Governors

Welcome to the governors’ section of the Acland Burghley website. Together our role is to help shape the overall direction and character of the school, monitor progress and standards, review and approve the budget, appoint and support the headteacher and senior staff, review policies and procedures and ensure the school fulfils its statutory duties.

There are several different types of governor on the Governing Body of Acland Burghley so it may be helpful to know what the different types mean and how they come to be chosen. At Acland Burghley we have 15 governors: 7 parent governors, 5 co-opted governors, 1 local authority governor, 1 staff governor and the headteacher.

Associate of the Governing Body: An associate of the Governing Body is an individual who has skills and experience which the Governing Body needs in addition to the 15 governors. Associates of the Governing Body are appointed by the governors. They attend Governing Body meetings but they are not full members of the Governing Body.

Chair of the Governing Body: The chair is a governor who has been elected by the Governing Body to lead it. S/he is elected every year. The staff governor and headteacher cannot be chair, vice chair, or chair of a committee. Any other type of governor can be elected as a chair. 

Co-opted governor: This is an individual from the community who has skills and experience which the Governing Body needs. They are appointed by the existing Governing Body, following an interview. At Acland Burghley we try to think about what skills and experience we will need in the future and the overall composition and diversity of the Governing Body when we select co-opted governors.

Headteacher: The headteacher is always also a governor.

Local authority governor: Maintained schools are required to have at least one local authority governor. They do not have to work for the local authority, but they are nominated by it (in our case, Camden) and appointed by the Governing Body.

Parent governor: A parent governor must have a child at the school, for whom they are responsible, of legal school age (5 – 16). At Acland Burghley we conduct an election of current parents or responsible adults with a child at the school at the time of the election.

Staff governor: An individual who is a member of staff, usually elected by the staff, to ensure that staff views are represented on the Governing Body.

If you are interested in becoming a governor, please email 
governors@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk

Our key priorities for this year are

  • raising attainment and achievement for all students;
  • securing the financial future of the school and all its services;
  • extending the range, visibility and quality of arts activities and student participation in them;
  • and developing the school culture and ethos.

We meet regularly and non-staff governors also visit the school, making contact with the different departments and attending events and performances. We welcome contact with all those involved in the school and will be happy to hear your views on any matters of concern.

Minutes of full Governing Body meetings are available on request from info@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk

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Previous Full Governing Body minutes

Academic Year 2019/2020

  

Contact 

governors@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk

Clerk to Governing Body

Mike Hutchinson

Local authority nominated governor

  • Julian Turner
    Local authority nominated governor and vice chair of governors

    Julian Turner

    Type of Governor: Local authority nominated?governor and Vice chair of the governing board.

    What this means
    My role is to support the Chair in ensuring the overall effectiveness of the governing board. Our most important responsibilities are to hold the headteacher and other senior leaders to account over the quality of education, the management of the school (including its finances) and the safeguarding, wellbeing and personal development of the students. I was one of the governors that appointed Nicholas John as headteacher in 2015.

    A little bit about me
    I am a publisher with a particular interest in education and now also practice as a consultant and professional coach. I became a parent governor at Acland Burghley in 2013, when the school had been graded as 'Requires Improvement' and had previously been a governor at two local primary schools, Yerbury and Eleanor Palmer. I have a particular interest in school leadership and management and teachers' professional education. I am no longer a parent at the school but I remain a firm believer in the important role the school plays in the local community and the network of Camden schools. I am currently also on the board of Camden Learning, in which the school plays an active role.

    As Governor at Acland Burghley School, I'd most like to achieve?
    That the school leadership is both supported and challenged to create the best possible Acland Burghley for the future of our children.

Co-opted governors

  • Steve Carr
    Co-opted governor

    Steve Carr

    Type of Governor: Co-opted governor, Chair of Quality of Education Committee

    What this means
    This means I 'chair' the meetings of the Quality of Education Committee, helping to ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction with regard to the provision of Education in the school.

    A little bit about me
    My son, Tom, benefited from a very good education at Acland Burghley. I was a Secondary School teacher until July 2018 and now train and coach teachers, leaders and teams in the successful management of professional relationships. I have a background in both teaching and organisational psychology and am interested in the impact emotions have on classroom management and on organisational life. I live with my wife, Fliff and have two other children apart from Tom; Nancy and Mary.

    As Governor at Acland Burghley School, I?d most like to achieve
    A community where each person is accepted, cherished, supported and challenged to find and become the best version of themselves.?

  • Alan Chesters
    Co-opted governor

    Alan Chesters

    Type of Governor:?Co-opted governor, Chair of Resources Committee

    What this means
    The Committee monitors the school's finances, staffing and premises (including Health & Safety).

    A little bit about me
    I am a retired Human Resources executive, and a long standing School governor in Camden.

    As Governor at Acland Burghley School, I'd most like to achieve
    As governor at Acland Burghley School, I would like to assist it in achieving a recognition of its Outstanding provision whilst remaining an inclusive and community orientated organisation.

  • Sheila Chapman
    Co-opted governor

    Sheila Chapman

    Type of Governor: Co-opted Governor to represent the community, with special responsibility for Safeguarding

    What this means
    As the safeguarding link governor, I need to be satisfied that the school's policies and systems work to keep students safe and to enable them to achieve the best possible outcomes. I do this in a number of ways including coming in to school regularly to meet with Martha Collins who is the school's designated safeguarding lead and chairing termly attendance and behaviour panels. The panels are a really constructive opportunity for governors to meet students and their families to find ways to support students to meet attendance and behaviour expectations and, in so doing, realise their full potential.

    A little bit about me
    I am a solicitor and until recently worked in the investment banking industry. In May 2018 I was elected to be a local councillor in Islington which is where a lot of Acland Burghley students live. I am an independent monitor at Pentonville prison where I focus on outcomes for young adult prisoners. I enjoy writing fiction and running and swimming in Hampstead Heath as well as spending time with my three young children.

    As Governor at Acland Burghley, I'd like to work with everyone who is part of the school community to make Acland Burghley a place where all students, whatever their background, set ambitious targets for themselves - whether they be creative, academic or vocational - and receive full support to achieve them.

  • Sam Alvis
    Co-opted governor

    Sam Alvis

    Type of governor Co-opted governor

    What this means I'm an individual from the community who has skills and experience that the governors feel the Governing Body needs.

    A little bit about me...?

    I work in policy and public affairs, specialising in political strategy an climate policy. I'm currently Head of Green Renewal at Green Alliance, and was previously a senior advisor to Tony Blair, worked on Brexit policy for the Wellcome Trust, and as a researcher for the Labour Party. Outside of work I play rugby, swim in the lido, am a young advisor to Chatham House and a mentor at the social mobility foundation.

    What I want to achieve

    I hope to help open awareness and opportunities for students in careers or interests that I wasn't aware of growing up.

  • Crispin Woodhead
    Co-opted governor

    Crispin Woodhead

    Type of governor Co-opted governor

    What this means I'm an individual from the community who has skills and experience that the governors feel the Governing Body needs. 

    A little bit about me I studied Modern Languages at Pembroke College, Oxford (French and German) and then piano at The Royal Northern College of Music where I then worked as a junior fellow and lecturer. I then set up an arts management agency in London before taking a post at Rugby School where I worked for 7 years and served as Head of Modern Languages. Since those days I have worked in the arts. I set up a new orchestra, Arcangelo, and then moved to the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment as Chief Executive Officer. Now in my seventh year, I can honestly say that life, even despite the pressures of COVID, has never been more exciting and the move to Acland Burghley School has been and remains the best thing I have ever done. It is a daily privilege.

    I am married to an opera singer and have four children. I have two cats and a dog, Barney, who sometimes sneaks into Acland Burghley with me.

    As governor at Acland Burghley I want to do all I can to support the school in its plans to grow as an inclusive, creative environment, that, in the true spirit of comprehensive education, can embrace, encourage and support so that ambitions are lifted and realised. I think that the partnership with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment has absolutely massive potential to contribute positively to the prospects of all pupils and staff, regardless of whether they want to learn the violin, play in an orchestra or listen to classical music. What we can do together, can and will include all of those wonderful things of course, but is much more fundamental and universally valuable.

     

Parent governors

  • Dr Kim Issroff
    Parent governor and chair of governors

    Dr Kim Issroff

    Type of Governor: Parent and Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee (recently renamed Quality of Education)

    What this means
    As Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee, I have been responsible for ensuring that governors receive reports on all aspects of the school which impact on children's progress and attainment. I ask difficult questions and expect complex answers. I think this Committee has a warm and supportive feel, while being challenging and setting high expectations of children and staff.

    A little bit about me
    I have been a governor at several schools and chair of governors at my children's primary school. I have completed a Governors' leadership course and understand and have experience of almost all aspects of governance.

    I have over 25 years of experience of research in educational technology in a wide range of education settings from early years to large open online courses. I am particularly interested in the social aspects of learning and the role that technology can play in mediating relationships.

    As Governor at Acland Burghley School, I'd most like to achieve
    I value inclusion and wish that all schools were as inclusive as Acland Burghley. As a governor, I want to ensure that all children feel happy and safe and are supported in our school to grow, develop and achieve. In order for this to happen, we need a broad curriculum that is flexible; talented, skilled and supported staff; efficient and effective financial management; and behaviour management processes that take into account the individuals involved and focus on the development of the children and the adults.

  • Mathew Anthony
    Parent governor

    Mathew Anthony

    Mathew Anthony's election statement:
    https://www.aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk/News/Meet-our-new-Parent-Governor/

  • Noella Bello Castro
    Parent governor

    Noella Bello Castro

    Type of Governor: Parent governor

    What this means
    I'm a parent (mum to Jack in Y8) who was elected by the parent body to be a parent voice on the governing board. It's not so much about speaking on behalf of each and every one of the parents - we are all different with different views after all - more about bringing a parental perspective to issues discussed by the board. As well as attending board meetings, I sit on the resources committee.

    A little bit about me
    I'm Camden born and raised and work in communications for Health Education England, which is the part of the NHS that specialises in education and training. I've always had a passion for education and have previously worked as director of communications at a school, and on local government campaigns around education funding. As somebody from a working class, BAME background, I'm particularly interested in making sure that children are given the right support to achieve their best, whatever their background.

    As Governor at Acland Burghley School, I'd most like to achieve
    I'm enjoying being a part of the school's ongoing pursuit of excellence, alongside other governors, the senior leadership team, staff, parents and students.

  • Sebastian Camisuli
    Parent governor

    Sebastian Camisuli

    Sebastian Camisuli is a local resident and partner at architectural practice Martins Camisuli. With over 20 years experience he has worked for both architectural and engineering practices on predominantly medium to large scale mixed-used developments. He has a post graduate diploma in property development and a strong interest in sustainability. Sebastian has been a governor at Acland Burghley School since 2017 and is a member of the Resources Committee which has responsibility for the management and development of the school property. He became a Trustee in 2020 and brings technical expertise to the hall project as well as his interest in the architectural heritage of the building.

  • Rachel Hermer
    Parent governor

    Rachel Hermer

    Type of Governor: Parent Governor, AEN Link Governor

    What this means
    I am responsible for having understanding and oversight of how well the school meets the needs of our pupils with special educational needs and/or disability.

    A little bit about me
    I work for a charity that supports primary schools to challenge gender stereotypes, delivering teacher training and developing strategy. (I also enjoy reading, cooking, keeping vaguely fit and being with my family.)

    As Governor at Acland Burghley School, I'd most like to achieve: continual challenge and support to the school leadership, particularly around excellent teaching and learning, AEN, inclusion and equality, so that provision becomes better and better.

  • Dr Claire Melamed
    Parent governor

    Dr Claire Melamed

    Type of Governor: Parent Governor

    What this means
    I am one of the governors elected by the parents at Acland Burghley. I'm on the Quality of Education Committee, which oversees the development and delivery of the curriculum, and I'm also a member of the Acland Burghley School Trust, which is running a big fundraising campaign to restore the Assembly Hall - keep an eye out for that!

    A little bit about me
    Outside of Acland Burghley, I run an organisation called the 'Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data', which works with governments, especially in Africa and Latin America, to improve the data they use to make policy. I've lived in Tufnell Park all my life, and all four of my children and step-children have been at Acland
    Burghley.

    As Governor at Acland Burghley School, I'd most like to achieve
    It's exciting to be part of this phase of Acland Burghley's development. As a governor, I hope to see the school continue to thrive and grow, and to make sure that ABS offers a happy environment for every child.

  • Paddy Sutton
    Parent governor

    Paddy Sutton

    Type of Governor: Parent Governor

    What this means
    I am a general governor and member of the Teaching and Learning Committee which has oversight of all curriculum matters.

    A little bit about me
    I am the father of a boy in Y9. A long time ago I went to Brookfield primary, and these days I spend as much time as possible walking and swimming on the Heath, so I feel quite connected locally. I work in brand communications, mainly producing film work and design.

    As Governor at Acland Burghley School, I'd most like to achieve
    I hope to play a part in ensuring the school offers as many opportunities to students as possible.

Staff governor

Headteacher

  • Nicholas John
    Headteacher

    Nicholas John

    Type of Governor: Headteacher

    What this means 
    The Governing Board is my employer. Their role is to support me to lead the school. My role is to give them the information to continue to fulfil this role really effectively, and to hold me and my colleagues to account.   

    A little bit about me
    I qualified as an English teacher in 1999, and have worked in mixed, community, comprehensive schools ever since. From 1999 to 2009, I worked in Norfolk. I moved to London in 2009, and joined Acland Burghley as Headteacher in 2015.

    As Governor at Acland Burghley School, I’d most like to achieve 
    Creating Excellence Together

Associates of the Governing Body

  • Madeleine Holt
    Associate governor

    Madeleine Holt

    Type of Governor: Associate governor linked to LaSWAP

    What this means
    I am responsible for staying informed on progress at the sixth form consortium both academically and vocationally, and staying across its strategic direction.

    A little bit about me
    I am an education campaigner and filmmaker, with a particular interest in innovative schools. In 2019 I won the Fred and Anne Jarvis Award for education campaigning, awarded each year by the National Education Union. I helped set up the More than a Score campaign for alternatives to SATs and other high stakes testing in primary schools. I also run Meet the Parents, a social enterprise unique to North London which encourages all families to send their children to local comprehensives. In my earlier career I was a reporter for the BBC for 20 years, mainly as a culture correspondent on Newsnight.

    As Governor at Acland Burghley School, I'd most like to achieve
    Making the school more creative, innovative and embedded in the local community.

  • Josie Smalling
    Associate governor

    Josie Smalling

    Type of Governor: Associate governor

    What this means
    I serve on the Teaching and Learning committee and sit on behaviour panels as well. I also sit on attendance panels each term with the Attendance Officer. I am passionate about keeping students within school rather than excluding them.

    A little bit about me
    I am a qualified hairdresser and taught both hairdressing and barbering in an FE college for 16 years. I have four children, all of whom have gone to Acland Burghley. I have been a governor at Acland Burghley for over 8 years. I am Islington born and bred and have lived in the borough all my life. I have a deep commitment to social justice in education. I enjoy yoga and pilates in my spare time.

  • Jenna Julius
    Associate governor

    Jenna Julius

    Type of governor Associate governor

    What this means I've been appointed by the governors as someone who has skills and experience in addition to those of the governors themselves.

    A little bit about me...? I work as an Economist for an education charity where i use data and statistical methods to gain insights into what works in the education system. My current research focuses on the extent to which the structure of the education system affects the quality of education, school funding and the progression of young people from education to employment.

    As a governor at Acland Burghley I'd most like to achieve....?

    I am lucky enough to be joining Acland Burghley at a very exciting time and I hope to support the school in continuing to thrive and provide all its pupils with the opportunities to develop and achieve their potential.

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