Governance Overview

Northwood Primary School is a member of The Trinitas Academy Trust; details of its Trustees can be found here:

Trinitas Academy Trust is a collaboration of one secondary school and five primary schools all within close range in the London Borough of Bexley.

This partnership has created a family of school where strong Christian values are at the centre of everything we do.  The resources of all schools are used to provide a stimulating learning environment, which is inspring to both pupils and staff.

The Local Governing Body of each of the schools within the trust is responsible for fulfilling the strategic and operational governance role in the conduct of the school.

What Governors Do

Our main role is to provide support to the Head Teacher and the staff, and we are often known as the school’s ‘critical friend’. At the start of each year, the governing body sets the targets for the school and we monitor the progress of all the children in the school, to ensure that they are all doing well towards being the very best that they can.

Our duties include:

• Setting the vision, ethos and strategic direction;
• Providing both support and challenge to the headteacher;
• Monitoring and evaluating the progress of all the children in the school; and
• Making sure that the school is a safe environment for the children and that all the requirements relating to safeguarding are fulfilled.

Our governing body meets at least once each term, with an extra meeting at the start of the autumn term to review how we did as a governing body in the last year and to set out our targets for the new year and how we will work with the school to ensure they are achieved.

Because there is such an importance on seeing how the children are progressing, the Governing body regularly examine and analyse assessment data to monitor how the children are doing.

Our Governors:

Meet the Governors

Chair of Governors: Reverend Mike Leader

Category: Co-opted Governor

Appointed by Governing Body

Current term of office: 04/03/2023 - 03/03/2027

Personal relationships with staff members: none

Other Governor positions held: Foundation Governor at Christ Church C of E Primary School, Shooters Hill, Greenwich

​"I became a co-opted member of Northwood's governing body in May 2014.  In September 2014 I was elected as Vice-Chair of Governors to support the then Chair of Governors, Reverend Olupona.  I was subsequently elected as Chair of Governors in September 2015.  My background is in education and I was deputy head of a secondary school in Greenwich.  I have been a governor of Greenwich schools for over 25 years.  I am the governor with special interest in Pupil Premium and vulnerable groups.  I ensure that the Pupil Premium funding is spent effectively and that we can measure it's impact through Pupil Premium data.  I also monitor the Pupil Premium information on the school website to ensure it meets statutory requirements.  My experience of working in schools and my many years as a governor have provided me with the skills to play a leading part in setting the school's vision, ethos and strategic direction."

Vice-Chair of Governors: Mr David Davenport

Category: Local Authority Governor

Appointed by Local Authority

Current term of office: 04/03/2023 - 03/03/2027

Personal relationships with staff members: none

Other Governor positions held: none

"I became a governor at Northwood School in March 2015.  I have lived locally for thirty years and I run my own nationwide business.  I am very experienced in Health and Safety and for that reason I am the governor with special interest in the health and safety of the children at Northwood School.  Every half-term I carry out a Health and Safety walk with the Site Manager, Mr Toker, to ensure that the school's policies are being adhered to and that everything possible is being done to ensure children at Northwood are safe.  Running my business, I understand the importance of keeping a close eye on finance and use my experience when reviewing how the school uses the money it is given, ensuring best value on expenditure."

Ms Jill Sims

Category: Co-opted Governor

Appointed by Governing Body

Current term of office: 04/03/2023 - 03/03/2027

Personal relationships with staff members: none

Other Governor positions held: none

"I have been on the governing body of Northwood School for many years.  When the governing body reconstituted in March 2015, I restarted my term of office.  I work locally in a children’s centre and am very experienced in pre-school and Early Years education.  This year, to support a whole school priority, I started a letter writing project with Year 1 and am now their pen friend.  We have been writing to each other regularly throughout the year.  I also come into school to visit Year 1 and Class R and work with them in their classroom.  I am the governor with special interest in S.E.N. and safeguarding.  I meet regularly with the SENCO to look at data and to ensure that all children are making progress from their starting points.  With regards to safeguarding, I meet regularly with the HT and designated teacher making sure that policies are appropriate, in line with current statutory guidelines and that they are in action."

Mr Ajibola Ibidapo-Obe

Category: Parent Governor

Appointed by: Parents

Term of Office: 20/01/2023 - 19/01/2027

Personal relationships with staff members: none

"Education is one of the best foundations that any child can receive in their lifetime.  I am truly passionate and have a desire to ensure that every child gets the best possible education and opportunity to succeed in life.  My primary aim as a Governor  is to monitor and evaluate the progress of all children in the school, to ensure they are all doing well towards being the very best that they can.  To also play a role in promoting a new relationship between the school and parents."

Ms Dominique Franks

Category: Co-Opted Governor

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of Office: 10/10/2023 - 09/10/2027

Personal relationships with staff members: none

"My background is in Further Education and I am currently an Assistant Principal in a college. I’m passionate about education and ensuring positive outcomes for young people. I believe the foundation for this begins in primary education and as a local parent and educator, I think that Northwood School is a place that I can make a real contribution to the community."

Mrs Catherine McNulty - Principal

Category: Ex-Officio Governor

Appointed by: N/A

Term of office: 01/09/2008 - 

Personal relationships with staff members: none

Other Governor positions held: none

Mrs Tracy Drohan - Vice Principal

Category: Staff Governor

Appointed by: Staff

Term of office: 30/03/23 - 29/03/2027

Personal relationships with staff members: none

Other Governor positions held: none

Mrs Joanne Allen - School Development Manager

Category: Staff Governor

Appointed by: Staff

Current term of office: 08/10/2021 - 07/10/2025

Personal relationships with staff members: none

Other Governor positions held: none

Clerk to the Governors: Mrs Katharine Mackenzie

Term of office finished in the past twelve months:

• Mr Mark Andrews (co-opted Governor)  Term of office: 26/04/2021 - 19/07/2023.
• Mr Andrew Thompson (Parent Governor)  Term of office: 12/05/2021 - 20/12/2023. 

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How you can contact the Governing Body

We always welcome suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents. Please contact the Chair of Governors, Reverend Mike Leader, via the school office.

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Becoming a Governor at Northwood Primary School

We currently have a vacancy for an appointed Governor at Northwood and a vacancy for a Parent Governor.

To learn more about why schools need volunteers like you and the benefits and rewards of becoming a school governor please also visit the link below: