About the Governing Body

Governors Newsletter Spring 2022

Governors' Vision for Greenleaf (revised Summer 2019)

Consistent excellence in terms of progress and attainment across a rich curriculum
A spirit of learning beyond boundaries
- Fostering a growth mindset
- Creating aspiration
- Embedding the global dimension
An environment which promotes a healthy lifestyle through emotional self-awareness and physical well-being

Strategic Plan

About Governors

Governors are part of the largest volunteer workforce in the country; they play a key role in helping the school provide the best possible education for all its pupils. The Governing Body is drawn from various sections of the Community and consists of:

Head Teacher: 1
Staff Governor: 1
Parent Governors: 3
LA Appointed Governors: 1
Co-opted Governors: 9

The Governing Body must exercise its functions with a view to fulfilling a largely strategic role in the running of the school. It establishes the strategic framework by: setting aims and objectives for the school; adopting policies for achieving those aims and objectives; setting targets for achieving those aims and objectives.

The governing body monitors and evaluates progress of its strategy and regularly reviews the framework for the school in the light of that progress. When establishing the strategic framework and reviewing progress, the governing body considers advice given by the Headteacher, local authority and other agencies.

The Governors, in partnership with school staff draw up a School Development Plan which provides the main mechanism for the strategic planning.

To carry out their responsibilities governing bodies must hold at least three meetings per school year. Greenleaf full Governing Body usually meets five times in the school year. Meetings are convened by the clerk who takes directions from the Governing Body and the Chair. Part of the Agenda is set nationally, part by the local authority and part by the school itself.

Some Governors' business is also conducted at Committee Meetings. Greenleaf has 2 regular committees; Resources and Curriculum. Each committee usually meets termly. There are also some committees which meet when required; Staff Appointments, Requests for Emergency Leave, Complaints, Disciplinary and Performance Management.

Governors visit the school regularly so that they kept are informed of all aspects of school life. Each Governor is linked to a class and is also responsible for a subject area.

Every year Governors self-evaluate their skills and experiences which contribute to Greenleaf having an effective Governing Body. Click here to view this year's Skills Analysis. Where gaps are identified, governors consider whether any particular action (eg. training) needs to be put in place.

The Headteacher and Governing Body work in close partnership. The Headteacher discusses all the main aspects of school life with the governing body and expects the governing body to both challenge and support the school. Acting as a “critical friend”, the governing body offers support and constructive advice; governors question proposals and seek further information to enable them to make sound decisions.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Please click here for a list of Governor committees and membership.

ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

Please click here for a schedule of attendance by Governors at last year's meetings.

STATEMENT OF INTEREST

Please click here for declarations of interest.

TO CONTACT THE GOVERNING BODY

Please address all correspondence either to the Chair of Governors, or to a named governor, via the school office.

Greenleaf Primary School Governing Body

Mr G Shaw

Chair of Governors & Co-Opted Governor

Mr G Shaw
Ms K Chapman

Vice Chair and Parent Governor

Ms K Chapman

Hi everyone, I'm Kathleen and am a parent governor at Greenleaf.
I have two children at the school and became a governor as I want to support the work of the school to provide the best possible education and well-rounded experience to our children. Outside of my governor role I am a senior manager in a children's charity and would like to contribute my experience to the school and community, as well as putting forward a parent's perspective on the range of issues that governors are involved in.
Ms B Lakha

Vice Chair and Parent Governor

Ms B Lakha

I am a Parent Governor and the Link Governor for PSHE Curriculum.
As a parent of a daughter attending Greenleaf Primary School, I have a genuine interest in and commitment to supporting our school's development plan so that all learning opportunities offered are equally accessible to all our children.
I have lived in Walthamstow for over 10 years so have a sense of the local community. As a qualified Social Worker, I have worked in a variety of statutory and voluntary settings with both children and their families as well as with adults across London. I am currently a senior practitioner for a London based mental health NHS Trust.
I am eager to bring a parent perspective to our Governing Board and hope that my professional experience can be used to support the amazing staff at Greenleaf Primary School to be the best it can for our school community.
Ms N Edwards

Co-Opted Governor

Ms N Edwards

I am Vice Chair of Governors and the Link Governor for Early Years.
Outside of my work with the school, I am mum to two young children and work full time as a commercial litigation solicitor and mediator. My role as a school governor gives me the opportunity to use my experience and skills to benefit my wider community, which is very important to me. I am proud to be a school governor at Greenleaf Primary School as it is within my local community and the values of the school align with my personal values.
Mr C Yacoobali

Co-Opted Governor

Mr C Yacoobali
Mr S Chaplin

Co-Opted Governor

Mr S Chaplin

I am a father of two children that attend Greenleaf and am passionate about ensuring that our school provides the best possible education and experiences for every child.
I am an experienced children's social worker and currently work as a service manager in a local authority. I have experience of running early intervention projects in primary schools and as an advisor to the family courts.
Ms A Myers

Co-Opted Governor

Ms A Myers
Mr R Skipwith

Co-Opted Governor

Mr R Skipwith
Ms S Qureshi

Headteacher

Ms S Qureshi
Ms A Ross

Staff Governor

Ms A Ross

I'm a Year 2 teacher and head of humanities at Greenleaf. I was fortunate to have been offered a PGCE training contract at Greenleaf 3 years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of our school community. Prior to this, I was a partner at a global recruitment firm. I live in Walthamstow and have two primary aged children. I feel that my background in business, being a resident of Walthamstow, a parent of primary aged children and a teacher at this amazing school gives me a unique insight to serve our school community as a governor.
Mr S Dar

Parent Governor

Mr S Dar
Dr C Halligan

Local Authority Governor

Dr C Halligan

I'm Cat, a Greenleaf governor nominated by the local authority. I work as an Educational Psychologist which means that I work with school staff, parents, students and other agencies to ensure that children are happy and learning at school. I also work with senior leaders in schools to support them with their school improvement plans and implement whole school or group approaches to affect change for larger groups of children.
I've worked in education since finishing my Psychology degree in 2012, first as a secondary teacher and then as a mentor for new teachers. Greenleaf is the first school I have been a governor for and I'm looking forward to working with other governors and staff to ensure that students at Greenleaf continue to access a well-rounded, effective education.
Ms R Franklin

Associate Governor

Ms R Franklin
Ms K Thompson

Associate Governor

Ms K Thompson