The Governing Body works with the Headteacher and staff to make sure the school provides an excellent quality of education for all its pupils.

Governors are volunteers elected to the Governing Body for a fixed term bringing specialist skills and experience in order that its core strategic functions are met.

The Governing Body is part of the strategic leadership of the school.  Governors are not expected to make day-to-day decisions about how the school is run; that is the role of the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team. 

Governors have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

1. “Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
2. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.”

(Reference Department for Education – Governors’ Handbook)

This means that as school governors we will be involved in many aspects of running the school including how the budget should be spent, making sure the school building is welcoming, safe and fit for purpose, setting and monitoring the school's aims and policies and agreeing the curriculum.

The Full Governing Body meets in full every half term to conduct its business. 

Governors' Profiles

Profiles for Willowbrook School Governors

Rob Fryer (Chair, Co-opted Governor)

I became a Parent Governor in 2018 and Co-opted in 2021 when I was appointed Chair. After working in Human Resources Management for 15 years across the manufacturing and professional services sectors, I spent 7 years as Director of Student Experience at a leading University.  I am now an Executive Director at a small charity called Now Teach that inspires and supports career changers to become secondary school teachers. I am a qualified coach with the Institute of Leadership and Management and have a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management. I have two children who attend the school and one who recently left for secondary school. I really enjoy working with such a talented leadership team and hope to bring all my experience and knowledge to help make Willowbrook an even better school.

Kate McLeod (Vice Chair, Parent Governor)

I joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor in September 2021 and became Vice Chair in September 2023. I currently have responsibility for Finance, SVFS, and performance and pay committee as well as being a class governor for Maple class . I have two daughters both of whom attended Willowbrook and who are now at the local secondary school. I currently work for an investment bank as head of their Procurement Team and have twenty years experience in financial services. I’ve seen my children blossom at Willowbrook and hope I can help and support the school to carry on its journey of continuous improvement.

Chris Leyland (Parent Governor)

I joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor in September 2024. My motivation was to use my professional experience and commitment as a parent to contribute to the school's strategic direction and uphold its strong educational standards. I believe that an involved community is essential for a thriving school environment.

My professional background is in digital strategy and commerce. I am a Director of Digital Commerce for Deloitte Digital, where I work with major retailers and brands to transform their technologies and processes to enhance their online operation. I hope to leverage this experience in governance, digital, technology and security to support the Headteacher and leadership team in ensuring the school's long-term success.

I have one child currently attending Willowbrook, with more to follow in the coming years, giving me a close connection to the school's daily life and curriculum.

My specific responsibilities on the Governing Body are focused on the English curriculum, covering both Writing/Spelling and Reading/Phonics. I am dedicated to helping the school deliver an engaging and high-quality curriculum that enables every pupil to excel in literacy.

Christian Howe (Co-opted Governor)

I was appointed as a Co-opted Governor in March 2024 and my wife and I have two children in the school. I am a Chartered Building Surveyor, RICS Registered Valuer and Founder & Managing Director of Howe Chartered Surveyors (HCS) with offices in Billericay, London and Kent.  HCS is a Property Consultancy providing Surveying, Architectural, Valuation and Structural Engineering services with a large share of our work being in Brentwood and the local area.  We have been in business for 12 years and have strong links with many of the businesses and organisations in the Brentwood area.  I have worked in construction for over 20 years, with various clients across all sectors including educational, residential, office and industrial premises.  In my role as Managing Director, I am responsible for the vision, ethos and strategic direction of my firm as well as both the performance of the staff and the financial performance of the business.  To this end I’m confident my skillset benefits the school, staff and pupils.

Joseph Fielder (Co-opted Governor)

As a headteacher who has worked in a variety of roles in education over the past 20 years, I was delighted to be appointed as a co-opted governor at Willowbrook Primary School in the Summer of 2024. I have been a senior leader in schools for eight years in both Essex and Havering and also have experience working in international schools. I lived in Shenfield for over ten years and have strong ties to the community. I hope my experience and skillset will support the senior leadership team at Willowbrook in driving the school forward and achieving its vision.

Luke Hamm (Parent Governor)

I am delighted to be appointed as a parent Governor from November 2023. I have 2 children currently at Willowbrook and my wife attended the school 30 years ago! I have spent my career in professional and financial services covering sales & marketing, strategy, corporate development and employee engagement. I have held senior leadership roles for both blue chip businesses as well as SMEs and currently lead the UK division of a private equity backed global specialist consulting business. I hope my experience can support the school leadership and help drive the school forward.

Governing Body

Willowbrook Primary Full Governing Committee Membership and Lead Governor Appointments

NAME	DATE OF APPOINTMENT	TERM EXPIRY	CATEGORY	POSITION & RESPONSIBILITIES
Clare Branton	31.08.14	31.08.26	Governing Body	Headteacher
Jolami Youngblood	29.01.25	29.01.29	Governing Body	Deputy Headteacher/SENCO
Chris Leyland	20.09.24	19.09.28	Elected by parents	English (Writing/Spelling) English (Reading/Phonics)
Kate McLeod	21.09.24	20.09.28	Governing Body	Vice Chair of FGB Finance/SFVS/ /Chair of FWG /HT performance
Rob Fryer	13.09.2025	12.09.29	Governing Body	Chair of FGB/Safeguarding incl. monitoring and filtering/attendance.
Bruce Shrimplin	30.10.23	29.10.27	Elected by staff	KS1 Lead
Luke Hamm	30.10.23	29.10.27	Elected by parents	FWG/Science/Comms/wellbeing/School Council
Joseph Fielder	01.07.24	30.06.28	Governing Body	Maths/SEND (including PPG and disadvantage)
Christian Howe	26.03.25	25.03.29	Governing Body	P.E / Premises and H&S/  Pay & personnel committee
Tracy Smart	N/A	N/A	Observer	School Business Manager
Susan Fuller	N/A	N/A	Clerk	Clerk

 

Governors that have left in the last 12 months:

Rebecca Crow, resigned September 2025

Pay & Personnel Committee:

Kate McCleod/Christian Howe/Joseph Fielder

HT Performance Management Panel:

Kate McCleod/Rob Fryer/Ann Robinson (External Advisor)

WILLOWBROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL

DECLARATION OF ANNUAL BUSINESS INTERESTS 2023/24 (updated 24^th November 2023)

Governors

Name	Position in school	Declaration	Date of completion
Rob Fryer	Chair FGB	University of Leicester	20.09.23
Kate McLeod	Vice Chair FGB	None	18.09.23
Luke Hamm	Governor	CEO and Shareholder of Source Advisors UK/Related to Headteacher and the Clerk to the Governors at All Saints Primary School	27.11.23
Joseph Fielder	Governor	None	16.09.24
Chris Leyland	Governor	Business or finance interests, Director of Digital Commerce at Deloitte MCS Ltd	09.01.25
Christian Howe	Governor	Business or finance interests/Howe Chartered Surveyors Limited (HC Surveyors Ltd)	26.03.25

Staff with financial responsibilities and Senior Management Team

Name	Position in school	Declaration	Date of completion
Clare Branton	Headteacher	None	18.09.23
Jolami Youngblood	Deputy Headteacher/SENCO	5 Star Basketball (Husband)	15.09.23
Bruce Shrimplin	KS1 Lead	None	24.11.23
Toni Gadd	School Administrator	None	12.11.24
Tracy Smart	School Business Manager	None	05.02.24
Maria Brothers	School Administrator	None	26.11.24

Willowbrook Primary School – Governor Attendance 2025/26 (updated December 2025)