Welcome to Milton Hall Governors. We work very closely with our Head, Deputy Head & teaching & non teaching staff to ensure the safety, happiness & best all round education for all our pupils.

Our Governing Body is made up from parents, staff & local community members & our role is strategic planning & monitoring, working closely with our Head who, along with the leadership team, is responsible for the day to day running of the school.

Each Governor brings different skills, knowledge & experience to our Governing Body & each of us has our own area of responsibility and interest within the school.

All of us are completely committed to ensuring our school offers the very best possible outcome for every child, giving them all a firm foundation on which to build once they reach Secondary School and in later life.

We currently meet all together three times a term and also attend a variety of training and briefings throughout the school year.

Our current Chair, Dave Taylor, meets at least twice a month with our Head to ensure all is running smoothly.

If you would like to know more, or to make contact with any of our governors, please ask at the school office and this can be arranged.

Our current Governors are:

Dave Taylor - Partnership Governor, Chair of Governors

Michelle Palles-Clark - Co Opted Governor, Vice Chair of Governors

Margaret Borton - LA Governor

Fr Neil Dalley - Co Opted Governor

Miranda Reid - Parent Governor, Safeguarding Governor

Debbie LeGrave - Parent Governor

David Rodrigues - Parent Governor

Efua Ogunleye- Partnership Governor

Jane Goddard - Co Opted Governor

Carl Jensen - Staff Governor

Andy Douglas - Head Teacher

Karen Willis - Clerk to Governors

The chair of Governors can be contacted at chair@miltonhall.southend.sch.uk

Governor Pen Portraits

Michelle Palles-Clark

I have been a co-opted Governor since March 2020 - just in time for all of our virtual meetings thanks to Covid!  I am married with two grown up sons.  I have lived in Southend for the majority of my life so know it well!  During my 7 years as a Governor I have served at a Secondary school, been a Vice-Chair of a Primary school and Vice-Chair of Trustees of a MAT in Southend.  I was asked to become a Governor at Milton Hall and jumped at the opportunity!  This is now the only school I serve as I want to be totally committed.

 

I had a brief (but glorious) career in the financial sector in London before having my boys.  Whilst they were growing up I worked for Southend Council and promoted their Walking Bus service - some of you might even remember it?  I was medically retired in 2008 and am registered as disabled.  I understand the trauma and challenges that are faced every day and can empathise wholeheartedly.  

 

Milton Hall is unlike any school I have been a part of.  I have never worked with such a group of pro-active, caring and professional staff as Milton Hall.  Everyone is driven and dedicated to providing the very best education and also pastoral care for your child(ren).

 

I am currently Vice-Chair here and proudly represent the Governors on the Wellbeing Committee.  I am a "hands on" person and I am desperately hoping there will soon be events where I can come in and meet with you all.

I am Andy Douglas, I have been the Headteacher at Milton Hall since April 2019. I started teaching in the twentieth century! and have worked in Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Thurrock, Essex and now Southend-on-Sea. It has been a privilege to work with so many fantastic children over the years and fully subscribed to the view that, ‘the more you teach, the more you learn.’ Away from school I enjoy watching most sports. I am a Leyton Orient fan so have learnt to enjoy successes when they come and not to get too despondent when we lose. I enjoy all DIY projects and have learnt that although it’s helpful to have the right tool at the right time, using the tools you have can get the job done, even though it might take a little longer!

Carl Jensen

After working at Milton Hall Primary School for 8 years I am excited to be given the opportunity to join the Milton Hall Governing Body as a Staff Governor.  I am very passionate about the importance of the Early Years/KS1 and the learning that happens during these first years at school.  I have really enjoyed my time spent teaching these key developmental years at Milton Hall.  I hope my time spent in these areas will mean I can bring experience and insight to the Governing body and support them in the decisions they make.

Working together we will aim to ensure the safety, happiness and best all-round education for all our Milton Hall pupils.  My hope is that we guarantee our school offers the very best possible outcome for each and every child, giving them all a firm foundation on which to build once they leave primary school and continue onto further education.

Jane Goddard

I was co-opted as a governor for Milton Hall in September 2020 and have been a learning support assistant since November 2007. I have worked in many areas of the school over the years, including Years 6,5,4,3, reception and occasionally have helped out in nursery when needed.

I facilitate two extra-curricular Art Clubs for key stage one and two after school, and work in Twilight Club on the other days of the week. I enjoy getting to know the children from all the year groups in these clubs and joining in with fun and games.

In my spare time I dabble in art and crafts, going for lovely long walks in nature, reading, spending time with my family, and have recently completed a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.

Debbie Le Grave – pen portrait 2023

I was elected as a parent governor in summer 2018 and I have a son in Year 5.  I have a 16-year background in Education, latterly as Head of School at Newham College, responsible for staff management, budgeting, curriculum design, monitoring and review, reporting directly to Principalship on key data for my departments. I have a good understanding of the Ofsted Inspection process.

Previously I worked in Further Education and training, Pupil Referral Units and providing education for youth offenders. 

I admire the School’s ethos, acting in the best interests of all children giving them access to a broad, balanced curriculum. I am committed to ensuring the school continues to develop innovative and nurturing learning environment for all children. I look forward to working with my colleagues to oversee the future strategic direction of the School. 

In my spare time I enjoy developing my knowledge of complimentary therapies, walking and live music.

David Rodrigues – Parent Governor

I have recently been appointed as a parent governor and am very excited about contributing towards the amazing work being done by all the staff at Milton Hall. I have two sons who attend the school (one in year 4 and one in nursery), who both love being pupils here. I see first-hand how important the school is to the local community, especially during lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I felt compelled to get involved and support the school in any way I can, in facing the challenges ahead. Professionally, my background is within the Media sector, having worked for two of the biggest entertainment companies in the world over a 14-year period (and counting), which is experience I hope I can draw from to help bring a different perspective to the Board. 

When we’re not off on a family adventure somewhere and the boys grant their old man some spare time, I enjoy long walks down by the sea, reading, supporting by far the greatest team the world has ever seen (Arsenal FC, in case you weren’t aware…) and hosting a book club. 

Efua Ogunleye

I am a chartered accountant, volunteering as a Coopted governor at Milton Hall.

I enjoy learning and I have always been interested in education: particularly for children. Education is fundamental in shaping the lives and experiences of children, as well as impacting the types of adults and members of societies that they ultimately become.

The right education is the basis of producing individuals capable of contributing positively to society and culture.

I have had the privilege of benefiting from continuous (life-long study and practice) in fields of my choosing.

I seek to contribute to the rewarding endeavour of education; hence me volunteering as a governor.