Governors
School governors are volunteers who help to run the school. Most schools work with a group of school governors – together they’re called the ‘governing body‘. They’re involved in decisions about all aspects of managing the school – such as running buildings and budgets, supporting staff and setting standards of school discipline.
Misha Upadhyaya
Chair of Governors
Governor Type: Co-opted
Appointing Body: Elmgrove Primary school
Term of Office: Appointed 17/09/18 term expires 25/03/26
Committees: Headteachers Performance Management
Responsibilities: Chair of the panel and Safeguarding
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022: 9 /9
Children at Elmgrove: No
I joined as a Governor because I wanted to volunteer in my local community and give my time to a cause that was important to me. What I loved about Elmgrove was that alongside ensuring all the pupils received an education they are also nurtured to develop skills, emotions and an understanding of how they can be the best in society. Giving my time to such a worthy cause is very empowering and I have learnt so much since being a Governor. As Chair of Governors, I am incredibly privileged to lead the school and support the headteacher to make the right choices for the pupils, staff and wider community.
Neil Sanghrajka
Governor Type: Co-opted Governors
Appointing Body: Governing Body
Term of Office: 26/09/2022 to 16/09/2025
Committees: Appeals and Headteacher Performance Management
Responsibilities: Chair of Appeals Committee & ICT
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022: 7/9
Children at Elmgrove: No
I joined Elmgrove as a Governor as I was keen to contribute my time and expertise in a proactive manner to the community. My full time job is to run the Professional Services division of a software company, focusing on the energy industry. I am a strong supporter of local schooling and am grateful for Elmgrove for giving me the opportunity to contribute to their success.
Sarah Neary
Headteacher
Governor Type: Headteacher
Appointing body: N/A
Term of Office: Permanent
Committees: Headteacher Performance Management
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022: 10/10
Children at Elmgrove: No
I attend all the Governor Committee meetings and enjoy working with fellow governors who bring a wide range of different skills and expertise to the groups.
Sneha Jain
Governor Type: Local Authority Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 06/03/2023 to 06/03/2026
Committees: Pay & Appeals
Responsibilities: None
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: No
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022: n/a
Children at Elmgrove: No
As an Elmgrove governer, I aim to empower young children with the opportunities and skills that they can leverage for many decades ahead as I believe that a well balanced education is one of the most empowering assets that children can grow up with. I am keen to contribute to the community with my skills as a strategy consultant and hope to have a positive impact on the students and wider community at Elmgrove.
Justine Ball
Governor Type: Co-opted Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by the Governing Body
Term of Office: 23/09/2019-23/09/2023
Committees: N/A
Responsibilities: None
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022: 8/9
Children at Elmgrove: No
I completed my PGCE in Primary Education in 2012 and started my career teaching in schools in Hillingdon. I have been a teacher at Elmgrove Primary School and Nursery for four years now and I love working here. I am passionate about inclusion & diversity, and ensuring high standards to allow children to have the fullest life. My three years as a governor has been enjoyable as I am able to contribute to the running of the school, and participate in discussions that impact both pupils and staff. I look forward to continuing supporting Elmgrove to create memorable educational experiences that nurture a lifelong love of learning.
Laura Ndubuisi-Kanu
Governor Type: Co-opted Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 20/09/2021- 20/07/ 2025
Committees: None
Responsibilities: Curriculum, Website
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022 6/9
Children at Elmgrove: No
I currently work in Compliance and Financial Crime in the Financial Services Industry. I obtained my undergraduate degree in Law and Business Studies from the University of Warwick and an MA in Education from University College London (UCL) Institute of Education. I have been involved in a range of educational volunteering activities including Widening Participation Programs and Employability Days. I joined Elmgrove as a School Governor to contribute to the education and development of the children at Elmgrove as I believe nursery and primary school sets a crucial stepping stone for our foundation years. Being a Governor at Elmgrove will allow me use the skills and experiences I have to support the development and add value to the strategic direction and long-term goals of Elmgrove.
Oana Istratoaie
Governor Type: Staff Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by staff
Term of Office: 26/09/2022-26/09/2025
Committees: None
Responsibilities: None
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022 : n/a
Children at Elmgrove: No
I am excited to start my role as a staff representative for the governing body at Elmgrove. I have worked as a supply teacher in this school for a few years before I was employed and it has been a fantastic journey. The ethos of the school resonates with what I believe educating children means. I hope that my dedication to being a governor will contribute to future achievements for all children in our school.
Sim Godfrey
Governor Type: Parent Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 05/06/2023 to 06/06/2026
Committees:
Responsibilities:
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022: n/a
Children at Elmgrove: Yes
I currently work as a Senior Campaign Delivery Manager for a large Mobile/Media player within the area of CRM and my main background is CRM/ Database marketing. I have qualifications in Project Management, Management, Marketing and Health & Social Care and have first-hand experience of liaising with multidiscipline agencies in child services. I spent my early career gaining studying work experience in nurseries, SEN school and a local PRU.
As a parent, special guardian and foster carer, I truly appreciate the importance of the foundations and education and the impact they have in a child’s early life and I am extremely passionate about children and their well-being & development. I have been a resident in Harrow for over 30 years and decided to join the Governor team to contribute, give back to the community, make a difference and help to strengthen the links between parents/ families and the school and personal development.
Jamie Shah
Governor Type: Co-opted Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 17/05/2021 to 16/05/2025
Committees: Appeals and Pay Committee
Responsibilities: None
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: Yes
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022 : 9/10
Children at Elmgrove: No
I’ve joined Elmgrove Primary School as a Co-Opted Governor. I am an exam qualified CIPFA Accountant specialising in the public sector and currently work for an inner London Local Authority in Corporate Finance with my area of responsibility being Financial Planning and Monitoring. I’ve had extensive experience with working in Children’s Services Finance in previous roles and mainly working on Early Years, Schools and Children Services Capital projects. I’ve been a resident of Harrow my entire life and decided I want to become a School Governor so that I can give back to the community, develop myself professionally and work towards positive change. I look forward to working with staff and governors in the strategic oversight and management of the school.
Tom Knight
Governor Type: Co-opted Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 17/05/2021 to 16/05/2025
Committees:
Responsibilities: None
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022 : 7/9
Children at Elmgrove: No
Having spent the last 15 years in education, I am delighted to have joined Elmgrove as a Governor. After completing my PGCE at Cambridge, I have gone on to work at Harrow School in my role as Head of Design and Technology. I am active in other areas of the curriculum, being an examiner for OCR and the STEM link for international schools. Alongside this, I have been engaged in co-curricular elements of school life. Taking on leadership roles in various sports and undertaking charity building projects in Sri Lanka and Namibia. Having grown up in Harrow, it was important for me to contribute to my local community and provide a positive impact on children’s education.
Rohini Shah
Vice Chair * elected December 2022
Governor Type: Parent Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 15/11/2021 to 14/11/2025
Committees:
Responsibilities: Vice Chair
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022 : 7/8
Children at Elmgrove: No
I have joined Elmgrove as Parent Governor and glad for the opportunity given to me. I have more than ten years’ experience working in general insurance industry. I was also elected as a Co-opted Governor with another Primary school in Ealing for 2 years. As a parent Governor, I am looking forward to contributing and support the school and community as I think there are continuous opportunities for growth and development in Education sector.
Vanessa Ojapah
Governor Type: Parent Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 07/06/2023-07/06/2026
Committees:
Responsibilities: TBC
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022: n/a
Children at Elmgrove: Yes
Governors Resigned:
Louise Woutersz (Resigned June 2023)
Governor Type: Parent Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 17/06/2019 to 17/06/2023
Committees: None
Responsibilities: None
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022: 7/9
Children at Elmgrove: Yes
Tharmila Dhaval Gadani (Resigned January 2023)
Governor Type: Parent Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 04/03/2019 to 03/03/2023
Committees: Pay
Responsibilities: Health and Safety
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022: 9/10
Children at Elmgrove: Yes
Artis Kakonge (Resigned September 2022)
Governor Type: Local Authority Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 11/09/2017 to 10/09/2025
Committees: Pay & Appeals
Responsibilities: None
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: No
Attendance at Meetings 2021-2022: 3/10
Children at Elmgrove: No
Jess Bishop (Resigned September 2022)
Governor Type: Staff Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 09/03/2020-31/08/2022
Committees: None
Responsibilities: None
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2020-2021: 4/9
Children at Elmgrove: No
Femida Atmani (Resigned September 2021)
Governor Type: Parent Governor
Appointing Body: Elected by Governing Body
Term of Office: 23/09/2019-23/09/2023
Committees: None
Responsibilities: None
Declared Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Attendance at Meetings 2020-2021: 4/9
Children at Elmgrove: Yes