Welcome to the Cecil Road Primary and Nursery School Governors’ page.

As school governors, we have the responsibility of raising school standards.  The three key areas of responsibility are: 

• setting a strategic direction
• ensuring accountability
• acting as a critical friend to the school and its management

We are all passionate about the success of the school and our aim is to ensure that every child is given the best education.  We believe that this can be achieved by increasing children’s knowledge, improving their skills and helping to develop their personal attitudes and values.  The governors work extremely closely with the school and regularly monitor and challenge the work of the leadership team to ensure that every child’s learning and life experiences are enriched and enhanced.

There are four categories of governor at our school:

• Community Governors
• Local Authority Governors
• Parent Governors
• Staff Governors

At Cecil Road Primary and Nursery School, all governors put the needs of the children at the heart of all decision making.  We are involved in decisions regarding the school development  plan, safeguarding of children, learning and development, staffing, finance and budgets, health and safety and school policies to name but a few.

Our aim is ensure that all our children become confident, secure and caring individuals who achieve personal success and develop a love of learning.

School governors are the largest volunteer force in the country and here at Cecil Road School we are extremely proud of the school’s achievements, its children and its hard-working staff.

 

Who can be a school governor? 

• Almost everyone over 18 can become a member. Governance committee members are volunteers from all walks of life – everyone has experience and skills to offer
• An effective governance committee has people from different backgrounds and with a mix of skills. No formal qualifications are needed to be a member
• Governance committee members are not education experts – they are there to offer a fresh perspective

What makes a good governance committee member?

• The ability to work in a team
• An interest in education and a commitment to the school
• Patience, energy and enthusiasm
• A willingness to listen, learn and to spend time in school
• A willingness to undertake training

If you are interested in becoming a Governor please contact the email below or speak to a member of staff before or after the school day. 

Governors@cecilroad.co.uk

Chair - Lorna Nolan (Local Authority Governor)

Lorna Nolan is married with four children and five grandchildren , three who attend Cecil Road School. Lorna has been a governor for many years in various local schools and has seen enormous changes in education and standards in primary age schooling.

Lorna feels it is a privilege to support and be asked to be a Local Authority Governor at Cecil Road School and is looking forward to working alongside other members of the governing body and school staff.

Her personal hobbies are gardening, embroidery, and volunteering at a homeless shelter.

Rupinder Sodhi - Parent Governor

Rupinder joined the governing team in September 2018. Her professional experience in marketing will help to support the great work the school is doing to keep the website relevant and engaging for the school community.  As a student of Cecil Road, Rupinder is proud to be able to support the governing body to create a creative, compassionate environment to help children thrive. A mother of two, both attending Cecil Road School, she enjoys travelling both personally and from work, sharing her experiences with the family.  Rupinder and the family enjoy the great outdoors and supporting local communities.

Victoria Northern - Staff Governor

I started my time at Cecil Road as a parent volunteer in EYFS in 2005. Throughout the years, my roles and responsibilities in the school have increased. My three grown-up children all attended Cecil Road, while I worked as a teaching assistant,  HLTA, and finally became a fully qualified teacher! I am currently a Year 5 teacher and Oracy Lead. 

As you can probably tell,  I absolutely love Cecil Road's dedication to the children, staff and families. I believe our values and commitment to each child's success is the reason it is such a special place to learn and grow. Deciding to become the Staff Governor means that I can continue to invest in our pupils, and learn even more about how to help our children succeed.  

Steve Gallears - Co-opted Governor 

I have an array of educational experiences, currently as Headteacher of Northfleet Technology College and before that as Deputy Headteacher (Inclusion) at a large, all-through comprehensive school in Lewisham. I studied Theology at The University of Leeds and have a Master’s Degree in Education from UCL’s Institute of Education. I am a fully qualified SENCO, DSL and specialise in inclusive school practices. I have extensive experience in curriculum design and teaching and learning pedagogies. I have a good working knowledge of assessment, recording and reporting processes in a primary setting. I am passionate about delivering a world class education every day, ensuring that all children make excellent progress both inside and outside of the classroom and leave school (at all phases) with a clear future path, equipped to thrive in 21st century Britain and beyond. I joined the Governing body at Cecil Road as I want to support the educational achievement and progress of children in Northfleet and their well-being. I believe that my experience as an educational leader would benefit the local community in this role. Outside of my professional life, I am a committed family man, a keen sports fan and gardener.

 

Emma Ellerington - Co-opted Governor

Emma Ellerington serves as a Co-opted Governor at Cecil Road Primary, with a focus on curriculum oversight. In this role, she collaborates with school leadership to ensure a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all pupils. Emma's background in education, including her current position as Deputy Headteacher at Shears Green Junior School, informs her contributions to the governing body.

As Curriculum Lead, Emma supports the school in monitoring the implementation and impact of the curriculum. She is committed to helping Cecil Road Primary provide an enriching educational experience that fosters the growth and development of every student. Emma's dedication to education and her professional insights make her a valuable member of the governing team.

Jake Fisher - Co-opted Governor 

Jake has two children at Cecil Rd and brings a range of experience in education and mental health that will benefit the school. Jake spent 10 years working at an SEN school in a variety of leadership roles and now works as a therapist in central Gravesend.

Jake understands some of the challenges faced by schools and families and is keen to use his knowledge and experience to support the excellent work the staff are doing.

When time allows, Jake enjoys music technology, cooking and writing.

Grant Roe - Parent Governor 

I have recently joined the governing team in 2024, as a parent governor. I have two children, one of which recently started at Cecil Road, and I have been so impressed with the school and the community that it has built. The school has a clear dedication to the students and this is something I am very proud to be a part of. As a teacher myself, I hope that I can bring my own insights and experiences from other schools to the Cecil Road community. In my personal life, I am a huge sports fan (particularly rugby) and enjoy spending time with my family outdoors. 

Grant 

Thank you for taking the time to find out more about our Governing Body and if you would like to contact us, please do so by phoning the school 01474 534544 or via the governors email: governors@cecilroad.co.uk