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Governors

Our Governors play a very important role at Whitings Hill. The Governors are responsible for a huge array of duties ranging from managing the school budget to employing staff to overseeing the curriculum and ensuring the upkeep of the building. Our Governors work very hard for the development of successful learning at Whitings Hill and there are a variety of times during the school year when you can meet them.

The governing body constitution we have adopted stipulates that the board shall consist of a total of 12 governors and to include:

a) 4 parent governors

b) 1 Local Authority (LA) governor

c) 2 staff governors (of whom one is the headteacher)

d) 5 co-opted governors

Below is a list of our Governors to date:

Co-opted Governors

Ms Gina Theodorou (Chair)

Gina was first appointed as a governor on 07/04/2011 and became chair in 2014. She is the link governor for pupil premium and safeguarding.

"I have been an active campaigner and member of the local community since 2002 and successfully headed a campaign to save the local childrens' playing field from development. I have stood in local elections and have a keen interest in politics, social & environmental issues. I also run the local family electrical contractor and solar panel installation business and have a BSc in Psychology. I am a mother of two, one in primary and the other in secondary education. I believe that each child can blossom with the right opportunities and that education should provide many of these".

Mr Raaj Parmar (Vice Chair)

Raaj was first appointed as a governor on 19/05/2015. Raaj is the link governor for PE.

"I work as a business consultant and have spent time in financial services, motorsport and technology organisations delivering large business initiatives. Away from work I really enjoy music (playing, djing and listening), and have a keen interest in helping young people unlock their potential which I hope can be achieved through the work of the governing body."

Mr Jonathan Cohen

Jonathan was first appointed as a governor on 19/05/2015. Jonathan is the link governor for maths.

"I began my career at BDO LLP where I spent 6 years as an auditor and qualified as a chartered account. During my time at BDO LLP I specialised in financial services. I subsequently moved to National Grid plc in 2012 where I works in the Treasury department. Over the course of 3 years I have qualified with the Association of Corporate Treasurers, which gives me a knowledgeable background to advise Whitings Hill Primary School on financial matters".

Ms Jo Djora

Jo was first appointed as a governor on 19/10/2015. She is the link governor for Inclusion (including SEN).

"I have worked in education for over twenty-three years and love it! I am the headteacher of the Hyde School. I have a wide experience of being a governor as I have served as a staff governor as well as being a parent governor when my child was also at primary school. I have seen the education system from both sides! I am delighted to be part of the governing body at Whitings Hill and and am focusing on all aspects of inclusion. Whitings Hill has such fabulous children and I am very much looking forward to hearing more of their views during my time as a co-opted governor."

Mr Nick Heather

Nick was first appointed as a governor on 06/12/2016.

"I started my career in Banking as a Chartered Management Accountant and worked at Lehman Brothers in London for 10 years before moving to Asia. After 9 years in Asia split between Japan and Hong Kong I returned home to North London. I have 3 young children who have been educated in various schools in Asia and now in London and I'm looking to bring that breadth of experience, both of Financial Services and Education, to help Whitings Hill in a period of unprecedented change in Education."

Parent Governors

Mr Joel Levy

Joel was first appointed as a governor on 23/04/2015. He is the link governor for English.

" I was born and brought up in north London and have lived in most bits of it, working my way further out from the centre as the years go by. By the time I'm 100 I should be living in the North Pole. I've been an author since the late nineties and have written about 40 books so far on topics ranging from poison to parapsychology. I combine my writing with being primary carer for twin boys and hope to pass on to them my enthusiasm for stories, science and history."

Mr Adrian Jackson

Adrian was first appointed as a governor on 1/10/2015. He is the link governor for Science.

"I am a Member of the Institute of Physics and educated up to Master of Philosophy level in Physics as well as possessing an MA in Science Education. After studying at the University of London I went on to work in the oil industry and IT consultancy before deciding on a career change and for the last 12 years I have worked in secondary education. Throughout this time I have kept an active interest in chess and have sometimes acted as a chess coach in school."

Ms Vijaya Lotfi

Vijaya was first appointed as a governor on 1/10/2015. She is the link governor for Social Moral Spiritual & Cultural.
" I am a Civil Litigator (Solicitor) and a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel. I volunteered to become a Parent Governor as I am passionate about Whitings Hill School fulfilling its potential to be a groundbreaking school that we can all be proud of. I believe the rounded and uncompromising quality of our young people’s education is essential to the best formation of our society, now and in the future. Being open, collaborative and using the skills from my everyday work, I believe I am a useful voice on the governing body to ensure the ethos is upheld and our children receive an outstanding education."

Ms Amy Olson

Amy was first appointed as a governor on 1/10/2015. Amy is the link governor for English.

"I'm Head of Digital at a national health charity, providing leadership in all digital work across the organisation from websites and apps to social media and other channels. I have a BA and MA in English literature and spent the early part of my career as a writer and editor in the education, science and medical sectors. I was born in New Barnet and lived in the area for 35 years. I maintain close links with the local area and am glad that both my children will be able to benefit from all that Whitings Hill Primary has to offer."

LA Governor

Mrs Judith Copping-Joyce

Judith was first appointed as a governor on 26/07/2001. Judy is the link governor for Creative Arts.

"As a local authority governor, I was involved in the transition works & staffing between Barnet Hill School and the new Whitings Hill school that you see today. I have an MA Arts degree and my career was in the arts / advertising / fashion and PR. I am an RSVP volunteer. I also listen to children read every week as so many other volunteers and I have done for many years. The children's progress is very rewarding."

Staff Governors

Ms Sejal Patel

Sejal has been the headteacher since 14/03/2014 when she also was first appointed as a governor.

Ms Jane Porteous

Jane was first appointed as a governor on 28/02/2000

Jane is the link governor for Pupils

Associate Governor

Mr Daniel Orchard

Daniel was first appointed as a governor on 18/10/2011 and was Vice Chair from 2014-2016. He runs a website design business and is an active member of Barnet Rotary club. Daniel was the link governor for Early Years Foundation Stage.

The Governors meet twice a term as a full body – the Minutes of these meetings are available outside the school office.

The committees meet once a term and are set out as follows:

Resources

Jonathan Cohen (Chair)

Nick Heather

Gina Theodorou

Raaj Parmar

Sejal Patel

Adrian Jackson

Headteacher's Performance Appraisal

Gina Theodorou (Chair)

Raaj Parmar

Judith Copping Joyce

Amy Olson

Executive Committee

Gina Theodorou (Chair)

Raaj Parmar

Jane Porteous

Jonathan Cohen

Sejal Patel

Standards & Achievement

Jane Porteous (Chair)

Gina Theodorou

Jo Djora

Joel Levy

Judith Copping Joyce

Sejal Patel

Grievance & Discipline

JoelLevy

Raaj Parmar

Pay & Staffing

Raaj Parmar (Chair)

Amy Olson

Gina Theodorou

Judith Copping Joyce

Appeals

Judith Copping Joyce

Jo Djora

Vijaya Lotfi

Whitings Hill Primary School Governing Board Attendance Data 2015-16

Governor Name

Meeting Date

% attendance

20.10.15

15.12.15

2.2.16

22.3.16

19.4.16

5.7.16

12.7.16

27.9.16

Judith Copping Joyce

87.5%

Jo Djora

50%

Daniel Orchard

100%

Gina Theodorou

100%

Raaj Parmar

75%

Jonathan Cohen

37.5%

Adrian Jackson

100%

Vijaya Lotfi

87.5%

Amy Olson

100%

Joel Levy

87.5%

Sejal Patel

87.5%

Jane Porteous

75%