A Welcome from our Governors

At Eastern Green we have an active Governing Body made up from a wide selection of dedicated people, from all walks of life, who give their time freely and voluntarily to ensure that EGJS receives all the help we can offer in order to reach its goals. All of our current governors have been parents of the school themselves, some currently with children at the school and some whose children have attended in the past. 

Governors act as ‘critical friends’ of the school. They monitor and evaluate the school, working alongside the Headteacher and members of staff, to ensure that best practice and high standards are achieved. We want the children at Eastern Green to have a wide range of experiences and to develop into well-rounded, responsible and caring individuals.

We make collective decisions about school improvement, budgets and staffing and are answerable to the parents/carers, local community and the Department for Education.

Kind regards,
Eastern Green Junior School Governors

Ian Hawkswood- Chair of Governors (29th November 2022- 28th November 2026) 

I am a father of 3, a Co-opted Governor and the Chair of Governors. I have been a resident of Eastern Green for 32 years and been associated with EGJS for 14 years as a parent. I see that my role as a governor is to help, support and challenge. Together we make sure that the decisions we make allow the teachers to serve up a fabulous educational experience for all of our EGJS children, whilst keeping them safe, getting them ready for their journeys into secondary education and preparing them for life itself.

Mark Spafford (Local Authority Governor, 13th March 2022- 12th March 2026)

I am a Local Authority Governor. I have had children and grandchildren at the school since 2010 and will continue to have for the next 10 years too! My role includes sitting on the Resource Management committee where I have a particular interest in school finance, budgeting and forecasting.  I am also the governor responsible for maths, which involves visiting school to meet with staff and pupils to discuss progress.

Melody Starkey (Co-opted governor, 24th June 2015- 23rd June 2023)

It is my pleasure to be a part of the governing body of this excellent school. I decided to volunteer for this role as a co-opted Governor in order to give something back to the community where I have lived for the last 34 years; my daughter thoroughly enjoyed and benefitted from her education at Eastern Green. I have worked as a Primary School teacher in Birmingham and Coventry for the same amount of time so hopefully can put my experience to some good use!

I have been asked recently to help specifically with supporting writing within the curriculum as well as monitoring behaviour in all aspects of school life. I have been fortunate enough to have had a children's book published and so have endeavoured to share my experiences and opinions with the staff and children. I also monitor how school trips are led and have thoroughly enjoyed helping out with some of them.  

Emma Kelcey-Spragg (Parent governor, 1st April 2022- 31st March 2026)

I am honoured to be a parent of Eastern Green Junior School. As a mother of two children I have a wealth of insight from a parent's perspective that I will use to help the school support its mission to create a safe, fun, inclusive environment for our children. My knowledge and experience in governance and risk management will also see me act as a 'critical friend' ensuring decisions are made in the best interest of our children, their education and the community they will grow up in.  

Natalie Green (9th December 2019- 8th December 2023)

I was honoured to be voted in as a parent governor. I have a child in Year 6 and another now in Secondary School. I have lived in Eastern Green for over 20 years. I have many years of experience in education, as I work at a local Secondary School, and I am also a support staff governor there. To become a Parent governor is a huge privilege. Being able to support the school in these very testing times, help share the responsibility and provide the Headteacher with support is something that I enjoy. 

Jo Sharkey (6th December 2022- 5th December 2026)

I moved to the Eastern Green area in 2015. As parent to an EGJS pupil I am excited to join the governing body. My son joined Eastern Green Junior School after the second lock down, and he has thrived in every aspect of school life. As my eldest moves to exiting times at secondary school my youngest son is due to join Year 3 in September 2023.  I know EGJS is going to be a fantastic experience for him. I look forward to supporting the school as a parent governor bring my skills, experiences as a secondary teacher together with my interest in culture and arts to support the school as it continues to offer a strong education experience for the children of Eastern Green.

Cara Hooper - Vice-Chair (6th December 2022- 5th December 2026)

My daughter currently attends Eastern Green in Year 6 and I have been privileged as a parent to see my child grow and flourish at the school. I have lived in the area for many years and I am honoured to serve as a parent governor. I am CIPD qualified (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) and I currently work and partner with both primary and secondary schools in all areas of HR. My passion is that every child matters and can grow to fulfil their full potential, whatever their background, special educational needs or disabilities and being a parent governor places me in a privileged position to support, safeguard and continue to be part of making a difference to every child through the vision, ethos, values, direction of the school and dedication of the staff.

Michaela Lawless (3rd November 2021- 2nd November 2025)

I felt very privileged to be voted in as a teacher governor in October 2021. I have been a teacher at Eastern Green Junior School for 8 years and I absolutely love my job! My role is to work with other governors to enable a safe, supportive, fun and inclusive environment for our wonderful children here at Eastern Green. It is an absolute pleasure to be surrounded by such wonderful staff, who ensure all children have a fantastic educational experience.

In the last 12 months the following governors have stepped down from the governing body:

-Carolyn Strentz (co-opted governor)

Governor responsibilities and committees 

Performance and Standards Committee
Mrs Sara Nealon	Headteacher	School development
Mrs Natalie Green	Parent governor	SEND
Mr Ian Hawkswood	Co-opted governor  (Chair)	School development
Mrs Michaela Lawless	Staff governor
Mrs Melody Starkey	Co-opted governor	English and Educational Visits
Ms Cara Hooper	Co-opted governor (Vice-chair)	Safeguarding
Mrs Jo Sharkey	Parent governor	Arts
Miss Becky Colbourne	Observer

 

Resource Management Committee
Mrs Sara Nealon	Headteacher	School development
Mrs Natalie Green	Co-opted governor	SEND
Mr Ian Hawkswood	Co-opted governor (chair)	School development
Mrs Emma Kelcey-Spragg	Parent governor	Health and safety
Mr Mark Spafford	Local Authority governor	Maths
Mrs Naomi Albans	Observer