in all forms. I look forward to the opportunity of working with; other governors, teachers, parents, and most importantly, the children, to build on the brilliant work already being undertaken to help secure future success for our children, the school & the wider Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust.

I have worked in education for 7 years and have experienced many different settings across many different key stages (one being a primary and secondary pupil referral unit). I hope that my experiences and perspective will be valuable to the governing body. I started working at Little Thurrock Primary School in 2022 originally on a temporary contract: however, when the opportunity to make this a permanent contract arose, I was extremely pleased and just had to stay! During this time, the school has progressed so much and we are still doing so. Working at Little Thurrock is brilliant; we have a great supportive team and a wonderful community which surrounds us. I am looking forward to continue to support and ensure that all children at Little Thurrock have the best opportunities and experiences possible.