Governor Details

What do Governors do?

All state schools in Merton are required to have a governing body. There are three core functions of our governing body: (1) to ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school, (2) to hold the headteacher and senior leadership team to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff, and (3) to oversee the financial performance of the school and make sure its money is well spent. In other words, the governing body exists to both support and challenge the school.

Governors are volunteers and are appointed to represent all parts of the school community: parents, teaching and support staff, Merton and community interests. We are expected to attend meetings regularly and visit the school at least once per term so that we have opportunities to talk to staff and children. This helps us to understand how Merton Abbey works and what we can do to make it even better.

We are always pleased to talk to anyone who is interested in finding out more about what we are doing as governors. You are also welcome to read our Governors’ Impact Statement that highlights the work we have done over the last academic year. Moreover, if you think you might be interested in joining as a governor, please feel free to speak to one of the governors or the headteacher about how to join the governing body.

Governors’ Committee Structure

In addition to the full governing body meeting once a term, we also have termly committee meetings which focus different aspects of monitoring and evaluating our core functions. The following is the current list of committees, along with the membership:

Children, Families and Community Committee

The Children, Families and Community Committee focuses on pupil wellbeing, community links, matters related to equality and diversity, communications with parents and carers, extracurricular activities, attendance and admissions.

Cypren Edmunds (Chair)

Mamie Barden (Vice Chair)

Amedea Kelly-Taglianini

School Lead - Lynsey Eversden, Assistant Headteacher

Resources Committee

The Resources Committee is responsible for monitoring the school’s budget, the recruitment and wellbeing of staff, and the premises.

Frances Cresswell (Chair)

Neil Trewin (Vice-Chair)

Ryan Dale

Louise Rycroft (Associate Governor)

Nasir Butt (Associate Governor)

School Lead - Michael Bradley, Headteacher

Teaching and Learning Committee

The Teaching and Learning Committee monitors and evaluates pupil achievement and the quality of teaching, ensuring the school delivers a broad and balanced curriculum in keeping with the school's aims, all pupil needs and legal requirements.

Marpessa Tholel (Chair)

Mark Oglesby

Sandy Cowling

Elizabeth Robertson

School Lead - Aisling Dougan Cleary, Assistant Headteacher

Governors’ Attendance Record

Governors’ attendance at meetings is monitored and recorded to check that members are present and carrying out their duties.