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 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: November 2025
Current term of office: November 2025 - November 2029
Business & Financial interests: Director of a small software and consulting business (Motion-Friendly Ltd)
Material interests arising from relationships: None
About me:
As a family we moved to Barnet from South London in 2021 and Underhill has played a big part in helping our children settle, make friends, do well and transition successfully to their respective secondary schools.
Having been impressed from day one with Underhill's welcoming and inclusive values, its can-do spirit and high standards for all, joining the Governing Board has been a brilliant experience. We are building on strong foundations, and together with the Heads and staff team, the Governors are committed to doing all we can to help Underhill's children thrive and for the school to play an active part in our local community.
My working life has been rich and rewarding too, including for the UK's national innovation agency, Innovate UK, as Chief Business Officer for one of the nine cutting-edge 'Catapult' research and development centres, and as Deputy CEO and then CEO of Enterprise UK. Nowadays, I lead the innovation programmes for the UK's cycle industry body, the Bicycle Association.
Type: Co-opted
Elected by: Governing body
Appointed: December 2020
Current term of office: 11 November 2024 - 10 November 2028
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: I am a Director of my wife's company (LC Law Ltd) that provides clerking and other services to schools (mainly in LB Brent). The company does not do any education sector work with Underhill School or in the London Borough of Barnet.
About me:
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: February 2019
Current term of office: February 2013 - February 2027
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
About me:
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 a governor.
Type: Co-opted
Elected by: Governing body
Appointed: November 2025
Current term of office: November 2025 - November 2029
Business & Financial interests: None
Material interests arising from relationships: None
About me:
I was privileged to be a parent at Underhill School for several years, and when both my daughters moved on to secondary school, I was very excited and so grateful to be given the opportunity to give back to the school and community that gave so much to my daughters.
In my day job, I have been a medical doctor working in the NHS for several years. I am looking forward to continuing best applying my background and transferrable skills to contribute to the work of the governing body in supporting the work of the wonderful team at Underhill School.
Since taking up the position, and as part of the newly re-organised Governor body team, I have become more specifically involved as SEN link governor. This is a challenging role at a time of SEN provision changes and the Ofsted new framework, but a very exciting opportunity to navigate my role along and within the school's fantastic Wings and Roots project.
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 a number of years. My son has previously attended Underhill school 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
About me:
I was very proud to be elected parent governor at the end of 2019. My 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.
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
About me:
I have been an elected Parent Governor at Underhill School since February 2024. My connection to the school began as a parent; my son attended Underhill until moving on to secondary school in July 2025. I was so impressed by the school during his time here that I wanted to give back, initially serving as a Year Representative for the PTA. When the opportunity arose to join the Governing Body, I leapt at the chance to make a more structural difference to our community.
Professionally, I am an Estates and Facilities Manager within the Higher Education sector. This role has given me a strong insight into educational structures and requirements, and I use my specific experience in building maintenance and Health & Safety compliance to ensure the school environment is safe and well-managed for all children, staff and visditors.
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: 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
About me: I am proud to have been elected as Staff Governor at Underhill. I have been part of the Underhill team for nine years and during that time have really enjoyed taking on a range of roles and responsibilities within the school.
I am enjoying the opportunity to be a governor, as it allows me to gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of a school and how an organisation can be run effectively, while contributing to the continued development of Underhill.
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
About me
I am an Assistant head and Chemistry teacher at a local secondary school and am interested in creating links between primary and secondary education. I work with the science lead to support the already impressive science learning provision and sit on the finance committee.
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
About me
I am Councillor Zahra Beg of Barnet Council, and I represent the Underhill Ward.
In May 2022 was elected as Councillor for Underhill and I became a committee member for the Children Services Committee, Pensions Committee and a Board member of Barnet Homes. In addition, have also held trustee positions on Charity Boards: Barnet Overseas Students Housing association, Arts Depot, Valentine Poole.
In June 2023, the Council changed from the Committee System to the Cabinet system, and I became a member of the Cabinet. I was the Cabinet Member for Equalities, Reducing Poverty,
Communities & the Voluntary & Faith sectors until May 2026.
In May 2026, I was re-elected as Councillor for Underhill. Also in May 2026, I was elected as Mayor of Barnet.
As a Councillor for Barnet, my job is to represent local residents, listen to their concerns and work to improve the community. I help people with local issues, support community organisations and work with the Council to make decisions about services such as housing, roads, schools and the environment. It has been very rewarding to be a Governor of Underhill school.
As Mayor of Barnet, I present the borough at civic events, celebrate the achievements of local people, bring communities together and fundraise for my chosen charities. My role is to promote pride in Barnet, encourage kindness and inclusion and help make the borough a better place for everyone.
Prior to becoming a Councillor, I had a career in local government.
View Underhill's financial data on GOV.UK and see how it compares with others.
Underhill School and Children's Centre
Underhill School and Children's Centre, Mays Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 2LZ