Governors

Sarah Skerton

Chair of Governing Body & Local Authority Appointed Governor

	Personal Statement: I became a Parent Governor of Cannon Lane First School in 2005 when both my sons attended the school. In 2009 I became vice chair and have been Chair since the school amalgamated to become Cannon Lane Primary School in 2013. During this time, it's been a privilege to have taken an active part in working with our children, staff and governors to develop and expand Cannon Lane Primary School. I believe all children are entitled to achieve their potential, by us providing an excellent standard of education and environment for them to learn in. I work for the Exams Dept at Harrow College.
Type of Governor:	Chair of Governors & Local Authority
Appointment Body:	Local Authority
Term Start:	01 September 2021
Term End:	31 August 2025
Committees:	Finance & Personnel, Curriculum & Community and Premises, Health & Safety
Responsibilities:	Personal, Social & Health Education Governor
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:	None
FGB Attendance 2022/2023:	6/6

Jonathan S. Simons

Vice Chair and Co-Opted Governor

	Personal Statement: I started as a Governor at Cannon Lane (First, Middle and now Primary) School since my sons attended, and have subsequently been fortunate enough to have been a Local Authority Governor and continued as a Co-Opted Governor since then. I am currently the Vice Chair of the Board of Governors. The Governing Body is a crucial part of the Management of the School as it sets, with the Headteacher, the strategic route of the school, and I feel honoured to have been part of that process for many years.
Type of Governor:	Co-Opted
Appointment Body:	Governing Body
Term Start:	04 November 2017
Term End:	03 November 2025
Committees:	Chair of Premises, Health & Safety
Responsibilities:	Vice Chair, RE, Relationships & Sex Education, Rights Respecting School Award and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Values
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:	None
FGB Attendance 2022/2023:	4/6

Lucy Yasin

Parent Governor

	Personal Statement: I was elected as a Parent Governor in December 2021 and have been privileged to have been voted in as Chair in October 2022 for the academic year.  I am passionate about ensuring the best educational experience for all children and dedicated to ensuring that the Governing Body works in the most efficient and effective way with the Senior Leadership Team to achieve this. I have a background in corporate governance and currently work as Head of Governance and Compliance for the British Transport Police Authority. There is a lot of cross-over between my current role and that of Chair which I believe will be beneficial. I have a certificate in Corporate Governance and a Masters degree with distinction in Business Psychology.
Type of Governor:	Parent
Appointment Body:	Elected by Parents
Term Start:	01 December 2021
Term End:	31 November 2025
Committees:	Finance & Personnel
Responsibilities:	Maths and P.E
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:	None
FGB Attendance 2022/2023:	6/6

Personal Statement:

I joined the Governing Board in February 2021 as a Staff Governor.  My teaching career started in 2010, then in 2018 I joined the teaching team at Cannon Lane Primary School.  My teaching experience spans across all Primary years.  Currently I am a Year 1 teacher and a PE Subject Leader.

 Out of school my interests include ballet, running, walking my dog and looking after my children.

Becoming part of the Governing Board will enable me to share my experiences as a member of staff with the Governors, whilst also gaining an insight of the various roles and responsibilities being a School Governor involves.

Rachel Willmott

Staff Governor

Personal Statement:

I joined Cannon Lane Primary School in 2017 as a Year 3 teacher. This academic year, I have moved to Year 6 and have taken on the role of Maths Leader, which has allowed me to gain experience in both Key Stages within the school. This has helped me get a wider understanding of the support needed for children to move forward and the support needed by teachers to help them.

Prior to teaching at Cannon Lane, I was a teaching assistant, which gave me an insight into schools from a different viewpoint

5/6

Personal Statement:

I have had the privilege of being a governor at Cannon Lane since 2013 – initially as a parent governor and now as a co-opted governor. I have been the designated safeguarding governor for 9 years and I am also responsible for monitoring pupil premium. Other responsibilities include being the link governor for EYFS and as part of the curriculum and community committee.

As a paediatrician, the development of children is something I have always cared passionately about. I believe an education that is inspiring, wide ranging and fun gives young people the best possible start in life. I enjoy my role, ensuring that high standards of learning are delivered and by providing strategic leadership and accountability to support the school as it grows.

Personal Statement:

I have been a parent of the school since 2015 and currently have 3 sons attending Cannon Lane. I have always taken an active interest in the school and have enjoyed volunteering at various events at school over the years.

I am an Optometrist and am currently working as the resident Optometrist at a large Special School in Brent where I am in charge of looking after all 300 children's eyes. In addition to this, I am the finance manager at a family GP Practice in Hillingdon.

I strongly believe in a holistic approach to a child's education where their mental and social well-being should be on par with their academic achievements. I am an Advanced Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner and have delivered Mindfulness workshops to both pupils and staff at Cannon Lane in the past.

I look forward to the new challenges of being a parent governor and working with the school to help maintain the current high standards that have been set.

Personal Statement:

I have been involved with the school since 2017 and have been a Parent Governor since 2019. I sit on the Finance Committee and have the responsibility as the Link Governor for Computing & Online Safety.

Growing up locally, I went to Longfield and Whitmore. I have taken an active role with the school since my eldest daughter joined and have helped at various school events including acting as a DJ at Cannon Fest, or as an announcer at the Christmas Fair.

Personal Statement:

I became a Parent Governor of Cannon Lane Primary School in November 2022. I have two sons studying in the school.  I look forward to representing the views of parents and students in ensuring that the school continues to maintain its high standards and reputation. I have varied experience in IT, Operations and Banking across India, UK and US. I am currently working as Chief Financial Officer for a mid-sized International Bank and looking forward to bringing my experience in corporate governance, Finance and Banking experience to the role.

I was co-opted as a governor at Cannon Lane Primary School in January 2023. I worked in education for over 40 years and was the Head Teacher of a primary school for 18 years before my retirement.

I am a passionate about children's learning and hope I can bring experience and knowledge to the Governing Body. I believe that every child is entitled to a good all-round education, whatever their ability and that as a school we must strive to meet their needs within a fun and safe learning environment.

I look forward to working with the Head Teacher, Governors, parents and staff to continue to provide excellent opportunities for Cannon Lane pupils.

Following his studies at London Guildhall University, obtaining a BA Hons degree in Business Communications, Raj’s teaching career started firstly as an IT and Business teacher in a secondary school in Westminster. Raj has always had a passion for trying new roles, meeting new people, and gaining life experiences that have shaped him as a leader – having travelled the world and worked in US summer camps in his youth.

After taking time away from teaching to work as an IT Project Manager for a merchant bank, Raj returned to his true passion of teaching as a Head of Department and senior leader in Camden. Since then, Raj has had many significant career achievements, including giving presentations to groups of international dignitaries about technology in education, to going on a study tour with other Headteachers to Apple headquarters to learn about innovation, culture and strategy. More recently, for the past 12 years, Raj’s career has centred around working at another Harrow secondary school, Bentley Wood, as the Deputy Headteacher and Head of School. Raj obtained his NPQH in 2017 and completed his MBA last year.

Raj lives in Harrow with his wife and two children, one at university and the other going in September, and his Bichon dog called Sky. In his free time, Raj has a passion for keeping fit and staying active, particularly learning to play Padel tennis and attending spin sessions. Raj’s extensive experience has meant he has learnt many valuable lessons that aid his leadership of Pinner High, namely that carrying passion and creativity alongside kindness and compassion can help improve the teaching, learning and, more importantly, the care provided to young people. Raj firmly believes that strong ethical values are essential in today’s modern society, alongside a sense of humour.

As Headteacher of Pinner High School, Raj has a simple vision that centres around sky-high expectations, creating a community that nurtures ambition and equality for all. A school with exceptional standards at every level.

If you are interested in becoming a Co-Opted Governor, please follow the link below
Become a school governor – London Borough of Harrow