Local School Committee

Sunny Bamra is a highly experienced and values-led senior leader with over 25 years in the Further and Higher Education sector. Currently serving as Group Head of Construction at Capital City College Group, Sunny combines deep expertise in curriculum innovation, quality assurance, and inclusive leadership to deliver transformational change across institutions.

He has led wide-reaching improvements in teaching, learning and assessment, including the full strategic overhaul of the TLA strategy at Chelmsford College. His differentiated CPD model, designed to support teachers from early career through to expert level, has been recognised as a best-practice approach to staff empowerment and pedagogical excellence.

Sunny has successfully overseen the implementation of T Levels, Higher Technical Qualifications, and cross-institutional Life Skills programmes, embedding employer-led design and sector relevance. He is a passionate advocate for student achievement and safeguarding, ensuring that every learner thrives in a safe, respectful and aspirational environment.

As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Sunny has embedded a whole-college approach to safeguarding and wellbeing, strengthening policy, response protocols, and staff training to ensure timely and effective interventions across multiple sites. His leadership has ensured safeguarding is not just compliant, but integral to the learner experience.

Sunny contributes nationally through his involvement with WorldSkills UK, the National Talent Academy, and Destination Renewables, and he sits on the College Governance Quality and Curriculum Committee. He is also a Sikh Faith Champion, actively promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in education.

In December 2024, he completed the Preparing for CEO Programme.

Sunny is committed to shaping the future of the sector — ensuring high standards, strong governance, and opportunity for every learner.

Liam is an Assistant Headteacher in a comprehensive secondary school. He has a history of working in a number of secondary school settings in Ireland and South Essex; working in and with leadership has made up the majority of Liam’s working life; he has held various middle and senior leadership roles in his career. He has also been involved in school governance and safeguarding roles for over 5 years.

Graham is a qualified primary school teacher, who trained to be a teacher in 2019. 

Prior to becoming a teacher, Graham worked in Corporate Financial Risk Management for over 15 years, focusing on Foreign Exchange and Interest Rate Risk Management for a UK-based global bank. 

Since becoming a teacher, Graham has achieved a Master of Arts in Special and Inclusive Education and is currently undertaking the NPQ SENCO qualification.

Laura is a serving Headteacher of a special needs secondary school, having previously been a Headteacher of two mainstream primary schools in Norfolk and Essex.  After 14 years of school leadership roles across three very different settings,  Laura is currently undertaking the NPQEL (National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership) to enhance her knowledge and understanding of leadership across a Trust of schools.

Ellen is an apprentice tailor, currently working in Savile Row. She studied at the Fashion Retail Academy for both a degree in Fashion Retail Business and Management and a Level 4 diploma in Garment Technology. During her time studying, Ellen also trained as a Pharmacy Advisor and worked in various pharmacies around Essex.

Ellen was appointed to the LSC in February 2024.

Laura has worked in various healthcare administrative roles since moving to the UK in 2000. Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Laura studied Human Growth and Development with Basic Psychology at college, where she did work experience with young offenders.

Laura then relocated to the UK to work in the NHS. She has worked with many healthcare specialists throughout the last 15 years, covering a range of diverse areas from HMP toxicology admin to perinatal mental health service support.

Laura volunteered for a Southend-based charity that supports refugees in the local area, and has run the London Marathon for Cancer Research UK – she is currently training for her second marathon in October.

Laura lives locally and has two children; the youngest is at primary school and the eldest attends Chase High School.

Agata grew up in Western Poland. She studied philosophy at Poznan University. After a year and half in London, Agata returned to Poland and worked as a journalist for a national broadsheet, before becoming an English teacher. She relocated to London in 2001 and worked a wide variety of jobs, from cleaning, to bartending at the National Theatre, and as a bookseller at Foyles flagship store. Agata has also been a translator, a proof-reader, and a volunteer for London Wildlife Trust. Agata also studied counselling and later horticulture, gaining a RHS qualification before moving with her young family to Westcliff in 2014. Since moving to Essex, Agata has worked as a gardener and garden designer, winning a Gold Award at BBC Gardeners’ World Live in 2021.

She joined Chase in 2022 and is a Learning Support Assistant and Invigilator. Her youngest son attends Chase.

Agata truly believes that quality education should be available to all and she recognises every pupil’s potential. 

Emma has been a teacher for 21 years and has been part of the Chase community now for 16 years.  She has been married for 16 years and both of her children have attended Chase High School. 

At Chase, Emma has been subject leader for Media & Photography, Deputy Head of Sixth Form and has now been appointed to Assistant Headteacher - Head of Sixth Form College.  Emma has enjoyed being part of Chase's journey and was proud to be part of the team that helped to secure the Good rating from Ofsted. She is passionate about raising students aspirations and enjoy watching them pursue subjects and careers they love. 

Emma recently completed an NPQSL and she is also a Designated Safeguarding Lead at Chase. She is also creative and enjoy using Photoshop and Premiere Pro software to create media texts. 

Matthew graduated as a qualified teacher at the age of 21 and has been working in schools ever since. Three years into his career, he obtained his first leadership role as a Director of Engineering. Subsequently, he completed the national FastTrack to Leadership course and the National Professional Qualification for Headship. Matthew has taught and led in schools across Derbyshire, Chelmsford, Colchester, Romford, and now Westcliff. His passion lies in teaching and enabling young people to fulfil their potential in any career they choose. This unwavering dedication to education is evident as Matthew instils a can-do attitude in both his students and the staff he collaborates with daily. His motto, "One Chance," reflects his belief that students have a singular opportunity in school, and he strives to make that opportunity the best it can be.