Governors' Mission Statement

It is our job to support and challenge the school in its aim to maximise its pupils’ potential in all subjects as well as to prepare them with the skills they will need to cope with a fast-changing and complex future. 

Aims: to assist and provide support to the school in its mission to be even more than an outstanding school, with an equally aspirational governing body. To work closely with and be a ‘critical friend’ to the Senior Leadership Team

Equality statement: 

To celebrate our cultural diversity and an understanding of all the groups within it. We see all learners and their parents and carers as of equal value:

• whether or not they are disabled
• whatever their ethnicity, culture, national origin or national status
• whatever their gender and gender identity
• whatever their religious or non-religious affiliation or faith background
• whatever their sexual identity. 

Linking Governors to subject areas

Governors are linked to specific subject areas. We believe this is an excellent way of giving individual governors a regular opportunity of seeing the ‘school in action’ while expanding their awareness and knowledge of each important area in greater detail. 

Schools Financial Benchmarking

https://financial-benchmarking-and-insights-tool.education.gov.uk/school/101026

 

 

Governor Biographies:

Debbie Lawrence (Chair of Governors)

Link: Leadership and Governance

Debbie is a Local Authority Governor and has been on the board since her son James started in Reception in 2015. She has filled roles as chair of the Finance and Premises meeting, vice-chair to the FGB (Full Governing Board) and Chair. Debbie has done a fair amount of fundraising for the school in her time on the PTA, organising 2 Summer Fairs and selling Christmas Trees.

Debbie works full time for Refinitiv (previously ThomsonReuters) as their Chief Data Officer and brings her strong Financial, Commercial and communication background to the Governing Board.

Duncan Roberts (Vice-Chair)

Link: Broad Curriculum & Achievement

Duncan Roberts has lived in Southfields for over 30 years. He is married and has two children.

Duncan has worked in education all his life and he was the Headteacher of Honeywell Junior School for over 20 years before he retired in January 2020. The Honeywell schools, both Infant and Juniors, worked with Sheringdale on some projects in the past and Duncan is therefore aware of what a highly successful and highly regarded school Sheringdale School is. He hopes to be able to use his experience in education to help and support the school and Duncan will use his skills in educational management, the curriculum and teaching and learning to develop Sheringdale and prepare it for future challenges. Duncan also anticipates that as a local resident he will be able to support the school in other ways.

Duncan enjoys sport, films, music and he monitors current affairs with interest. He has stated that he relishes “family time” and he is keen for his two boys to be active and discerning members of London’s vibrant community.

Sarah Jones

Sarah has been Headteacher at Sheringdale since 2015. Previously, she was a Headteacher for 5 years at a school in North Kensington where she also chaired the Headteacher’s Consultative. She has served as an Ofsted Inspector since 2015. During her teaching career, she has taught from Nursery to Year 6 and in a variety of leadership roles. Sarah is passionate about excellence in Public Services and providing a high-quality, inclusive, creative and caring education for all children.

Ellen Gibson

Ellen has been Deputy Headteacher at Sheringdale since 2024. She joined the school in 2020 and has held a range of teaching and leadership roles since. Having taught children from EYFS – Year 6, she is committed to ensuring that each and every child has the opportunity to thrive during their time at primary school, and beyond. Ellen believes strongly in developing high-quality teaching and learning, delivering a curriculum that is ambitious, engaging and inspiring for all. As English Subject Lead, she is particularly passionate about fostering a love of reading and writing. Ellen is proud to be part of the Sheringdale community, where staff go above and beyond to provide the very best educational experience for every child.

James Goode

Link: English and Maths & Achievement

James is a Parent Governor, who is married with two boys who have both attended Sheringdale. James served for five years as a Governor at Paddock School in Wandsworth, and was previously a member of the Sheringdale PTA.  Professionally, James is a chartered accountant, and is the Chief Financial Officer at PA Media Group, the national news agency for the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.  James is keen to support the continued high standards of teaching, learning and opportunities for Sheringdale’s current and future pupils.

Amal Bhaimia

Link: Child Protection and Safeguarding

Amal is a co-opted governor who joined the board in November 2023.  She is a Government lawyer, who has advised several UK Government departments during her career as a civil servant.  This included a number of years advising the Department for Education on a variety of legal issues relating to maintained schools, including during the Covid-19 pandemic. She is passionate about education and improving the educational attainment and wellbeing of children.  She is enthusiastic about working with the rest of the board to support the learning, development and wellbeing of the pupils at Sheringdale.

Amal lives in Wimbledon and has two children, also in primary school. She spends the scintilla of free time available to her reading, learning to knit and cooking. 

Michael Fink

Michael is the Staff Governor for Sheringdale and has been a teacher here since 2020. He previously taught for five years at St Michael's CofE Primary in Southfields, teaching in Year 1 and Year 3, as well as teaching PE to EYFS, KS1 and KS2. Michael is passionate about making Sheringdale the best school it can be for both pupils and staff.

Juliet Pope

Link: EYFS & Health and Safety

Juliet is a mum of two children, who are attending Sheringdale, and has lived in Southfields for over ten years. She is passionate about the role that education plays in shaping children’s lives and strengthening communities. She is impressed not only by Sheringdale's academic standards, but in its nurturing, inclusive ethos and she is honoured to contribute to its continued success as a parent governor. Juliet is a senior lawyer specialising in complex development projects. She is delighted to contribute to the continued growth of the school, a welcoming, inspiring place where every child is given the opportunity to thrive. 

Shaun Parsloe

Link: Inclusion

Shaun has extensive experience working at Director and Board level, alongside his career in technology and financial services as an Enterprise Architect and has successfully run his own business for the past two decades. Shaun has two children currently attending Sheringdale. Outside of school, he coaches children’s rugby at Wimbledon Rugby Club. He is delighted to help Sheringdale continue to provide the best possible start in life for our children.

Susan Docherty

Link: Attendance and Behaviour & Personal Development and Wellbeing

 

Dates of Governing Board 2026-27 meetings:

Strategy Day: Wednesday 21^st October 9.30am

CSS

Thursday 8th October 2026, 8-10am

Thursday 28th January 2027, 8-10am

Tuesday 22nd June 2027, 8-10am

F&R

Tuesday 22 September, 8-10am

Wednesday 10 March, 8-10am

Tuesday 8 June, 8-10am

FGB

Thursday 26 November, 8-10am

Wednesday 24 March, 8-10am

Budget sign off: Thursday 20 May 9.30am (on Teams)

Wednesday 7 July, 8-10am

Pay Committee

Wednesday 7 July at 10am

Benchmarking

School's financial benchmarking service