Our Governors

The Local Governing Body is made up of volunteers who represent the School’s parents and staff, Essex County Council and the local community. They support and challenge the Head Teacher to fulfil the aims of the school.

Our vision is that everyone in our community has a safe, happy adventure so that:

EVERYONE

The whole community, children, staff, parents, carers and governors - inclusive of all! Take everyone on the journey, work in partnership and celebrate achievements.

CAN

We offer enriching experiences to develop confidence, resilience and open doors.

We provide a welcoming and nurturing environment founded on strong relationships. We can start building firm foundations to create adaptable learners in innovative ways.

FLY

Ready to continue a life-long learning adventure, full of aspiration. Equipped with the understanding, skills and knowledge of how to be their own champion. 

The strategic functions of our Governing Board are:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Monitor and evaluate the educational performance of the school and its pupils
• Oversee the financial performance of the school - making sure money is well spent

A Message From Our Governors

Debra Hughes (Chair)

I feel privileged to be a part of the Alderton Infant school governing board, having served 3 years to
date with such a committed team of people. My background in teaching secondary pupils drives my
enthusiasm to ensure all our children have equal opportunities to thrive in their early years. Early
reading ability is the key to securing a lifelong love of learning and I am so pleased to see that at
Alderton Infants this is our top priority along with embedding a love of numeracy in firm foundations
(a must to encourage curious minds). I am excited to drive school improvement forwards in a rapidly
changing world through an exciting curriculum which is relevant to our children’s lives.

Susie Worthington (Vice Chair)

I joined Alderton Infants School as a Governor in 2013 as a way to ‘give something back’ after almost

40 years in teaching and headship. It’s rewarding to work with such an enthusiastic, energetic staff

with a common belief in the power of education and enrichment opportunities to overcome barriers

and improve life chances for every Alderton child. I’m committed to lifelong learning and continue to

learn and to teach as a volunteer.

Fiona Jones (Trust Governor)

My name is Fiona and I became a Trust Governor for Alderton Infants in 2021. I am
originally from Hull but moved to London in 2004 and I am now married to a Loughton boy!
I am a Senior Customer Success Manager for a HR and Workforce Management
Technology company, helping build relationships with clients to ensure they get the best out
of the software. I have almost 20 years experience in this field.
My aim for Alderton Infants, is for all the children, parents, carers and employees to have the
best outcome and be the best they can be with continuous development and opportunity to
strive. I want to ensure that everyone’s interests have been met. Diversity, inclusion and
wellbeing are hugely important. I hope my skills in and out of work will benefit Alderton Infants.

Shelley Anderson (Parent Governor)

My name is Shelley Anderson and I have been a Parent Governor here at Alderton
Infants since September 2023. I have three daughters who have all attended
Alderton, with my youngest daughter currently in the school. Outside of this role I
work for a global non-profit organisation supporting financial regulators to embrace
and embed technology and innovative tools. Having previously worked at the UK
financial regulator the FCA, I have lots of experience in governance and risk
management, as well as building strategy and implementing action plans. I wanted to
become a Parent Governor to give something back to a school that has provided my
children with a safe and inspiring education. I really believe in the vision of Alderton
Infants and the staff at the school and want to see them thrive for the benefit of the
community. I am particularly passionate that all children can access opportunities

and thrive within an academic setting regardless of their social and cultural
background and abilities. I look forward to supporting the vision of Alderton Infants
and helping them to navigate the challenges and opportunities that comes with
educating and inspiring future generations.

Glenn Feldman (Trust Governor)

My name is Glenn and I became a Trust Governor for Alderton Infants in 2023. I live
in Chigwell and previously resided in Ilford and Romford. I am married and have two
children. I am the International Chief Information Officer for a global privately owned
Insurance Broker and have worked in the City of London for 34+ years in a variety of
financial services roles. My career has enabled me to work in a highly regulated
environment with deep experience in various regulations, finance, risk, compliance,
people, career development, leadership and many other facets. I also volunteer for a
Community Charity giving up evenings and weekends in support of their aims. I
became a Governor to give back to society and specifically the future generations
and that's where Alderton Infants comes in. The school and Governor's vision that
Everyone Can Fly, resonates and I intend to bring my extensive experience to
support the wonderful teaching staff and children on their journey at Alderton Infants.

Vese Aghoghovbia (Trust Governor)

Vese is the founder of Philly & Friends, an award-winning children's play and
learning brand. She is also the author of the award-winning children's book 'Who Do
I See in the Mirror?' As an entrepreneur, she's been recognised among the Top 100
Entrepreneurs to Watch in the UK by Natwest  and The Telegraph. In 2021, she earned
the Consumer and Luxury Rising Star of the Year award from the Black British
Business Awards and secured The Breakthrough Fund by The Break Social,
IFundWomen and Vista ReferHer UK Grant. With over a decade of experience in
Strategy, Operations, and Customer Experience at FTSE-100 Engineering and
Technology firms, she skillfully combines her strategic acumen with creativity to craft
products that bring joy to children. Vese is an advocate for Entrepreneurship,
Identity, Diversity in the Playroom, and Parenting, sharing her insights in notable
publications like HuffPost Parent, Mother Mag, and Absolutely Mama Magazine.
Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavours, Vese actively engages with schools,
organisations, and charities. In addition to serving as a governor at Alderton Infant
School, she sits on the boards of two children's charities, demonstrating her
commitment to giving back. As a startup ambassador and mentor, she guides
emerging entrepreneurs through partner organisations, solidifying her role as a
trusted voice in the Baby & Child industry.

Local Governing Boards are corporate bodies and individual governors have no power or right to make decisions unless governors have delegated a specific function to them. They work within an agreed Code of Conduct, respecting and maintaining the confidentiality of those items of business which the governing body deems to be confidential. The Chair does have the power to take action if the matter is urgent. ‘Urgent’ is defined in the Guide to the Law for Governors as where a delay is likely to be seriously detrimental and it would not be reasonably practicable to hold a governors' meeting to resolve the issue. Every Governing Board must have a Vice Chair who has the same role and powers if the Chair is unavailable.

If you have any queries, concerns or positive experiences you would like to share with Governors please contact the Chair in writing via the School Office. If you are interested in becoming a Governor please ask the Head or Chair for information.

Register of Business Interest 2023-24

• AIS Governor Register of Business Interests 2023-24.pdf

The Alderton Infant School Governance Statement 2022-23

• The Alderton Infant Governance Statement 2022-23.doc.pdf