Meet the Governors of Highfields Primary School

Please find below information on our Governing Body, how the Governing Body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

You will also find information on Governor attendance to committee meetings and full governor meetings, the current register of Business Interests, subject responsibilities and Annual Statement.

Malcolm Gentry- Chair

Member of the Personnel, Finance and Strategy Committees I have been a governor at Highfields for over 20 years. I have had the honour of being chair for the majority of this time. (To be honest I can’t quite remember when I first became chair).

My wife and I have lived in the area since 1986 and have two sons, now both adults. Both my sons were former pupils of Highfields and it would be fair to say that I am a governor because I wanted to give something back to the school that played a part in their development.

I am now retired but prior to this was an employee of BT plc. I was the Principal Commercial Manager for BT Enterprises. I have many years of managerial experience with large teams and with commercial responsibilities for large budgets.

Gaius Phillingham

In May 2007 we moved into the area and our eldest son took a place at Highfields.  A year or two later I became a governor and although both our children have moved onto High School; I don't want to leave!

I have recently been asked to serve as Vice Chair of the whole governing body, am chair of the Premises Committee and sit on the Finance Committee too.  I am the Pastor at a local church and so really enjoy my subject responsibilities of Music and Religious Education.

It has been a privilege to serve the school during the time that we have achieved an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. 

Dave Ashley

I am proud to have been a governor at Highfields since 2008, and am currently the Chairman of the Finance Committee, as well as being responsible for Assessment and Attendance. 

My two children went to Highfields, before then going on to Manningtree High School and then Colchester 6^th Form, with my eldest about to go on to university at the time of writing. I have no doubt that their education successes are a direct result of the early education and nurturing they received at Highfields.   

I am an experienced teacher and headteacher, and being a governor at Highfields has the advantage of being able to share two-way best practice – both sharing my successful experiences with staff and other governors, and taking ideas and practices back to my schools. 

Away from schools, I am a director of a local housing enterprise trust and a trustee for a local Almshouse association, and was previously a long-serving member of Lawford Parish Council, including being chairman of the council, although this has now ceased having recently moved away from the parish. I still stay up to date with the local community news however.

Hannah Doran
I’ve been a governor for four years and chair the Curriculum Committee, with particular responsibility for the Early Years Foundation Stage, Art and Design & Technology, and Behaviour. 

We moved to Manningtree in April 2013 and have really enjoyed settling into the local community and getting to know everyone. All my children went to Highfields Primary School.   

I became a governor because it’s a fantastic opportunity to support Highfields, its staff and students, and to have a positive impact on children’s education. I also work four days a week as a managing editor at the Financial Conduct Authority in London.

Kathryn Glover

I sit on the Premises Committee and I also have subject responsibility for PE. I have two children who both went to Highfields. I became a governor because I wanted to support Highfields to become the best it can be. I also work part-time as a civil servant at the Department of Health and hope that my experience of governance and management will be a useful contribution to the governing body and the school.

Darren Cole

I am a new governor with responsibility for Computing and Raising Attainment.

My two children have both attended Highfields.

My background is suited to my role as governor as I spent 7 years as a Primary school teacher. For the past 10 years I have worked as an education adviser for Essex County Council with a particular focus on software to support assessment and data analysis. With all the recent changes to the Primary curriculum and end of Key Stage assessment I wanted to offer my knowledge and skills in this area to help support the school through the necessary changes.

Christine Meadway

I’ve been a governor since my youngest son was a pupil at Highfields and I think I’ve served on the Premises Committee for most of this time.  I also serve on the Personnel Committee and because I used to work in the community health services with children with additional needs I’m now the governor with responsibility for children with SEND, working closely with the school SENCO, Mrs Bowden.  I also have governor responsibility for monitoring the way Pupil Premium is spent within the school and ensuring that the school and its environment is a safe and happy place for everyone who studies and works here. 

One of my greatest pleasures as a governor is seeing our children being encouraged to grow in confidence and develop their skills and talents, whatever they may be.

Jordan Marshall

I am a parent Governor and sit on the Finance Committee.

I have worked in banking and financial services for 20 years and I come from a family of teachers. Both of my daughters have benefitted from being educated at Highfields Primary School and have very much enjoyed the caring and positive environment that the school has created.

As a result, I wanted to support the school in continuing to provide the young people of the local community with the first-class primary education to which they have become accustomed.

I have interests in history and music, being a trumpet player and a member of Boxted Methodist Silver Band, and so also support the curriculum leads in those areas.

Rob White

I am proud to have been a governor since 2019 and I sit in on the finance committee.

My three children all attend Highfields and I myself attended Highfields after moving to the area from the East Midlands. Hilary and the staff at Highfields made my family and I feel welcome from day one as we settled into a new community, and I’m delighted that the same focus on caring and kindness remains at the core of the school’s values today.

I currently work as the head of compliance for a national insurance broker. I have prior experience in project management, regulatory compliance and conduct across banking and insurance, and in consulting for one of the world’s largest professional service firms.

The Governing Body 2021- 2022

Governing Body Members for the current and previous academic year who have stepped down

Mike White- Associate Governor 

Name and address of Chair of Governors & Clerk to Governors:

Chair of Governors: Malcolm Gentry

Clerk to Governors: Sue Madell

Both can be contacted via the school:

Highfields Primary School,

Colchester Road,

Lawford,

Manningtree,

Essex CO11 2BN

Telephone: 01206 392223

Information supplied by Governor Services EES

Membership of Committee Highfields Primary School

Governing Body 2021- 2022

If you are not a member of a particular committee but are interested in the agenda you may attend any meeting as an observer.

Governor Subject Responsibilities/Support 2021- 2022

Register of Business Interests 2021- 2022

Governor resigned from role in last 12 months

Governor Attendance 2020- 2021