Jon Hann - Chair of Governors

I qualified as a teacher back in the 1980s, and also hold a number of qualifications in relation to school leadership.

I have been a teacher for over forty years but finally retired in July 2022. I was the Deputy Headteacher at The Phoenix Primary School and Nursery for eight years. I worked closely with the current Headteacher and was proud to see the school judged as Outstanding by OFSTED in 2019.  As well as teaching in primary schools, I have also taught in a secondary school and abroad at the very beginning of my career.

Throughout my career, I have always been committed to ensuring young people achieve their full potential. I believe that successful schools are the ones who put children at the heart of everything they do. 

Fun fact or personal interest:

I enjoy long distance walking and recently walked the length of Hadrian’s Wall, raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

Ian Wallace

Karen Batterham

I have a BA and a counselling qualification.

My background is in secondary education and I was a teacher for 43 years. During that time, I taught a variety of subjects but my passion was always the performing arts.  Teaching drama and producing many school plays and musicals was challenging but immensely satisfying.  I believe that drama and music can be a huge influence on a child's school life.  I was also a Head of Year and thus closely involved with the pastoral side of education and in promoting good attendance.  I believe that close links with parents can be of immense benefit.  In the end, parents and teachers have the same aim: they want the best for their children.

I wanted to become a Governor at Phoenix, because I was impressed with what I have seen since my granddaughter, currently in year 3, joined the school.  The success of the school is something I would like to be part of maintaining.

Fun fact or personal interest:

I enjoy walking- something I can thank the pandemic for, and I am a keen theatre goer.

Rachel Stanley

Qualifications: BA Hons In Performing Arts and Level 3 PTLLS in Education and Training

Throughout my career I have had a passion for teaching and young people. I have taught at a number of secondary and further education establishments in London Boroughs. I since moved on and am now currently working in the corporate world, working for an Energy supplier for B2B Business.

I have always been passionate about education and I love to learn. Therefore, when my daughter joined Phoenix and there was an opportunity to be a parent Governor, I jumped at the chance to work with this amazing school.  I want to support the School's mission of supporting children to enter the school to learn and leave to achieve.

Fun fact or personal interest:

In my spare time I love to knit and I enjoy going to the theatre.

Marie Kirkham

I am the Teaching Staff Governor here at the Phoenix Primary School and Nursery. I have worked at the school since 2010 and am currently one of the Deputy Headteachers and a SENCo. I absolutely love working at the school and being part of the community we serve. I have experience of school governance as both a parent governor and community governor at another Essex school and feel like I can provide an excellent link between staff and governors at our school.