Leigh North Street Primary School

Governing Board 2025/2026

Chair of Governing Board Tony Cole

Responsibilities: Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), PE and Sports Premium

Although not born and bred in Leigh on Sea, I have lived here for over 25  years during which time both my daughters attended Leigh North Street Primary School followed a generation on by my granddaughter who currently attends school. I have worked in the education system for  more than 40 years during which time I have developed experience across all phases and sectors of the education system. I have focussed my work on meeting the needs of young people who found the demands of mainstream education a challenge. More recently I have welcomed a return to academia and have worked part time in partnership with UCL Centre for Holocaust education. In my leisure time, I am an active coach and sportsman. I am currently Head of coaching at Chelmsford Hockey Club and coach Hadleigh and Thundersley Ladies Cricket team.

Vice Chair of Governing Board  Katie Cohen 

Responsibilities: P2 - Curriculum – (Data), Safeguarding

I am delighted to be serving as a Governor at Leigh North Street Primary School. I have been a resident in our vibrant town for the past eight years and very much enjoy contributing to the community as an active volunteer in various roles. I have two children currently at Leigh North Street Primary School who are thriving here. My professional background is in international higher education where I have led operations and developed student services for a number of American Universities in the UK 

Across all my endeavours I bring a passion for widening opportunity and a strong belief in transformative potential at all stages of life. I look forward to contributing my skills and enthusiasm to this role in support of our wonderful school.

Staff Governor Hannah Ford

Responsibilities: Cyber Security & General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Website/Internet

I have proudly called Leigh-on-Sea home for my entire life and worked locally in the field of education since 2017. My teaching journey has been inspired by other exceptional practitioners, and profoundly influenced by my mother who, too, was a dedicated teacher in the area for over 20 years (including a time at Leigh North Street herself!). For the past seven years, I have had the pleasure of working with wonderful pupils here, teaching across many year groups, shaping school policy and supporting fellow teachers. I am passionate about providing excellent educational opportunities for our learners, striving to balance an inclusive environment with a challenging and engaging curriculum. As a member of the governing board, I am glad to offer a teacher's perspective and privileged to contribute to the ongoing development of our school.

Governor: Guy Rickard 

Responsibilities: Finance inc budget, Health & Safety

Having lived in and around Leigh-on-Sea for virtually all my life, and having seen my two grandchildren thrive at Leigh North Street Primary School, taking on the role of Finance Governor gives me an opportunity to “put something back” into the area.

Now retired since 2016, I worked in the banking sector for over forty years, undertaking roles including those in branch management, risk control functions and, latterly, ten years in fraud prevention.

For recreation, I enjoy golf, DIY, progressive rock music and love to fix things rather than just throw them out. Also, as a follower of sport in general, it is wonderful to see the number of achievements of the school's pupils in this area.

Governor Karina Sullivan 

Responsibilities: Looked After Children (LAC), Pupil Premium Grant (PPG)

I joined The Governing Board of Leigh North Street Primary School in May 2021 as a Local Authority Governor, having served at both a Primary and Secondary school previously in the Southend area. I've spent the last 12 years or so working for Olympus as a Project Manager where I am responsible for all UK and Ireland projects, and act as Local Project Lead for all European projects. My background is in IT and business process improvements and I hope this experience will assist in the strategic direction for Leigh North Street Primary School.

Parent Governor Rachael Sutton

Responsibilities: P1 - Teaching & Learning (SEND ), P3 - Behaviour for Learning 

I am a parent of two young children and have a background in education and child development. I am passionate about learning and believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. Through my professional experience, I have developed a strong understanding of how children learn and the importance of supporting individuals and families to achieve the best outcomes. As a governor, I am committed to working collaboratively with staff, parents and the wider community to support Leigh North Street School and contribute positively to the life chances of its pupils. I am keen to give back and help strengthen our local community in any way I can.

Parent Governor Matthew Tam

Responsibilities: P2 - Curriculum – (Data), Health of children at school

I am a doctor (consultant radiologist) who has worked in both the private and public sector with previous leadership and management roles (Clinical Lead of the radiology department at Southend University Hospital, Governance Lead at the Cleveland Clinic London). As well as my professional medical qualifications (medical degree, Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons and Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists), I also have Masters in Clinical Education and an MBA. 

I currently work a portfolio career for Spire, Heart Lung Health and Medica Reporting where I am also a medical appraiser where I assess doctors' competency and developmental needs.

Our daughter is currently in year 4 at Leigh North Street. I am interested in the mental and physical wellbeing of children, their physical activity and nutrition, as well as the impact of screen time and social media on our children.

Governor Linda Wells

Responsibilities: Staff Wellbeing, EYFS 

I worked for over thirty years as a teacher in the local area, retiring ten years ago as head teacher at a local primary school. From 1990-1995 I was deputy head teacher at Leigh Infant School. I remember my time at the school with great pleasure due to the enthusiasm of the children and the support of the parents who valued the high standards and appreciated the wide and varied curriculum provided. I have been a governor at schools that have had highly successful Ofsted judgements but also those that have needed support. I am delighted that I have been able to continue my work with the schools by becoming a member of the Primary School Governing Board. I believe that governors should know a school and its community well in order to be both supportive and challenging. I will be visiting the school frequently and. I look forward to meeting the children and staff and I hope to have the opportunity to meet and hear from parents.

Headteacher Ant Hautler