Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

Please find below details of our Governing board including the names, categories, terms of appointment and business and pecuniary interests for each Governor.

 

 

Our Governors come from a range of backgrounds, and bring different areas of expertise to the school.  Governors contribute to ensuring high standards of achievement for all children in the school by:

 

• setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction;
•  holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils;
• overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

 

A Governor’s role is to support and challenge the senior staff to continue to improve the school.  It is largely a thinking and questioning role and Governors are not there to manage the school or do the jobs of school staff.  Governors fulfil their role by regularly attending Governing Body meetings, providing strategic guidance and by asking probing and challenging questions of leaders within the school.  They also undertake visits, serve on relevant committees and oversee the Headteacher’s performance management.

 

Dale Connelly (Co-Chair)

 

My wife and I are raising two daughters who attend Heathlands C of E. As a parent, I get the opportunity to experience the school through conversations with our daughters at the dinner table, being at the school gate, and in parent consultations with teachers. As a Parent Governor, I'm committed to taking my experience as a parent and the opportunities I get as governor to identify and celebrate the school's successes and ask the questions that prompt the school to think and improve the child, staff and parent learning experience. We reside in Mile End in a family home where we gather to enjoy restorative and inspirational conversations. Alongside being a husband and father, I am part of NHS England, improving patient's health & wellbeing as a coach and student child counsellor.

 

Darryl Crawley FCCT

 

Mr Crawley joined Heathlands in January 2024 having previously taught and worked in Uttlesford. Before teaching Mr Crawley worked as an Artistic Director of a large youth theatre company and has a BA in Drama. He has completed his NPQH and is undertaking a two-year programme in order to become a Teacher Education Fellow. Mr Crawley has been awarded Fellowship status by the Chartered College of Teaching in recognition of his commitment and achievement within the teaching profession. Mr Crawley is an NPQ facilitator and an Evidence Lead in Education, and works with the Essex Research School to help support other schools and leaders. In his spare tim,e he enjoys going out with his two sons, going on long walks with his dog Albus, cooking, reading, drinking coffee and directing theatre productions. 

Rev. Heather

 

Having grown up in Essex, I spent my early adulthood living in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, where I trained as a nurse, working there for 19 years in various roles before specialising in anticoagulation and setting up a nurse led Deep Vein Thrombosis clinic. In Kings Lynn I met my husband and we had our two children both adults now, Megan who is married to Scott and lives in Long Stratton and Luke who still lives with us. 15 years ago, I was ordained and following my curacy on the coast in Pakefield just south of Lowestoft, I spent the next 10 years in a group of parishes centred around Long Stratton just south of Norwich in Norfolk.

 

I have been the Priest in charge of West Bergholt and 5 other neighbouring parishes since November 2021.I love being a Priest, telling others about Jesus and how much he loves them and serving the local communities, and I have been a school governor since my daughter started school 22 years ago, in that time I have been a parent, community and foundation governor and been the chair of governors on two occasions. In my spare time, I like getting creative and enjoy a variety of crafts, I also like getting outdoors for walks, gardening and swimming. 

Judith Harvey

I live in West Bergholt and have had a long involvement with education and schools. I am married with three grown up sons and two grandchildren.  My youngest son attended Heathlands when we first moved to West Bergholt in 1988. I became a governor of Heathlands in 2022. I have a strong belief in the importance of the school working with the community whilst providing a safe and fulfilling environment for the children in its care.

 

I have had a long career in education that began in Brighton, Sussex and before retiring I was headteacher of a Junior School and then a Primary School in Essex.  I have a BEd from Sussex University and a MEd from Cambridge University.  My MEd was a research degree into Primary School Improvement.

 

I have keen interest in special educational needs and safeguarding. Shortly after retiring as a headteacher I represented Essex Primary Headteachers on several Serious Case Reviews. I also worked for Essex County Council in a role that linked networks of headteachers in Mid Essex to health; social care and other agencies.  I have  been an Adoption Panel Independent Member for a neighbouring County Council for the past 15 years. These experiences have helped to ensure that the well-being of children and staff is always at the forefront of my mind when decisions are being made.

 

Heathlands has a strong record of involvement in art and cultural opportunities and I currently work part-time as a Project Manager for Braintree District Cultural Education Partnership – an organisation that promotes cultural opportunities for children and young people in Braintree District schools and provides teacher development opportunities for staff.

Colleen Stimson

 

I live in West Bergholt with my husband and children, one of whom attends Heathlands Primary. My child is supported by the SEN team within the school which has given me a different perspective of parenting and allows me to advocate for children with additional needs and their families.

I am currently working as a Teacher of the Deaf across Mid and North Essex, supporting children with a hearing loss from birth to twenty-five years across a range of home and educational settings. I am also currently completing a Masters in Deaf Education. Having previously taught in primary and special schools as a teacher and senior leader I have the necessary skills to support the school in their development.

As a Parent Governor I am dedicated to supporting the school to continually improve the outcomes and opportunities for all children, ensuring all children have the opportunity to succeed in all areas of their school life.

 

Naomi Steward (Parent)

 

I have two girls at the school and have lived in the village since 2012. I joined the governing body in October 2022 as a parent governor.  

 

As a secondary school teacher, I have taught in a range of schools across Essex. I am currently Associate Assistant Headteacher at a school in Braintree, but was previously Head of Languages for 10 years. In my own school, I have responsibility for Year 6 transition and so understand the importance of ensuring that this process is as smooth as possible. 

 

My professional background means that I understand the framework within which schools have to operate, but also recognise that all children require a different approach in order to get the most out of their school experience. 

 

I think it’s essential that schools work with the local community and that children are given lots of culturally enriching opportunities both within and beyond the classroom. I enjoy my role as a parent governor because it allows me to support Heathlands and professionally it gives me a greater understanding of life in a primary school.