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Governors

William Ellis School is a foundation school and a voluntary aided school within the local education authority of the London Borough of Camden. This means that the charitable Birkbeck and William Ellis Schools Trust owns a long lease on the land and appoints a majority of the governors – the “Foundation governors”.

THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNING BODY

The purpose of Governing Body is to lead the strategic development of the school and to promote high standards of educational achievement at the school.

The governing body has a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
  • Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its students, and the performance management of staff; and
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The Governing Body monitors the implementation of standards and our policies through the committee structure set out below; conducts appeals; appoints senior staff; and makes serious disciplinary decisions.

CONSTITUTION OF THE GOVERNING BODY

The Governing Body was reconstituted in October 2023. The Governing Body consists of:

  • Nine Foundation governors, one nominated and appointed by the Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck College and eight nominated and appointed by the trustees of the Birkbeck and William Ellis Schools Trust
  • One staff governor, elected by staff
  • Two parent governors, elected by parents
  • One Local Authority governor nominated by the local authority
  • The headteacher

The term of office for all governors is (with the exception of the headteacher, who is ex officio) four years.

WHO ARE THE GOVERNORS?

Chair of Governors:

Mrs Sophie Jenkins

Vice Chair:

Ms Selina Skipwith

Foundation Governors:

Mr Sean Harford

Mrs Sophie Jenkins (P)

Ms Mona Kadhum (Birkbeck)

Mr Daniel Needleman

Mr Hugh Matheson (P)

Mrs Nicola Sinclair

Ms Selina Skipwith

Mr Ian Stanlake

Parent Governors:

Mr Carlton Hood (P)

Prof Jelke Boesten (P)

LA Governor:

Mr Hanad Mohamed

Staff Governor:

Mr Joshua Levitt

Headteacher:

Ms Izzy Jones (S)

(P) parent of current student, (S) member of staff

COMMITTEES OF THE GOVERNING BODY

The Governing Body has two permanent committees:

  • Personnel and Resources - Chair: Carlton Hood, Vice Chair: Hugh Matheson
  • School Improvement - Chair: Sean Harford, Vice Chair: Jelke Boesten

Sub-committees deal with admissions, appointments, appeals, staff pay and curriculum complaints

Individual governors hold specific responsibilities:

  1. SEND: Nicola Sinclair
  2. Safeguarding, Attendance and Behaviour: Sophie Jenkins
  3. LaSWAP: Selina Skipwith and Mona Kadhum
  4. Quality of Education: Sean Harford
  5. Pupil Premium: Jelke Boesten
  6. Literacy: Daniel Needleman
  7. Equalities and Wellbeing: Carlton Hood
  8. Careers and Alumni: Carlton Hood
  9. Estate Management: Health and Safety and The Mill: Hugh Matheson

CONTACT THE GOVERNORS

To contact the school governors, please email:

jenkins@williamellis.camden.sch.uk and please put "FAO Chair of Governors" in the subject line