School governing bodies are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. Together with the headteacher, who is responsible for day-to-day management, they set the school's aims and policies.
I'm a Business Development Manager, focused on the Education sector for a global professional services firm. I've been a local resident for many years and both my children went to local schools. I am passionate about equality and the importance of social mobility which for me embraces many forms of inequality and disadvantage. Education is one of the biggest contributors to social mobility so ensuring that children have access to quality education that provides them with the opportunities and confidence to succeed in whatever path they choose is critical in my mind. That's why I'm proud to be able to contribute to the Governor group at Eldon.
I am Chief Executive of Haringey Education Partnership, a not for profit organisation working with over 80 schools to improve outcomes for children and young people. I was previously joint Assistant Director for schools and learning in Haringey Council and have worked in the Department for Education, at the Institute for Government think tank and in consultancy. I have been a school governor for over ten years in two primary schools in Haringey.
I have worked in schools for over thirty one years in a variety of posts and I have spent the past 21 years working at Eldon Primary School as Site Manager. I have always worked in the community and was part of Edmonton's Sure Start committee, helping to gain funding from the government for the beginning of Sure Start in Edmonton. My children were also pupils at the school.
I am a husband, a father, a humanitarian, a trustee, a coach and therapist and not bad in translating strategy in to operations and deliverables, by bringing out the best in people.
I do not think I can do everything, nor do I think I know it all. Therefore, I wholeheartedly believe in the African proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child”, and so l am all about working collaboratively with parents, schools, community, businesses and government to realise the full potential of our children.
In order to find the solutions that will help improve social mobility, tackle inequality, improve how we integrate with diversity, and equip our children and young people with the right work readiness capabilities, for the jobs that have yet to be invented, I feel the education system needs to be dragged out of the Victorian era and in to the 21st century,
Whilst welcoming advancements in technology and the digital era, I have significant concerns about the negative impact this is having on our children’s self-esteem, social skills, emotional intelligence and mental/physical health. I feel that this is the responsibility of the parents, government and tech firms and we need to get a handle on this, before it escalates out of control.
Ghandi’s, “Be the change you want to see”, resonates with me and I believe that if everyone, in the social care and education sector, role-modelled the change and delivered what they said they would, we would all serve our children better.
I am the staff governor and have taught at Eldon for many years. I am a member of the Quality of education committee
I am a parent governor with a child in reception. I am a member of the resources committee.