Elm Grove Primary School

Headteacher

Ben Massey

Co-opted Governor

Natalie Dodds

I have 3 young children, the eldest of which is at Elm Grove. I have worked for Children & Family services for the last 9 years, including as a Family Outreach Worker, a Co-ordinator for Children & Family Centres and most recently as an Early Years & Childcare Advisor.  I hope that both my personal and professional experiences can support me to contribute effectively to the Governing Body of our school, to best meet the needs of the children and families within our community. .

Parent Governor

Becs Kent

My eldest son joined Elm Grove in 2019, with my daughter joining in 2021 and I’ve lived locally in Hanover for the past 10 years. I have been actively involved in the PTA since my son was in Reception and became the chair in 2021. I  spend much of my free time managing The Pantry, a community food project that supports Elm Grove families in need, whilst also leading all of the fund raising events in the school.  A career spent in documentary making has developed my skills in working with and understanding people from all walks of life. When faced with a challenge I pride myself in working together to find creative solutions. I hope that I can bring my professional and personal experience to support and grow our wonderful school community.

Co-opted Governor

Jumoke Oke

I have two children at Elm Grove who joined when we moved to Brighton in 2021. I am a qualified teacher and have worked in education for nearly 20 years, mainly in SEND.  During this time I have led and supported teams, set agendas and presented information to a variety of agencies. Part of my everyday practice includes identifying, setting and working towards achieving goals.

As a governor I will relish the opportunity to make a truly significant contribution and be part of a team that has a positive and meaningful impact on Elm Grove School. I was thrilled to play a key role in the creation of the school library, sourcing titles that focus on diversity and which reflect different cultures, family structures and disabilities while including authors and characters of different backgrounds and strong female leads – to reflect our increasingly diverse school community. 

As a relative newcomer to Brighton I want to do all I can to support my local community and be part of a school that promotes achievement and high standards of education. 

Parent Governor

Vacancy

Associate Governor

Chris McNeill

I joined the Governing Body at Elm Grove as a Co-opted Governor in September 2015. I have also been a governor at Carlton Hill Primary School since I retired from a career in primary education in 2010. During this career I have taught in Australia, Brighton and East Sussex and have been a headteacher in West Sussex.

Staff Governor

TBC

Chair

Co-opted Governor

Chris Adams

Both my children attended Elm Grove. I’ve worked and lived locally in the community for the previous 13 years. Having worked closely with the school in his role as one of the Directors of the Out of School club, and as a Senior Leader in a local digital company I want to bring my experience of Leadership and Management to support the school leadership team make the tough but strategic decisions to ensure the success and continue growth of our amazing school.

Parent Governor

Julian Ridge

My eldest daughter joined Elm Grove in 2016, with her sister following in 2018. I have lived in the immediate area for over 20 years, so have a local interest in the school as well. Professionally I work as a Senior Project Manager in a regulated industry in which I run a programme of large construction projects. I look forward to bringing my professional experience of managing projects, contracts and finances to assist the school in continuing to deliver effectively for the local community and inspire positive change.

Co-opted Governor

Phil Kelly

I live in the community and catchment area of Elm Grove and have been a staff governor on three occasions as well as being a parent governor at my children’s school.  A career working in a multidisciplinary team setting has developed my expertise and understanding of how schools can become successful communities, with relationships between adults and children being fundamental to effective learning. This guiding principal has been underpinned by a strong skill set in behaviour management techniques, restorative justice, mentoring as well as an understanding of SEN provision.

Local Authority Governor

Fiona Callender

I have lived and worked in Brighton for the last 18 years. Both my children attending Elm Grove and I worked closely with the school and was the Director of the Out of School club.

I work as a children’s Social Worker for Brighton and Hove and will represent the Local Authority within the Governor’s. I have a strong interest in safeguarding and education and look forward to supporting the school leadership team to continue the success and growth of our wonderful school.