What is the Governing Body?
School Governors are the school’s Board of Directors. The purpose of the Governing Body is:-
The governing body must ensure that in delivering its responsibilities, it promotes and safeguards the welfare of children.
Our responsibility is for overall policy. The day-to-day business of organising children’s learning and of managing time, space, staff and resources is for the professional team led by the headteacher. Along with the professional staff at our school we try to provide the best possible education for all the children.
What do the Governors do?
Working in Committees, Governors make decisions about the running of the school. The whole Governing Body meets once a term and the following sub-committee meetings are also held at least termly:
These committees are responsible for:
2023-2024 | |||
Name of Governor | Relevant business interest and financial interests | Governance roles in other schools | Relationships with the school staff including spouses, partners & relatives |
Julia Hutton-Squire | None | None | None |
Carole Catley | None | None | None |
Jade Cheung | None | None | None |
Nick Mailer | None | None | None |
John Parnaby | None | None | None |
Hugh Rayner | None | Annunciation Junior School | None |
Judith Suissa | None | None | None |
Nikki Simon | None | None | None |
Ryan Hannan | None | None | None |
Roshi Klair | None | None | None |
Rajen Rajput | None | None | None |
Penka Georgieva Mihov | None | None | None |
Ben Moah | None | None | Non |
Meet the Governors
Carole Catley (Headteacher)
I qualified as a teacher in 1997 and after teaching at a school for 8 years, I was the deputy at a school for 6 years and now have been the headteacher at Deansbrook Infant School for nearly 10 years. I passionately believe that every child has a right to an education and I know that an excellent nursery and infant education lays the foundations for success in the future. As headteacher of Deansbrook Infant School I work with the Governing Body to plan the strategic development of the school, ensuring that our children are at the heart of every decision that we make. |
Julia Hutton-Squire (Co-opted Governor - Chair) Start date – April 2023 End date – April 2027 Committees - Finance & Premises Pupil, Parents & Community | |
All our children deserve the best start that the school can give them, and I am committed to supporting the school in delivering that. I was originally elected as a parent governor in 2010 when the eldest of my four daughters was in reception, and have been Chair of Governors since 2012. My third daughter is currently at Deansbrook Infant School. I am a senior manager at Accenture, with a background in selling and running multi-million pound IT projects, so I bring relevant experience in HR, finance and procurement. Prior to taking on the role of Chairman I was also a trustee of an Indian Children’s educational charity for which I had worked as a volunteer in South India. While my children have been at Deansbrook I have helped with setting up our successful PTA. |
Jade Cheung (Co-opted Governor - Vice Chair) Start date – April 2023 End date – April 2027 Committees - Finance & Premises (Chair) Curriculum, Attainment & Standards |
I am Vice Chairman of the Governing Body, and Chairman of the Finance and Premises Committee at Deansbrook Infant School with an additional role as Pupil Premium Governor. I currently work in Local Government and I am a member of the local community involved in the life of Deansbrook Infant School since 2008. My aims as part of the Governing Body include:
I hope your child will be happy and successful and enjoy their time at Deansbrook Infants. |
Ryan Hannan (Parent Governor)
Start date – October 2021
End date – October 2025
Committees - Curriculum, Attainment & Standards
Pupils, Parents & Community
As a newly-appointed Parent Governor, I am proud to be more deeply involved with the vision of this vibrant school in the heart of our community. I have seen how Deansbrook has supported my daughter through to Year 2 from Nursery, in spite of the challenges of the Covid pandemic, and this shows Deansbrook’s commitment to our children. I have been working in education for many years with recent focus on operations and quality control and I am looking forward to contributing to the continued success of the school.
Nicola Simon - Deputy Head (Co-opted Governor)
Start date – April 2023
End date – April 2027
Committees – Finance & Premises
Pupil, Parents & Community
Curriculum, Attainment and Standards
John Parnaby - Staff Governor
Start date – January 2022
End date – January 2026
Committees – Finance & Premises
Pupil, Parents & Community
Curriculum, Attainment and Standards
Roshi Klair (Parent Govenor)
Start Date: October 2021
End Date: October 2025
Committees: Finance & Premises
As both of my children attend Deansbrook Infants, I wanted to become involved in assisting the operations of the school and also give back to the community for our future generations.
Nick Mailer (Co-opted Governor)
Start date – June 2019
End date – June 2023
Committees - Finance & Premises,
Curriculum, Attainment & Standards
Pupil, Parents & Community
My daughter attended Deansbrook Infant School and then Deansbrook Junior School. I have thus experienced the full journey through the school as a parent, and now continue as a co-opted governor. I have special interest in computing and IT (I wrote the first book about the Internet's use in education). I was a part of the panel of governors Ofsted interviewed in its last inspection, where the school retained its Good rating. I was pleased to be able to communicate the school's uncompromising commitment to being a caring and humane environment for its notably diverse range of children. This remains my overriding focus across my committee memberships.
Rajen Rajput (Parent Governor)
Start date – May 2021
End date – May 2025
Committees - Finance & Premises,
Curriculum, Attainment & Standards
My eldest child joined Deansbrook Infant School in September 2020 and I was elected as one of the governors of the school soon after, in May 2021. It’s a privilege to be involved in the operations of the school and to appreciate (a) how the school receives its funding and resources, and (b) how it uses those resources on the education and wellbeing of our children - to prepare them for their futures.
My full-time work is as a forensic accountant, so my skills include the hard-skills of accounting, data analysis, maths and business, and the softer skills of people management and negotiation.
Outside of my full-time work, I enjoy reading self-development books, eating good food, watching loud movies and spending time with friends and family.
My youngest child will be most-likely be enrolling in September 2023 so I anticipate a long future being involved with this outstanding school.
I am a sociable, positive and down-to-earth person – so if you see me around the school, please do stop to say hi.
Judith Suissa (Co-opted Governor) Start date – 22/11/2022 End date – 21/11/2026 Committees – Curriculum, Attainment and Standards |
I am a passionate believer in public education and small schools tailored to the needs of their communities. My children went to a local primary school and I am keen to give something back to the community through my work as a school governor. I am Professor Emerita at UCL’s Institute of Education, where I worked for nearly twenty years, teaching and researching in the field of philosophy of education. Over many years, I have worked with teachers across all stages of both formal and informal education in thinking about how education can enrich people’s lives and change society for the better. Deansbrook staff are committed to creating and sustaining a caring environment where all children can flourish and enjoy learning, and I am proud to be on the Governing Board of the school and to support them in upholding their values and offering the best possible education to the children in their community.
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Hugh Rayner (LA Governor)
Start date – November 2022
End date – November 2026
Committees - Finance & Premises,
I am married with two grown up children and one grandchild. I have a keen interest in education and the wellbeing of children. I was a Councillor in Barnet for a number of years and currently run my own business. I believe I can bring pragmatism and common sense to discussions about the school and its future. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the school in all its efforts in dealing with the pandemic and look forward to a bright future for the school, its staff and for the children.
Penka Georgieva Mihov (Parent Governor)
Start date – November 2023
End date – November 2027
Committees - Curriculum and Standards, Pupil Parent and Community
Ben Amoah (Parent Govenor)
Start Date: November 2023
End Date: November 2027
Committees: Curriculum and Standards, Pupil Parents and Community
I am Ben Amoah, proud father of Zadie in Red Class. I live locally on Church Close and have been a part of this community for most of my life, including as a member of John Keble Church just across the road. Professionally, I’m a lawyer with a passion for history and a supporter of Chelsea Football Club.
Cooking, especially barbecuing, is one of my greatest joys, allowing me to celebrate my Ghanaian heritage. I look forward to using my skills and experiences to contribute positively to our school’s community and to connect with all of our families to help create the best environment for our children.
Caroline Winston - Clerk
Pupil Premium Governor – Jade Cheung
Designated Governor for Safeguarding - Ryan Hannan
If you are interested in finding out more about the governing body, or even becoming a school governor yourself please contact the Chair of Governors, Julia Hutton-Squire, through the school office.