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Governing Board

We have a strong Governing Board, who together with the Headteacher, set the future goals for the school and decide how the school's budget should be spent. Governors provide the Headteacher with support and advice, drawing on their knowledge and experience. The governing body consists of: school staff, parents, community members and representatives of the Berlesduna Academy Trust. Please click here to view our Governor's Handbook.

Meet the Governors

The school has the following governors which make up the local governing board:

  • Linda Oliffe (Chair of Governors)  contact     chair@fairhouse-pri.essex.sch.uk
  • Steve West (Associate Governor)
  • Mrs K Hamilton (Headteacher)
  • Mrs R Cooper (Staff Governor)
  • Miss D Borisova (Parent Governor and Vice Chair)
  • Mr A Stanford (Co-opted Governor)
  • Mrs R Adesegun (parent Governor)

Please see our "pen portraits" of our governors below.

If you are interested in applying for a role within our forthcoming Governing Body, please contact Julie Lapslie:    julielapslie@berlesduna.co.uk 

Finance, premises and curriculum matters are all dealt with at our Full Governing Board meetings. Other committees are convened from our Governing Board as and when they are required.

Governing Board Register of Business and Financial Interests

Click below to view or download a copy of the Register of Business Interest:

Governing Board Attendance

Click here to view the attendance register of our Governing Board 2025-2026

Click here to view the attendance register of our Governing Board 2024-2025

Click here to view the attendance register of our Governing Board 2023-2024

Click here to view the attendance register of our Governing Board 2022-2023

 

Pen Portraits of our Governing Board

Linda Oliffe

Chair of Governors with responsibility for safeguarding, school meals and EYFS

Linda has 30 years' experience working in the education sector, both within the classroom and the financial sector.  More recently, Linda held the position of Chief Finance Officer for Berlesduna Academy Trust.  She has now taken partial retirement but remains a trust employee who is committed to the vision and values of the trust.

Linda has four grown-up children and six grandchildren and her motivation for becoming a governor is because she believes all children deserve the best possible education we can provide.  Linda is a Governor at two other local schools and has many years of governance experience, which has enabled her to develop a sound knowledge and understanding of the role. 

Steve West

Associate Governor

For the past 30 years, Steve has worked in business – in one capacity or another.  He has progressed from a clerical position to Associate Partner in a West End property firm.  His roles have been varied, but during his career, he has managed a team at Basildon Council, dealing with the collection and recovery of rates, and staffing issues.  He has represented Basildon Council in the Magistrates Court, often presenting complex legal arguments.  He has been responsible for budgets and ensuring that these were adhered to.  His most recent responsibility was for analysing complex data, which needed to be presented in a clear and concise manner.  Steve is now retired. 

Dina Borisova 

Responsibility for pupil premium, including looked-after and previously looked-after children

Dina, originally from Latvia, moved to the UK in 2010. Dina is proud mother of two children attending Fairhouse Primary School and she is deeply involved in their education and school life. With over 15 years of experience in sales and customer service, Dina has been a key part of management teams throughout her career. In 2017, she launched her own e-commerce business focused on selling pre-loved children's clothes, showcasing her entrepreneurial drive and commitment to sustainability. Now self-employed, Dina enjoys embracing new challenges and learning continuously.

Her unique perspective as both a parent and business owner allows her to bring an independent outlook to the governing board, where she believes she can make a meaningful contribution. Dina’s trilingual and speaks fluently in English, Latvian, and Russian, which enables her to connect with Fairhouse's diverse community, especially families who have moved to the UK later in life and are learning English as an additional language. Passionate about promoting the school's core values, Dina is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and helping every student reach their full potential.

Ruth Adesegun 

Responsibility for health and safety

Ruth is a compassionate and dependable professional with years of experience in delivering highest standard of service. She has several years of managerial experience in various industries such as hospitality and entertainment industry.

 Currently, she works with City Support Limited as a support worker to ensure that service users’ dignity, privacy and respect are upheld. She has a steadfast commitment to prioritising and promoting service users’ independence and well-being in accordance with Care plans, policies and procedures.

Ruth possess a BSc(hons) in Zoology, also health and social care qualifications.

Andy Stanford

Responsibility for SEND,  inclusion and allergens

Andy is Deputy Head Teacher at a Residential Special School  for boys in Year 6 to 11 with an EHCP for Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. In this role,  Andy is responsible for the quality of teaching and learning in the school and also teaches History and Business Studies.

He spent seven years working in the Commercial Insurance industry before moving into teaching 24 years ago. He started his teaching career in a Basildon secondary school and moved into Special Needs education thirteen years ago.

Narifsa Ahmed

Responsibility for attendance

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