Hatfield Peverel Infant School

Joanne Fraser

 Chair

Joanne joined the Governing Board as a Parent Governor at the end of 2018. She has a lot invested in the school as a parent, as all three of her young children will attend the school over the next few years. Joanne is also invested in the school as an educator as she has a strong background in early years education. Prior to children she was a teacher in an outstanding infants school in London and also spent one year as Head of Early Years at Heathcote Preparatory School in Danbury.

Joanne is originally from Canada and she enjoys travelling back to the land of ice and snow whenever she can. She loves the great outdoors and has a keen interest in camping, fitness, hiking and cooking.

Early years work is a true passion for Joanne and she can't wait to share her expertise and help support the staff and pupils at such a fantastic school.

Chris Smith 

Vice Chair

Chris joined the Governing Board in 2018 as a Co-Opted Governor. His Eldest daughter started at our school in September 2018 and will be followed by his younger daughter in a few years’ time. Chris enjoys spending time with his family, playing football and has a keen interest in Technology.
Chris has his own IT company that specialises in educational data analysis software for secondary schools. He has strong links to Education, having previously worked for many schools and local authorities. Aside from software development Chris has also been a School Network Manager and a Foster Carer, which he feels has given him a diverse range of experiences. Chris is excited to be joining our governing body and hopes the wealth of skills, knowledge and experiences he has built up will enable him to make an excellent contribution to the school in the coming years

John has been a Governor since 1984.  John is the Local Authority Governor and Chair of the Governing Board. His 3 children all began their education at HPIS, through St Andrew's and John Bramston (now Maltings Academy) to university and have progressed to jobs they enjoy. John was a GP in Hatfield Peverel from 1980 to 2011 and valued the link between the surgery and the school. Post retirement John is practising what he used to preach and enjoying walking and gardening and the ups and downs of Norwich City. He is the proud grandparent of 7 two of whom now attend the school.

Bryony Rochester

I joined the Governing body in March 2022.  I moved to Hatfield Peverel in 2017, but this area is familiar to me as I grew up only a couple of miles away. I work in London, although post-Covid I travel in fewer days than before. I'm a keen runner and tennis player and was previously a school governor at a large secondary school. This role is how I give back to the local community, as well as finding it fascinating.

Claire Smith

I joined the Governing body In March 2022.   I am a Mum of 2 sons, a step-son and a step-daughter. I am Nanny to 7 beautiful grandchildren, 3 granddaughters, 3 grandsons and 1 Angel Baby Girl. I have experience, passion and a personal interest in all things SEN from a parents perspective. I have previously been a Governor at a primary school and a SEN school. I was SENCO at a pre-school Nursery when my boys were younger. I successfully ran the Apex Parent Support Group for 5 years and was also part of the Team that ran Spectrum Parent Support Group in Colchester for 15 years. Both these groups shared information, strategies and gave support for parents and carers of children and young people with additional needs. I also ensured that the views and voices of those parents were communicated to various levels at Essex County Council to "try" and inform, influence and improve their SEND provisions across the county. I am so pleased to be joining the Governors at Hatfield Peverel Infants School and look forward to contributing towards the School continuing to provide the best opportunities to all children and their families.

Kerry McGaughey

Teacher Governor

I joined the governing body in 2021. I have been a teacher for 22 years and a SENCO for 10 years. I have worked at Hatfield Peverel Infant School as a SENCO since 2016 and then more recently as a Year One teacher and History and Geography subject leader. I am really enjoying the governor role and finding out about how things work behind the scenes. 

Peter was appointed to the Governing Board, as a Parent Governor at the end of 2022. He has one child who, joined the reception class at the school in September of the same year.

After leaving university, Peter has spent the entirety of his career in education. He is currently employed by Pearson (EdExcel) as the product manager for Religious Studies (at GCSE and GCE level) and for Citizenship Studies (at GCSE level). Prior to this he was Associate Senior Leader at an Academy in East London, in addition to being subject leader for Design & Technology and Food Preparation and Nutrition and lead teacher for E-Safety across the school.

In his spare time, Peter enjoys keeping fit; regularly training at a CrossFit gym in Witham but additionally enjoys cooking, gardening and DIY.

As much of Peter’s experience lies in 11-19 teaching, he is keen to broaden his understanding of KS1 and Early Years and utilise his skillset to help support the staff and pupils here.

Lesley Henderson

I joined the Governing Body in 2019. I have lived in Hatfield Peverel for 16 years and worked for 24 years at Chelmsford County High School as a teacher of Physical Education. I retired in 2014 and feel I have much to offer the whole school community. I have, in the past, been a Parent governor and  a Staff governor. During my teaching career of 35 years, I have worked with both secondary and junior pupils as well as those children with special educational needs. My experience in leadership, curriculum, pastoral and extra-curricular activities will enable me to give much support to the staff, students and parents. 

William Guy 

I joined the governing body in 2019. 

Patrick joined the Board of Governors in November 2022. He has a 4-year-old who also joined the school in reception the same year and a 1-year-old.

An enthusiastic and passionate IT professional, he runs several companies focused on managed IT services, data protection, and cybersecurity. 
 
Patrick has significant experience in organisational-level strategy and best practice. A chartered member of the British Computer Society, Patrick sits on several committees which help formulate Government policy on data protection, cybersecurity, and online safety. He also recently joined the advisory board of The Cyber Helpline, a charity supporting individuals of all ages who are victims of cybercrime and online harm. 
 
When not in front of a computer Patrick loves spending family time outnumbered by his wife and daughters. As a keen orienteer, he can regularly be found in the depths of a forest or on top of a hill, studying a map and trying to work out which direction he should be running. 

Patrick is keen to get involved with all aspects of the school as a Governor and support the staff in their ongoing quest to continually improve the educational experience our children receive.

My name is Mark Weale I am now retired after spending the majority of my working career as a senior manager with Essex and Suffolk water.

I am currently chairman of the Parish Council and the Chair of the sole trustee board for the Village hall and a former trustee of the Museum of Power at Langford.

I am currently a business advisor for the young enterprise scheme working with Appleton school at Benfleet where I was also a governor at Appleton for a few years.