Governing Body

Governors are the school’s critical friends.

They are there to support the headteacher, to set the school’s direction and stay focused on it. They establish the school’s vision, which they use to shape its strategic thinking.

The governing body thinks about how the school looks, whether we need new buildings and how to maintain the ones we have. Governors check that the budget makes sense, adds up, and isn’t overspent. It also tries to allocate money towards projects that will develop the school.

It is crucial to look at whether the children are making good progress, so we support school leaders in this. The governing body has built frameworks to ensure that the children are always safe, and that everybody’s needs are met. It makes sure that the school’s reputation remains high, through articles in the local press, or the school’s brochure and website.

The governing body works through a system of committees, which report back to the whole governing body. The agenda is determined by an evolving self-evaluation document, which shows us where to push for improvements. The headteacher and the senior team draw up the school’s development plan annually, and the governing body links this to the school’s budget. It is also responsible for the extensive range of policies that every school must have in place.

Governors visit the school as often as they can. They stay up to date by accessing information, advice and training on issues they don’t feel clear on. Anybody is welcome to attend the open part of full governing body meetings, which take place twice a term. There are many ways to become a governor or associate governor – just ask William or one of us through the school. Parents can contact governors at any time, either via parent governors they know, or via the school office.

Our governing body comprises a total of twelve full governors

Parent Governors (5 places) are elected by parents of registered pupils and must be parents or carers at the time of election. Parent governors do not have to leave if their child leaves during their term of office, but they can if they wish to.

LA Governors (1 place) are nominated by the Local Authority and are often political appointments. LA Governors are sometimes members of a political party in the area and usually live locally.

Staff Governors (2 places) are elected by the school staff employed to work at the school and must include the Headteacher. If they leave the school, they cannot remain on the governing body.

Co-opted Governors (4 places) are appointed by the governing body to represent community interests.

Associate Governors can be co-opted onto the governing body, but do not have voting rights.

Co-opted Governors

Jonathan Carr-West

Jonathan Carr-West

Jonathan Carr-West

Jonathan is Chair of Governors and has been a Highgate Primary parent since 2016 and has one child in Year 3. The whole family has loved being part of this incredible school community. Professionally, Jonathan works with local government bodies in the UK and around the world to help them with governance, public service reform and organisational development. He hopes to bring this skill set to the board of governors to help them to provide the mix of scrutiny and strategic insight that will support the school as it goes from strength to strength.

Leona Asamoah

Leona Asamoah

Leona Asamoah

Leona became a governor in 2019, she is now the BAME lead and is also a member of the school’s new Diversity and Inclusion team. Leona sits on the Resources Committee and is Co-Chair of the Communications & Fundraising and Community Services Committee. She has worked in the live music industry for 20 years and has side stepped into the finance department. Prior to that she was involved in musical theatre. She firmly believes art and music in schools benefit children immensely and that a representational curriculum could help bridge the gap of achievement. She is a keen baker and currently has a daughter in Year 2.

Julie Bland

Julie Bland

Julie Bland

Julie was appointed a governor in 2019. Her son attended Highgate Primary School. She sits on the Curriculum and Standards Committee and Co-Chairs the Communications, Fundraising and Community Services Committee. Julie runs an Arts, Culture & Music Communications Agency in London and has done for over 20 years. In recent years, she has dedicated herself to working closely within the school community. Julie is a passionate advocate of the school’s inclusive principles. Furthermore, she is committed to promoting equality in schools and believes that a diverse, innovative curriculum incorporating a focus on enrichment will result in positive attainment in all our children. Recently, Julie has taken on the Communications and Fundraising role for the school.

Scott Freedman

Scott Freedman

Scott Freedman

Scott has been a parent at the school since 2018 and became a governor in 2023. He sits on the Resources Committee. He has been working in investment management for almost 20 years and has a background in finance and accounting. Scott is excited at the opportunity to apply his experience and support the school.

Parent Governors

Grace Wilson

Grace Wilson

Grace Wilson

Grace recently joined as a Parent Governor and has a son in Year 2. She is the Chair of the Curriculum and Standards Committee. Grace is the Director of Studies at a school in Hampstead, responsible for most things teaching and learning related. She completed her NPQ in Senior Leadership and then Headship at the IOE at UCL, giving her a strong overview of the inner workings of a school. Grace also grew up in Haringey and is an alumni of two local schools. She is committed to the ethos of Highgate Primary and proud to be part of the vibrant School Community.

 

Alisa Gerrard

Alisa Gerrard

Alisa Gerrard

Alisa became a parent governor in 2023. She has two children in the school in Years 4 and 1. She sits on the Communications & Fundraising and Community Services Committee and the Curriculum and Standards Committee. With 15 years experience in the charity sector, she looks forward to exploring options to support the school with its fundraising needs. Since moving her children to the school in 2020 she has become passionate about the education and enrichment that the school provides and looks forward to learning more. Alisa also has a keen interest in the SEN provision at the school, as well as the wellbeing of all staff and children.

Alexandra Wrightson

Alexandra Wrightson

Alexandra Wrightson

Alex became a parent governor at the end of 2023. She has a son who has been at the school since nursery and is now in Year 2. Alex has lived in Highgate for about 15 years, having grown up in east London and attended a comprehensive state school. At the moment, she is taking a career break from being a criminal lawyer and is looking forward to bringing her enthusiasm and ideas to the school. She also likes to listen to other people’s views and suggestions, as she feels that we should all strive to improve and learn from each other. Alex is also an avid cold-water swimmer and Formula One fan.

Catherine Hopper

Catherine Hopper

Catherine Hopper

Catherine has been a parent at Highgate Primary since 2016 and currently has two of her children at the school in Years 6 and 1. Catherine is a professional Opera Singer and Singing teacher in primary and secondary schools. She has long been a supporter of HP’s wonderful music and creative provision and attitude towards the Arts, as well as the school’s holistic and caring approach towards its pupils. She is excited to be joining the board of Governors and learning more about how she can support the school.

Dan Tischler

Dan Tischler

Dan Tischler

Dan is proud to serve as a new Parent Governor at Highgate Primary, where his two children attend in years 1 and 3. Dan’s family moved from California to North London in 2023. The transition was made easier thanks to the welcoming, supportive community at Highgate Primary, where his children quickly felt at home. Dan is now eager to give back to the school that has been so instrumental in their settling in. Professionally, Dan is a transport planner and engineer specializing in modeling transport systems and analyzing travel behavior to assess policies and create business cases for investment. He looks forward to using his expertise in data-driven decision-making to support his contributions as a parent governor.

 

Staff Governors

William Dean

William Dean

William Dean

William is Headteacher of Highgate Primary School and therefore also a governor. At our meetings, he updates governors on major developments and reports back to governors regularly on the curriculum, budget, resources and progress against the school development plan. When he’s not in school or at governors’ meetings, he can mostly be found in his garden, walking Horace, watching cricket or, if he’s really lucky, spending time in Suffolk.

David Calvert

David Calvert

David Calvert

David is a class teacher in Year 5 and is subject leader for history. He has been based in Highgate Primary School since his training with the UCL Institute of Education. Prior to teaching David moved to the UK from his childhood home in Tennessee, USA, to obtain an MA in International Relations at the University of St. Andrews. Following this he worked in music, singing in Ely Cathedral Choir where he also mentored the boy choristers.

Local Authority and Associate Governors

Liz Morris - Local Authority Governor

Liz Morris – Local Authority Governor

Liz Morris – Local Authority Governor

Liz Morris is Vice Chair, has lived in Highgate for almost 20 years and has been a local councillor in Highgate for 8 years (2014 – 2022). During this time she was her group spokesperson for children and education and Leader of her council group. She is a strong advocate for inspiring children to learn in a nurturing and inclusive environment and believes that the ethos and culture of a school plays an important part in a child’s personal development. Liz has been on the governing board for 10 years and currently chairs the school’s Safeguarding Committee. She is also a Trustee at Hope in Haringey (HIH), a charity that delivers targeted programmes to young people in areas of social deprivation, and is a HIH employability mentor. She has recently become the Co-chair of the Highgate Society’s planning committee.

Emma Judge - Associate Governor

Emma Judge – Associate Governor

Emma Judge – Associate Governor

Emma started volunteering at Highgate Primary School in 2012 as a teaching assistant and a school governor. Very quickly, she realised that she loved supporting children with their learning, and that she had found both her vocation and her second home. Previously a family lawyer, she retrained as a teacher in 2013 and then joined the HPS staff as an NQT. She has loved coming to work ever since, and she is now Deputy Headteacher and our Designated Safeguarding Lead. As well as a teaching qualification, Emma has a CPD in Law and a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford. She loves learning too! Her other passions are drinking very high-quality coffee and immersing herself in the wild beauty of Cornwall as often as she can. 

Javier Sajuria - Associate Governor

Javier Sajuria – Associate Governor

Javier Sajuria – Associate Governor

Javier Sajuria has been a parent at the school since 2021, and has a kid in Year 5 and another in Year 3. Professionally, he is a Reader in Comparative Politics at Queen Mary University of London, and a Deputy Dean for Education at the same institution. He is particularly interested in issues around curriculum improvement, safeguarding, and inclusion. He is also a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has specialised in student support and engagement.