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Primary School

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Governors

What is the Governing Board's Purpose?

 

The governors are the strategic leaders of schools and they have a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education. The Governing Body is the school’s key strategic decision-making body. It has a collective, legal responsibility for the effective management of the school, acting within a framework established by national legislation and the school’s agreed policies, and ensuring all statutory duties are met.
 

The Education Act 2002 states that the purpose of maintained school governing bodies is to 'conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement at the school'. IN all types of schools, governing bodies focus on three core strategic functions:
 

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
  • Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff;
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

 

Governors are volunteers who bring knowledge, skills and different perspectives from their work and life experiences. They are not paid for their work. Many of them have full-time jobs and all have other commitments. They sometimes take time off from their work to visit the school or attend meetings, although most meetings are held in the evening.

 

Governors are not expected to take detailed decisions about the day-to-day running of the school. That is the responsibility of the headteacher - although the headteacher will discuss most aspects of school life with the governors. The partnership between the headteacher, staff, governors, parents, pupils and the wider community determines how well the school functions.

Who is Represented?

 

When Cannon Lane First and Junior Schools amalgamated on 1 September 2013 the Governing Bodies reconstituted to become the Cannon Lane Primary School Governing Body.

The Governing Body comprises:
 

  • 4 Parent Governors - elected by the parents
  • 6 Co-opted Governors - appointed by other members of the Governing Body (one who is a member of staff)
  • 2 Staff Governors, comprising the Headteacher, and one staff governor elected by the staff
  • 1 Local Authority (LA) Governor - nominated by Harrow Council.

 

In addition, Associate Members can also be appointed by the governing body to serve on one or more governing body committees to contribute to areas where they have a particular expertise e.g. finance, legal, marketing. However, they do not have voting rights.

 

The school's Deputy Headteacher attends as an observer to the Governing body.

What Does the Governing Board Do?

 

The Governing Board meets each half term, so that is six meetings every school year. There are three committees:

 

  • The Finance and Personnel Committee, which deals with finance, staffing, and related policies
  • The Curriculum and Community Committee who monitor pupil progress and attainment, and develop links within the school and wider community
  • The Premises Health and Safety Committee ensures the school provides a safe, healthy, sustainable environment for staff, pupils and visitors. To include health and safety, premises issues, maintenance of school buildings, grounds, and equipment

 

There are also smaller committees and working groups which review areas such as the school development plan, staff pay and performance management, deal with safeguarding.
 

Individual governors are also linked to a particular subject area, meeting termly with each subject leader.

 

As well as attending the regular governing body and committee meetings, governors:

 

  • Meet regularly with senior leaders and middle managers,
  • Undertake learning walks and visits to meet staff and pupils, seeing at first-hand how the school works
  • Organise opportunities to meet parents and the wider community
  • Keep up to date with new legislation and education changes through reading and research
  • Undertake regular training organised by the Harrow School Improvement Partnership (HSIP), the Association of Harrow Governing Bodies (AHGB) and the National College for Teaching and Leadership.

Interested in Becoming a Governor?

 

If you would like to find out more about becoming a school governor, please contact us using the online contact form or via the school office. More information may also be found at Harrow Council website's School Governor section, the National Governor Association and the DfE.

Harrow Council provides free training for new governors and we have an in-house induction programme for new governors to help you in this important role.

Members of the Governing Board

 

Lucy Yasin

Chair of Governing Body & 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. 

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:

01/12/2021

Term End:

31/11/2025

Committees:

Finance & Personnel Committee

Responsibilities:

Chair of Governing Body, Chair of Head Teacher's Pay and Performance Management, Maths Governor and P.E Governor

Pecuniary and Personal Interests:

None

FGB Attendance 2021/2022:

3/4

 

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:04/11/2017
Term End:03/11/2025
Committees:Premises, Health & Safety Committee
Responsibilities:Vice Chair, RE Governor, Relationships & Sex Education Governor, Rights Respecting School Award Governor and Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Values Governor
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:None
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:5/6

 

Alastair Phillips

Headteacher/Staff Governor

 

Personal Statement:

I have been Headteacher of Cannon Lane School since September 2014 and sit on the Governing Body as a Headteacher Governor.
Prior to working at Cannon Lane, I was Headteacher at a school in Buckinghamshire for 6 years where I also worked for the Local Authority as a Consultant Headteacher supporting a number of school in the Aylesbury Area.

Before working as a Headteacher, I worked for Bracknell Forest Education Department as a School Improvement Advisor.

Type of Governor:Staff
Appointment Body:Local Authority
Term Start:01/09/2014
Term End: 
Committees:Premises, Health & Safety Committee, Curriculum & Community Committee and Finance & Personnel Committee
Responsibilities:Headteacher
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:None
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:

6/6

 

 

Sarah Skerton

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:

Local Authority

Appointment Body:

Local Authority

Term Start:

01/09/2021

Term End:

31/08/2025

Committees:

Finance & Personnel Committee

Responsibilities:

Personal, Social & Health Education Governor, Modern Foreign Languages Governor and Safer Recruitment Governor

Pecuniary and Personal Interests:

None

FGB Attendance 2021/2022:

6/6

 

Selina Connick

Staff Governor

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.

Type of Governor:Staff
Appointment Body:Elected by staff
Term Start:05/02/2021
Term End:04/02/2025
Committees:Curriculum & Community Committee
Responsibilities:None
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:None
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:5/6

 

 

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

I am looking forward to bringing my viewpoint as a staff member to the meetings and seeing the school from a different perspective.
Type of Governor:Staff
Appointment Body:Elected by staff
Term Start:30/09/2019
Term End:29/09/2023
Committees:Premises, Health & Safety Committee and Curriculum & Community Committee
Responsibilities:None
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:Relative is Clerk to Governors at Kingsley and Roxbourne School
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:

6/6

 

Elizabeth Hindmarsh

Co-opted Governor

Personal Statement:

Beth graduated with a BA (Hons) in History from Cambridge University, specialising in Class, Identity and Politics of Inter-War Britain.

After graduating she became a Head of House at a state school in Northampton, leading on the pastoral development of 150 students from years 7-13.  Beth is a TeachFirst Ambassador.  She completed her History PGCE at The Crest Academies with University College London, Institute of Education (UCL IOE) where she moved into a role driving the provision of University access for the more able.  She then went on to train teachers in Harrow for TeachFirst, before completing her Masters in 'Education Leadership' in 2016 from UCL IOE.  Beth joined Pinner High School in September 2017, as Head of Year 8, leading on the development of her year group and with a focus to bring history to life!

Type of Governor:Co-opted
Appointment Body:Governing Body
Term Start:30/09/2019
Term End:29/09/2023
Committees:Chair of Curriculum & Community Committee 
Responsibilities:Science Governor, History Governor and Geography Governor
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:Deputy Head Teacher at Pinner High School
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:5/6

 

Dr Kerry Day

Co-opted Governor

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.

Type of Governor:Co-opted
Appointment Body:Elected by Governing Body
Term Start:04/11/2021
Term End:03/11/2025
Committees:Curriculum and Community Committee
Responsibilities:Safeguarding Governor, Pupil Premium Governor and EYFS Governor
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:Governor at Pinner High School
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:5/6

 

Malvi Patel

Parent Governor

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.

Type of Governor:Parent
Appointment Body:Elected by Parents
Term Start:14/05/2021
Term End:13/05/2025
Committees:Curriculum & Community Committee
Responsibilities:English Governor and Art / Design Technology Governor
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:None
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:6/6

 

Paul Crouch

Parent Governor

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.

Type of Governor:Parent
Appointment Body:Elected by parents
Term Start:18 December 2019
Term End:17 December 2023
Committees:Chair of Finance & Personnel Committee
Responsibilities:Link Governor for Computing & Online Safety
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:None
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:6/6

 

Lakshminarayanan Seshan

Parent Governor

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.

Type of Governor:Parent
Appointment Body:Elected by parents
Term Start:17 October 2022
Term End:16 October 2026
Committees:TBC
Responsibilities:TBC
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:None
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:N/A

 

Jaqueline Lack

Co-opted Governor

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.

Type of Governor:Co-opted
Appointment Body:Governing Body
Term Start:30 January 2023
Term End:29 January 2027
Committees:TBC
Responsibilities:TBC
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:None
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:N/A

 

 

Priya Bansal Williams

Co-opted Governor

 Awaiting Content
Type of Governor:Co-opted
Appointment Body:Governing Body
Term Start:30 January 2023
Term End:29 January 2027
Committees:TBC
Responsibilities:TBC
Pecuniary and Personal Interests:TBC
FGB Attendance 2021/2022:N/A

 

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