Election of Parent Local Governing Body Member

February 2020

Nominees for the role of Parent Local Governing Body Member - Cheam High School

We are delighted to have received ten nominations for the role of Parent Local Governing Body Member which means that we must now hold a ballot.

The nominees have each submitted a personal statement which can be viewed below. Nominees are listed in alphabetical order.

 

David Archer

My name is David Archer and I am a parent of a child in year 7. Professionally I wear two hats. My day job is as a recruitment consultant and a local business person where I recruit for CEOs and CFOs. My other hat is as the Vice Chair of the Sutton Liberal Democrat’s. 

I am applying for this role as I would like to be involved in how my children are educated.

I am highly organised, have good people skills and I’m used to dealing with challenging situations. I also understand the concept of governance and why this is important. 

I also believe that community participation is always a good thing

 

Dave Batt

I am a Worcester Park resident and have been for over 40 years. I am married to Jenny and have 3 children - Harry (12), George (9) and Emily (6). Harry attends Cheam High (Y7), with George and Emily hoping to follow him when they reach the appropriate age.

I have been a Police Officer for 21 years and currently work as a Detective Chief Inspector leading a variety of digital investigation teams and projects. I have a broad range of experience within Policing, including working with local communities, local partner agencies, safeguarding and schools. I have the ability to lead and support teams, instilling confidence and trust in partners and the community, whilst working within a culture of change and managing resources effectively.

Outside of work I enjoy supporting my children’s various activities, including current and previous voluntary roles with Carshalton football club, Sutton Cricket Club and 1^st Cheam Scout group. I additionally enjoy socialising, various sports and manage a Vets Football team for Cheam Park Farm Dads.

Ultimately I want to continue making a difference and view this Parent Governor role as an opportunity to provide Cheam High with my relevant skills and experience with the ability to perform the role for the next 4 years.

 

Sarah Bell-McKay

I have two daughters, one currently in year 9 at Cheam High and another in year 5 in primary school.  For the last six years I have worked in higher education for a Russell Group university based in London.  For the past three years I have been working as an Admissions Manager.  Working in Admissions for a well renowned institution, I am acutely aware of the competitive and pressurised nature of the environment that young people find themselves in when choosing the next step in their academic or working future, and how their previous education and their experience of that education has a massive impact on this and the choices they make.

I am passionate about education and would really enjoy the opportunity to be School Governor for my local secondary school, where my daughter attends, and to contribute to my local community.  My employer has a School Governor network, and whilst I fully understand that higher education is not the chosen path for all students, this network would allow me to gain knowledge and resources from similar individuals that I would be able to share and discuss with the governing body where applicable.  I would also like to be able to discuss and tackle issues directly affecting Cheam High on behalf of the students and parents that form the school community.

 

Peter Chapelhow

My name is Peter Chapelhow and I am 47 years old, I am married to my wife Helen and this year we will celebrate our 25^th anniversary.  I have 2 girls both attending Cheam high in years 9 and 7.

I have been a Police officer for almost 23 years and have always enjoyed my work, recently I have been promoted and while this will be a busy move it should allow me to balance my work and home life which has on occasions in the past has been difficult. 

I have been involved in several areas during my career and recently finished a 4 year tenure within specialist training while nothing like running a school this has given me an appreciation of the restrictions and governance that are required to ensure compliance and the need for appropriate support to the teaching faculty to best achieve results.  I am experienced in working with different agencies in order to achieve a collective goal working through differing priorities to get the best outcome.

I am now in a position where I can offer my time to make what I believe is a valuable contribution to the community, support the school and its staff in order that it continues to excel and that the ethos and direction of the school is supported and driven forward.

 

Alison Escritt

I have two children, one of whom is in Year 7 at Cheam High School and my family have lived in Cheam Village for eight years.  I believe that all children should have access to an excellent school within their community and that this should be inclusive and meet their differing needs. 

I have been a qualified teacher for 24 years and for the past ten years I have been working in the post-compulsory and HE sector.  I am an associate lecturer with Canterbury Christ Church University on the post compulsory PGCE programme for whom I teach, coach and mentor trainee teachers.  I observe teaching practice and offer advice and guidance for development. I also teach vocational teaching assistant qualifications and have delivered employability, traineeships and HR qualifications for South Thames College. This work brings me into contact with a diverse range of learners. I am a Chartered Member of the CIPD and have worked in generalist HR, graduate recruitment, training and development.  

I understand the current pressures within the education sector and the demands facing staff and young people both in school and socially.  My understanding of the principles of outstanding teaching and learning paired with my experiences as a parent of two teenagers would enable me to work collaboratively as a critical friend to the school.  My experience in teaching, training and HR would enable me to support the school with recruitment, people management and development issues.

 

Jonathan Gray

I am an honest and hard-working person. I run my own Limited Property maintenance company in surrey. I have 1 Daughter, aged 12, who attends Cheam High School. I want the best education for her and everyone at Cheam, in a positive and welcoming environment. Having the chance to serve as a Parent Governor at Cheam High School is something, I would be proud of. I Would welcome the opportunity to help the school in any way I can. I would hope to be an asset to the school, dedicating my time to be a proactive and effective school governor.

 

Sarah Gunay

I am a Crown Servant and have worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for nearly 29 years. I have spent about a third of this time living overseas experiencing different cultures and countries, taking my son (currently in year 9) abroad on my last posting.

I am currently a team leader, managing and mentoring a team with a range of experience from new entrant to 15 plus years of service. As a parent I recognise the importance of flexible working and promote this within my team. One of my key concerns as a manager is mental health. I have trained in mental health awareness and am a Mental Health First Aider. Mental health issues are extremely important to me particularly social media and the effect it has on children.

I am the daughter of a teacher and value education highly: one of the reasons for settling in Sutton was the high standard of education the Borough’s schools offer. As a school governor I feel I could be part of a team that supports the headteacher, staff and well being and safety of the children as well as representing the parents.

 

Ayesha Hussain

A Chartered Accountant, I have worked internationally in internal and external audit departments with large corporations to small businesses across various challenging industries reviewing financial accounts, developing policies and procedures, and providing assurance on governance. I am, thus, adaptable, flexible, able to assimilate information rapidly and comfortable with dealing with people from all walks of life. These skills are invaluable to a dynamic and evolving school environment. As a parent to a 14 year old in year 9 at Cheam High, I want the best for him and this can only come through improving the opportunities available for all our children. I perceive the role of governor to be just this – a representative and enthusiastic voice of a keen parent who strives for excellence in all spheres of academic and pastoral responsibilities and underlying management of the school.

My previous experience of teaching at the professional accountant level was most rewarding as I felt I had a direct impact on people’s development and ultimately their career choices. Combined with being part of reading schemes at 2 primary schools and my voluntary work at Mind in Croydon, Kitrinos and Shahid Afridi Foundation, I am passionate to continue to try and make a difference in my own small way.

To this end, from September 2019, I have reduced my hours at work to devote more time to issues that are close to my heart and being actively involved in the progress of my child in any way is top of the list. 

 

Katie Litchfield

My daughter, Charlotte began year 7 at Cheam High in September and I would like to apply. 

To give some background of my experience, after 18yrs at the Financial Times, I created the WeQual Awards to identify and recognise world-class women executives one level below the executive committees across the globe. Beginning with the FTSE in the UK, these are forward-thinking Awards which validate the wave of change that has to come to executive committees. 

Working alongside FTSE 100 senior leaders, I have witnessed close up the challenges companies are facing in developing people into senior roles within my 18 year career at the Financial Times. 

I founded the WeQual Awards as the result of my own experience and is a natural progression of the work already done to develop executive female talent.

I was the Executive Director of the Financial Times' The 125, which is a forum that provides FT-curated events for senior executives. 

Since 2013, I have driven the prestigious international media organisation’s exclusive FT 125 Forum and later founded the incredibly popular FT 125 Women’s Forum for mid-level career women in the FTSE.

I was responsible for continuing to build one of the most well-regarded business networks for executives in the UK. Past speakers at events organised include Bill Gates, George Osborne (while still the Chancellor of the Exchequer), and Kofi Annan. I also organised and hosted Mark Carney's first London-based speaking event after his appointment as Governor of the Bank of England. 

I would like to become involved in the school and feel becoming a parent governor would be the ideal platform with my experience. 

 

Richard Woods

I am a trained professional Test Manager with 20+ years working in the finance industry, often working independently from home. This provides me with a great deal of flexibility, allowing me to be greatly involved in my children’s schooling. I currently have a son in Year 11 and a daughter in Year 7 thus affording me great interest at both Key Stages 3 and 4. I am open, honest and approachable which builds a relationship of trust and understanding. I am a strong believer in the comprehensive school system and, having attended a local comprehensive school myself, I am acutely aware of the difficulties in running and planning a demanding school curriculum while simultaneously endeavouring to meet the needs of all pupils. I would seek to use my expertise in IT and finance in my work within the Governing Body; thereby supporting the school within a rapidly changing world while still ensuring budgets are adhered to. I would hope my professional experience of attending and facilitating meetings with senior stakeholders would be of great benefit and believe I would be an asset to the school, dedicating my time to be a proactive and effective school governor.

I am a firm believer that a good education is now more important than ever. Therefore, I would be delighted to be given the opportunity in making a positive difference in the education and lives of all children, and staff, at Cheam High School.

 

 

All parents of registered pupils at Cheam High School are entitled to vote. Each parent may only submit one ballot paper, regardless of the number of children they have attending the school.

The closing date for receipt of ballot papers is 4.30pm on Tuesday 25th February 2020.

Ballot boxes are located at Site Reception, Student Reception and the LRC.