Welcome to West Thornton Primary School. We are really proud of our school.  West Thornton Primary School strives to be an outstanding school at the heart of the local community in which every child is empowered to have self-belief and to aspire to achieve her/his highest potential.

GOVERNANCE

The Trust is starting a new community-focused governance structure that will bring positive changes and will enhance our school community.  We are starting a trial with a view to transitioning from a traditional governing body to a community-focused Local Community Council.  It also aligns with the workings of a multi-academy trust governance where the Trust Board are accountable for standards, finance, health and safety and HR.  This trial demonstrates our dedication to creating a more inclusive, responsive, and engaged school environment—one that better meets the needs and aspirations of our families and local community. 

A Local Community Council will:

• Be a vital link between your school and your community gathering feedback and providing constructive challenge, ensuring local voices are heard in school development and trust strategy.

• Encourage greater participation from parents, local leaders, and community members, ensuring a broader range of perspectives.

• Enhance collaboration between the school and the wider community, focus on equity, drive continuous improvement and champion excellence for all pupils.

• Maintain strong governance standards, while prioritising inclusivity, transparency, and responsiveness to the local needs of our children and families.

For more details please see the Scheme of Delegation and the Guide to Governance.

Your voice is invaluable to our school’s growth, and we welcome your comments during the trial, which runs from now until early autumn term. If you have any thoughts or questions about school governance, please feel free to contact our governance professional, Julie Newman by email: jnewman@inspirepartnership.co.uk. 

Meet your Local Community Council   

Eli Ovia – Chair of Governors - Community Governor

• Term of office: 1st May 2023 to 30th April 2027
• Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None  

• I have lived and have been educated in and around south London for many years and particularly love the diversity of community that it offers. I chose to be a governor, because it was important for me to find a way to invest my time and experience to ensure that local children received the very best education to set them up for future success. My commitment to our school community drives me to foster an inclusive and responsive school that prioritises community engagement.

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Tim  Barnes   - Parent Governor (Woodside)

• Term of office: 20th September 2024 to 19th September 2028
• Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None 

• I care deeply about the education and school environment for my six-year-old daughter who attends Woodside. As a parent and the Treasurer of the PTA, I’ve seen how staff embody the Partnership’s values in her learning and development as a neuro-diverse young person. I will be a collaborative governing body member, supporting students, staff, carers and the schools' wider communities. Over the last nine years, I’ve delivered projects to modernise the UK Parliament and I believe I can support the Trust’s governance.

Suregah Balachandran - Parent Governor (West Thornton) 

• Term of office: 21st October 2024 to 20th October 2028
• Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None  

Anthoney Simms - Community Governor 

• Term of office: 10th June 2024 to 9th June 2028
• Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None  
• I have been working jointly with a range of professionals for 20years or more, supporting
  parents/families that have children with a wide range of needs and abilities. I have set up and run parenting support programs with other professionals to support staff working with these families and children, setting targets and initiating strategies in the home, play and environment to meet the child/family needs.

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Shreya Patel - Community Governor

• Term of office: 6^th June 2022 to 5^th June 2026
• Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None 

Jonathan Owen - Headteacher (West Thornton Primary School)

• Appointed governor by virtue of role
• Term ends: ongoing
• Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None

Donna Callaghan - Headteacher (West Thornton Primary School)

• Appointed governor by virtue of role
• Term ends: ongoing
• Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None

Iman Atwal - Headteacher (Woodside Primary School)

• Appointed governor by virtue of role
• Term ends: ongoing
• Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None

 

Governor resigned or term ends:

Annette Adams - Community Governor  -Term of office: 17th June 2024 to 16th June 2028.  Relevant business/pecuniary interests: Yes .   Term ended 3rd February 2025.

Amanda Boyne - Community Governor- Term of office: 1st May 2024 to 30th April 2028  - Relevant business/pecuniary interests: Yes.  Term ended 3rd February 2025.

Mel Chambers - Staff (Woodside) - Term of office: 1st September 2021 to 31st August 2025 - Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None.  Term ended 3rd February 2025.

Shama Abraham - Staff (West Thornton) - Term of office: 5th September 2022 to 4th September 2026 - Relevant business/pecuniary interests at 5th September 2022: None.  Term ended 3rd February 2025.

Sherdin Omar - Community Governor - resigned 8th October 2024 Term of office: 1st May 2023 to 30th April 2027; Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None declared 

Daniel John - Associate Governor -resigned 1st September 2024  (Term of office: 30th April 2024 to 22nd June 2026); Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None

Nataliah Douglas - Community Governor resigned 24th June 2024 (term of office 23rd January 2024 to 22nd January 2028).  Relevant business/pecuniary interests at 1st September 2024 Langley Park School for Girls.
Jessica Kissoon - Parent Governor (Woodside) resigned 1st May 2024 (term of office: 16th March 2022 to 15th March 2026).  Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None

Saorise O'Donavan - Community Governor - resigned 3rd May 2024. (Term of office: 11th May 2022 to 10th May 2026).  Relevant business/pecuniary interests: Employee Eltham College

Ashley Basdeo - Community Governor - resigned - 30th April 2024 -(Term of office: 2nd February 2022 to 1st February 2026). Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None. 

Nicola Wright - Community Governor - resigned - 28th March 2024 (Term of office 1st September 2022 to 31st August 2026).  Relevant Business/peucniary interests:  Deputy Head in a London Borough School)

Marino Buccolini - Community Governor - Resigned - 7th December 2023 (Term of office 22nd November 2021 to 21st November 2025  Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None)

Roshith Nambar - Community Governor - Resigned - 23rd November 2023  (Term of office: 28th June 2022 to 20th November 2023 (attended 4 from 5) Relevant business/pecuniary interests: None

Amanda Agard - resigned as community governor 31st August 2023 ( attended 4 from 5) Relevant business/pecuniary interests: Yes)

Valbona Sulaj - resigned as parent governor 31st August 2023 ( attended 4 from 5)  Relevant business/pecuniary interests: Yes

Andrew Lawrence – Chair of Governors - Appointed Governor -  Resigned as Community Governor 31st August 2023.  (attended 5 from 5) Relevant business/pecuniary interests: Yes