Governing Body

Chair

Dean Jefferys

A life-long Havering resident, Dean has a background in education and the not for profit sector and has been a governor at another school since 2009. He became Chair of Governors at the joint LGC of Holy Trinity and Fordham All Saints primary schools in 2024.

Professionally, Dean spent thirteen years working in secondary education, initially as a History Teacher and culminating as Associate Assistant Head. Along the way he held a number of roles including Head of Department, Head of Year, Head of House, Staff Governor and Induction Tutor. At various times he taught History, Geography, RE, Citizenship, PSHE, Sociology and Law. Dean has a BA in History & Politics and an MA in Educational Leadership & Management.

Dean was until recently the national Head of Learning at the Marine Society & Sea Cadets responsible for charity-wide learning of all cadets and adult volunteers across the organisation and line managing the four national training centres. In addition he was the charity’s national lead for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Vocational Qualifications and the National Citizen Service. He now teaches in a Havering Primary School and is lead for Primary Languages.

In his spare time, Dean is a volunteer with The Scout Association and is currently the lead volunteer for Scouting in Romford, managing the provision of Scouting to young people aged 6 to 25 across the capital and comprising of a membership in excess of 1,200 young people. He is also a Freeman of the City of London and a Vice-President of Scouting in North East London.

In his spare time Dean enjoys hiking, sailing, comedy, socialising and reading.

Ex Officio

Rev Francis Blight

Francis has been the Rector of All Saints Church Fordham & Eight Ash Green since September 2020. He is currently a governor of Holy Trinity school and was previously a governor of Fordham School. Francis was ordained in 2008 and served his four-year curacy at Christ Church Virginia Water in Surrey. In 2012 he moved with his family to the Netherlands to take a post in the Church of England’s Amsterdam Chaplaincy. He worked there for six years leading Christ Church Heiloo, an English-speaking congregation 40 kilometres north of Amsterdam. Prior to church leadership, Francis worked in the music industry for MCPS/PRS as a Christian music specialist in their repertoire department.

Francis enjoys visiting Holy Trinity & Fordham All Saints school, taking occasional Collective Worship assemblies and school seasonal services. He notes the happy culture amongst the pupils which Ceri Daniels and Katie Welsh have enabled. His particular interest is in the maintenance and progress of the school’s Christian ethos and culture, as a school with a Church of England foundation. Francis is married to Georgina, and they have three children, Tom (17), Sam (16) & Zoë (13). He enjoys listening to and playing music, swimming and watching the Disney Star Wars spin offs with his children.

Parent Governors

Alex Brenig-Jones

Having grown up in a household where his parents were a teacher at one primary school, and the Chair of Governors at another, he has had a deep appreciation for the value of teachers and a lifelong respect for the role of Governor since an early age.

He has served as Trustee and Treasurer of the pre-school attended by his son, overseeing the management of two pre-schools, overseeing significant financial developments resulting from the shifting statutory landscape in education.

He currently works as a senior leader in risk management at a large UK bank.  In this role, he works with members of the bank’s Board and Executive Committee to oversee, monitor and scrutinise multi-year transformation programmes.  He is also closely involved in managing relationships with regulatory bodies, and has written policies and procedures on various risk management disciplines.  He is a qualified accountant, with expertise in financials, auditing and business ethics.  He has a deep understanding of the importance of evidencing decisions and good governance, including through a lens of discharging personal accountability for regulated individuals.

Alex looks forward to applying these skills and experience in a way to benefit and shape the local community, by overseeing and monitoring school performance and priorities, informing decision-making, and supporting robust and demonstrable governance.

Outside of work, he is a father to two boys, and loves to create a happy environment full of creativity, time outdoors and reflection – owing to his love for playing various musical instruments, for gardening and for reading.

Daniel Connellan

Daniel joined Holy Trinity’s governing board in September 2025 as a Parent Governor. He is a self-employed Mortgage and Protection adviser, drawing on over a decade of experience in the finance sector. Daniel holds a degree in Modern History and Politics, complemented by an International Baccalaureate, and brings strong analytical rigour and governance expertise to his new role.

As the parent of a SEND child at Holy Trinity, Daniel is passionately committed to inclusive education. He champions the school’s mission to ensure that every pupil—regardless of background or ability—receives the support they need to thrive. Daniel looks forward to working with fellow governors, staff and families to drive strategic initiatives that leave no child behind.

In his professional life, Daniel provides tailored mortgage advice to clients across Essex, blending commercial insight with meticulous attention to detail. He leverages this experience to support robust financial planning and compliance within the school, ensuring resources are used effectively to benefit all pupils.

Outside governance and work, Daniel enjoys playing and watching football, as well as exploring the latest releases at the cinema. He is eager to play his part in enhancing the Holy Trinity community and helping every child flourish.

Governors

Linda Thorogood

Janine Aldis

Governance Documents

Meeting register

Register of Interests