Governors

The Governing Body at Elizabeth Selby Infant School works in partnership with the Headteacher and staff to ensure the school provides the best possible education for all children.

Governors are volunteers who help the school by providing strategic oversight, support, and challenge. They are not involved in day-to-day management.

What Governors Do

  • Set the school’s strategic direction
  • Hold leaders to account for educational standards and safeguarding
  • Oversee financial performance and resource management
  • Act as a “critical friend” to support school improvement

Governing Body Structure

Our governing body includes:

  • Co-opted Governors
  • Parent Governors
  • Local Authority Governors
  • Staff Governors
  • Associate Members (non-voting)

Current Governors

Richard Ellis – Chair of Governors (Co-opted)

Richard leads the governing body and ensures governors work effectively together. He has experience in school leadership and governance and focuses on strategic planning, accountability, and school improvement.

Oliver Hopwood – Vice Chair / Safeguarding Governor (Local Authority)

Oliver supports the Chair and takes a lead role in safeguarding oversight. He ensures safeguarding policies and procedures are robust, regularly reviewed, and effectively implemented.

Shahi Ahmed – Headteacher (Staff Governor)

Shahi provides the governing body with insight into day-to-day school leadership and improvement priorities. He works closely with governors to implement the school’s vision and development plan.

Abu Forhad – Parent Governor

Abu brings a parent perspective to the governing body, helping ensure decisions reflect the needs of families and pupils. He supports communication between parents and the school.

Rayhan Uddin – Parent Governor

Rayhan contributes a strong understanding of the school community and supports governors in reviewing school policies and outcomes from a parent viewpoint.

Elijah Marshall – Co-opted Governor

Elijah supports the governing body with a focus on school improvement and accountability. He brings external experience to help challenge and support leadership decisions.

Jazpreet Rana-Patel – Co-opted Governor

Jazpreet contributes experience in community engagement and organisational development, helping the governing body consider wider community impact and inclusion.

Karen Breen – Associate Member (Staff)

Karen supports the governing body by contributing operational and staff-level insight. She is not a voting member but provides valuable information to support decision-making.

 

Key Roles

Chair of Governors
Provides leadership to the governing body and ensures effective governance, accountability, and strategic direction.

Safeguarding Governor

Leads oversight of safeguarding arrangements, ensuring all policies and procedures keep children safe.

Headteacher Governor

Provides operational insight and works closely with governors to implement school priorities.

Guidance for Parent Governors

Paper copies of minutes can be made available if and when required. Please contact our admin team on 0207 739 6187 or email at admin@elizabethselby.towerhamlets.sch.uk 

For more information please contact 020 7364 3141 or email Governor.servicessection@towerhamlets.gov.uk