About the Governors
Chair: Alison Bowman
Headteacher: Frances Warhurst
The Governing Body is responsible for leading strategic direction of Walker Primary School
and we do this through the development, monitoring and evaluation of our School
Improvement Plan. The primary purpose of the Governing Body is to make a positive
difference for children. We do this through leadership, in partnership with the Headteacher.
Strategic decisions are taken at meetings of the Full Governing Body, which are held in the
second half of every term. More detailed discussions take place at either the Staffing &
Curriculum Committee or our Finance & Premises Committee. As well as being a member of
a committee, each governor has a “Link” area to a core subject or improvement plan priority.
The Governing Body is made up of talented individuals, bringing a variety of complementary
skills. We have high expectations for Walker. We seek evidence that the school is improving
as a result of the strategic decisions we make. We do this through by reviewing the evaluations
made by the Headteacher and her team and agreeing the priorities for the school. We regularly
visit the school and talk to children and staff. We value feedback from all stakeholders.
Tom Boucher Co-opted Governor Appointed 22/11/17-21/11/21
Tom has been appointed as a co-opted governor for Finance, and has joined the Finance and Premises committee as Vice Chair. Tom is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Sequel Business Solutions (Insurance software) and has recently held similar roles for the University of Law (undergraduate and post graduate higher education provider) and Data Explorers (financial technology).Tom has two children at Walker, Sam (year 4) and Lily (year 2), and is a link governor for ICT/Computing and Music.
Alison Bowman Chair of Governors and Parent Governor Appointed 27/10/16-26/6/19
Alison was elected as a Parent Governor in October 2016 and became chair in 2017. Her professional background is working in the NHS and currently she is a freelance consultant for Macmillan Cancer Support and the Royal Free Hospital Charity. She also volunteers at Walker Primary School, providing reading support. Her experience of working within financial constraints while delivering and developing the best services possible, are valuable skills she brings to the board.
Saz Dogan , Staff Governor Appointed 13/4/19-12/4/21
Saziye has worked at Walker Primary School as a class teacher since November 2017. In April 2018 she was appointed as PSHE lead and is now the lead for Computing. She has previously worked in primary schools in Edmonton and Palmers Green as class teacher and head of year. She has two sons aged 17 and 14.
Stelios Eliades, Vice Chair, SEND and Safeguarding Governor Appointed 5/1/16-4/1/20
Stelios was elected as a Parent-Governor in December 2015. He has two children and is a former pupil of this school. He has lived in Southgate since 1976. Stelios is Chair of the Staffing & Curriculum committee.
Metin Hassan Co-opted Governor Appointed 22/11/17-21/11/21
Metin was elected as a Co-Opted Governor in November 2017. His professional background is a Chartered Building Surveyor and he has over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry.
He is currently a Director of his own building contracting and development company specialising in residential new build and refurbishment projects. Metin would like to provide his invaluable construction experience and expertise in overseeing and monitoring the proposed new build of Walker School, with regard to design, procurement and build programme, with minimal disruption during the construction process. To act in the best interest of the Walker School community, add value, and ultimately provide a best fit school for future generations.
Councillor Stephanos Ioannou Appointed 28/6/18-27/6/22
Stephanos was born and raised in Enfield, attended Saint Andrews C.E. School in Southgate and then attended Highlands school where for both GCSE’s and A-Levels. He was a prior student at the University of Hertfordshire having studied BA (Hons) Economics
On May 3rd 2018 he was elected as Councillor for Southgate ward, in the London Borough of Enfield and is currently attending Kings College London, studying MA Public Policy.He holds a number of charitable and community roles, including being involved in the UK Thalassaemia Society & Chairman of the Conservative Friends of Greece group and takes a keen interest in all things to do with the environment and education. Particularly, he is an active campaigner on reducing plastic waste and making people aware of the damage plastics cause.
Karen Mautner Co-opted Governor Appointed 13/7/16-12/7/20
Karen has lived in Southgate for nearly 40 years and all three of her daughters attended Walker. She now has grandsons at the school. Karen was co-opted to the Governing Body in 2016. She has been a governor of another Enfield school since 2001 and continues as Chair of that Governing Body. Over the years, she has been involved in a whole raft of committees representing Primary School interests including The Children's Area Partnerships, the Children's Trust Board and the Enfield Strategic Partnership. She was the Admin Director of a successful local business for 20 years. Karen is a member of the Finance and Premises Committee.
Christina Scordellis, Co-opted Governor Appointed 3/7/19- 2/7/21
Christina has a strong affinity with the vision and values of Walker Primary School, having first been elected a parent governor in 2006, then appointed a Community Governor and now a Co-opted Governor. An active member of the “Friends of Walker” during her time as a Walker parent, Christina remains in close contact with our ‘extended’ Walker family of past parents and pupils. During her time as a governor, Christina has served on every committee including the Headteacher Appointment Panel. She is a regular visitor to school. Christina is our link Governor for Child Protection.
Raakhee Tailor, Associate Governor Ms Tailor attends with no voting rights
Raakhee joined the school in 2015 as the Deputy Headteacher and became a Staff Governor in January 2016. Before coming to Walker, Raakhee was a Deputy Headteacher at a large all-through school in Wembley. Previous to that she held a number of roles in Tower Hamlets, including with the School Improvement Service. Raakhee has an interest is nurturing a learning culture within schools, where children and staff have a thirst for learning, a passion for enquiry and a drive for excellence. She often speaks to the children about the greatest city in the world: London! Hoping to stimulate their pride and interest in our great city and all it has to offer.
Frances Warhurst, Headteacher Appointed 1/4/16-31/7/20
Frances has been a Headteacher for over 12 years and has worked as an Executive Headteacher for Cambridge Education visiting schools to support school improvement and educational change. Frances also continues to train Headteachers at the Institute of Education. Frances has have high expectations in all aspects of school life from ensuring quality first teaching to a smart uniform, correct behaviour for learning and is deeply committed to children taking on roles of responsibility in order to prepare them for their life ahead. Frances values partnership with all the stakeholders at Walker and looks forward to working with you to achieve the very best for your child.