Local Governing Board
The purpose of the Local Governing Board (LGB) is to provide support and challenge to the school on behalf of the Trust Board. It does this through providing strategic direction at a local level, promoting high standards and educational achievement. The school, through the LGB, is accountable to the Trust Board.
At SFG we believe in developing and embedding a model of outstanding governance.
“The purpose of governance is to provide confident and strong strategic leadership which leads to robust accountability, oversight and assurance for educational and financial performance.” The DfE Governance Handbook (2019)
The Local Governing Board comprises of at least:
- The Headteacher,
- 2 Community Volunteers,
- 2 Parents/Carers,
- 1 Teaching Staff,
- 1 Non-Teaching Staff,
- Any such members as the Directors appoint.
LGB Members hold office for a period of four years, and thereafter renewable on an annual basis. Any LGB Member can hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of their appointment. LGB Members retiring at the end of their term of office are eligible for re-appointment at the discretion of the board which appointed them.
Members
Hannah Jones - Chair
Appointed September 2019
Hannah is the Head of School at BMAT’s Forest Hall School in Stansted. She went to school in Harlow, but travelled to Hertfordshire for her sixth form studies. Due to that experience, Ms Jones joined SFG's governing board. She is working with the Headteacher Mrs Conlon to focus on outstanding teaching and learning.
She is very passionate about improving the life chances of young people in Harlow and excited about the new sixth form as she is keen to help young people access higher education, especially Russell Group universities.
Owen Jones - Deputy Chair
Appointed September 2019
Owen is the Education Lead at Hope Not Hate Charitable Trust's Education Unit. He works closely with communities, especially young people, delivering workshops to Schools and Colleges across England & Wales to teachers and pupils to develop their understanding of how discrimination and prejudice work.
He has a BA in Economics and an MA in History from the University of Leicester. Owen is passionate to improve social mobility. He has been a great leader for change.
Dee Conlon - Headteacher
Appointed September 2019
Dee Conlon started teaching as a maths teacher in North London almost 20 years ago. She continued her career in East London before joining BMAT as a senior leader in 2012. She has 12 years of middle and senior leadership experience and is committed to improving the life chances of young people through education. She has won awards for her contribution to education and to her community. Dee has been instrumental in ensuring that the comprehensive intake at Burnt Mill Academy was provided with the correct curriculum and interventions to improve outcomes, ensuring all, particularly the most disadvantaged, were given every opportunity to exceed expectations.
Dee Conlon has a degree in Mathematics from a Russell Group University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Maths Education and the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH). She is an Ofqual external expert in Mathematics where she uses her professional expertise to help shape and improve the education system. She is also a registered coach with DfE’s Women Leading in Education programme and volunteers her time to coach female leaders in education.
Amy Croucher - Community Volunteer
Appointed September 2019
Amy Croucher was a student at Burnt Mill Academy. She joined a programme BMAT made available to their former students, who are aspiring Teachers. This programme allowed Amy to experience her future profession. She hopes to build upon the knowledge and skills she gained, so that she can dedicate her career to ensuring all students have the best possible experience in education. Continuing school, Amy went to Sixth Form and studied; Psychology, Sociology, Food Technology and Finance. Amy is currently working towards her degree in Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and hopes to fulfil her dream career as a teacher after she graduates.
Sue Forman - Community Volunteer
Appointed September 2019
Sue’s original career path was in the City of London, where she worked for almost 40 years. The majority of this Management Career was on the Operations side of Investment Banking in the Global Emerging Market environment.
She is still an MCSI with the Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment & Institute of Financial Planning regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority). She has also been a Financial Consultant for a large Insurance Company and has owned her own business for 18 years.
She has also worked in education for almost ten years as a Bursar which included all aspects of HR & management of the school budget.
Neil Coster - Company Appointed
Appointed September 2019
Having completed an education degree Neil started teaching in Harlow in 2004 before taking a sabbatical to teach English in Taiwan between 2005 and 2006. Having returned to Harlow he took a role in a local secondary school assuming departmental, pastoral and SLT roles as well as qualifying as an AST in recognition for quality of teaching and ability to support others. In 2014 Neil moved 'cross phase' to assume a role in a large primary school where he was an Assistant Head Teacher and a SENCO thus leading to his appointment as Headteacher at Pemberley Academy in 2015, a school which was recently judged as Good in its first ever OFSTED. Pemberley Academy is a feeder school for SFG.
Being a local man Neil is passionate about the community and improving social capital for young people in the area and is involved with a huge range of local agencies, clubs and charities.
He has a degree in Education, is a qualified SENCO and an Advanced Skills Teacher, and has recently been awarded the NPQH award for Headteachers.
Robyn Gilbert - Company Appointed
Appointed September 2019
Currently Robyn is a Deputy Head Teacher at Burnt Mill Academy in charge of curriculum development and implementation. Prior to her promotion to deputy headship, she held various positions of responsibility ranging from Teaching & Learning to Pastoral Care to overseeing Teacher Training.
She is a Special Leader of Education and has successfully completed teh National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership and holds a Masters degree from Cambridge University in Leading Teaching and Learning.
Robyn is committed to instilling a love of learning in pupils as well as developing the next generation of teachers.
Foriwaah Amponsa - Parent
Parent elected - September 2019
Having acquired a degree in Law, Foriwaah pursued a successful career in retail banking management for a reputable high street bank before accepting a challenge to work for a bank in Ghana. On return to the UK, she connected with her passion to help children and families by completing a Masters programme in social work at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust. Since completion, she has held different posts in referral and assessment teams across several Boroughs as well as the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH).
Foriwaah has varied experience in safeguarding; in-depth understanding of relevant legislation, procedures and applicable techniques that underpins child protection. She possesses an array of transferable skills gained from working with children and families over the years and has managed cases of varying complexities. She is keen to support SFG in implementation of safeguarding principles and to offer advise where required.
Andrew Hobbs - Parent
Parent elected - September 2019
Andrew was raised in Jersey, Channel Islands. He spent much time exploring the coastline, and was always interested in Natural Science studies. From Jersey’s rich and varied coastline, an appreciation of all the different coloured rocks and minerals evolved, and this lead to a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Geological Technology at Luton University. Completing this 2 year course, Andrew transferred into the second year of Luton’s Universities Geology degree course. Andrew organised his own honours project, and gained his Geology Honours degree. From his honours project, an incidental observation was made, that lead to further research, and a Master of Philosophy Degree entitled “Dislocations in Plagioclase Feldspar” at Hertfordshire University where he met his wife, a Harlow girl. Andrew then settled in Harlow, in a series of jobs ultimately leading to employment as a Scientist for over a decade now.
Andrew works in chemical purification separating out chemicals to ultra-pure levels. Despite Harlow’s flatter topography Andrew manages time to climb, and has interests in sailing, has an allotment, and is committed to fully supporting and encouraging his children, one of whom is in SFG’s founding year. Andrew cares deeply for child welfare, education and opportunities, and aspires to help SFG provide the very best experience possible for all of its schools pupils.
Kristie Fleming - Teaching Staff
Staff elected - September 2019
Katy Tyler - Non Teaching Staff
Appointed September 2019