Meet the Governors
Sian Farrelly – Chair of Governors
A Deputy Head Teacher in a large primary School in East London, Sian has 13 years’ experience within education and is the lead on teaching and learning, behaviour and safety, and attendance.
With a BSc in Anthropology, she progressed into teaching in Key Stage 1 where she has held roles; such as, Co-ordinator of Art and Science, Foundation Stage Co-ordinator and nursery management. Sian has been the lead Borough moderator for Early Years and advised for the Local Authority on Early Years’ best practise where she assisted schools in altering their curriculum, focusing on play based and ‘boy friendly’ learning providing a positive impact on learning and the ‘Good Level of Development’ (GLD).
Sian is an NSPCC accredited Safeguarding Trainer and is the ‘Stonewall Homophobic Champion’ and the ‘CSE Champion’ for the Local Authority. Trained in Positive Handling she advises schools on children with challenging behaviour and has a genuine interest in education and enjoys learning and growing as an individual.
Anne Marie Lockhart – Vice Chair of Governors
Anne Marie comes from a secondary teaching background and has worked in a large comprehensive school in Essex for 12 years. Anne Marie is the Head of History in her current school where she leads a team of nine History specialists taking an average of 150 plus pupils through the GCSE on a yearly basis.Anne Marie has also worked extensively with underachieving pupils through her role as a progress coordinator, providing them with 1-1 support to help them to progress in their core subjects.Anne Marie moved to Doddinghurst in 2018 and looks forward to working with Mrs Nicholson, her team and everyone in the Doddinghurst Infant School community.
Shahid Ali – Governor
Shahid is a fully qualified ACCA accountant and certified BCS Business Analyst with over 18 years’ experience in the utilities industry. He has experience in producing financial accounts, budgeting and working on business projects ranging from large scale system replacements to business process changes.
Shahid has lived in Brentwood since 1999 and moved to Doddinghurst in 2015 with his daughter now attending the infant school.
Kris Sharman – Governor
Kris has been involved within the Governor role at Doddinghurst Infant school for a number of years. Kris comes from a business background (non educational) with over 30 years’ experience within property finance, recruitment and travel at a senior level. She was Managing Director of a large retail travel organisation within the South East for over 20 years. Kris currently runs an extensive property development business covering London, Essex and Suffolk and is a senior manager within a national recruitment business. Kris has lived in the village of Doddinghurst for over 35 years.
Vera Grigg – Co-opted Governor
Vera has been involved at Governor level within the Doddinghurst Infant school for many years. Vera’s wealth of experience comes from her many years of work within Education. Vera taught mainly in the secondary section but also in an ‘All- through school’ and at a University. The schools included rural, urban and inner-city, co-educational, faith and single- sex. Vera ran a pre-school group for three years. Vera was an Ofsted Inspector for twelve years, inspecting both Primary and Secondary sectors, main stream and special schools. Vera was also a Head teacher and operated in a small business handing all office and legal matters.
Nikkie Marshall – Governor
I have 16 years’ experience as a primary school teacher working predominately within Early Years and most recently as an assistant head teacher, leading Inclusion as a SENDCo & an ASD specialist. I feel that schools should be a caring and nurturing environment where every child can achieve their full potential.
I feel that a school Governor should display specific qualities including (but not exclusively) the ability to listen impartially to concerns/feelings on vital matters raised by parents/carers and present a balanced view of issues, therefore maintaining an approachable and reliable stance. Excellent communication skills are essential as well as confidentiality; within my role as an assistant head teacher, I use these skills daily. I am an enthusiastic, well-motivated individual and would relish the opportunity to making a difference to the education of the children within the school.
I would hope to be an asset to the school, dedicating my time to be a proactive and effective school governor.
Lauren Daly – Staff Governor
Lauren is a Year 2 teacher, RE and English lead, and she is part of the teaching and learning committee. Lauren has experience working in EYFS and Key Stage 1. Before joining Doddinghurst Infant School she worked in London and Thurrock.
Additional details
Further details of the governing body who have served at any point over the last 12 months can be located within the following document: