Meet the Governors

Each school has a group of people who serve on the Governing Body. The Governing Body meets at least once a term.

The term of office for Governors is four years. 

 If you wish to know how to become a school governor, please click on this link.

Governor Statements 

Chair of Governors

Mr Maxton Walker

I joined the school as a parent governor in autumn 2019, and became chair of the board in 2024. My main interest is promoting reading and writing. I became a voracious reader at primary school, thanks to the encouragement of my teachers and family, and it has remained a lifelong habit. It helped me into an exciting and fulfilling career in journalism, so I know just how the world can open up to young people who develop a love for words at an early age. I want to help the children at Christchurch discover those magical universes for themselves, to be curious about the world and learn the skills to describe it.

Vice Chair of Governors

Mr Raymond Wood BEM

I first became involved with Christchurch over 20 years ago when my two children attended the school. I joined the parents’ association and later became a parent governor. As a governor I wanted to make a contribution to improving children’s education and to the community. I became a community governor and was then elected as the Chair.

As chair I worked with the Heads in post when the infant and junior schools merged to become Christchurch primary school, when the new library and the drama studio were opened and when the school expanded to five forms of entry. Throughout these significant changes my role as chair has provided a sense of continuity and I have been delighted to see the school ranked as outstanding by Ofsted in each of its last three inspections.

I am committed to raising standards in partnership with the Headteacher and to promoting equal opportunities for all pupils. I feel greatly privileged to have been involved with the school and its dedicated staff for such a long time long and I look forward to even greater achievements by its pupils.

In 2015 the Queen awarded me a British Empire Medal for services to Redbridge.

Co-opted Governors

Mrs Maria O'Keefe 

I have served as a Community & Co-Opted Governor at Christchurch for more than ten years. My two children attended Christchurch, during which time I volunteered in the classroom, on trips and as a member of the Christchurch Friends Association. I am active locally, supporting activities that bring the community together. I believe that the positive relationships that our children make at Primary School are key to a building and maintaining a cohesive and harmonious sense of community in the future. My role as a governor is to support staff in order to ensure that every child looks forward to school every day and reaches her or his potential, in an environment that is well managed and nurturing. I bring my professional experience within education, the business world and as a parent, to serve this purpose.

Parent Governors

 Awaiting Content 

Staff Governor  

 Mrs Safia Talati

I have been a staff member at Christchurch for over 20 years. My children have also attended this school,  the last one leaving in 2021. In my role as staff governor, I intend to use my knowledge of the education sector and understanding of our school to support our headteacher to fulfil her vison and other governors to understand the workings of the school, while ensuring that all decisions made are in the children’s best interests. I believe as educators we have a fundamental duty to ensure that we offer the very best opportunities for nurturing, enrichment and learning so that our children achieve their highest potential.