Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust

Governor Type: Chair of Governors – Governance and Leadership

Term of Office: 4 Years (23/06/2023-22/06/2026)

Current Membership and Responsibilities: Chair, Development, Communications and Community Governor. Safeguarding and Vulnerable Pupils Governor.

Governance Experience: CEO of a charity with strong governance requirements.

Professional Experience: Melanie is co-founder and CEO of Electric Umbrella, a charity challenging the perception of people with learning disabilities and empowering and enriching lives through music. As well as significant experience in strategy, partnerships and fundraising, Melanie has an extensive background in community arts and is a qualified Art Therapist registered with the HCPC.

Personal Interests: I am mum to 4 energetic boys and love spending time as a family outdoors growing vegetables, cycling and talking long walks by the sea!

Register of Interest: None

Category of Governor: Finance Governor

Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust

Governor Type: Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 4 years (19/10/2023 – 18/10/2027)

Current Membership and Responsibilities: Finance Governor

Governance Experience: None

Professional Experience: Manager Liberty London

Personal Interests:

Register of Interest: None

Category of Governor: Foundation Governor

Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust

Governor Type: Curriculum and Standards Governor

Term of Office: 4 years (12/12/2023 – 11/12/2027)

Current Membership and Responsibilities: Curriculum and Standards Governor

Governance Experience: None

Professional Experience: My career as a teacher and then later, as a Head, has meant that I have constantly been trying to improve education for all the pupils in my care. By becoming a governor I am hoping that I can continue to help improve education through my work.

Personal Interests:

Register of Interest: None

Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust

Governor Type: Safeguarding Governor

Term of Office: 10/12/2021 – 09/12/2025

Current Membership and Responsibilities: Safeguarding

Governance Experience: None

Professional Experience: In a professional capacity I am a Signal Engineer.  Our department is responsible for all signalling assets and signal performance across the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines. Whilst this is generally seen as a technical area my main interest is in people. I have worked for LU/TFL for 16 years. Prior to this I did a degree in European Business with Business Economics and worked in corporate products for British Airways.

Personal Interests: Running, Swimming and watching my 2 daughters ride their horses.

Register of Interest: None

Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust

Governor Type: Development, Comms and Community Governor

Term of Office: 23/06/2022 – 22/06/2026

Current Membership and Responsibilities: Development, Comms and Community Governor

Governance Experience: None

Professional Experience: I am Global Head of Business Acceptance at an international law firm and my responsibilities include managing conflicts of interest, reputational and ethical risks. I have strategic, team and management responsibilities.

Personal Interests: Doing up my house (big project!), travel and spending quality time with the family

Register of Interest: None

Appointing Body: Sarratt School Governing Body

Governor Type: Admissions and Attendance Governor

Term of Office: 

Current Membership and Responsibilities: Admissions and Attendance Governor

Governance Experience: 

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests: 

Register of Interest: None

Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust

Governor Type: SEND and Inclusion Governor

Term of Office:

Current Membership and Responsibilities: SEND and Inclusion

Governance Experience: None

Professional Experience: I am an Educational and Child Psychologist and I have over 12 years experience of supporting schools and parents across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and the London Boroughs of Harrow and Enfield. I set up my own private practice in 2016.

I have a passion for supporting and promoting inclusion for all children. I have a professional interest in supporting staff mental health and wellbeing. As part of my role I also train Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs) in schools and Early Years settings to support children and young people who may have experienced social, emotional and mental health difficulties or bereavement. I am a qualified Mindfulness in Schools Teacher.

Personal Interests: Outside work I love spending time with my family and friends. I also really enjoy being outdoors in nature exploring our beautiful local countryside and practicing Yoga.

Register of Interest: I currently provide Educational and Child Psychology services to Sarratt Church of England Primary School and other local schools in the surrounding area.

Appointing Body: Sarratt School Governing Body

Governor Type: Staff Governor

Term of Office: 

Current Membership and Responsibilities: Staff Governor

Governance Experience: 

Professional Experience:

Personal Interests: Volunteering, Community Projects, Cycling, Walking

Register of Interest: None

Appointing Body: Sarratt School Governing Body

Term of Office: For the duration of employment as Head

Current Membership and Responsibilities: Head of School, Learning, Standards, Staffing and Welfare including Safeguarding

Governance Experience: Nicola has previously been a staff governor

Professional Experience: Since completing her training in 2004, Nicola has worked in primary schools in the North West and North East of England, teaching all primary age year groups. Her past leadership roles include: English Subject Leader, KS1 Phase Leader, KS2 Phase Leader and Primary Lead practitioner. She relocated to Hertfordshire in 2016, joining Sarratt C of E School as Deputy Head Teacher. She was acting Head Teacher between 2017 and 2019, before becoming Head of School when the school academised.

Personal Interests: Nicola enjoys spending time with her family. She tries to keep fit and healthy; enjoying long weekend runs with her husband in the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Register of Interest: None