Meet our Governors
Mamie Barden
Co-Chair
What do you do as a school governor?
I am the Co-chair of Governors. I also sit on the Children, Families, and Community Committee. I am the link governor for Safeguarding at the school.
What is the best bit about being a school governor at Merton Abbey?
Three of my children attend Merton Abbey and I enjoy being involved in their education as both a parent and as a governor. Through these roles, I am able to gain more insight into their education, while also contributing to the oversight and strategic direction of the school. Additionally, it is an excellent way to build relationships with the teachers and school staff, which makes me feel part of the Merton Abbey family.
What do you do in your time, when you're not carrying out your governor duties?
After spending a decade in Univerity administration, I traded my office job for a career in teaching yoga and meditation. when I'm not teaching yoga classes, the rest of my time is spent looking (or running) after my three children.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
I was born and raised in Texas, USA. I love cooking dishes that remind me of my youth, such as Tex-Mex Enchiladas and Texas Sheet Cake. In London, I still celebrate American Thanksgiving each year by cooking a big turkey feast!
Frances Cresswell
Co-Chair
What do you do as a school governor?
I am the Co-Chair of Governors and help support the Governing Board to hold the school's senior leaders to account. I ensure we ask purposeful and challenging questions to make sure the school is achieving its aims and creating an environment where everyone is valued and inspired to achieve their best and to help others.
I sit on the Resources Committee which looks at the school's finances, and premises including health & Safety, staff wellbeing, and data protection.
What is the best bit about being a school governor at Merton Abbey?
I love the community feel of the school and am excited to be a part of it. Being a governor means I can help ensure that the school is the best it can be. I enjoy seeing the strategies and policies that we talk about in the governing meetings being implemented around the school.
What do you do in your time, when you're not carrying out your governor duties?
I have lived in South Wimbledon for over ten years and love the community feeling of the area. I work part-time for a charity addressing the problem of electronic waste, encouraging us to value our electrical items for longer by learning to fix them at community events and trying to influence policy to make items more repairable. In between being a governor, being a parent, and working part-time, I like going to the theatre and attending podcast recordings.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
I grew up in Lytham St Annes next to the sea, and my first jobs were as a chambermaid in one of the many hotels and serving in a fish & chip shop.
Cypren Edmunds
What do you do as a school governor?
I am the Chair of the Children, Families and Communities Committee (CFC). This committee centres on the school's input on the children's progression in safeguarding, behaviour, equalities, policy and community. I am also the Link Governor for online security.
What is the best bit about being a school governor at Merton Abbey?
As a local resident, I feel it is important to be mindful of one's surroundings. The school's position in the community is felt widely and having an influence on their day-to-day activities is relevant to those that reside and work locally.
I am community-minded and am Chair of the local housing estate's resident group - the High Path Community Association (HPCA). I fuse the role of Governor and Chair of HPCA to represent (with the governors and teaching staff) the residents on the estate and those in the immediate locality.
What do you do in your time, when you're not carrying out your governor duties?
Walking, reading and cooking. I'm an avid vinyl record collector (soul, jazz, funk and the various hybrids therein). I chair the Strawbale Building UK, an organisation that represents straw (bale/prefab) builders, academics and advocates of straw (and other natural building materials) in the construction sector.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
I was Surrey, South of England and Scottish Athletics Champion in the 200 metres. Personal best: 20.97 seconds .... a very long time ago!
Sandy Cowling
I have been a governor in several schools and have been Chair of Governors at Merton Abbey for the past few years. I am now retired, but spent my whole working life in education, so I greatly enjoy using my knowledge to support staff, parents and pupils at Merton Abbey. I am particularly interested in seeing the ways in which staff organise their teaching to develop the talents and overcome the difficulties of all children. I visit school regularly, so that I can keep up-to-date with Merton Abbey's activities, projects and needs. I also keep in touch with our local councillors and other members of the Local Authority.
In my spare time I enjoy walking, swimming and gardening and spending time with my husband and now adult children, all of whom attended state schools in Merton.
Marpessa Tholel
What do you do as a school governor?
I am the English and Curriculum Link Governor and I chair the Teaching and Learning Committee.
What is the best bit about being a school governor at Merton Abbey?
As a parent school governor, I can be more involved in my children's primary education. I have the opportunity to regularly monitor the school's efforts to create a thriving learning environment for children in this community.
What do you do in your time, when you're not carrying out your governor duties?
I am a stay at home mum since the birth of my second child, studying to obtain an International Diploma in Business Analysis.
I am pastoring the new-found Pentecostal Church Well of Salvation.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
As a Dutch native, I have always loved the English language. I studied it at uni, not knowing I would actually end up living in the UK.
Amedea Kelly-Taglianini
What do you do as a school governor?
As school governors, we support the school leadership team, whilst also holding them to account to ensure Merton Abbey's continued progress and success. This means getting involved in a range of activities from championing Merton Abbey's vision, values and ethos, to agreeing improvement targets and financial budgets.
What is the best bit about being a school governor at Merton Abbey?
As someone who was brought up and has lived in the local area their entire life, it is very rewarding to be giving something back to the local community and helping the next generation meet their potential.
What do you do in your time, when you're not carrying out your governor duties?
I'm a solicitor in the City by profession, specialising in corporate restructuring and insolvency.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
I'm a keen skier and triathlete, having recently qualified as an alpine Level 2 Ski Instructor and completed my second Half Ironman respectively.
Neil Trewin
What do you do as a school governor?
As a Merton Abbey Primary School governor, I work with other governors, school leadership, and other school staff members to ensure the school is running as best it can be and, where improvements are needed, to review and agree plans put forward by the leadership and staff with the specific expertise. I am the Vice-Chair of the Resources Committee and a member of the Pay Committee, so have a focus on financial planning, the school infrastructure, and matters related to staff pay. Additionally, I am the link governor for GDPR, so providing some oversight on the implementation of policies in this area.
What is the best bit about being a school governor at Merton Abbey?
The governors and staff at Merton Abbey come from a variety of backgrounds and professions which I have found great as there are really interesting insights and views into how we can approach issues needing resolution and push Merton Abbey forward into becoming an excellent school. It is great to see different perspectives on a common goal of ensuring the best for the pupils and staff at Merton Abbey.
What do you do in your time, when you're not carrying out your governor duties?
I have two young children so spend lots of time looking after them, but when I do get some free time, I really enjoy open water swimming, entering long-distance events, and often swim at Tooting Bec Lido in the cold water. My 2022 New Year resolution was to start playing tennis, making use of the courts in Wimbledon Park. While I am not particularly good, I do enjoy it!
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself
I played rugby for Singapore as a teenager, representing them at a children's event at the Hong Kong Sevens.
Ryan Neil
Michael Bradley
Mark Oglesby
Louise Rycroft, Associate Governor
Nasir Butt, Associate Governor