Doddinghurst Infant School

Meet the Governors

Katie Pond - Chair of Governors

Katie has lived in Doddinghurst since 2018.  She has a son & daughter that both enjoyed their time at the school.  Katie takes pride in being involved in the village she lives in and has held posts including a parish councilor, cub scout beaver leader and is on the board of trustees for the village pre-school.

Katie has worked in the fitness and leisure industry for 27 years as a level 4 personal trainer, health club manager and tutor and assessor for a multitude of fitness qualifications.  Katie now works at a large independent school as their health and fitness manager, helping to implement the school’s wellbeing program.  Katie has developed the program within their new sport and wellness centre including the P.E., after-school and games sessions. Katie believes all children should be able to experience positive experiences around physical activity and that children are encouraged to understand how their bodies work as a base for a healthy life.

Katie enjoys her role as school governor, offering challenge and support to the school leadership team to play her part in keeping the excellent standards of the school.

Tara Callaghan – Parent Governor

Tara has recently been elected as parent governor and is very excited to take on this role. With a daughter in Year 2 at Doddinghurst Infants and a son hopefully due to start in September 2024, Tara looks forward to making a positive contribution to our school community.

Tara has worked as a PA/desk assistant on a trading floor for the past 17 years and has recently scaled back her hours, now currently working from home, to enable a more flexible lifestyle with her young children. This has given Tara more time with them and also the opportunity to have a more practical interest in their education and the function of our school.

Tara enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the gym and travelling whenever she can.

Hazel Boutel – Vice Chair of Governors

Hazel has lived in the village for just over 20 years.  Most of that time was spent working in education as a teacher, Headteacher, consultant and at Anglia Ruskin University training teachers.  More recently, once retired, Hazel supported her 5 grandchildren through pandemic education at home and travelled extensively.  

Over the last 2 years, Hazel has volunteered within school weekly supporting the children's reading and has really come to feel part of the team. She is also a member of several groups within the village.

Hazel feels delighted to support the school, as a Governor, on it's journey guiding the youngest members of our village and surrounding areas.

Rachel Wagstaff – Co-opted Governor

Rachel has lived in Doddinghurst village for five years with her husband and they have since had three children, who they are planning will attend Doddinghurst infants School.
Rachel has been a Deputy Headteacher in the Havering borough for the past 6 years. She has had experience working across three London boroughs, holding roles such as Assistant Head teacher, Phase Leader, English Lead, Maths Lead and Computing Lead.

Rachel is passionate about quality teaching, and strives to ensure that she keeps informed of the best practise through further study. In addition to a BA Hons degree in business and a PGCE in primary education, Rachel has successfully achieved a Master’s in Education, and the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership.

Rachel enjoys developing good practice in others, and has recently taken on the role as ‘Visiting Fellow’ for Havering where she will be responsible for delivering training and coaching to Early Careers Teachers and their Mentors. Rachel has a particual interest in teaching English and Early reading (phonics) as well as being well versed in the most recent Ofsted framework.

Rachel believes a governor should be supportive yet, willing to offer the right level of challenge, and be able to confidently work with the Headteacher to ensure the pupils receive the best education possible. Rachels experience and skills as a leader in her own school would her to be an effective member of the governing body, and to help maintain the high standards that the wonderful team at Doddinghurst Infants deliver.

Kris Hill – Co-opted Governor

Kris has lived in Doddinghurst since 1976 and has previously been involved with Doddinghurst Infants School as both Chair of Governors and Governor.  Kris has experience within the property business and has previously held a senior position within a large travel organization.  Kris works on a full time basis and has extensive interests including a love of music and outdoor activities. 

Kris had to vacate her role historically due to taking care of a family member.  She has continued to keep in touch with the school throughout this period and is delighted to be a member of the Governing Body again.  

Eleana Clark – Co-opted Governor

Sarah Driver SENCo and Assistant Head Teacher – Staff Governor

Additional details

Further details of the governing body who have served at any point over the last 12 months can be located within the following documents:

The Role of School Governors