Governors
Michael Faraday School is supported by a governing body of fourteen people. We come from all walks of life and bring many different skills and experiences to the job. What unites us is a desire to see the best for the school of which we are all very proud.
Our main responsibility is overseeing school improvement. This means ensuring that we maintain high pupil achievement and standards – but also, just as importantly, the personal development and well-being of all our children.
Who makes up the governing body?
Parent governors: Any parent of a child registered at Michael Faraday School may run for election, make nominations and vote.
In addition, all members of staff (teaching and support) have the same opportunity to stand for / nominate and vote for staff governors.
Other members are either from the Local Authority (LEA governors) or are Community governors – members of the local community who have an interest in the school.
Current Governors:
Angus Norman
Angus has been an LEA governor since 1998 and has served on most of the committees. He has recently being appointed Chair. He hails from Sunderland but has lived and worked in London for many years and is Chief Executive of a new Wave Energy company.
“Having come from a working class background with very little education, I have a passion to see children get on in life. I believe in being recognized for your achievements, encouraged for you efforts, and having respect for yourself as well as others around you. We can and have done so much at Michael Faraday to make our children really feel that there are no limits and they ALL have far to go.”
Bernard Dainton
Bernard is Deputy Chair of the governing body. He is also chair of the finance sub-committee, and sits on the premises sub-committee. He was an engineer in the aerospace industry for some years, then retrained for the Christian ministry in the early 1990s, leading a small church in Peckham from 1992-2009. He has worked for charities helping people to find work, and is now an independent business consultant.
“I’ve always been concerned for social justice, and I’m particularly proud of the way Michael Faraday School empowers its pupils to follow their dreams, despite the disadvantages of the neighbourhood.”
Sara Faulkner
Sara is a parent governor with a son in the juniors. She has a post-graduate degree in community development and has worked in social care and education. This included working with autistic children, adults & children with learning difficulties, and teaching in mental health secure units. Sara has experience in child-minding too, but currently organizes market research focus groups ranging on anything from knife-crime to shampoo!
“I was so impressed by the confidence and animation of children at Michael Faraday School. There’s genuine affection and mutual respect between them and the staff… I’m particularly interested in children exploring their passions and parental involvement.”
Meriam Soopee
Meriam is a parent governor with one son in the juniors and another coming up the ranks. She is a radio producer and has worked for many years at the BBC World Service. It’s a stimulating, cosmopolitan environment – and was founded to inform, educate and entertain: aims not a million miles from those of Michael Faraday School. Meriam sits on the Curriculum committee and is link governor for Literacy.
“I did really well out of the State school system, growing up in Inner London through the 70’s and 80’s. Now, it’s my turn to give something back.”
Richard Turney
Richard joined the governing body in 2007 whilst living near the school and is currently chair of the Personnel Committee. He is a barrister specialising in planning and public law.
“I was fortunate to have a fantastic education to set me up for my career, and I am committed to helping Michael Faraday provide the same for all its pupils. It’s therefore an honour to be a small part of this great school.”
Abigail Whiteley
Abigail came over to the UK from South Korea in 1998. She worked in nursing and medical administration before starting a family. She has two children at the school both of whom love it, and she became a parent governor in 2008.
“I wanted to be more involved in the local community – so many things are different from my life back in Korea, especially the education system. Becoming a governor has helped me achieve this.”
Steve Cleary
Karen Fowler
Joanna Holroyd
Darryl Parker
Abdul Sessay
Sophie Bradford
Mrs Adewale
