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Governors

Who are we?

We are a group of volunteers including parents, staff and the local community.
Several of the current governors, including our Community Governors, are parents of pupils or ex-pupils at the school. 

Governance Information and Documents

    Appointment of Governors

    Oliver Benjamin Community  25/03/2021 to 24/03/2025
    Rebecca Lyons Community (Chair) 02/04/2019 to 01/04/2023
    Pauline Casbolt Staff Headteacher (NV) 24/03/2022 to 23/03/2026
    David Worrall Executive Headteacher Does not have a term as he is the EHT.
    Nadeem Javaid Parent (Vice Chair) 04/03/2019 to 03/03/2023
    James Harrington Community 28/06/2019 to 27/06/2023
    Chong Aik Lee Community 28/06/2019 to 27/06/2023
    Chana King Associate 26/09/2019 to 25/09/2023
    Bongani Siziba Staff 30/09/2021 to 29/09/2024
    James Ringer Parent 08/12/2021 to 07/12/2025
    Naomi Stokes Parent 08/12/2021 to 07/12/2025
    Chantelle Otubambo Parent 08/12/2021 to 07/12/2025
  • Rebecca Lyons - Chair of Governors

    I have been associated with Hillyfield as a parent for eight years as both of my children attended the school. I am now a Community governor.
    My background is in the museum and gallery world – until October 2017, I was the director of two history of art degree programmes run by Christie’s auction house in conjunction with the University of Glasgow and I was the director of a continuing professional development programme at the Attingham Trust and Royal Collection.  Since 2019 I have been the Director of Collections and Learning at a major London museum.
    I was elected Chair of the Hillyfield Governing Body in October 2017.  I very much enjoy working with the exceptional, talented staff at Hillyfield, and particularly enjoy our governor monitoring visits where we get to see the fantastic, creative classrooms and happy, confident learners.

  • Oliver Benjamin - Co-Link Governor for SEN

    I am Director of Employment and Skills at A New Direction (and creative education charity) where I lead on employment and skills around progression into the creative industries. This manifests itself in an innovative programme called Create Jobs which offers innovatives solutions to skill gaps and growth areas within the wider digital economy, matching local talent with local employment opportunities.
    My background is as a programme producer and manager with over 14 years of experience working in education and cultural sectors focusing on the progression of young people through task-based and purposeful learning.
     
    I am also a parent of a Year 4 pupil.

  • James Ringer - Safeguarding Link Governor

    I have worked in universities throughout my whole career, principally working with schools, students and their parents/supporters to deliver outreach projects. I am currently Director of Student Recruitment for Goldsmiths, University of London responsible for admissions process and policy, financial awards, global recruitment, marketing, events and widening participation.

    I currently have two children at Hillyfield, which will become three in a few years’ time and I am delighted to have this opportunity to support the school.

  • James Harrington - Link Governor for Creativity and Health & Safety

    I am a Civil Service Fast Streamer, having joined the graduate leadership programme in October 2017. I graduated with a BA International Relations (Hons), from the University of Birmingham. I am a ‘new’ school governor, and have been impressed with the warmth and calibre of the teachers and fellow governors. I look forward to working with those associated with Hillyfield, to grow the enriching environment that the students and staff currently enjoy. 

     

     

     

  • Nadeem Javid - Vice Chair of Governors

    As a father of three children I am honoured to serve the school as a parent governor and work with the school to ensure all our children are getting the best out of their time at school.
    I work as a Senior Adviser to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, focusing on social integration and communities. My role is to ensure that the Mayor is kept informed of Londoners’ concerns, whilst helping to devise and implement
    London’s social integration strategy. From City Hall, I work closely with voluntary organisations and community groups, supporting them to improve the lives of Londoners.
    I am proud that Hillyfiled is a wonderfully diverse school and I want to make sure we embrace and celebrate our diversity as much as possible.

  • Chong Aik Lee - Chair of Resources, Audit and Risk Committee - Link Governor for Diversity and Inclusion

    I work as a solicitor  in a City law firm where my primary focus is on restructuring and insolvency. Having been involved in a few mentoring schemes (most notably SmartStart and ReStart) I've now decided to put my experience and expertise to good use by helping and supporting Hillyfield (and the wider Waltham Forest community). 

     

  • Chana King - Chair of Education Standards Committee - Link Governor for Diversity and Inclusion

    I am really pleased to be an associate governor at our school. My two children attend the Park site (Year 1 and Year 3).

    The opportunity to have input in the school via the Governors is important to me. I am the Safer Recruitment lead and working with Chong Aik Lee to look at the school’s approach to Diversity and Inclusion as I have a keen interest in that area and to achieve our core value to create a sense of belonging.   

    I am a People Projects Manager working at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association – a large national provider of social, shared ownership and affordable housing along with care and support.

    I started my career in an educational centre for excluded children of secondary school age, worked at Ofsted – providing learning provision for Early Years Inspectors. I have over 15 years’ experience in Learning and Development and HR.

    I also sit as a committee member of Migration Foundation, formerly known as the Ashmore fund. This was established to help migrants and the communities they live in, including people who are refugees and asylum seekers. Our vision is to make migration work for the whole community by creating places free from destitution and division.

    I chair a community interest group call ‘BOB Community’. This group was set up following a training programme that our organisation invested in, to get more people of colour in a position to have confidence to apply for and improve success in gaining board roles. The committee seeks to support those who have completed the programme to continue on their journey and seek funding to sponsor young people onto similar programmes to support with their career opportunities.

    Looking forward to supporting the school to achieve ‘Brilliance in Every Child, Excellence Every Day’

  • Naomi Stokes - Parent Governor - Co-link Governor for SEND

    I have lived in Walthamstow for 10 years and have 2 children currently attending Hillyfield. My background is in the arts and I have worked as a Photographer for 20yrs. My job requires me to explore ideas in a creative way or from a new perspective, to be organised, to work in a team, to adhere to deadlines and budgets and in situations where confidentiality is paramount. I think these skills will help me in my role as a school governor.

    I’m looking forward to supporting the school and working alongside people from a broad range of backgrounds and professions who are united in focusing on the best outcomes for all the children.

     

  • Bongani Siziba - Teacher Governor

    I joined teaching in 1988 with the hope of trying it out and then moving on to other jobs but l discovered the joy of teaching during my first three teaching months; l have enjoyed every experience ever since. My speciality is in personalised learning, positive behaviour management and accelerated learning. Teaching gives me an everyday learning opportunity, for that I am forever grateful. I am into research, l like to use cutting edge methods to create a better learning environment for all pupils. I genuinely believe that no child can fail if the education is presented in a personalised and easy platform or ways that takes into consideration the child’s ability and levels of understanding. Students do not fail, but teachers do, if they fail to consider and acknowledge how each and every pupil learns.  I spend time reading Neuroscience and advanced knowledge literature tailored towards better teaching and learning. 

    During holidays, l volunteer in secondary schools in Africa, working with pupils on self-esteem and career guidance. I have worked part time as a talent manager and music promoter for a small record company. I am pleased with the opportunities Hillyfield Academy provides for both staff and pupils.

  • Chantelle Otubambo - Link Governor for Pupil Premium

    I am honoured to have been voted in as a parent governor at Hillyfield. I have lived in Walthamstow for 10 years and currently have one child attending the school. I am keen to positively contribute toward efforts to maintain an enriching and inspiring school environment for all children at Hillyfield. 

    I am a Civil Servant with over 10 years of experience in central Government policy making and research (with a focus on policing, crime, safeguarding and criminal justice), which includes leadership responsibility for a number of national projects. I also hold corporate responsibility for supporting and promoting equality and diversity within my Government Department and the wider Civil Service. I look forward to applying my transferable policy development, project management, governance and compliance skills in support of the school.

Members

We currently have 6 members, listed below, who meet annually.  Two of our members are also Trustees.  All our members have extensive experience in school governance. 

Contact details

                    If you wish to contact our Governors please do so by email via the school office, with for the attention of the school governors in the subject line or by post c/o Hillyfield Primary Academy, Aveling Park Road, London E17 4NR. 

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