Our School Governing Board:
Governors are volunteers who work alongside the head teacher.
- They play an important strategic role in the school and set the aims and objectives for the school;
- set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives;
- set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives;
- monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives;
- are a source of challenge and support to the head teacher (a critical friend).
A letter from our Chair of Governors
Dear Parents/Carer
I am delighted that as of September this year, I have been elected as Chair of Governors for our dear school.
Firstly, I would like to thank the previous Chair, Mrs. Virdee, for doing an incredible job over the past years. Mrs. Virdee has helped led the governors over the last 3 years, helping the staff to steer the school in the right direction and influencing successes in our school. I have worked with Mrs Virdee and the Governing body for nearly three years.
I also wanted to use this opportunity to introduce myself and explain what we do as a Governing body. I am very honoured to be elected as the Chair of Governors. I feel obliged to contribute to an institution that has enabled me to develop into the individual that I am today. I am committed to see many of our children flourish at Dairy Meadow not just academically but also socially and emotionally.
My personal and professional skill sets have enabled me to contribute to the Governing body and I have developed tremendous wealth of experiences so far. I want to continue to use the skills that I have gained to ensure the progress of the school.
We must all continue to uphold the school’s core values: enjoy, educate, embrace and empower. We will all achieve higher measures of the school’s core values as we continue to work together.
I am proud to be part of a Governing body of a school that has hard-working staff, well behaved and confident children that actively partake in their learning. The Governing body exists to serve four main purposes. These are to:
· support the headteacher and all staff;
· oversee the school’s financial performance, ensuring that the money the school receives is well-spent;
· ensure everything the school does is aligned with the school’s vision, ethos and strategy; and
· hold the headteacher to account for the educational success of the pupils and the school itself.
To fulfil these functions, we meet regularly as a board during the year (3 times a year). Between these full meetings, we also have committees which meet on a regular basis. This is where the main work of the governing board is carried out.
If you wish to find out more about the Governing body and what we do, please visit the school’s website to put some names to faces. In addition, kindly feel free to chat with us whenever you see us around the school!
On behalf of myself and the committee, thanks for taking the time to read this letter and we will look forward to meeting you soon.
Ms T Roberts
Chair of Governing Board
Tasheba Roberts (Chair of Governors)
Co-opted governor
As our great Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Education has played a major role for all individuals in society. It has allowed the community to succeed both socially and economically by enabling it to develop common cultures and values. In my opinion, Education is paramount. I feel obliged to contribute to an institution that has enabled me to develop into the individual that I am today.
It is crucial to take a stand to assist my community. For me, being a Governor not only gives me the opportunity to play a key role in strategic decision making at board level but also to be a part of an institution that prepares young children to compete for any job in the world.
With the vast knowledge I have gained and experiences of being a Lawyer, I want to inspire and enlighten others to achieve their goals. Hence, it is indispensable for me to be visible to continue to encourage young children of different gender, ethnicity and backgrounds. I am fully committed to empowering children to aspire to dream big and believe that their dreams are achievable.
Nicola Cohen
After more than three decades in industry, I became a school governor in 2024 to offer my skills and experience to improve the education of young people in Ealing - a place I have called home since 1999 and where I raised my own two children. During my time in industry, I have worked for a range of organisations including Shell Global, British Telcom, BUPA, UBS and, Anglo American, in the fields of communications and change management. I believe in the power of education to increase young people's chances of succeeding in life and am grateful for the education I received and the experiences it has afforded me. I like to think that my involvement in the Dairy Meadow school as a governor will help our future generations benefit too.
Toby Coaker
Co-opted governor
I love living in Ealing and being a school governor is a great way to put my skills to use driving improvements to the lives of young people in the borough. I am a chartered accountant, with experience auditing financial statements and business cases, which puts me in a good position to support the team of governors and the wider school on any financial challenges it faces. In recent years I have worked in public policy within Parliament, central government, and now industry. In my time working for Parliament’s Treasury Select Committee, I advised the Chair and other MPs on the Committee on the right questions to ask senior public officials and business leaders regarding the management of their organisations. This was part of playing a critical role in holding these individuals to account for how they were spending taxpayer’s money and required effective delivery of good governance. I have found Dairy Meadow to be an excellent environment, with determined leadership, high standards and ambition, and look forward to contributing to the life of the school in the coming years!
Andy Storr
Co-opted governor
I became a Governor at Dairy Meadow in 2006 when I was the Police Sergeant on the local Norwood Green Safer Neighbourhoods Team and although I've long since ceased to be part of the local policing team, I've maintained my link with Dairy Meadow out of a deep affection for the school, the staff and fellow governors. As you may expect from someone with a policing background I also have a strong interest in Safeguarding matters. I am immensely proud to be part of the Dairy Meadow Governing Body and throughout my many years at the school I have never ceased to be hugely impressed by the conduct and achievement of the pupils.
Ken Haines
Staff governor
As a staff governor I contribute to the decisions that are made by the governing body as well as helping them to support the staff of the school.
Isha Abdulkadir
Parent Governor
I am a mother of two and PhD student, I have lived in Southall since 2009. I work as support worker.
Kuldip Garha
Parent Governor
I became a Governor at Dairy Meadow in 2022. Our son started in reception and it has been heart-warming to see his progress through to year 2. I have always been impressed with the passion & delivery our Head and Teachers display in the education of children at Dairy Meadow. I look forward to supporting our team of governors and the school with my personal skills and experiences. I currently Head Operations for a global brand in the travel industry which has given me the opportunity to travel the globe and work with many wonderful people who helped me understand their values and experience their wonderful cultures.
Irum Chaudhry
Parent Governor
I have over 15 years of experience in leadership and management, I have a keen interest in staff development, motivation, and wellbeing. I currently work as a Medical Secretary/PA for the Women’s Forensic Services at St. Bernard’s Hospital in Ealing.
I have first-hand experience with the Dairy Meadow setting as my two children currently attend the school and have been there since Nursery.
As a mother, I am heavily invested in my children’s education and appreciate the opportunity to serve as a Parent Governor to help drive the school's development and raise its standards.
Dairy Meadow is a fantastic school, providing excellent education. I see the school’s ethos shining through my daughters every day.
Ben Gibbes
Local Authority/Citizen Governor
I am a long term Ealing resident who has seen three children though the state school system. I have recently retired from a long career in business, primarily in Sales & Marketing roles in the Banking and Pharmaceutical sectors.
Throughout my career I have developed a lot of experience in dealing with people, and communicating at all levels. I have put together business plans; been responsible for recruitment; been involved in prioritisation in cases where there is competition for resources; provided guidance in important decision making processes; communicated plans to a wider audience.
I very much hope that these skills, knowledge and experience can be put to good use in driving improvements to the lives of young people in the borough of Ealing.
In my time so far I have found Dairy Meadow to be a really welcoming and supportive environment for teaching and learning, with strong leadership, and focus on achieving high standards. I very much hope that I can contribute further to this process.
Alison Reed
Headteacher Governor
Register of Governors Interests
Governors Declaration Register
To contact the school governors, please email the Clerk to Governors at clerk@dairy-meadow.ealing.sch.uk
Further information on our school governance is available to view here
