The Federated Governing Body of Canewdon Endowed and St. Nicholas CofE (VC) Primary Schools.

Our governors have a wealth of experience and expertise in many different areas, not just education and are committed to helping Canewdon School become the best it can possibly be.  

School Governors play an important role in the strategic leadership of the school.  

The Federation has a single governing body that strategically leads Canewdon Endowed and St. Nicholas CofE (VC) Primary Schools.  

From September 2021, governors Katie Boulahlib and Martin O'Rourke jointly chair our governing body. Our Governors may be contacted through the school office. 

Katie Boulahlib

I have two sons at St Nicholas and two more soon to join the school, meaning I have a vested interest in ensuring the schools continue to provide the best environment for every learner to excel.
I am proud to be a part of the Governing Body so that I can take a more active role in supporting the schools with the challenge of being the best that they can be. I became Co-Chair of the Governing Body in September 2021.
I am currently a full time mum to four, but am a secondary school teacher of science, and prior to this have ten years experience in the financial sector in London.

Martin O’Rourke

I have been a Governor at the school since 2017, and became Co-Chair of the Governing Body in September 2021.

I have 2 children at St Nicholas. My eldest starting Yr 5 and my daughter starting Yr 2 in 2021/22

In my professional life, I having worked in the IT industry since 2001, in large corporates and small consultancies as a HR & Payroll technical specialist.

 I feel I bring ideas, drive and enthusiasm to every challenge

I am proud to support our schools and its pupils, and to be a part of their learning journey.

James Hay

I became a co-opted Governor recently and have always very keen to be involved in my children’s education. I have 2 daughters at the school and a wide circle of friends whose children also attend St Nicholas. I thoroughly enjoy being involved in education and it is a huge privilege to work alongside such dedicated professionals in our school and see the progress and achievements of the children.

I have lived in Rayleigh since 2006 and have been a serving Police officer in London for the past 28 years.

My strengths lie in my enthusiasm and desire to help in ensuring our school provides the best opportunities for every child in school.

Jenny Harrison

I am a foundation governor and have lived locally in Rayleigh, and now Hullbridge where I am involved in village life and in the St Thomas of Canterbury church community.  Originally, I worked in the Arts in London and have taught Drama and Performance, Art and Design, Textiles and Circus Skills in both vocational and mainstream education.  Much of my current work is supporting challenged people fulfil their potential and helping multi-cultural groups with creative arts, speech, literacy and cultural information.  I am keen to support life-long learning and opportunities for independent learning.

As I am semi-retired, I now have more opportunities to spend time on my own arts and crafts, walking, travelling and as a volunteer at a local museum.

Sam Willis

I am the Executive Headteacher of Canewdon Endowed (CofE) VC Primary School and St. Nicholas (CofE) VC Primary School. 

It is a joy to work with the children at both schools and I look forward to each opportunity that I get to work with the Governing Body.

Before I was appointed as Deputy Headteacher of Canewdon (the role I had before becoming the Executive Deputy Headteacher, and now Executive Headteacher), I was a teacher at Downhall Primary School.

I am married and have two super boys in years 6 and 9.

Nathan Jones

I am the Executive Assistant Headteacher of Canewdon Endowed (CofE) VC Primary School and St Nicholas (CofE) Primary School and the SENCo for both schools.

I have  a passion for outdoor education and how we can use the grounds that we have at each school to inspire the children in their learning. I enjoy taking the children on their residential trips, as the children can learn new skills in a different setting.

I am married and have two boys, both currently at pre-school. In my free time my family and I like to go out Kayaking.

Revd. Richard Jordan

I have been the vicar at Rawreth since 2011 and in 2017 also took responsibility for St Thomas’ at Hullbridge and All Saints at Rettendon. I was a governor at St. Nicholas School for nearly four years before joining the new Governing Body for the federated schools.

I thoroughly enjoy being involved in the life of the schools and find that children often ask more searching questions than adults, and they don't accept easy answers!

I have two grown up children and love sailing.

David Booth

I joined the Governing board in 2022 and have lived in Rayleigh and the surrounding areas all my life.  I am married with two sons, one of which is two and the other is six months old.  I have worked within education for the last ten years in Southend, Dagenham and Waltham Forest.  I hope that my knowledge and experience as a teacher and senior leader will drive improvement forward at St Nicholas and Canewdon.  I am currently the Principal of a primary school in Waltham Forest working with a large Multi-Academy Trust.

Clare Atkinson

I became a governor in 2022, shortly after my twin boys started in Reception at St Nicholas Primary School.  I am a public sector laywer.  I have previously volunteered my time as a trustee of a charity that supports children and families and I'm looking forward to contributing to the good governance of both schools.

Maria Bozin

I joined the governing board in September 2022, with a daughter at Canewdon, I was keen to help support and encourage positive change within the school where needed. My professional career in Communications and Marketing, within the education sector and large corporates, focuses on promoting and developing Creative and Cultural learning for children and young people.  I hope that my expertise and exposure to the creative sector will support the school's vision and ambition to nurture and encourage children to express themselves in a forever-changing landscape.