Jessica Barnecutt grew up in Ongar, where she now lives. She is a maths teacher in Waltham Abbey and has previously taught at the Brentwood Ursuline and Sawyers Hall College. As a student she was heavily involved in community activities and charitable fundraising. More recently she has cycled through Europe and the Middle East and spent time teaching in a refugee camp in Palestine. Barnecutt has stood for the Green Party in the last two local elections. She is committed to the principles of a fair and just society.