Meet the Governors

I was brought up in Islington and have lived all my life here.  Until recently I was a manager at the British Red Cross and before that I worked for the Refugee Council as well as in the NHS and at the Greater London Council.  Most of my work has been around health and social care services, particularly for vulnerable groups. I now do some free lance work.

I first became a governor at Robert Blair in 2012 having also been a governor of another Islington school.  I first became Chair in 2014.  I wanted to be a governor partly because I wanted to give back something to my local community but also because I believe passionately that all children should get the best possible education.  I visit the school regularly to meet with the head and talk to staff, children and, when possible, parents so please come say hello if you see me about.  We governors are here to make sure that the school does the best it can for its children and it is important we hear from everyone involved in the school.

Having been born and raised in Yorkshire, I’ve now lived in Islington for over 15 years and it feels like home. I’ve been a school governor at Robert Blair since 2013 and am Vice Chair, Chair of the Behaviour and Safety Committee and also Governor lead on safeguarding.

My full-time job is working for the Government – for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). I’ve had opportunities to work in a number of areas, currently on apprenticeships and previously on maternity and paternity pay, funding for small businesses, broadcasting legislation, business regulation and as a speechwriter.

I became a Governor because I’ve always been interested in education – there are quite a few teachers in my family – and wanted to do something positive in my community. I try and spend as much time as I can in school, if you see me, please come and say hello – I’m always interested in what pupils, staff and parents think about the school and how we can make these school years an amazing, inspiring and creative experience.

An Islington resident for 35 years, my wife and I are bringing-up two young children in the area west of Caledonian Road. I am an elected Islington councillor representing the area in which Robert Blair is located and where many of our children and their families live. Since 2010 I have been one of the 8 Executive members that lead the Council with responsibility for planning, transport, leisure services, licensing and community safety. I have also been a governor of other schools and colleges in the borough and I know the challenges facing schools like ours. In my professional life, I am an economic and social researcher having worked in the voluntary and commercial sectors and with government.

I was born and raised in Islington and I received my primary and secondary education in this borough. I have been working for Robert Blair Children’s Centre for 9 ½ years now, and I have recently completed my level 4 in early years education.
I wanted to become the school’s staff governor as I have great belief that this school is on the path to achieve wonderful things. I want to part of it!