Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

The Governing Board has three core functions, as set out in the Department for Education’s Governors’ Handbook:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school
• Ensuring financial health, probity and value for money

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

We have also included details of the Governors' interests, for your information.

Dates of Full Governing Board Meetings

26th September 2022

28th November 2022

6th March 2023

3rd  July 2023

Governors Attendance at Meetings

Information Governance & Personnel Committee

Finance and Premises Committee

Curriculum Committee

Full Governing Body Meeting

Governor Profiles

Margaret Bonner - Local Authority Governor - Chair of Governors

After many years working as a Senior Manager at Essex County Council, working in Social Care as a Social Worker, Customer Services and Information Technology I retired early and moved to the area four years ago. I have previous experience of being a Governor at a large secondary school in Essex.  having Grandchildren at the school I have seen first-hand the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm of the teaching staff.  I now feel privileged at having the opportunity to become a Governor at this inspiring school that has a strong ethos of nurturing pupils and developing firm foundations for the future. 

Julie O'Mara - Head Teacher

During my career in education, I have had the opportunity to teach throughout Key Stage 1 and 2 in both rural and inner city primary schools. I have continued to develop my own professional role, including successfully completing the National Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and the National Award for SEN Coordination.

I consider myself to be an experienced Headteacher who leads by example and sets high standards of teaching, learning and pupil welfare in order to inspire both staff and pupils.

I spend a lot of my spare time with my family outdoors. We particularly enjoy camping and walking along the Norfolk coast.

Suellen Earle - Co-opted Governor

I have lived in Dovercourt for many years and have worked at Chase Lane since 2000. I wanted to take a more proactive role in the school community and consequently have been a governor for the past 16 years.

I am a member of the Curriculum Committee, as well as being linked to School Attendance, Engagement of Parents/Carers and also EYFS.

My interests are history & local history in particular, reading & gardening.

At school I work as a Cover Assistant taking classes of children from the Nursery to Year 6. I also organise the annual Book Journey Reading Challenge, an after school club called ‘Don’t Just Sit There…’ and work with a very enthusiastic group of children who love gardening.

It is very rewarding to belong to the governing body, responding to the responsibilities and challenges involved, and working in partnership with others to ensure that the pupils have a happy and secure environment in which to develop and achieve their potential.

Stacey Barton - Co-opted Governor

After completing a degree in Graphic Design, I became a teacher of Art and Design, in a large secondary school. I was also a Head of Year, and responsible for the pastoral care of all students within my year group. This was a very challenging and rewarding role, and one which I enjoyed immensely. The skills I developed over my time in education will be invaluable to me, in my role as governor.

I am the governor responsible for Safeguarding, as well as overseeing the Quality of Teaching, and Numeracy. I am on both the Curriculum, and Personnel Committees. As a governor I will be seeking to ensure a safe, caring, stimulating and enjoyable learning environment, where every child can achieve their full potential. I am passionate in my desire to help achieve the best possible schooling experience for our children, at this important and early stage of the journey for lifelong learning. I wish to support pupils, parents, staff and the wider community.

Richard Simmonds - Staff Governor

I have worked at Chase Lane School for 13 years, during this time I have taught a variety of year groups and currently teach Year 6. I have held a number of positions of responsibility including maths coordinator and year 5/6 phase leader.

Outside of school I enjoy a number of sports in particular football and cricket which I regularly watch and badminton which I play. I was elected onto the governing body in January of this year and look forward to working in this position to continue to move the school forward. My roles include attendance and assessment.

Dyan Taylor – Parent Governor - Vice Chair

I was voted in as Parent Governor in October, it was something I'd considered doing since my eldest joined this school in year 1 four years ago. I wanted to learn more about how the school is run but I was also intrigued to see what happens behind the scenes and to get involved with helping the school. Being a governor has enabled me to have some understanding of this & the decisions that get made. I feel as a person I am confident, outgoing and approachable. I will support the Head Teacher and staff, but I feel I will challenge or speak up when necessary. I have two children currently at Chase Lane in years 2 and 5.

I was born and brought up in Harwich, before moving out of the area for 12 years. I work full time for a nationwide transport company, originally in London but now in Ipswich and have had experience in different areas of the business. I've also been parts of different committees for various organisations in the past, currently I help co-ordinate events at Harwich & Dovercourt RUFC.

I'm looking forward to learning more as a Parent Governor!

Nathan Evans - Co-opted Governor

My name is Nathan Evans and I have been a co-opted governor at Chase Lane since 2019. Having attended Chase Lane and my daughter currently in attendance I am finding it extremely rewarding being a part of the governing team. Having worked in Construction and Health & Safety for over ten years I am able to offer expertise and advice in these areas. Being a part of the governing body has allowed me to see the opportunities given to the pupils of Chase Lane to help and assist them to achieve their own personal potential. Through the role I hope I am able to help the school continue to offer excellence in education as well as the wide range of facilities available to the pupils.

Ian Larden - Parent Governor

My wife and I have lived in the Harwich area for the last 17 years.  Both our children have attended Chase Lane, with our youngest currently in year 2. I was keen to get more involved and understand the challenges and opportunities facing the school. I had the chance to become a parent governor in February 2020.  I have had a 25 year career in retail and IT and have relished learning more about the way the school operates, making use of my experience where it can help. As a parent governor and chair of the Finance & Premises committee, I hope to be able to continue to support the school and its staff.

Charlotte Pinner- Parent Governor

I was born and raised in Harwich, after completing my A-levels I moved to London where I completed a 3 year professional dance and musical theatre course at a stage school.

After graduating I worked abroad for 10 years dancing professionally and choreographing shows. I took a little break from dancing on returning to the UK and having my children, both of whom attend and have attended Chase Lane.

So now as well as working in the financial services industry, I also teach ballet, modern and tap at a local dance school which I love!

I have been interested in being more involved in the school since my children started at Chase Lane and I have been a parent governor since October 2020. I was very keen to see how the school operates and wanted to be part of helping each child achieve their full potential. I am part of the curriculum committee and the personnel committee and I am looking forward to fulfilling my role as governor.