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. 

Saziye Dogan, Staff Governor Appointed 

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.

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.

Tom Boucher Trust Appointed

Tom is a co-opted governor and joined the governing board in 2017. Tom is currently the chairman of Commify, a private equity backed communications business. Tom has been an Operating Partner at Hg Capital and prior to that has had a number of Chief Financial Officer roles including Sequel Business Solutions (Insurance software) the University of Law (undergraduate and post graduate higher education provider) and Data Explorers (financial technology).Tom has one child at Walker and is a link governor for ICT/Computing and Music.

 Metin Hassan Trust Appointed

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 Trust Appointed 

 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.  

     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.

 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.

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