Governors
Steve Hardy Mandy Green Maureen Tebbutt Rev. Steve Sweet Vicky Bott Brenda Seaton
Concy-Jeya Rasanayagiam Lisa Morgan
Click here for more information about governance at CHJS
Stephen Hardy - Chair of Governors
I’m Steve Hardy and have been a foundation governor of the school since March 2018, vice chair for 4 of those years and recently elected to be Chair of Governors from September 2022. I am on several committees in the school, including Finance and Curriculum and help as a governor to support the staff and leadership in a number of other areas to enhance and improve school life to enable the children to flourish during their time at the school.
Having worked for almost 40 years within the Microbiology department at the University Hospitals of Leicester, I am now retired and apart from grandchildren, enjoy a number of activities including participating in park runs, following the Leicester Tigers and local history including the archaeology of Leicestershire. As a committed Christian, I am secretary of a local Evangelical Baptist Church on St Matthew’s Estate and help to support those living in the area seeking employment. I am also involved in visiting men’s cafes teaching the game of draughts and chess.
My motivation for becoming a school governor was to give something back to the community where I grew up and to contribute some of my own work and church life experience to the school and governing body.
I am always happy to meet and talk with parents and look forward to meeting you at school events in the future. If you wish to contact me, please do so through the school office - I will be pleased to hear from you.
Mandy Green - Foundation Governor + Vice Chair
Hello! I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in September 2020 and took over the role of Governor for Anti-Bullying, Maths, and SEND. I also sit on the Curriculum standards and pastoral sub- committee.
My full time job is a Family and Children’s worker for St Michael & All Angels Church here in Thurmaston, and St Hilda’s Church in East Goscote. This involves running toddler groups, Messy Church, occasional church services, Sunday school, and other children and family events in these communities. I visit schools to take assemblies and run a number of craft clubs. I come into Church Hill to run Buzz club twice a week which is a lunchtime craft club with a Christian theme. Over the last 18 months I have had contact with over 100 pupils at Buzz Clubs. I am also on various committees, including both church PCC’s, Diocesan & Deanery Synods and The Diocesan Board of Education.
Prior to my current role I worked in a school for over 11 years as an Associate Teacher. This involved teaching, working for the SEND team and supporting children with individual needs. I referred pupils to outside agencies where appropriate, supported teachers, gathered information and assisted with IEP’s, EHCP’s and Element Three Funding applications. I also delivered interventions to support children’s progress, especially in the area of Speech, Language and Communication Needs.
Having enjoyed working in schools previously I was honoured to be approached by Mrs Kirk when she asked me to become a Governor and after considering the commitment and number of meetings involved I was very pleased to accept. I am enjoying being part of a school family again and working with the other governors and teachers. It is a pleasure to come into school and work with the children not just at Buzz club but hearing them read, supporting other events (I love attending Christmas plays and other performances), observing lessons and taking assemblies. I have been able to attend a number of training courses to support my role as Foundation Governor and look forward to a continued relationship with the school, staff, parents and pupils.
I live with my husband and two grown children. My other baby is our cat called Sky who is very sensitive and spends most of her time indoors shedding fur everywhere. In my spare time I enjoy reading, relaxing with the family or catching up with friends over a meal. If you see me around school or the village, please speak and introduce yourself. I am a very sociable person and love meeting people. If you wish to contact me at any time, I will always be pleased to hear from you.
Maureen Tebbutt - Foundation Governor
I’m Maureen Tebbutt and was appointed as a Foundation Governor in September 2022 and sit on the Curriculum, Standards and Pastoral Sub-Committee. I am an active member of St Michael and All Angels Church in Thurmaston and a member of the PCC (Parochial Church Council).
I qualified as an ASA (Amateur Swimming Association) Teacher in the mid 1960’s and am now Hon. Treasurer of the East Midlands Schools’ Swimming Association. I went to University as a mature student to train as a Primary School Teacher and taught at a local Primary School for almost 24 years teaching in years Foundation through to Year 6. I was the teacher-in-charge of swimming throughout the school for several years and then ran an after-school swimming club for those children who did not swim during lesson time. During my time there I was a Staff Governor for 12 years. I am very interested in mathematics having worked as a mathematical assistant in an optical design department before my children were born.
Since retiring I have volunteered for the Canal and River Trust. I am part of the Education Team based at Foxton Locks. Before the pandemic we went into schools to teach about water safety and the canals (the history and canal life in the 19th Century) with hands-on activities. We, then, invited the children to Foxton Locks for a guided tour to learn more about the canals and the habitats in and around the water.
I am married to John and have two sons and two grown-up grandsons. My sons were pupils at Church Hill Junior School in the 1980’s. During my spare time I like gardening, supporting the RNLI by doing collections at various Tesco’s throughout the county and since retiring have enjoyed some wonderful holidays abroad including train journeys and river cruises.
I look forward to serving on the Governing Body and I’m hoping my experiences will enable me to become involved in the life of Church Hill Junior School and I look forward to working with the children and members of staff.
Vicky Bott - Parent Governor
Hello, my name is Vicky Bott and I wanted to introduce myself as a new parent governor, I have worked in childcare since I left school and have been a nanny, nursery nurse, mother’s help and have also spent many years involved in Scouting.
I have been a parent at Church Hill since 2008 when my eldest child moved here from another school. I love the care and understanding that the children receive and have watched the school grow and improve over the last 14 years. Becoming a governor is the next step for me in understanding the aspects of Church Hill C of E junior school and the best way I can help them for the next four years. My passions are music, outdoor adventures and helping the children to get the most from their time here that they possibly can.
When I'm not busy with my four children I spend my time baking with my daughter, reading, creating with crochet, photography and being outdoors in nature.
Sameea Patel - Parent Governor
I'm Sameea Patel and was appointed Finance Governor in September 2022. I am a Fellow of the Association of Certified Chartered Accounts (FCCA), having started a lucrative career as an auditor in Ernst & Young in Zimbabwe where I grew up, moving across to KPMG in the UK when I relocated back to England in 2010 and where I spent eight years travelling across the country leading audit teams on site at established well known corporations with steady progression towards my current role as Audit Manager at Grant Thornton based in Leicester. My career as an auditor extends predominantly across corporate auditing, and includes a year spent delivering internal audit services, which strengthened my knowledge and experience of corporate internal control environments, as well as charity and pension scheme audits. In my current role, I am also a People Manager where I mentor and performance manage some members of the audit team and have played a key role delivering national annual training. People, training and developing others is a key strength and passion. My career aspirations are to work my way up to Audit Partner within my current firm.
I have three beautiful girls who are the life of our never ending party at home. My girls have been raised within the community, attending Charnwood Nursery, progressing on to Church Hill Infant School and my two older girls are now excelling and absolutely loving their journey at Church Hill CoE Junior School. One of the reasons I became a governor is because of the passion and continuous pursuit of excellence the school aspires to, from the visibly happy children to the committed staff to the school's values and ethos and the proactive efforts made towards creating a safe, enjoyable inclusive learning experience for all children. I hope to settle in and be of value to the school in any way I can, and feel proud and privileged to be a part of such a committed governing body who stand united in ensuring the absolute best for the school, its staff and its pupils.
When I do manage to sneak away from the corporate and busy mum life, I enjoy photography and creating and capturing special moments. Last year I trekked up Mount Snowden with my girls, with our sights set on Ben Nevis next. My bucket list comprises swimming with dolphins, visiting all seven wonders of the world and capturing the best photo at the top of Kilamanjaro with my girls.
I am always at the school at pick-up, so please do feel free to pop over and say hello or for a general chat as it would be an absolute privilege to meet and get to know you all.
Concy Jeya - Parent Governor
My name is Concy Jeya and I joined as a new Governor in September 2022.
I have worked as a childminder in Italy for 7 years. I'm passionate about teaching languages to students all around the world. I learnt Sinhala, Tamil and English while I was in Sri Lanka. I moved to Japan and Italy and learnt Japanese and Italian languages.
My youngest son started studying at Church Hill Junior School in 2021. I have been really pleased with his progress and his behaviour. I'm happy to be part of the governing body at Church Hill. The visible improvements of the school are noticeable day by day and I highly appreciate how every member of staff contributes to school improvement.
When I have free time, I spend it with my two children.
Lisa Morgan - Community Governor
During my career I have worked in inner city schools, schools in challenging circumstances, outstanding schools and schools in rural settings. I have also been fortunate to be part of a team who opened a new school and took it to outstanding as well as working with schools changing from maintained to academies. For the last ten years, I have had the privilege of working in a variety of roles in school leadership including time spent as a SENCO and Headteacher. My most recent position involved working with a group of schools across a large geographical area encompassing secondary, primary and special phases for a multi academy trust with a focus on school improvement.
I have also completed a considerable amount of work on setting up and organising new sixth forms. In addition to this range of experience I also have a BA, MA and the NPQH. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in school and I enjoy using the experience I have gained to work much more widely across a larger range of schools in all sectors and phases in Leicestershire.
I also enjoy being a governor at Church Hill C of E Junior School. I feel very proud and privileged to be part of the governing body.
Diane Brown- Headteacher
I am proud to be the Head Teacher at Church Hill C of E Junior School. My role on the governing body is that of Ex-Officio and Accounting Officer. I have been teaching for twenty-five years and have had the privilege of working at Church Hill C of E Junior School for seventeen years, initially as a class teacher and, more recently, as Assistant Head before moving into the role of Head Teacher. I have also been a member of the governing body for seven years. I am deeply committed to this school and our local community. It is important to me that the children grow up with amazing memories of their time here. I am committed to providing excellent opportunities and I see Church Hill C of E Junior School as a place full of happy, well-rounded children, who love learning and who are determined to fulfil their potential. I believe that every child should be given a chance to shine regardless of background or ability and I have high expectations for every child in my care.
My background is firmly rooted in teaching and learning, inclusion, curriculum planning, modern foreign languages, music and safeguarding. I am the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead. I am particularly passionate about supporting children with Special Educational Needs/ Disabilities and their families. I am a qualified SENDCo and dyslexic specialist. Previously, I worked in a small school, Holywell C of E Primary School, in rural Cambridgeshire. Whilst there, I was a Leading Literacy Teacher for Cambridgeshire and music specialist.
In my spare time, I continue my love of music, playing the violin, piano and guitar. I love theatre, reading and travel, especially with my family, having been a member of an international twinning organisation. I have written several short, narrative poems and one illustrated picture book for children, which are published for Kindle users.
Please feel free to contact me regarding any issues or worries you have, no matter how big or small. Supporting the children and families of Church Hill is always a privilege.
Manisha Sudera- Deputy Headteacher
Hello! I am the Deputy Headteacher at Church Hill C of E Junior School and have been on the Governing Body for the last 5 years. My main areas of responsibility within the school are Safeguarding, Teaching & Learning, Curriculum, Assessment, Pupil Premium and the line management of staff. Prior to joining as Assistant Headteacher, I worked as a Senior Leader in a large primary school in Stamford where I became accredited as a Specialist Leader in Education for Maths, Curriculum and Assessment. This allows me to work across schools to drive improvements in education- something I am very passionate about across our local community and beyond. I have recently completed my qualification in Headship which I am extremely proud of.
It has been a privilege and hugely rewarding to work with governors at Church Hill over the years to continuously improve the school. On the governing body, I am responsible for sharing key information about my areas of responsibility within the school, allowing governors to ask key questions to further improve the systems in place on a more strategic level.
At home, I love spending time with my two sons, daughter and husband who all keep me very busy. In my spare time I enjoy pilates, exploring super-foods, interior shopping for my home and going out for dinner!
I look forward to seeing Church Hill grow over the coming years as a result of the dedicated staff, governors, pupils and parents. If you ever have any questions or suggestions, I’m always happy to listen and help.
Rachel Saxton - Staff Governor
I am the acting Assistant Headteacher at Church Hill and have been working at the school for 3 years. I am the Head of Year 4, lead the development of English (alongside a colleague) and I also have the role of overseeing the House system. This involves working closely with the house captains, who collect the weekly totals and developing inter house competitions and fund-raising. Prior to joining here, I worked in a large Trust in Nottinghamshire, leading year group teams, the development of English and teaching on the Trust’s SCITT programme for PE. I am currently studying for my qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL) which is giving me the knowledge and skills to deepen my understanding of how schools are strategically led.
In my free time, I love spending time with my family - although my eldest is now at university. We spend a lot of time sailing, dog-walking, cooking – and eating! I am also an avid reader, so when life all gets a bit much, you can find me with my nose in a good book!
I feel proud to have been invited to join the team of governors and look forward to being involved in the school’s development for many years to come.