The Governing Body
The governing body is the school’s accountable body. It is responsible for the conduct of the school and for promoting high standards. The governing body aims to ensure that children are attending a successful school which provides them with a good education and supports their well-being
Sets the strategic direction of the school by:
- Setting the values, aims and objectives for the school
- Agreeing the policy framework for achieving those aims and objectives
- Setting targets
- Agreeing the school improvement strategy which includes approving the budget and agreeing the staffing structure
Challenges and supports the school by monitoring, reviewing and evaluating:
- The implementation and effectiveness of the policy framework
- Progress towards targets
- The implementation and effectiveness of the school improvement strategy
- The budget and the staffing structure
Ensures accountability by:
- Signing off the school’s own self-evaluation report
- Responding to Ofsted reports when necessary
- Holding the headteacher to account for the performance of the school
- Ensuring parents and pupils are involved, consulted and informed as appropriate
- Making available information to the community
- Appoints and performance manages the headteacher who will deliver the aims (through the day to day management of the school, implementation of the agreed policy framework and school improvement strategy, and delivery of the curriculum) and report appropriately to the governing body.
For governing bodies to carry out their role effectively, governors must be:
- Prepared and equipped to take their responsibilities seriously;
- Acknowledged as the accountable body by the lead professionals;
- Supported by the appropriate authorities in that task; and
- Willing and able to monitor and review their own performance.
The Role of the Governor
In law the governing body is a corporate body, which means:
- No governor can act on her/his own without proper authority from the full governing body;
- All governors carry equal responsibility for decisions made, and
- Although appointed through different routes (i.e. parents, staff, Local Authority community, foundation), the overriding concern of all governors has to be the welfare of the school as a whole.
Governors are elected for 4 a year term.
There are two sub-committees: the management working party (MWP) and the curriculum working party (CWP). Representatives from these two committees update the Governing Body in the Full Governing Body meeting.
Lea Valley Primary School Full Governing Body Membership
Lea Valley Primary School Committee Membership
Governor Attendance Meetings 2021-2022
Lea Valley Primary School- Governing Body Register of Interests
Governor Profiles
Serkan Yumakci (Chair of Governors, Chair of Management Working Party)
I am Serkan Yumakci, the Chair of Governors at Lea Valley Primary School. I am a born and bred Londoner. My father came to England in the late 1960s. I was born in East London, raised in North London. I took on the role as the Chair of Governors when I was invited back to join in 2009. I am able to identify with many of the families at Lea Valley Primary School who come from a similar background and upbringing as myself. I hope that my insight helps me serve and understand the children better. I have four children who have all studied at Lea Valley, one of which who has just graduated from University at Bristol.
Eubert Malcolm
I am an experienced senior leader with a wide range of service delivery in local government service improvement and strategy.
I am the Assistant Director for Stronger & Safer Communities, specialising in change management, regulatory services and enforcement within local government. My current position focuses on reducing youth violence, improving community confidence and delivering change to the service area with a focus on co-production of strategies with stakeholders including the MPS and the community.
I am a qualified Environmental Health Officer, with many years’ experience in leading and delivering environmental health services. I ensure statutory compliance and excellent service delivery to residents and businesses. Current service areas include Community Safety, licensing, food safety, trading standards, refuse and recycling contract, private sector housing, pest control, anti-social behaviour, integrated offender management, prevent and the mortuary service.
Prior to this role, I developed a shared service with a neighbouring authorities, managed Regulatory Services and Planning Enforcement. I also worked on delivering MOPAC crime reduction pilots and have a Masters in Business Administration from UAL
Cllr Elin Weston (Vice Chair of Management Working Party)
I grew up in the South Wales Valleys and made Haringey my home after moving to London for university. I know the value of an excellent education and its power to transform lives and expand horizons. I am now a Lecturer in Law at King’s College London, and a Councillor on Haringey Council. I got to know Lea Valley Primary through my role on the Council and have always been so impressed by the supportive and nurturing environment at Lea Valley, and the ambition that everyone has for every pupil at the school. I’m delighted to have joined the governing body!
Sarah Potts-McConnellogue
I am originally from Wiltshire and moved to London “for a year or two” 11 years ago and started my teaching career here at Lea Valley. I have been a staff governor for 2 years now, and am currently one of the Acting Deputy Heads. I have a passion for helping pupils achieve their dreams by supporting them to remove any barriers they may have and encouraging them to always be both kind and determined.
When I’m not at Lea Valley you will find me enjoying time with my family and friends and, occasionally, trying to jog!
Helen Saunders (Chair of Curriculum Working Party)
I work at North Mid hospital, the local hospital for Lea Valley Primary School which is how I got to know the school. I also live in Haringey and am committed to improving the wellbeing of young people locally. I believe that health, wellbeing and success at school is a key part of this. I joined the Governing Body in 2021 and hope to make a contribution to its development over the coming years!
Dilyana Shtereva (Vice Chair of Governing Body)
I have experience as a manager for a few years now in the hospitality field, I am a certified aromatherapist and have a background in administration in the port and fleet export sector. I applied for parent governor as I am a parent and would like to know how the school is functioning and what is done for the children, families and staff and to bring some more ideas when needed .
Emma Dagnes (Co-Opted Governor – Link Governor Cultural Capital)
As a resident of Haringey, I wanted to be able to give back into our community and hopefully make a difference by supporting a local primary school with realising their ambitions for present and future pupils who’s experience at primary school is so vital to their future growth and development. The moment I walked through the gates into the oasis that is Lea Valley and met the staff and pupils I knew it was a school that I wanted to be part of. I am proud to be on the Board of Governors supporting the school to realise their vision and ensure the ethos of the school is experienced through a holistic educational journey for all.
As Chief Executive of Alexandra Park and Palace, a mum and daughter of a hard working (now retired) primary school teacher, I believe I can bring an interesting mix of personal and professional insight to the Governing Body and look forward to working with all at Lea Valley Primary over the years to come.
Committees and Link
The Committees meet in between each of the main meetings and the Chair of these committees report back to the Full Governing Body at each meeting.
Curriculum Working Party
Chair- Helen Saunders
Management Working Party
Chair- Serkan Yumakci
Vice Chair- Elin Weston
Link Govenors
A link governor is a member of the governing board appointed to oversee a specific aspect of the work of the school.
Lea Valley Primary School Link Govenrors
For more detailed information regarding the Governing Body please see: