Meet the Governors

Rod Goody

Chair of Governors

My daughter started at Friars Grove infants in 1982, I joined the then PTA, now the Friends of Friars Grove, and supported the school until my son left the school in 1992. During that time I had great fun in organising the school fetes. At this time, I was asked by the school to continue my support and became a community Governor. I served as a governor during the years when the government separated the Infant and Junior schools and was Chair of the Junior school governors in the later years. I was instrumental in the amalgamation of the two schools into Friars Grove Primary of which I now have the honour of being the Chair of the Governors. I have run my own electronics design company for the past 20 years which has allowed me to offer business experience and more importantly time to support a great school. The school gave my children to an excellent education and start in life, I want to continue that ethos and give all our children the best start we can. Term End: 31 August 2024

Laura Sargent

Vice Chair

My daughter joined Friar’s in 2014 and since that time I’ve become more and more interested in supporting the school in anyway I can. I have joined the Friends of Friar’s grove and I am enjoying rolling up my sleeves and helping with events and fundraising. However, I want to take this further by developing a deeper understanding of how the education process works, and I want to play my part in shaping the school’s future. I have worked in financial services for 18 years holding a variety of leadership, development and compliance roles and I am currently a fully qualified financial advisor and work with other self-employed financial advisors consulting to help them grow their businesses in a safe and compliant manner. I feel that my professional background will enhance my contribution to the role of governor, allowing me to work within the governing body to support and challenge the school, for the benefit of all of our children.

Term End: 31st August 2025

Jeremy Gush  Local Authority

I have been a governor at Friars Grove for about 10 years now, initially as a parent governor at the junior school, then staying on as a local authority governor and helping the school through the amalgamation process in order to become a primary school. I have a long career background within local authority finance, mostly within the education sector in one form or another. I currently work full-time for the local authority within the county schools music service (Essex Music Services). Both my children attended Friars Grove and The Gilberd and are now at university. I chose to represent Friars Grove as a member of the inaugural governing body that helped to establish Queen Boudica Primary School a few years ago, and I remain committed to ensuring that governors continue to support Friars Grove Primary in order to move the school forward for the benefit of its pupils and staff alike.

Term End: 31st August 2026

Helen McCombe Co-opted

I became a parent governor at Friars Grove when my daughter entered the Junior School in 1997. After she left the school I became a local authority governor. I have served as Chair of Governors at the Junior school and worked with other governors to bring about the amalgamation of the Infant and Junior schools into Friars Grove Primary. I have a long career with the Civil Service and am able to bring my professional experience and knowledge to my role as governor. I am proud to be associated with this highly successful school and enjoy my role in supporting and helping to drive forward a culture of continuous improvement whilst ensuring a supportive and friendly environment for pupils and staff.

Term End: 30th September 2026

Martyn Mellis  

Co-opted

I joined the governing body when my daughter was in year 1, she is now at university. I also support Friends of Friars Grove at activities they run. I honestly feel Friars Grove is a great school - I am particularly impressed that although some children come from out of catchment that it has retained a strong community feel. I have been a civil servant for 34 years and currently work within HR. In my spare time I can be found on my allotment.

Term End: 30th September 2026

Ian Levinson

Co-opted

I have been a co-opted governor at Friars Grove Primary School for a number of years. My son, now at secondary school, spent seven happy and rewarding years at Friar's Grove. I have over 20 years of teaching experience in the secondary and post-16 sector and I teach Politics at the local Sixth Form College. I have also planned and run numerous educational trips, visits and exchanges including trips within the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and an annual trip to Krakow, Poland and the Auschwitz concentration camp museum. I hope to use my educational experience for the benefit of all the staff, pupils and governing body at Friar's Grove.

Term End: 3rd April 2028

Mark Pettit

Parent

I am an aluminium of Friars Grove, for just one year back in the day, and my daughter started at Friar’s Grove school in September, 2017 and my son in 2019. I live locally, and moved back to the area a couple of years ago to be closer to my parents. I am a Business Coach and Time Management Coach working with small business owners, entrepreneurs, leaders and managers in the UK, the US, and Canada. I have a 25 year background in business and before setting up my coaching business I was Managing Partner of a 60 strong Marketing Agency in London heading up the business with a number of leading FMCG brands including Heineken UK, Anchor Butter, The Times and The Telegraph. I have also headed up £multi-million marketing accounts for a number of international clients including The Government of Malaysia and The Government of Peru. I want to make a positive contribution to children’s education, including my daughters, and specifically at Friar’s Grove. My background in strategic planning, leadership, productivity, time management and creating high performance teams, marketing and revenue generation are skills I hope would be valuable to Friar’s Grove. I currently work with many of my clients around building a vision for their business, setting clear outcome goals and helping them manage their time so they can grow their business faster and easier. I have a strong background in business strategy, goal setting, project management, and improving operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Term Ends: 29th November 2025

Christine

McDonald

Co-opted

I first became associated with Friars Grove in the 80s through my Godchildren and then my children in the 90s where I assisted with maths groups, reading, swimming, costumes for plays, was secretary for the PTA and also ran the Brownie Pack for 25+ years. My husband was also a Governor. Throughout my varied working career I have been employed as an LSA, also teaching English, EASL and Alternative Curriculum under the SEN umbrella at a local Academy. Though I enjoy my long awaited retirement, I feel I still have a lot to contribute towards improving the education and welfare of our youngsters.

Term Ends: 08^th September 2026

Name

FGB

26.09.23

FGB/CPR

21.11.23

PFP 17.10.23

PAY

17.10.23

FGB/CPR

05.02.24

PFP

19.03.24

PAY

19.03.24

FGB

25.03.24

CPR

13.05.24

PFP

04.06.24

FGB

08.07.24

Rod Goody

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Laura Sargent

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Jeremy Gush

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Mark Pettit

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Helen McCombe

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X

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Martyn Mellis

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NA

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Christine McDonald

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Ian Levinson

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Mel 

Jethwa-Flack

Amy Sparks

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Susan Shipp

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Toni Copp

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NA