Governance
Local Governing Body and MAT
Hope Learning Community
Chatten Free School is proud to be part of the Hope Learning community (HLC). We are therefore overseen in many respects by a fantastic Board of Trustees and by Executive Head Gary Smith (OBE). To understand more clearly how the trust oversees Chatten Free School and our LGB please visit the trust website where you can see the scheme of delegation.
For more information about HLC you can visit the HLC website here and read out governance document (available at the bottom of this page).
Gary Smith OBE (CEO of HLC)
Hi, my name is Gary Smith and I started at Market Field School in 1989. In 1991 we decided to try and specialise and do our best for children with Autism.
Since then we have done our best but for those affected the most severely I have never felt it was good enough.
Chatten Free School is the culmination of 30 years of dreaming and driving the vision forward.
I am delighted to be CEO of Hope Learning Community and welcome you to our vision.
The Chatten Local Governing Body
Andrew Hensman
Experience: Previous Chair for Braintree District Council
Role on the LGB: Co-opted governor
Gary Bloom
Experience: Qualified accountant and experienced project manager. 35 year public sector experience. Currently head of SEND at Southend BC
Role on the LGB: Trust appointed governor
Miranda Andras
Experience: MEd in autism and qualified teacher. 10 years experience as a specialist teacher. Practitioner Tutor for Birmingham university.
Role on the LGB: Vice Chair
Emma Flaxman
Experience: Emma is a board certified behviour analyst (BCBA) she is currently the centre manager for 'The Ark' in Chelmsford.
Role on the LGB: Trustee appointed governor
Maisie Reading
Experience: Maisey is a qualified child welfare officer with a primary education degree. She is one of our amazing senior tutors as Chatten Free School
Role on the LGB: Elected staff governor
Heather Hamilton
Experience: Heather worked in nursery's and SEND clubs before joining Chatten as a tutor in phase 1.
Role on the LGB: Elected staff governor
Gemma Quantrill
Experience: DOO of REACH Essex Ltd. Considerable experience with SEMH and MLD.
Role on the LGB: Trust appointed governor
Nicola Fonseca
Experience: Proud parent to a child at Chatten Free school. Qualified teaching assistant with lots of experience in Early Years and KS1.
Role on the LGB: Elected Parent Governor
Leanne Sutton
Experience: Proud parent to a child at Chatten Free School and part time SEND LSA. Experience of supporting a range of disabilities on a 1:1 basis
Role on the LGB: Elected Parent Governor