Governors
What is the role of Governing Body?
School Governors play a key role in the leadership of the school and are committed to raising standards, providing strategic leadership, accountability, and managing the school’s finances. Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important role to play in setting targets for school improvement.
Who sits on the Governing Body?
The Governing Body is comprised of parents, staff and representatives from the local community who have a range of backgrounds, skills and experiences. All full members have voting rights. Associate members or any invited meeting observers do not have voting rights.
When do Governors meet?
Full Governing Body meetings take place on a termly basis and are attended by all Governors. A subset of Governors also attends either the Resources or Curriculum meetings on a termly basis. Governors also regularly come into school to monitor progress and attend events.
members of baddow Hall Junior School governing body
Richard McIntosh - Ex-Officio Governor (Headteacher)
Mr McIntosh has taught in a variety of schools in Essex and has been a senior leader for the past 17 years in the roles of Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher, Head of School and, since January 2021, Headteacher at Baddow Hall Juniors. He has previously served as a parent governor and through this and his work posts, has experience and understanding of the role of an effective governing body in the success of a school. Mr McIntosh is married with two children and enjoys spending time with family and travelling at home and abroad.
Rebecca Mead - Co-opted Governor and Chair of Governing Body
Rebecca Mead has lived in Great Baddow since 2014, having moved from Kent to be closer to her husband’s family. She now has two children, aged 4 and 9. She works full‑time as a Project Lead in the Civil Service, dividing her time between London and home in a hybrid working pattern. She has served as a governor at Baddow Hall for the past eightyears and became Chair in September 2020. During this time, she has valued seeing the school’s continued progress and is proud of the contribution the governing body has made to its development.
Sharon Crane - Co-opted Governor and Chair of the Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee
Sharon Crane is a retired School Business Manager with over 20 years’ experience in a large primary school, where she led on finance, HR, safeguarding, health and safety and premises management. She has contributed extensively to strategic planning, including business plans and staffing structures, and brings prior experience as both a school governor and vice chair. Sharon has also volunteered as a Samaritan for many years, broadening her understanding of pastoral and community needs. Now retired, she continues to volunteer locally and is keen to use her professional expertise to support the effective governance of the school.
Michael Broughton - Co-opted Governor
Michael Broughton is Director of Sport at Forest School, where he has spent nine years developing and delivering a strategic vision for a broad and balanced physical education programme. With 17 years’ teaching experience, he leads a team within the sports department and contributes to whole-school planning, curriculum development and staff mentoring. His responsibilities include budgeting, procurement and supporting teaching and learning as a Lead Teaching Practitioner. Previous roles at Winchester College and The John Lyon School provide additional insight into different educational settings. He is motivated to contribute to school governance and support local educational provision.
Mark Brown - Co-opted Governor
Mark Brown has lived in Great Baddow all his life and spent over forty years working for a London reinsurance broker before retiring. He has longstanding links with the local community, volunteering at Chelmsford Foodbank and supporting Baddow Hall School through the St Mary’s Church Open the Book team, which delivers weekly assemblies. Mark has extensive experience in children’s and youth work at St Mary’s Church, including leading activities and supporting creative projects. He welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the governing body and strengthen links between the school, its community, and its wider support networks.
Umesh Chaudhari - Co-opted Governor
Umesh Chaudhari brings extensive experience in technology, data and digital strategy, developed through senior roles in the technology sector. His background includes work in systems evaluation, risk management, data governance and strategic planning, all of which support effective school governance. He has significant experience mentoring others and presenting complex ideas in accessible ways, contributing to wider understanding of emerging technologies. Umesh is keen to support schools in developing forward-looking digital approaches, strengthening safeguarding and data management, and preparing pupils and staff for a rapidly evolving technological landscape. He sees the governor role as an opportunity to contribute to the local community.
Caroline Churchouse - Parent Governor
Caroline Churchouse has over 15 years’ experience in the public sector, working across communications, marketing and crisis communications. She is Communications Manager for the Safer Essex Roads Partnership at Essex County Council, where she oversees campaign development and works with senior leaders across local agencies. Caroline also collaborates with education teams on initiatives delivered in schools, including contributing to a Theatre in Education programme focused on road safety. Alongside her professional role, she volunteers as a mentor with Kids Inspire, supporting young people through regular sessions and ongoing training. She is keen to contribute her skills to the governing body.