School governors are ordinary people from the local community who wish to make a positive contribution to children’s education. They are the largest volunteer force in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. Governors are not involved in the day-to-day management of the school.

Almost anyone can become a school governor and you can find out more information here. All new governors receive training and support from Ivy Learning Trust and their fellow governors. If you are interested in assisting the School in this way, please contact governance@ivylearningtrust.org.

The Local 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.

Local Governing Body

Stelios Eliades  Chair, SEND and Safeguarding Governor Trust Appointed

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 was elected Chair of the Governors in September 2019. He is an active member of the Friends of Walker.

 Frances Warhurst, Headteacher

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. 

Rachel Barnes, Staff Governor Appointed 

Saima Butt Parent Governor Elected 

Saima was elected as Parent Governor in October 2019, and works part time as an NHS GP.  She has 3 children at Walker and has been actively involved in school life.  She has had leadership roles within the workplace, BMA and royal medical colleges, and welcomes a supportive team approach.  She will support Walker and our families to have high expectations for the children with a strong emphasis on responsibility and respect for each other. 

Mike Dowuona Parent Governor Elected 

Mike was elected as a Parent Governor in October 2019. He has two children. The oldest  joined Walker  in September 2019. Having grown up and studied in Enfield, Mike graduated with honours from the University of Hull’s Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics master’s program. Whilst there, he was elected Union President and sat on various committees including the Hull City Image urban regeneration project. Following a career working in marketing and leadership roles for major record labels such as Virgin Records and Sony/RCA, Mike founded a brand marketing agency which he still runs today. Mike is keen to participate and add value wherever needed, putting his experiences of creative and collaborative problem-solving in the world of business leadership to work towards the fast-evolving needs of the children, school and connected Walker community.

 Christina Scordellis, Trust Appointed

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 Literacy.

Lisa Maria Cardinalli, Trust Appointed 

Lisa has worked as a HR Manager in schools for a number of years in both the independent and academy sectors (including advising on employment matters during the pre-opening stages of a new Sixth Form academy). She completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management and gained Chartered status of the CIPD whilst working at The Crown Estate. 

With two children in Walker and having lived in Southgate for most of her life, Lisa feels a strong connection to the local community and is relishing the opportunity to support the ambitions of our school.

Sweta Sarangi, Trust Appointed 

Sweta has a career spanning IT, HR management and consulting, and aims to bring related skills to the role. A recent foray into the education sector, through academic support roles, has given Sweta a perspective into curriculum delivery at primary schools in Enfield. Sweta has been associated with Walker since 2011 as both her children attended this school and has been a part of the changes that Walker has gone though in the last decade. The needs of the school, the best interests and the aspirations of the school community will always be at the heart of her approach.

 Raakhee Tailor, Non Governor attends meetings 

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.

Local Governors who have stepped down in the last 12 months.

Governance documents which need to be available for public inspection can be requested by emailing the governance professional at governance@ivylearningtrust.org