Governing Body

Chris Patsalis, Chair of Governors.

I am an assistant head teacher with over 20 years’ experience at a North London secondary school. I oversee the pastoral development for students as they start with us in year 7, liaising closely with our feeder primary schools, and facilitate with and follow progress and development until year 11. In addition, I am head of examinations and teach science in all key stages. One of my responsibilities is to ensure every child’s experience of school is both motivational and inspirational. I have been a member of the governing body since 2014 and this year became the Chair. The Governing body’s role is to support the school to continue to provide a friendly and engaging environment, where children actively want to learn independently and confidently. I have two children at Aldersbrook and truly believe this is a really special school. I have seen first hand how much effort the staff put in, to ensure all children are happy and confident and I am proud to be part of the community that supports Aldersbrook in being the outstanding school it is.

Name: Mr C Patsalis (Chair of Governors)
Link Governor for: Safeguarding
Date of Appointment: 27-3-18
Term of Office: 03-02-18 to 03-02-26 (4 years)
Appointed by: Governing Body
Business and financial interests: none
Governance roles in other educational institutions: none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives): none

Catheryne Hill, Vice-Chair of Governors

I have over 20 years experience working in senior management positions for public sector organisations such as the Arts Council England and the British Film Institute (BFI). At BFI, as well as leading the team who develop digital services and educational film resources, I’m also member of the Diversity and Inclusion Group and have recently trained as a mental health first aider.

My various professional roles have all had a particular emphasis on creativity, education, equality and governance. I hope to use this experience, my knowledge of bringing up two boys of my own and my role as Parent Governor to ensure Aldersbrook Primary continues to be an outstanding school.

Name - Mrs Catheryne Hill
Link Governor for: Mental Health/personal development
Date of Appointment: 18-10-18
Term of Office: 26-04-22 to 26-04-26 (4 years)
Appointed by: Parent Body (elected)
Business and financial interests - none
Governance roles in other educational institutions - none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - none

Georgina Rodgers, Co-Opted Governor.

I have two sons at Aldersbrook and am really pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to their school as a Parent Governor. I have been very happy with the care, education and extra curricular activities provided to them to date. In this role I would like to ensure this continues and help the school develop further to meet the needs of children, teachers and parents.

I am a qualified accountant and have worked in the financial services industry for over 15 years. My career in Finance has given me the opportunity to gain governance experience working as Secretary and Member of various Committees and Forums. My current role involves design, implementation and monitoring of control frameworks where it is key to enhance standards with limited resources. These skills will be transferable to overseeing the running of the School.

Name - Mrs Georgina Rogers
Link Governor for: Finance
Date of Appointment: 18-10-18
Term of Office: 26-04-22 to 26-04-26 (4 years)
Appointed by: Parent Body (elected)
Business and financial interests - none
Governance roles in other educational institutions - none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - none

Brian Hughes, Staff Governor.

I have been teaching for over 25 years and am passionate about the impact that schools should have on pupils to help them to become confident, curious and independent learners!

I have been at Aldersbrook for eight years, first as Deputy Head Teacher and more recently, Head Teacher. I am so proud of how hard all pupils, staff and wider school community work together to make this the best school that it can be.

Before taking on this role I worked for Newham Local Authority as a Teaching & Learning Consultant, supporting schools across the borough to deliver the best quality learning experiences for pupils possible. Prior to that I worked in London, Japan and Australia as a primary school teacher. These experiences have taught me that children around the world, despite their differences, all thrive under the same conditions; where they feel safe, deeply involved in their learning and where the highest expectations are modelled clearly to them in all learning experiences.

Name - Mr B Hughes
Co-Headteacher
Date of Appointment: 1.19.17
Term of Office: For the duration of headship
Appointed by: Governing Body
Business and financial interests - none
Governance roles in other educational institutions - none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - none

Julie Crouch, Staff Governor.

I love teaching! I have worked in a variety of schools including Special schools, Infants and Secondary. My passion is that we should enable all children to love learning and one of the ways this can happen is by developing a Growth Mindset. Education for me is about the whole child, their wellbeing and their academic progress. I am a Forest school Leader and Montessori trained and have enjoyed being able to use this knowledge and skill set at Aldersbrook. It is a privilege for me to work at this school and be part of an ethos that encourages all children to be confident and curious ensuring no child is left behind.

Name - Mrs J Crouch
Co-Headteacher
Date of Appointment: 01.09.22
Term of Office: For the duration of headship
Appointed by: Governing Body
Business and financial interests - none
Governance roles in other educational institutions - none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - none

Shazan Hussain, Staff Governor

I am an assistant headteacher and have been teaching at Aldersbrook for the past 5 years. I have a passion for designing and developing our curriculum so that our pupils have the necessary tools to become future leaders.
Being born and raised in inner London, I understand the importance of supporting pupils and families from disadvantaged backgrounds. I have previously led on Pupil Premium and my belief is that all children deserve the right to an education that goes above and beyond. I have a degree in English and Creative Writing but also have a passion for all things STEM. It is a privilege for me to work at this school and cannot wait to see the heights we reach next.

Name – Mr S Hussain
Assistant Headteacher
Date of Appointment: 20-12-21
Term of Office: 07-12-21 to 07-12-25 (4 years)
Business and financial interests - none
Governance roles in other educational institutions - none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - none

Manny Hothi, Parent Governor
I have two girls at Aldersbrook. The school is brilliant and plays such an important role in the local community, so I am really pleased to be able to contribute as a Parent Governor.

In my professional life I have spent twenty years working on social justice issues. I started out as a community organiser, eventually moving into working on social policy for think-tanks. I am currently the Chief Executive of Trust for London, a charitable foundation that provides funding to organisations tackling poverty and inequality in London.

I was previously a governor of a primary school in Leyton and am currently a Trustee of The Yard Theatre in Hackney. I hope to draw upon all my experience to support the school’s ambition and ensure that all children receive an outstanding, well-rounded education.

Name - Mr Manny Hothi
Link Governor for: SEND
Date of Appointment: 13-10-22
Term of Office: 13-10-22 to 13-07-26 (4 years)
Appointed by: Parent Body (elected)
Business and financial interests - none
Governance roles in other educational institutions - none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - none

Ola Hotson, Parent Governor

I have two children at the Aldersbrook and I am passionate about supporting the school leadership in providing and improving the learning, community and social environment for all students and staff.

During my career I have worked as the entertainment manager at a leading lifestyle management company and in executive assistant roles supporting the chairman and founder of a communications agency, a British fashion designer and the vice chair of a top flight football club. I started my own business in early 2021, to provide business and lifestyle support to busy people who need support on an ongoing, project or ad hoc basis and with clients ranging from multi-national businesses and charities through to small business owners and private individuals. I have a positive attitude, a critical eye and a practical, common-sense approach to problem solving which I hope to bring to this role.

Name - Ola Hotson
Link Governor for: Equality
Date of Appointment: 13-10-22
Term of Office: 13-07-22 to 13-07-26 (4 years)
Appointed by: Parent Body (elected)
Business and financial interests - none
Governance roles in other educational institutions - none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - none

Rosie Chapleo, Local Authority Governor

I am a Deputy Head Teacher with over ten years experience in inner-London primary schools. I have an undergraduate degree in Zoology, a PGCE with a specialism in Modern Foreign Languages and a Masters degree in Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment. I am passionate about ensuring we raise our children to be responsible, world citizens and I have a special place in my heart for children's literature and how it can be used as windows into imaginary worlds, mirrors of our own and doors into the lives of others.

I have two small daughters at home, as well as two nieces at Aldersbrook, and I am enjoying being a part of such a vibrant school community.

Name - Rosie Chapleo
Link Governor for: Curriculum & Pupil Premium
Date of Appointment: 13-10-22
Term of Office: 13-07-22 to 13-07-26 (4 years)
Appointed by: Parent Body (elected)
Business and financial interests - none
Governance roles in other educational institutions - none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - none

Miia Sparkes, Governor

Both my children have attended Aldersbrook Primary School and I am constantly impressed by the excellent teaching and high-quality pastoral care at the school as well as the dedication of the staff at the school. I value the close community spirit that the school encourages and thoroughly support the ethos and fundamental principles of the school.

I am currently a teacher at a local independent secondary school and have 20 years’ experience working in a variety of different educational settings, including English language schools and 11-16 state secondary schools. As both a teacher and a mum, I am completely committed to the principle that children thrive, flourish and learn best when they are in a happy and supportive environment. I am excited by the opportunity of being a governor at Aldersbrook and I am looking forward to supporting the Senior Leadership Team in shaping the future direction of the school.

Name - Miia Sparkes
Link Governor for: Curriculum
Date of Appointment: 25.03.20
Term of Office: 25.03.20 - 25.03.24 (4 years)
Appointed by: Parent Body (elected)
Business and financial interests - none
Governance roles in other educational institutions - none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - none

Father Martyn Hawkes - Governor

I have been a school governor in two primary schools previously: in Finsbury Park quite some time ago where I was vice-chair and chaired the curriculum and planning committee, and more recently at Wanstead Church school. I’m glad to have the opportunity to share in the work of a highly effective and engaged governing body at Aldersbrook.

As a local resident, a parent, and Vicar of St Gabriel’s I value the presence of Aldersbrook School in all it contributes to the community through education, and to the life of children and their wider families and caring networks locally. I hope to contribute to the links between school and wider community, as well as offering a perspective from outside the immediate school environment. As well as the hard to hide religious commitment that I bring, I have some professional experience of work in conflict transformation and mediation. I’m also mad-keen on sport, which unfortunately I spend more time watching than doing these days.

Name - Martyn Hawkes
Business and financial interests - none
Governance roles in other educational institutions - none
Any material interests arising from relationships between governors or relationships between governors and school staff (including spouses, partners and close relatives) - none