Governance is a key element of the leadership and management of the Griffin Schools Trust (GST) itself and of the schools individually and collectively. Please click here to see our Governance Structure.

The Trust (itself accountable to DfE) is the body to whom schools are directly accountable. It delegates autonomy to each Local Governing Board/Body (LGB) or School Improvement Board (SIB) according to the Scheme of Delegation.

The Trust Board is made up of experts in UK and international education as well as private sector professionals with a wide range of commercial experience and expertise. In keeping with our vision we also place an emphasis on attracting Trustees who have backgrounds and networks in Sport and the Arts. The Board acts as guardian to the Trust vision, and ensures that progress towards its fulfilment is underpinned with the highest standards of compliance with our regulators so that public funding is very well-used.

Serving as a governor in a GST school requires a commitment to the seven principles of public life and to a code of conduct which puts the school and its pupils at the centre. GST governors meet formally every thirteen weeks (i.e. once every school term) and much of the real work is done between these meetings, through Working Groups and individual contributions to the school’s life according to each governor’s skills and the needs of the school.

The role is very different from that of a governor in a Local Authority school, recognising that the Head is the school’s Chief Executive and the Board is there to advise, support and challenge through appropriate channels and to evidence the impact that governance is having on the school’s progress. As in the world of non-executive directors, GST governors are expected to bring their skills to bear and to work in co-operation and collaboration with the staff team, the whole Local Governing Body and the Trust to bring about rapid and sustained improvement for the pupils they serve.

The Trust is responsible for the appointment, performance management and professional development of the Heads, though the LGB’s work has a vital role to play in highlighting and evidencing the impact that the Head and governors are making through their termly meetings. Through their work in and for the school, governors come to know the school community and to be well-informed about its performance, able to talk about it confidently and accurately to the Trust, to Ofsted, to parents and to interested local groups.

We very much appreciate the work that governors do and the part they play in the success of the schools they serve and indeed of the Trust. We hope that governors find reward in the impact they make on young lives and their individual experience of the living reality of the GST motto: Proud Traditions Wide Horizons High Achievement.

The East London Governing Board is:

Justin Creasey
Simon Hills
Anne Powell – Chair
Ruth Rose
Margaret Upama

Justin Creasey

Justin has leadership experience in primary and secondary schools as a Head, Executive Head and School Improver. A maths specialist, he has a keen interest in pedagogy and curriculum innovation and since joining GST, he has worked with schools to make sustainable step changes in outcomes and to speed their journeys to Griffin Great.

Simon Hills

Simon has extensive experience working in the music industry and brings expertise in arts administration, curation, events management, promotion, communications and people management to his role as a Governor. Simon has two children at Willow Brook Primary and his interest in being a school governor came from his work with the Parent Teachers Association; the Friends of Willow Brook. Seeing schools through the eyes of a parent and a desire to make a difference for all children, has driven Simon’s determination to be actively involved in promoting the vision of Proud Traditions, Wide Horizons and High Achievement.

Anne Powell

Chair

Anne has a long and proud association with Riverley Primary School. She was appointed Head in April 2013 after working there as a teacher and leader for many years. Her leadership experience includes key curriculum and inclusion priorities across all primary key stages. Leading in diverse, inner-city schools was always Anne’s ambition and she has devised innovative approaches to working with hard to reach communities. As a music graduate, she is always looking to promote the arts in education and was proud that Riverley hosted the first Griffin Arts Festival (GAF) in July 2014.

Ruth Rose

Ruth is a biochemical scientist working at Queen Mary University of London and has extensive experience of educating university students, with particular experience of supporting those with neurodiverse diagnoses. As a STEM ambassador, Ruth enjoys challenging preconceptions related to science, research and university. She believes strongly that education is about more than the regurgitation of facts and understands the great importance of a broad and balanced curriculum. Ruth is a parent of two children at Riverley: one in KS1, one in KS2. Ruth plays several musical instruments and is a keen member of a local running club.

Margaret Upama

Margaret is a retired teacher who taught at and was a member of the Senior Leadership Team of Church Mead Infant School and was working at the school when it was rebuilt and became Riverley Primary School. Having been part of Riverley since it opened, Riverley is very close to her heart and she continues as a Governor to develop the school using her experience, skills and knowledge. Margret’s experience ranges from working in Children’s Homes, to teaching in schools, to being a Professional Tutor at the University of East London. Her expertise are in Mathematics, where she holds a Masters Degree in Mathematics Education. Now retired, Margaret enjoys handcrafting, reading and writing.

Humairah Joomun – Clerk
eastlondonclerk@griffinschoolstrust.org
0208 539 1428

Address of Chair:
Willow Brook Primary, Church Road, Leyton, London, E10 7BH