Governance
Local Governance
Hope Learning Community
Chatten Free School is proud to be part of the Hope Learning community (HLC). We are therefore overseen in many respects by a fantastic Board of Trustees and by Executive Head Gary Smith (OBE). To understand more clearly how the trust oversees Chatten Free School and our Local Advisory Committee (LAC) please visit the trust website where you can see the scheme of delegation.
For Key trust governance information, including Financial statements and Gender pay gap reports visit
Gary Smith OBE (CEO of HLC)
Hi, my name is Gary Smith and I started at Market Field School in 1989. In 1991 we decided to try and specialise and do our best for children with Autism.
Since then we have done our best but for those affected the most severely I have never felt it was good enough.
Chatten Free School is the culmination of 30 years of dreaming and driving the vision forward.
I am delighted to be CEO of Hope Learning Community and welcome you to our vision.
The Chatten Local Advisory Committee 2024-25
Andrew Hensman
Experience: Previous Chair for Braintree District Council
Role on the LAC: CHAIR Co-opted - contact via governance@hopelearningcommunity.org.uk
Gary Bloom
Experience: Qualified accountant and experienced project manager. 35 year public sector experience. Currently head of SEND at Southend BC
Role on the LAC: Trust appointed governor
Cristina Di Santo
Experience: Legal professional passionate about changing the lives for those with SEND based on lived experience.
Role on the LAC: Trust appointed governor
Emma Flaxman
Experience: Emma is a board certified behviour analyst (BCBA) she is currently the centre manager for 'The Ark' in Chelmsford.
Role on the LAC: Trustee appointed
Maisie Reading
Experience: Maisey is a qualified child welfare officer with a primary education degree. She is one of our amazing senior tutors as Chatten Free School
Role on the LAC: Elected by staff
Heather Hamilton
Experience: Heather worked in nursery's and SEND clubs before joining Chatten as a tutor in phase 1.
Role on the LAC: Elected by staff
Gemma Quantrill
Experience: DOO of REACH Essex Ltd. Considerable experience with SEMH and MLD.
Role on the LAC: Vice-Chair and Safeguarding.
Leanne Sutton
Experience: Proud parent to a child at Chatten Free School and part time SEND LSA. Experience of supporting a range of disabilities on a 1:1 basis
Role on the LAC: Elected by parents.