The school is currently led by an Interim Executive Board (IEB) which is a temporary governing body appointed by the Department of Education to provide additional strategic oversight and expertise during a period of development. The IEB works alongside the Headteacher to: • Strengthen governance and accountability • Support ongoing school improvement • Ensure high standards of education and safeguarding • Secure the long-term success of the school Members are selected for their experience in education, leadership and finance. For pupils and families, day-to-day school life continues as normal. The IEB’s role is to provide strong strategic direction and ensure the school continues to move forward confidently.
Interim Executive Board Pen Portraits
Heather Faulkner (Chair of IEB)
Heather is retired and has experience of supporting schools and governing bodies in both LA maintained schools and academies. She has a degree in business administration and has extensive experience managing teams and projects. She worked for Essex County Council (ECC) for over 14 years and had responsibility for overseeing aspects of school improvement, the Early Careers Teacher and Initial Teacher Training programmes, workforce development and performance data for schools. She has experience of supporting governors through coaching and mentoring, finance and health and safety. She also has experience linked to statutory intervention boards in schools causing concern, appointed by Essex County Council and the Department for Education. She is currently a chair of governors of a large primary school and an IEB member in two other Essex schools. Prior to her career at ECC, she worked at an international school in Singapore where she was responsible for the management of transport logistics and operations, serving over 2000 pupils.
Robin Taverner
Robin was a successful headteacher for 16 years, firstly in a Church of England Primary School and latterly in a large and challenging primary school where, in Robin’s last inspection as headteacher, leadership was judged as outstanding. Robin has extensive experience of supporting schools in challenging circumstances, and has supported many schools in their journey to being judged good or better. Robin has experience as a lead Ofsted inspector and, as a school improvement partner, has provided a range of support to leaders and teachers in schools throughout Essex and other counties of England. Robin has delivered training to school leaders, particularly middle / subject leaders, as well as to school governors. He has considerable experience of supporting governors with headteacher performance management. For several years, Robin provided school improvement partner style support to the Basildon Education Partnership. Other assignments have included working for EES for schools as an Education Adviser, working for Essex County Council as a School Effectiveness Partner, and completing an assignment for Juniper Education, relating to the development of Pupil Premium Reviews. Robin is a Trustee to a Multi Academy Trust, and Chair of Governors in a LA maintained school. He is currently an IEB member in another Essex school.
Scott Lister
Scott is an experienced school governor and senior leader with 18 years’ governance experience. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, he retired in December 2025 at age 54 after a 37-year career with Ford Motor Company in senior global product development roles. Scott is Chair of Governors at a large secondary school in Essex, where he has led the board through leadership change and multiple OFSTED inspections. He brings strong strategic, financial, and people leadership skills, and a long-standing commitment to education and young people.
Safeguarding
