The Governing Body

The Governing Body decides on the direction of school policy, making decisions concerning staffing, school policies, the curriculum, finance and the premises.

Its members serve for four years and usually meet once or twice a term. A large part of the Governors’ work is done in two committees: the Pupil, Staff and Curriculum Committee and the Resources & Outcomes Committee (covering Finance, Staffing, Premises, Health and Safety)

Our Governing Body is made up of the following: four Parent Governors (elected by parents), one Local Authority Governor (appointed by the London Borough of Barnet), four Co-opted Governors (appointed by the other governors), one staff governor (elected by staff) and the Head Teacher.

Meet The Governors

The governing body is organised into sub-committees that focus on specific areas:

The Pupil, Staff and Curriculum Committee covers teaching, staffing, curriculum and child protection. The Resources and Outcomes Committee covers finance, premises and health & safety.

Link governors are appointed for core subjects and statutory areas such as child protection, special educational needs and health & safety. They meet regularly with their subject leader and visit the school to keep informed on current initiatives and see how they are being implemented.

Governors undertake on-going training and development to ensure they are well informed about their role and keep up-to-date with current issues and legislation.

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Louise Ross (Chair) – Louise joined the governing body in 2014 as a parent governor, and was co-opted in 2017.  Louise was appointed Chair of Governors in 2018 after being Vice-Chair for several years. Louise is also a Governor Reviewer for the Barnet Partnership for School Improvement.  Louise sits on the Resources and Outcomes Committee.  She is also the lead governor for safeguarding. Louise has completed training in safeguarding, primary assessment, the Pupil Premium and the prevention of radicalism.  Louise is a solicitor with professional experience in finance, project management and strategic planning.

Appointed: 20th March 2020

Term: Until 20th May 2024

Business or Financial Interests: None

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Keith Hill (Vice Chair) - Keith was co-opted in 2012, becoming LA Governor in 2013. As co-vice chair he attends all committees and is Link Governor for SEND. As Link Governor for training he facilitates the Governing Body’s annual self-review and resulting development plan. Keith completed the national Chairs of Governors programme in 2014 and is a Governor Reviewer for the Barnet Partnership for School Improvement. Keith is a former primary headteacher, trainer and policy adviser with extensive experience of working in the best interests of all children in local, national and international contexts.

Appointed: 22nd March 2017

Term: Until 21st March 2025

Business or Financial Interests: None

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Colin Dowland (Co-Headteacher) - Colin became a governor on appointment as headteacher in January 2016, having been a school governor for the previous 12 years. He sits on both the Pupil, Staff and Curriculum Committee and the Resources and Outcomes Committee. Colin is the Lead Safeguarding Officer for Woodridge and is Safer Recruitment Trained.

Appointed: 1st January 2016

Term: Duration of Co-Headship

Business or Financial Interests: Trustee of Barnet Education Arts Trust, provider of the school instrumental music lessons.

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Laura Monro (Co-Headteacher/Deputy Headteacher) – Laura became a governor on appointment as deputy head teacher in September 2017. She sits on the Pupil, Staff and Curriculum Committee, having also been a governor at her previous school. Laura’s roles at Woodridge include deputy head teacher with responsibility for Teaching and Learning, Assessment, Curriculum and is a Designated Safeguarding Officer.

Appointed: 4th September 2017

Term: Duration of Co-Headship

Business or Financial Interests: None

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Clare Jones - Clare joined the governing body in 2017 as a co-opted governor. Clare has chaired the Resources and Outcomes Committee since September 2018 and has attended a training course for new governors. Clare is an Accountant, working for a law firm and has professional experience in budgeting, compliance, project management and strategic planning.

Appointed: 20th March 2020 

Term: Until 30th May 2024

Business or Financial Interests: None

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Sara Norman - Sara joined the Governing Body in 2023 as the staff governor. In addition to attending full governing body meetings, she is a member of the Pupil, Staff and Curriculum Committee. Sara is the Maths Leader and R.E. Leader for the school and is currently the Year 4 teacher.

Appointed: 24th November 2023

Term: Until 23rd November 2027

Business or Financial Interests: None

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Michael Garvey - Michael was elected a Parent Governor in April 2018 and sits on the Resources and Outcomes Committee. Michael brings with him 17 years of Marketing, Sponsorship and Communications experience from Virgin and Amazon. From April 2022, Michael has been a co-opted governor.

Appointed: 16th April 2018

Term: Until 15th April 2026

Business or Financial Interests: None

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James Goldhill - James was elected a Parent Governor in November 2020. James brings over two decades of commercial, management and digital experience having worked with a range of management consultancies (including KPMG Consulting) and digital, data and marketing agencies. His clients have included Avon, Santander, E.ON, Sky and Defra.

Appointed: 5th November 2020

Term: 5th November 2024

Business or Financial Interests: None

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Parul Dattani - Parul is a Project Manager who brings with her over 15 years managing complex multi-million pound projects across a range of industry sectors including, Health, Justice, Government, Energies & Utilities and Financial Services. She has a wealth of experience in leading teams, financial management and strategic development. She is also PRINCE2 Certified and a STEM Ambassador.

Appointed: 12th November 2021

Term: 12th November 2025

Business or Financial Interests: None

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Ajay Shah - Ajay was elected a parent governor in April 2022. Ajay is an actuary working in Financial Services for nearly 20 years including advising senior executives to ensure the efficient and effective running of the board. Ajay also volunteers as part of his profession to set strategy and provide learning opportunities for other actuaries.

Appointed: 1st April 2022

Term: 1st April 2026

Business or Financial Interests: None

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Guy Vishnia - Guy was elected a parent governor in November 2022. He is a software engineer, working in the financial industry for the last 20 years, leading teams and projects from small start-ups to large corporates. Guy has vast experience in team management, project budgeting, and handling complex organisational structures.

Appointed: 25th November 2022

Term: 25th November 2026

Business or Financial Interests: None

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Stuart Abrahams - Stuart is an elected board members and Director of BESA (British Education Suppliers Association), and is founder and Director of TWP Consulting t/a The Wisdom Partnership which provides on-demand management support for high growth EdTech businesses. Stuart is also a Vice Chair of Governors & Chair of Finance at another Barnet Primary School.

Appointed: 8th January 2024

Term: 8th January 2028

Business or Financial Interests: None

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Former Governors in the last 12 months

Lisa Hooper - 25/11/2016 to 24/11/2023

Amy Shah - 2/11/2018 to 2/11/2022