The Underhill School and Children’s Centre Governing Body consists of categories of governors, some of whom have been elected by the parent or staff bodies, some appointed by the Governing Body and a Local Authority governor.
The Governing Body has three core aims:
The Governing Body holds a business meeting every school term to review progress against the school improvement plan, discuss and challenge strategy with the school leadership team and evaluate Local Authority decisions which impact our school community. Everyone involved in governance works in close partnership with our Co-headteachers, staff and the Local Authority to support and develop the school.
Governors make visits into school, build relationships with staff and meet termly as a board to discuss findings and report back to the Governing Body.
The Finance Committee is responsible for the overall budget distribution but not the fine detail of how school funds are spent. A Pay Committee meets twice a year to agree pay recommendations for teaching and support staff. Appeals and Complaints Appeals Committees can be formed if required with membership determined at the time based on circumstances.
Type: Co-opted
Elected by: Governing body
Appointed: February 2019
Current term of office: February 2013 - February 2027
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
I have been proud to be a governor at Underhill School and Children's Centre for the past three years. My two children both attend the school and I am proud to be involved in our community. I am delighted and honoured to be able to continue to serve the school as Chairwoman of Governors.
This year, my focus in school is to work with Jennie and Nicola to continue to support them and our school and work ever closer with the Orion and Goldbeaters Federation. I am delighted that their hard work and passion, and that of our phenomenal staff has been so favourably recognised by the Local Authority in their most recent review. I am in school weekly looking at our strategic goals.
Type: Co-opted
Elected by: Governing body
Appointed: December 2020
Current term of office: December 2024 - December 2028
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
I am a chartered accountant, who is passionate about using his skills and experience to support schools to deliver high quality education to all children, irrespective of background.
In my day job I am a civil servant, who leads the finance business partner team responsible for housing and building safety.
This year my focus is on working with the school to put systems and processes in place to make financial management as painless as possible so that Jennie, Nicola and their fantastic team can focus on providing the highest quality education to your children.
I also work with Clare Hallam to understand how PSHE is being taught throughout the school.
Type: Co-opted
Elected by: Governing body
Appointed: November 2019
Current term of office: November 2023 - November 2027
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
I have been fortunate enough to be a parent governor at Underhill School for the past two years. My son has been attending Underhill school since 2018 and being a governor at the school allows me the opportunity to give back to the school and the community.
I have been working with the Maths and Computing phase leaders this year. Understanding the subjects, contents and methodologies used to teach children in the different key stages. The hard work carried out by all the teaching staff can be seen reflected in the achievements the students are making.
I look forward in providing support to the school and staff by having the opportunity to continue working as governor.
Type: Parent
Elected by: Parents
Appointed: November 2019
Current term of office: November 2023 - November 2027
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
Hi, I’m Karen and I was very proud to be elected parent governor at the end of 2019. My Year 3 son loves his school (especially doing the trim trail with his friends and the macaroni cheese!) and my daughter is living her best life dancing her way through Underhill’s nursery.
It’s been really frustrating supporting the school from a distance over the past two years, but now I love coming into school to meet the Heads and all the brilliant staff, and see the children so engaged in their learning. As SEN-link Governor, I am so excited by the incredible facilities for pupils with special educational needs and as early years governor, I appreciate the collaborative approach - really engaging with parents first-hand.
Underhill is a very special community school, and I am privileged to be a part of its governing body.
Type: Parent
Elected by: Parents
Appointed: February 2024
Current term of office: February 2024 - February 2028
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
Type: Co-opted
Elected by: Parents
Appointed: November 2016
Current term of office: November 2020 - November 2025
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
Type: Co-opted
Elected by: Governors
Appointed: February 2024
Current term of office: February 2024 - February 2028
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
Type: Staff
Elected by: Staff
Appointed: October 2023
Current term of office: October 2023 - October 2027
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
Type: Co-opted
Elected by: Governing body
Appointed: November 2021
Current term of office: November 2021 - November 2025
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
I am pleased and excited to have been co-opted onto the Governing body this academic year. I am an Assistant head and Chemistry teacher at a local secondary school and look forward to supporting Jenni and Nicola as they work to ensure all Underhill children can reach their potential.
My focus so far in school has been to work with the science lead to support and develop the already impressive science learning provision, which I have had the pleasure of witnessing in my visits to the school.
I also work with Clare Hallam to understand how PSHE is being taught throughout the school.
Type: Co-opted
Elected by: Governing body
Appointed: September 2014
Current term of office: September 2018 - September 2025
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
I have been a governor at Underhill School for over 12 years, serving first as a governor to Underhill Infants then when elected as a Labour councillor for Underhill Ward in 2014 as the Local Authority Governor to the School.
I now have as my special portfolio the school's excellent Children's Centre. In addition to attending full governors meetings I endeavour to attend a range of other meetings and events at the school. Of course, personal attendance for all governors has been considerably hampered by the Covid restrictions, which is a great shame, as meeting the staff and the pupils of Underhill School is always a great privilege.
As a local councillor I have one driving ambition and that is to listen to and look after the residents of Underhill. Underhill is very fortunate in being sited both close to the high street of Barnet, but also situated along the delightful Dollis Valley and Dollis Brook. We can enjoy the benefits of being part of an important London suburb, but also enjoying the green and
healthy location of the Dollis Valley Green Walk.
As we all know, Underhill is a very diverse community and Underhill has always provided first class education to a large number of children for whom
English is not their first language. From the very first sessions carried out by the Children's Centre to Year Six children successfully moving on to secondary education Underhill School has always provided a caring yet ambitious education for all children.
Being a local authority governor at Underhill has always been a privilege for me as the school lies at the heart of my Underhill Ward. I look forward to the school progressing strongly and achieving everything that its pupils, staff, leadership and governors aspire to.
Type: Co-opted
Elected by: Governing body
Appointed: March 2023
Current term of office: March 2023 - March 2027
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
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Underhill School and Children's Centre
Underhill School and Children's Centre, Mays Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 2LZ