Courtland Governing Body
Our Governing Body is responsible for ensuring that our School conforms with the legal guidelines laid down by Parliament and the Local Education Authority (LEA).
Together with the professionals in school we share responsibility for:
- The school’s standards
- Its value for money
- Its proper management
- Its fairness in dealing with its staff and pupils
- Its communication with parents and the public
- Our responsibility is for overall policy. The day-to-day business of organising children’s learning and of managing time, space, staff and resources is for the professional team led by the headteacher.
Individual governors have no power; the authority we have comes from working together as a governing body. With the professional staff at our school we try to provide the best possible education for all the children.
The governing body must ensure that in delivering its responsibilities, it promotes and safeguards the welfare of children.
Our School Governing Body consists of:
Our Head Teacher
One Teacher Governor – elected by their colleagues
Parent Governors – elected by parental ballot
One LA Governor – appointed by the LA, nominated by the main political parties
Three Community (Co-opted) Governors – elected by the Governors listed above, from the local community
The Governors act through a series of committees. Minutes of their meetings are available for all to read. Please ask in the school office. Additionally the Governors produce an Annual Report for Parents, which is presented for discussion at a meeting to which all Parents are warmly invited.
Our Governors
Chair – Robin Clark (Parent Governor)
Vice Chair – Parag Vaghjiani (Co-opted Governor)
LA Governor – Golnar Bokaei
Parent Governor – Naser Godarzi
Staff Governor – Lisa Walker (Headteacher)
Staff Governor – Davina Tunkel (Deputy Headteacher)
Co-opted Governors:
Laura Keegan
Joanie Adler
Nisha Durgacharan
Alexis Goldfarb
Associate Member – Susan Swinburne
Robin Clark – Chair of Governors
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I have been a parent governor since November 2013 and now have two children at the school. It has been a great experience and I have learnt a lot about what it takes to run such a successful school.
I am a retailer by profession, working in blue chip organisations in their buying and selling divisions. I use this experience to help think about the school budget and how we can use our scarce resources to their best effect. I also have experience in managing large teams of people and am keen that we create a great working environment at Courtland.
Parag Vaghjiani– Vice Chair of Governors
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My name is Parag Vaghjiani, and I am Vice-Chair of the Governing Body. I have two children at Courtland Primary School. I have worked in the Civil Service for nearly 20 years, having numerous roles across Government, most of them in Department for Education. I have worked at No10 in the policy unit for the Prime Minister, and I am currently working in HM Treasury. I have a broad array of skills, including in finance, leadership and management.
Naser Godarzi - Parent Governor
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My name is Naser Godarzi. I was elected as parent governor in 2019. I have two children in the school. It is great to be able to help this great school to run successfully.
I’m a dentist by profession and have over 20 years of experience in healthcare. I have my own clinic and am used to day to day difficulties of running a business. Working and caring for people has always been the central point of my work. So when the opportunity came to join the governing body, it was an easy choice.
Laura Keegan - Governor
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Susan Swinburne - Associate Member
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My name is Susan Swinburne. I joined Courtland Primary School in 1999 as Year 2 Class Teacher and became a staff Governor in 2001.
I went on to become Deputy Headteacher and retired in 2018.
I am now an Associate Member of the Governing Body. With my teaching experience and knowledge of the school, I am committed to supporting the GB and Headteacher in taking the school forward and achieving the best possible outcomes for all of the children at Courtland.
Aside from School Governor I enjoy travelling, singing with Rock Choir, swimming, walking, reading and spending time with my family. I have two children and two grandchildren for whom I am carer two days a week.
Joanie Adler - Governor
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I am a mum of three and an Education Consultant specialising in the primary - secondary transfer. I ensure all year 6 students find the right school to thrive in and reach their potential. I am a former Secondary School teacher and Head of Department for Latin and Classics. I have 12 years teaching experience and am always striving to better education. I am also a proud member of the Mill Hill Community Forum, giving me the reach to help my community thrive and prosper for the future.
Nisha Durgacharan - Governor
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Hello, my name is Nisha and I am a co-opted Governor since September 2020 and I have one child in the school. I have previously been a Parent Governor and Vice Chair of the Governing body at another local school and also at an SEND school.
I feel I can add value to the school not only through my roles as a Governor previously but also my professional work. I previously worked at Transport for London within the Schools and Young People team looking at how we can change travel behaviour in Schools. My current role as a Transport Planner at Harrow Council I work with schools, businesses and local community to promote and implement active travel measures/schemes - encouraging walking and cycling and reducing the need to travel by car. Not only does this have a direct impact on health and wellbeing, it also contributes to the environment.
Having a knowledge and understanding of a school setting and being an ex OFSTED registered childminder I feel I can contribute to the running of the school in a positive way.
Alexis Goldfarb - Governor
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Alexis Goldfarb is Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant for Northern Trust EMEA. As part of the Global Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Alexis leads the design and delivery of key DE&I programmes related to recruitment, retention and development across the region. Prior to joining Northern Trust in 2019, Alexis was Diversity and Inclusion Executive for Herbert Smith Freehills and has held a number of roles across the legal sector. Alexis holds a BA in Business Management and Human Resource Management and is a qualified mental health first aider. She sits on the Advisory Board for the Women in Asset Servicing Network, a network aimed to support gender parity within the Asset Servicing Industry.