Who's Who
Ralf Cook - Co-opted Chair of Governors
Ralf Cook is the designated Governor for Safeguarding/Child Protection. Ralf volunteers as a hospital chaplain, an advisor with Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau and a bus driver with Chelmsford Community Transport. He also holds a leadership role with the Chelmsford Salvation Army. Ralf was previously a senior principal with H.M. Revenue and Customs. Ralph's wife, Marilyn, was a teacher at the Infant School until she retired and his 2 daughters and 3 of his grandchildren were pupils at both schools. Ralf feels that serving as a governor is his way of giving something back to the school in recognition of the excellent start in life that it gave to his two daughters and to three of his grandchildren. His term of office finishes in August 2025. Ralf has no other pecuniary interests and does not hold a governance role in any other school or college.
William Guy - Co-opted Chair of Governors, Parent Governor
William Guy joined the Governing Body in January 2024 and has taken on the role of co-chair from Summer 24. William was previously a governor for Hatfield Peverel Infant School. William has two sons in the Junior School and attended the school himself in the late 80s/early 90s. William is keen to support the school to flourish, providing a community asset that not only supports children’s academic development but also furthers their personal and social skills. Professionally, William works for the NHS across Mid and South Essex. His term of office ends in January 2027.
Sigrid Ponder - Vice Chair of Governors, Parent Governor
Sigrid's term expires in January 2027.
Rebecca Black - Headteacher
Rebecca Black was appointed in September 2019 as Headteacher. Prior to this, she was the Deputy Headteacher at St Andrew's from January 2015. Rebecca has no other pecuniary interests and does not hold a governance role in any other school or college.
Father Stephen Northfield - Vicar of St Andrew's Church
Father Stephen is the designated Governor for RE and Collective Worship. He became an ordained minister in the Church of England in 1982 and, having served in a number of parishes in or around Chelmsford, became incumbent at St Andrews Church, Hatfield Peverel, in 1995. Father Stephen has served on the governing body since that time. Apart from church and school-related work, Father Stephen’s interests are model railways and 18th century music, in particular, the work of George Friderick Handel. Father Stephen has no other pecuniary interests and does not hold a governance role in any other school or college.
Michelle Chasmer - Co-opted Governor
Michelle Chasmer joined the Governing Board in November 2019 as a parent governor. Mrs Chasmer is the designated Governor responsible for HR and Pupil Premium. Her term of office finishes in October 2027. Michelle has no other pecuniary interests and does not hold a governance role in any other school or college.
Sarah Smith - Staff Governor and School Business Manager
Sarah Smith joined the Governing Board in September 2023 as staff governor. She joined the St Andrew's team in May 2021 as the school Business Manager and is part of the school leadership team.
Her term of office finishes in September 2027. Sarah has no other pecuniary interests and does not hold a governance role in any other school or college.
Rachel Wright - Co-opted Governor
Rachel Wright joined the Governing Board in September 2020 as co-opted governor. Her term of office finishes in September 2027. Mrs. Wright is the designated Governor for RE & Collective Worship and the school website. Rachel has two children, one of whom is taught at the school and the other is in a local secondary school. Rachel has no other pecuniary interests and does not hold a governance role in any other school or college.
Ruth Campbell - Co-opted Governor
Ruth's term ends in April 2028.
Chris Straetfield - Associate Governor
Chris's term ends in August 2025.
Vacancies
Co-opted Governor
local Authority Governor
Please contact the school office if you are interested in becoming a governor.