Foundation Governor

Cassim Bakharia

I have worked in Special Education for over 38 years. Firstly as a class teacher, then as Deputy Head and in the last 10 years of my career as Head teacher of a Special School. During my period as Headteacher I managed a school for students who had a diagnosis of Autism. I have also worked with students who have severe and profound learning difficulties. A major function in my education career was developing and maintaining a strong relationship with the families of our students. I considered this relationship important in supporting our students in their education, wellbeing and social development. As professionals we need to continue to be educated on the needs of the individual children in our schools and to me the best educators are the children and their families. At the present time I am the link Governor for safeguarding and Pupil Voice. I also attend the Parents Forum regularly.

I retired a few years ago but wanted to continue my involvement and support for students with special needs. Presently, I am the Vice-Chair of the Governors at Brent Knoll and a member of the Board at the Ravensbourne Project. I am keen to continue my support for young people with learning and complex needs by being involved in the short breaks provision offered by the Ravensbourne Project.

Term End Date: 20/3/2021

Headteacher

Andy Taylor

As Headteacher I am a member of the Governing Body and contribute to the Full GB, Resource and Curriculum committees. I have worked in Special Needs education for the vast majority of my career and have worked at Brent Knoll for almost twenty years as a class teacher, curriculum lead, middle and senior lead before taking up the Acting Headteacher role in January. Whilst a teacher I was the staff representative on the Governing Body for nine years representing the views of staff and contributing to strategic vision from the staff perspective.

I am keen to develop greater links between the school and the Governing Body and am particularly interested in finding ways for Governors to develop an understanding of the curriculum and how it has been and will continue to evolve. This is to ensure that all of our pupils have the very best opportunity to transition from Brent Knoll to their post-16 destinations as well equipped and with as much independence as possible so that they can become active citizens in their own communities.

Term End Date: Ex-Officio

Co-opted Governor

Simon Whitlock

I joined the Governing Body in the summer term (2017) as a co-opted member, and I have a particular interest in special education having previously commissioned services for both adults and children with special needs.

Currently, I work for an East London local authority in the Children and Young People’s Service as a commissioner with a focus on education services and social care. One of my strengths is my knowledge on procurement and contracting, particularly relating to schools, which I use to support the Governing Body to help the school run efficiently and achieve value for money. Other areas of strength include finance, contracts / service level agreements, and legal.

I am delighted to be member of the Governing Body for Brent Knoll Special School, and I am committed to supporting Brent Knoll pupils to have access to the right support at the right time. I am also a firm believer that all decisions made at a Governing Body level should be in the best interest and wellbeing of pupils, putting them firmly in the centre of the decision making process.

Term End Date: 22/5/2021

Parent Governor

Cheryl Cowie

My name is Cheryl Cowie and I have two sons at Brent Knoll in Years 3 and 5, both starting in reception class. Although I have been at home for the last ten years as parent and carer; my working background incorporates Banking, Administration and Counselling. Since October 2017 I have been working part time at Drumbeat School in Downham.

I think I’m a familiar face with most people at school; being there daily for drop off and pick up and attending most assemblies, parent courses and groups for the last 6 years. This has made it ideal for me to get to know the day to day feel of the school, watching first-hand the change and growth in recent years and develop relationships with numerous staff. I am part of the Parent Forum; which is a partnership between the school and the parent/carer community sharing ideas, views and suggestions; also helping the school with extra-curricular activities and events for the children.

I joined the Governing Board in November 2017 and at present I am the Training and Development Governor. I offer a parent/carer perspective to the board; hoping my past professional and life experiences assist me in ensuring school decisions are considered from the children’s, parents and carers viewpoints at all times. I consider it a pleasure to participate with moving Brent Knoll forward in its future successes especially in maintaining and improving the education, care and support provided for all of our children.

Term End Date: 16/11/2021

Parent Governors

Oluwafela Ajayi

I am Oluwafela Ajayi a Chartered Health and Safety Practitioner. Married with a set of twins. My son is autistic and attends the school while my daughter attends St Augustine. I am a Parent Governor.

Term End Date: 25/9/2021

Local Authority Governor

James Rene

I have been the Local Authority Governor on the body since January 2016. I am also Vice-Chair of the Resources Sub-Committee.

I live locally to the school in Perry Vale and I’m generally keen on being active within the local community.

I am a chartered building services engineer, and through my profession I work on many building projects and contracts including school premises.

Having been invited to get involved with Brent Knoll School, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to make a contribution with my skills in particular in making the most with our new building.

I especially enjoy attending the Achievements Assemblies, to witness and celebrate the accomplishments and joy of our brilliant students.

I hope to continue to share and enjoy our successes and above all the vital service we provide to our students and the community.

Term End Date: 26/9/2020

Staff Governors

Katherine Nicklin

I have been a Staff Governor at Brent Knoll School since November 2016. I have a long-standing interest in education, I have been employed in my role at Brent Knoll School for 12 years, and prior to that worked in a special needs school in Bexley for 3 years.

I am delighted to be part of the Governing Body and school community. I am passionate about our young people discovering their full potential as well as helping them become active and positive contributors to society.

Employed as Secondary PSHE Coordinator and Class Teacher.

Term End Date 3/10/2020

Parent Governor

Laura Deitz

I am excited about the opportunity to serve on the Governing Body at Brent Knoll School. My eldest daughter Lily joined Brent Knoll in January of 2018 and is now in Birch Class.

Since Lily’s diagnosis of ASD when she was 2 years old, I have been active in volunteering with charities and community organizations supporting and empowering parents and carers of children with ASD. In the United Arab Emirates where the Deitz family recently lived, I worked directly with the government to ensure that children with SEN could access and get support in schools.

I work in Finance and have two other young daughters. The Deitz family is grateful Lily has the opportunity to learn and grow in a school with educators and leaders who are passionate about supporting children like Lily. As Governor, I want to ensure that parents and carers have the support they need and that the curriculum at Brent Knoll best enables all children to achieve their full potential.

Foundation Governor

Eibhlish Fleming

I joined the governing body at Brent Knoll at the beginning of 2019 as a foundation member.

I currently work with a grant-making charity named Spirit of 2012, which was born from the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics. We fund arts and sports projects that foster greater community cohesion, empower those who are most under-served and challenge perceptions of disability.

My previous managerial roles at Shakespeare Schools Festival, Shakespeare’s Globe and Children & the Arts have all been focussed on co-creating high-quality, curriculum-based creative programmes for use in the classroom. At Shakespeare Schools Festival my role was specifically about co-creating content for young people with special educational needs, and training teachers to make Shakespeare and performance accessible for all young people.

It’s a privilege to be a member of the Governing Body at Brent Knoll School. I am delighted to be supporting staff and students to ensure this school continues to be the best it can be.

End of term date: 11/02/2023

Co-opted Governor

Lo’anntha Ebanks-chambers

Greetings, my name is Lo’anntha Ebanks-chambers.

I have two children, my daughter is outside of compulsory education and my son is in key stage 3, I am a teacher of Design & Technology and the founder of Your Erudition.

I am very passionate about empowering others, community spirit, creativity and wellbeing especially in our young people.

I have been teaching for over 10 years, although I have taught in mainstream settings, a large percentage of my experience is from alternative provisions, which has enabled me to have an in depth understanding of different needs students and families may face along with first-hand experience of the effects of SEN.

Throughout my career I have felt some dissatisfaction in my role as a teacher and for this reason I have set up my own creative wellbeing company where I’m able to ensure learners are mentally engaged and learner voices are at the heart of my mission.

I joined the governing body in February 2019 and I believe, having a wider perspective from my professional and personal experiences, I’m able to make unbiassed decisions to support children, families and the school community at Brent Knoll.

Naturally I am a cheerful, capable and adaptable person who builds good rapport easily with others. I am a person who has great love for people and community togetherness. I comprehend the importance of having healthy relationships within the whole school community and I welcome/invite all to come and introduce themselves as I am keen to be a familiar face at Brent Knoll School. I look forward to working with Brent Knoll as a school governor.

End of term date: 13/02/2023

Co-opted Governo

Lucy Govan

I am so pleased to be a part of the Brent Knoll Governing Body. I was an employee at the school from 2013 until 2019 working in the classroom initially and then in the school office. I also worked as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant promoting emotional wellbeing and social and communication skills. I left Brent Knoll to start my own business and continue my career in the arts, but I continue to be passionate about inclusion and equality and bringing the arts to young people with Special Educational Needs. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to continue working with the staff and students at Brent Knoll.

Term End date: 13/02/2023

Associate Member

Rachael Edwards-Coutts

I currently work for a charity, which helps people who have autism gain employment. In previous years, I worked as an achievement coach helping to prevent young people from becoming not in employment, education or training. My passion for education grew when I started working in SEND schools to help pupils succeed in the education system. I am passionate about helping improving social mobility and removing the barriers in society to help people who are disabled reach their full potential. I hope to help the school develop its connections with the community to help improve outcomes for young people once leaving education.

I am delighted to be a part of the board and I am hoping my dedication and passion will allow me to impact on the school’s future success.

Clerk to the Governing Body

Michael Garrick