Meet our Local Committee Members

Katie is a governance professional with a decade of educational experience supporting both Cirrus Primary Academy Trust and Ark Schools with corporate and schools’ governance roles. Prior to becoming a governance professional, Katie worked in Temple as a criminal Barristers’ Clerk. She has 3 young children and keen interests in fitness, travelling and reading.

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Lisa is currently the Head Teacher at Avenue Primary Academy. Lisa has 17 years of teaching experience across the primary age range as a teacher, year leader and senior leader; she has held a management position for 11 years and has led English, Maths, PE, Curriculum Development and the Community Cohesion Team; she is a designated Safeguarding lead for the school. Lisa is a Specialist Leader of Education for English within the Teaching School Alliance and is an Associate Advisor for the Local Authority, supporting teaching and learning in both Sutton and other local authorities. She has been a staff governor for seven years.

Term of Office Ends: N/A

Appointed by: N/A

Claire is currently the Head of School at Avenue Primary Academy. Claire has 13 years of teaching experience across the primary age range as a teacher, year leader and senior leader; she has held a management position for 8 years and has led Mathematics, PE and Assessment; she is a deputy designated Safeguarding officer for the school. Claire is a Specialist Leader of Education for Mathematics and Assessment within the Teaching School Alliance and was an Associate Advisor for the Local Authority, supporting teaching and learning in both Sutton and other local authorities. She has been a staff governor for 3 years.

Term of Office Ends: 25th February 2024

Appointed by: Staff

Suzanne is a Funding Strategy Manager with over 15 years’ experience working in the tertiary education sector supporting students and their learning experience, as well as wider research landscape. She has an extensive background in the causes and impact of developmental difficulties in children and adolescents from a neuroscientific and behavioural perspective. She has been a co-opted Governor since December 2022.

Term of Office Ends: 2nd January 2027

Appointed by: Local Committee

Abi is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of experience in Learning and Development. Abi has designed and delivered training, established mentoring programmes, and implemented technological solutions in educational and professional settings across the globe. Abi has three children and believes in a supportive and inclusive school which works for pupils and staff alike.

Term of Office Ends: 11th June 2027

Appointed by: Parents

Niraj is a forward thinking and detail-oriented Senior IT Management Consultant with proven ability to deliver IT solutions. A people focused senior manager experienced in Test-QA, Programme, Project, Delivery, Defect, Environment Management and Scrum Master; with the ability to engage teams and projects from agile implementation, transformation and migration. Commercial awareness coupled with a drive to deliver high quality outcomes. Niraj is committed to helping organisations achieve maximum benefit from their IT investment.

Term of Office Ends: 26th March 2027

Appointed by: Local Committee

Frances is a retired social worker, having worked in the field of safeguarding for over 27 years. She worked in a Sutton children and family team and then for the NSPCC where she set up a project supporting children and young people who were called to give evidence in court. She later set up and managed a large NSPCC service centre in Croydon, delivering frontline services. She is a qualified child protection trainer and worked in research with Durham University looking at therapeutic responses to children and young people who have experienced abuse. Frances was a school governor at a Croydon primary school for 7 years and, despite retirement, is as committed as ever to raising awareness about safeguarding and ensuring the safety of all children.

Term of Office Ends: 14th September 2027

Appointed by: Local Committee

Dureshahwar is a Social Media Executive with over 6 years of experience in PR and Marketing. Dureshahwar designs social media campaigns across all social media channels and ensures high levels of productivity. Dureshahwar has a child with additional needs and manages most of his difficulties and behavioural challenges by creating engaging activities to promote communication and learning.

Term of Office Ends: 18th September 2027

Appointed by: Parents

Sam originally trained as a chef and made a change when her children were born. Sam used her spare time to volunteer on the PTA, as she wanted to be involved in raising much needed funds for new resources within the school. Sam worked in the SEN Base as a midday and later became the school receptionist; Sam is currently in the role of Attendance administrator. Sam has taken the role as Governor  to help shape the future of our school. Sam believes that a strong partnership between parents, teachers, and the leadership team is key to providing the best opportunities for all our children. 

Term of Office Ends: 17th April 2028

Appointed by: Staff

Elizabeth Stockwell - Staff

Date of Resignation: December 2023

Appointed by: Staff

Noura Korkis - Co-opted

Date of Resignation: 10th May 2024

Appointed by: Local Committee

Luke Dunsford - Co-opted

Date of Resignation: June 2024

Appointed by: Local Committee

Nicole Southgate - Parent 

Date of Resignation: 2nd July 2024

Appointed by: Parents