A good governing body is vital to a school's success.

Governors make key decisions, which can directly affect the education and well being of your children.

Governors - in partnership with the head teacher - hope to really make a difference.

Who are we?
The governors for Chalkwell Infants School are a mixed bunch! Some of us are parents whose children are pupils (past and present) at the school. Others are teachers or members of the community who may have particular professional skills that are valuable to the team. The headmistress of the infant school and the headmaster of the junior school also sit on the Governing Body.

But we do have certain things in common. We're all over 18 years of age, have been elected or appointed to the role, we don't get paid for the job and we all care about the school and the children.

Want to know more about us? Well, you can read more detailed information about each of us on the web page below!

What do school governors do?
Through the head teacher:

We try to promote high standards of educational attainment: set targets for pupil achievement.

Take general responsibility for the conduct of the school.
Regulate the school's budget.
Make sure that the curriculum is balanced and broadly based and report on pupils' achievement in National Curriculum assessments and examination results.
We participate in the appointment of senior staff (including appointing the head teacher) and regulate staff conduct and discipline. 

How do we try to achieve that?
We work closely with the head teacher. Our official role is as a 'critical friend'.
We work as a team to highlight the schools particular strengths and weaknesses and to find ways to improve and develop (via the School Improvement Plan). Decisions can be made collectively as a team or delegated to committees or, of course, the head teacher.
We attend regular committee meetings - some governors have particular areas of responsibility (i.e. Special Needs provision, literacy, science etc).
We try to visit the school as often as possible - to meet teachers and pupils and observe lessons. We can also sometimes be found applauding wildly at the nativity play and harvest festival! 
 
How can you contact us?
You can contact us via the school office or approach us in the playground (our photographs are on display at the school.)

Your Governing Body :-

 Elaine Palmer - Head teacher
I have been Head Teacher of Chalkwell Hall Infant School for over six years. I have taught within the Southend and Essex areas since I qualified.

I'm married with four children, all of whom are now adults and leaving the nest. In the little free time I have, I enjoy relaxing, especially with a good book out on the river.
 
 Lesley Barry - Chair of Governors
I am currently Chair of Governors at Chalkwell Hall Infants and the mother of three girls, all of whom were pupils at the school. I am an accountant and work full time locally in Hockley. I have been a school governor for almost 7 years and Chair for 2 during that time.

My responsibilities include chairing the full governing body meetings and leading the governors in terms of how we focus our energy to help the school. More specifically, I am particularly interested in the areas of children with special needs and looked after children. I am a member of the General Purposes and Extended Schools Committees. My role includes assisting the Headteacher with areas such as recruitment and child protection and providing a "sounding board" for new ideas and initiatives.

I have found the work of being a governor hugely rewarding and would encourage anyone who would like to become more involved in the school to contact the office. We would love to hear from you.

 Nick Booth - Parent governor
I am a parent governor and a head teacher of a school in the Borough.  I have two children attending Chalkwell in Years 2 and 3. I am a member of the General Purposes Committee that oversees finance, staffing, health & safety and premises.

Bethan Russell - Parent Governor
My name is Bethan Russell and I been a parent governor at Chalkwell Hall Infant School since 2008. I have two sons, one is in Year 1 and my other son is still at pre-school. I was born and brought up in Wales and have lived in Leigh-on-Sea for the past 12 years, where I have been teaching in a local junior school. My family and I are very keen on sport, particularly rugby.

 Emily Cammidge 

 Mrs Sarah Clements - Staff Governor

 Miss Rebecca Davison - Staff Governor

Joe Mellor - Parent Governor
I am an IT specialist working within Government and have been working for HMRC for the last 7 years. I am married with four children, two who now attend the Infants in Year 1 and 2 and my wife is a Psychiatrist working in the S.E. Essex area.

I have a particular interest in how the school involves and works with parents and the community, and enjoy work on the General Pruposes and Catering Committees.

Richard Spence - Community Governor
I am Head Teacher of the Junior School and previously Head Teacher of Holt Farm Junior School in Rochford for ten years. I have a degree in Psychology from Sussex University and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education from London University.

I am a keen sportsman being a member of local rugby, cricket and tennis clubs. I have lived in Southend from the age of three, am married with three children all of which have been educated locally.

 Elke Tullett-Streames - Vice chair, LEA Governor to December 2009
I was a pupil at Chalkwell more than 25 years ago (I'm not going to be more precise than that!) and I'm delighted to be still closely associated with the school.  I joined as a parent governor in 2002 and am a member of the curriculum committee with a particular interest in literacy.

My daughter Lily attended Chalkwell infant and junior schools and is now starting her third year at Belfairs High. My son Daniel is in Year 2.

I'm a journalistic background and currently work as a communications/ media officer for a large NHS Trust in London. My husband is a professional actor and drama teacher.

Antony Coombes
I am interested in the general running and performance of the school, and keen, to help keep the fine balance between family life and school life.

I am the production manager for a publishing, research and consulting company specialising in the field of InformationTechnology in financial markets. I have one daughter in the Infants and my other daughter is due to start in reception In September 2008.

Gina Mills
My name is Gina Mills and I am one of the Parent Governors. My son, Harry, is currently in Year 2 in Class Australia.

My special responsibility within the Governors is for Numeracy, and I try to visit the children to see numeracy in action and keep in regular contact with the maths leaders.

I work locally part-time and am a trampolining coach.

Sandra Jefferson

Sinead Withers

Richard Meads

 Mr Chris Binnie