The Governing Body works with the Headteacher and staff to make sure the school provides an excellent quality of education for all its pupils.

Governors are volunteers elected to the Governing Body for a fixed term bringing specialist skills and experience in order that its core strategic functions are met.

The Governing Body is part of the strategic leadership of the school.  Governors are not expected to make day-to-day decisions about how the school is run; that is the role of the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team. 

Governors have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

1. “Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
2. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.”

(Reference Department for Education – Governors’ Handbook)

This means that as school governors we will be involved in many aspects of running the school including how the budget should be spent, making sure the school building is welcoming, safe and fit for purpose, setting and monitoring the school's aims and policies and agreeing the curriculum.

The Full Governing Body meets in full every half term to conduct its business. 

Governors' Profiles

Profiles for Willowbrook School Governors

Colin Hunt (Vice-Chair, Co-opted Governor)
I have been the Chair of Governors at Willowbrook Primary School since 2015 and have Governor responsibility for Early Years, Health and Safety.  I am now retired but have worked for over 40 years in the Finance departments of Insurance companies both in the UK and overseas. I am married to Patsy and we have three daughters and seven granddaughters (between the ages of 5 and 13), three of whom currently attend or have attended Willowbrook. I am enjoying working with Mrs Branton as they continue to develop what is already a good to outstanding school.

Dave Russell (Co-opted Governor)

I have been a Governor at Willowbrook Primary School since 2011, as well as Chair for three years before stepping down in 2015. I am also the Governor responsible for Mathematics, School Council, Computing and the Website. I have worked in the Financial Services Industry for nearly 15 years, mainly in the HR Performance and Reward section. I am a disability advocate within my organisation as well as give talks on Autism and other conditions in Canary Wharf and the City of London. I have three daughters who have all attended Willowbrook, with my youngest daughter leaving in July 2022. I have enjoyed near ten years working with the school and with Mrs Branton, since her appointment and looking forward to more years as we develop the school. 

Ann Keogh (Local Authority Governor)

I’m proud to have been a Local Authority Governor at Willowbrook for over 10 years, joining after taking early retirement from teaching in a Brentwood secondary school. I feel very strongly about improving educational opportunities for children including my 7 grandchildren, 5 of whom live locally.

In addition to my teaching career I spent many years with Homestart Brentwood, firstly as a volunteer visiting families with children under 5 and then more recently as vice chairman of the Board. I only left when the local branch was amalgamated with others becoming Home Start Essex.

As a Willowbrook Governor I have been involved in a number of aspects of the school including SEND. I feel that the school has an exciting future and am looking forward to being a small part of it.

Sunj Notani (Co-Chair, Parent Governor)

I became a Parent Governor in February 2017 and currently have responsibility for governor training as well as being a class governor for Hawthorn. I enjoy most sports with a particular passion for football. I have completed my level one FA coaching badge and currently coach a local U9 football team. I am also actively involved in coaching football at Willowbrook. I have two children who attend Willowbrook – Freddie in Olive class and Scarlett in Cherry class. My wife Michelle is also an LSA at Willowbrook. I have a degree in Mathematics and I currently work for a data analytics company in London where I have almost 30 years expertise in Data Management.

Rob Fryer (Co-Chair, Co-opted Governor)

I currently have responsibility for the thematic curriculum as well as being a class governor for Maple. Having held several board roles (as part of the Enterprise Advisor network and Institute of Student Employers) I became a Parent Governor in 2018. After working in Human Resources Management for 15 years, I am now Director of Student Life at the University of Leicester (and an expert on the M1!). I recently qualified as a coach with the Institute of Leadership and Management and hope to bring all my experience and knowledge to help make Willowbrook an even better school. I have two children who attend the school; Elizabeth in Hawthorn and Alana in Pine.

Kathryn Kalair (Co-opted Governor)

Governor responsibility for SENCO and Class Governor for Cherry.  Currently on a professional HR career break, as prioritizing family, but worked for over 12 years in the Human Resource departments of large organisations in the UK in a variety of different Management and Business Partner roles.  I have also been a Co-Director of a micro horse livery business for 2+ years (which we chose to wind up due to high costs and operational risks).  Full member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and hold a Masters in Organisational Change from Birkbeck, University of London.  Married to Daljit and we have two sons (between the ages of 7 and 11).    I am acutely aware of the importance of a child’s formative years and the difference a quality education can make.   At University I successfully applied for a foreign student exchange programme and spent 10 weeks working at an American Summer camp where I researched Environmental Education. This helped me better understand how children learn and teachers role in creative lesson planning.  By volunteering my time, expertise and working together with other Governors and staff, I hope that my involvement will make a difference and help realise the potential of the children at Willowbrook.

Governing Body

Willowbrook Primary Full Governing Committee Membership and Lead Governor Appointments

Governors that have left in the last 12 months:

Lisa Chisholm, term expired 13.03.21.

Tamsyn Basson, term expired 13.03.21.

Sarah Coote, resigned 15.07.21.

Pay & Personnel Committee

Kathryn Kalair

Colin Russell

Sunj Notani

HT Performance Management Panel

Kathryn Kalair/Rob Fryer/Andrew Binnell (External Advisor)

WILLOWBROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL

DECLARATION OF ANNUAL BUSINESS

INTERESTS 2021/22 (updated 4^th October 2021)

Governors

Staff with financial responsibilities and Senior Management Team

Willowbrook Primary School – Governors’ Attendance 2021/22 (updated Sept 2021)