Meet the Governors

   

 Chair of Governors, Liz Hopkins

When my first child joined the Jesse Gray family in 2017, I was keen to support the school and I become a Governor. After over three years on the Governing body, and now two children at the school, I am proud to accept the role of Chair of Governors. I have had a varied career that has included being a Store Manager, Digital Operations Manager and Marketing Manager. Before settling in Nottingham, I lived in London, spent time in Canada and France and travelled a lot. I am enjoying working with the governing body to help deliver everyone’s ambitions for the school.

 

Chris Walker

Like many parents, when my child (Lily) started school I wanted to get involved in life at Jesse Gray and do what I could do to support the school. I love being able to challenge the team at Jesse Gray to provide the best possible environment for the children to grow by sharing my experiences from over 20 years as an accountant and working in regulated businesses. Jesse Gray is fortunate to be supported by a wonderful group of Governors who bring many diverse skills and experiences with them.  Those skills and experiences are more important than ever as Jesse Gray navigates the evolving education landscape, a challenging financial environment and increasing demands form the local community.

 

Rashmi Patel

I work as a freelance HR Consultant and Coach, largely in the education sector. I am currently Interim Head of Inclusion at Lancaster University. With over 28 years of extensive experience, I am a senior adviser on all employment matters and leads on a wide-range of projects and initiatives to develop and drive innovative people practices to deliver organisational strategy, capability and change. A Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, I am committed to promoting and increasing diversity and inclusion. As well as being a Co-opted Governor at Jesse Gray, I am a Director of a local Multi Academy Trust and a Trustee of a School in Leicestershire. I am married with two boys, both ex pupils of Jesse Gray School.

Kelly Harris-Whittle

I am a Co-opted Governor. I have worked at Jesse Gray for 21 years, running and managing the Play Service provision. It has seen major changes during this time and I am very fortunate to have been a part of that. My background prior to this was in Early Years. I have been part of the Governing Body for 7 years. I have 2 boys aged 19 and 10 who keep me and my husband on our toes. We love to travel and have recently found a passion for cruising. I love to read and can easily get through 50 books each year.

Kaj Ghattoara

I joined the governing body in 2018 as a co-opted governor. In my professional life, I have extensive experience in the public sector, with expertise in buying goods and services. A large part of the work I do is ensuring we get the best from suppliers and services. I have worked with schools in Nottingham City for a number of years in various capacity including governance and school improvement. I am honoured to be supporting Jesse Gray in the role of school governor. I am married with two daughters aged 9 and 7, and I really enjoy baking with my girls in my spare time.

Rina Chana

I joined the Governing Body at Jesse Gray School in Autumn 2021 as a co-opted governor. Having been a Secondary School English teacher for 14 years, I have extensive experience in the education sector and have had a wealth of different roles within leadership, ranging from Head of English to Head of Year – As a result I have worked with numerous children with an array of individual needs: ranging from those who had behavioural difficulties to ones who were identified as under-achieving and in need of specific intervention. I aspire to support all children and young adults in achieving their goals and helping them to realise their potential.  My son started Jesse Gray Primary School in September 2020 and my daughter is looking forward to joining him in the next few years.  I am honoured to be able to offer my support to Jesse Gray as a governor, and look forward to seeing future developments at this wonderful school.

Vanessa Lloyd

I have worked as a teacher for many years at Jesse Gray and my two girls used to come here too! I joined the Governing Body as staff governor in 2018. I have worked across both Key stages and love getting involved in the whole school life. I am the Arts co-ordinator and am currently working on an Artsmark award for the school. I also love sport and take Year 3 and 4 for a running club and help organise our entries for the mini marathon. I am currently teaching Year 5.

Camilla Gillmore

I joined the governing body in 2021 as a co-opted governor. I have had three children at Jesse Gray, with one currently in Year 2 and one in Year 6. I work at Loughborough University as a professor and director of a research centre focused on children’s development and mathematics learning. This gives me an awareness of learning and teaching issues that schools are facing. I am keen to support the staff at Jesse Gray to help all children be happy and successful learners.

Jane Gill

I was proud to be elected as a parent governor in December 2021. I am a Neonatal Consultant at the University Hospitals of Leicester and therefore as a qualified Paediatrician I feel I bring experience of working in a large public sector organisation as well as knowledge of the range of childhood problems that can impact on children's experience of school and ability to learn. I have up to date knowledge of safeguarding processes and a detailed knowledge of the affects particularly of early birth on childhood learning. I am honoured to be able to represent the parent view on the governing body of Jesse Gray in the role of school governor. I am married with two children, a son who spent 7 years at Jesse Gray and a daughter who is currently in year 5. We love spending time as a family outdoors and travelling widely. 

Heidi Ackroyd

Parent Governor

More details to follow.

Nadeem Raziq

I was elected as a parent-governor in 2022. As a former Jesse Gray student myself, I was eager to get involved with the Jesse Gray family as soon as my daughter started life at school. My youngest will also be starting in 2024, so It's fair to say I am invested in the school for the foreseeable future!  As a qualified corporate accountant and tax advisor, I have been working with multi-national businesses and stakeholders for the last 18 years. I am looking forward to bringing my corporate and finance skills into an already very experienced Governor group and being able to contribute to the schools continued success. Outside my working life, you will find me either in the gym, playing football or keeping up with the two little ones.