Governing Body Statement
Trafalgar Junior School is a community school belonging to Trafalgar Schools’ Federation (TSF).
The TSF Governing Body, is a team of volunteers drawn from different sections of our community – Headteacher, staff and parents from the two Trafalgar schools and local community members & Local Authority staff from London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames.
The Federation Governors have a variety of duties and responsibilities set out by law. We are not responsible for the day-to-day running of the school, this is the job of the Headteacher and the senior leadership team, but we do set policies, make plans and monitor results and we work in a close partnership with them.
The areas of work that we are involved with include education development plans, target setting, complaint handling, performance reviews, appointment of staff and budget spending. We work to provide an environment which will give the best possible education for all the pupils in the school.
The Governing Body provides strategic leadership for the school and have overall responsibility for the way a school is run. We promote the highest standards for all the pupils, help to set the overall aims and objectives and monitor the school’s progress towards achieving them. Governors support and challenge the Headteacher by asking difficult questions, seeking information and providing constructive criticism.
Governing Body Vacancies
Trafalgar Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We currently have no vacancies.
The Role of the Governing Body
Overall, the three key roles for the Governing Body are – setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability, and monitoring and evaluating school performance.
We meet as a full governing body at least four times each year, but most of our work is carried out through our committees.
Each of these deals with a specific area of the schools’ organisation, planning and management.
- Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TL&A): In partnership with the Headteacher, this committee monitors and evaluates the school’s progress, ensuring that the school is providing every learner with the full statutory curriculum and monitors the outcome of targets set.
- Finance & Resources (F&R): This committee is tasked with effective management of the financial budget, financial, physical and human resources in accordance with its statutory duties, ensuring that the school provides a safe environment for learning and abides by the school’s Health and Safety policy.
- Pay Committee: meets in the Autumn term and then, as needed, after the F&R committee, to apply the School Pay Policy.
- Pupils, Parents & Community (PPC): This committee ensures safeguarding of pupils. It monitors the schools’ engagement with pupils, parents and carers and the wider community.
The Chair of the Governing Body is Sophie Riley.
The Vice Chair of the Governing Body is currently Laura Jennings.
If you would like to contact the Governors please email the school or the Governing Body direct at governors@trafalgarfederation.org.uk.
TSF Governing Body
Cllr Piers Allen - Local Authority Governor
Nominated by the LA and reappointed by the Governing Body on 28/09/2021 for a term of 4 years. Piers serves on F&R and Pay Committees.
Attendance last year: 7/8 meetings.
Declaration of pecuniary interests: Medical publications consultant. Trustee of Lincoln Ave Estate Residents Assn. Member of: FORCE, Friends of Kneller Gardens, Friends of Twickenham Green, Kingston Hosp Governing Council. LA responsibilities: Richmond Health & Wellbeing board, Adult Social Care, Health & Housing Committee, Twick & Rich Lib Dems, Spouse is a senior medical professional at Guys Hosp. Trustee and Director of The Mulberry Centre West Mid Hospital.
Vacancy - Co-opted Governor
Appointed by the governing body on … for a term of 4 years. … serves on … committee.
Attendance last year: 0/0 meetings.
Declaration of pecuniary interests: …
Buki Braithwaite - Co-opted Governor
Reappointed by the Governing Body on 28/09/2021 for a term of 4 years. Buki serves on PPC and F&R Committees.
Attendance last year: 6/10 meetings.
Declaration of pecuniary interests: None registered.
Personal Statement: My name is Olubukola Braithwaite but everyone calls me Buki for short.
I am married to Disun and we have 3 beautiful teenage daughters. I was born in London, bred in Lagos and matured in Isleworth. The Isleworth Whitton Croft area has been home for over 20 years and we are lucky to be part of a great community and neighbourhood.
I am a chartered management accountant by profession and work in the oil and gas industry. I feel that my extensive financial and analytical skills will enable me to add value to the strategic direction and outstanding performance of Trafalgar Infant school and Trafalgar Junior School.
I enjoy reading, cooking, fine dining and spending time with friends and family.
My aim is to meet as many children, parents and staff throughout my term at Trafalgar.
Jane Burton - Co-Opted Governor
Reappointed by the Governing Body on 12/10/2021 for a second term of 4 years. Jane serves on TL&A and PPC Committees.
Attendance last year: 10/10 meetings
Declarations of pecuniary interests: Is a member of school staff.
Personal Statement: I have been a teacher at Trafalgar Infant School since Sept 2009. Both of my children were pupils at Trafalgar and are now studying at sixth form college and university. I am currently Acting Assistant Head as well as teaching Music across Reception, Y1 and Y2 . I am the school’s Integrated Technology Lead. I find my work on the Governing body a very interesting and rewarding experience and it provides me with a wider, more strategic view of school life.
Richard Castle - Co-Opted Governor
Appointed by the Governing Body on 09/03/2020 for a term of 4 years. Richard serves on PPC Committee.
Attendance last year: 7/7 meetings.
Declaration of pecuniary interests: Owner of an IT Solutions Company and has children who attend one of the schools.
Kevin Chung - Co-Opted Governor
Appointed by the Governing Body on 29/09/2020 for a term of 4 years. Kevin serves on TL&A and F&R Committees.
Attendance last year: 8/8 meetings.
Declarations of pecuniary interests: Employed by Dukes Education whose clients include schools in the LBRuT. Has children who attend one of the schools.
Roger Hutchins - Co-Opted Governor
Appointed by the Governing Body on 21st March 2023 for a term of 4 years. Roger serves on TL&A Committee.
Attendance last year: 2/2 meetings.
Declarations of pecuniary interest: None registered
Rafina Iqbal - Staff Governor
Elected by the staff of the two Trafalgar Schools on 11/10/2021 for a term of 4 years. Rafina serves on PPC Committee.
Attendance last year: 7/7 meetings
Declarations of pecuniary interest: None registered.
Laura Jennings - Parent Governor
Elected by the parents of both schools on 07/12/2021 for a term of 4 years. Laura serves on PPC Committee.
Attendance last year: 4/6 meetings.
Declarations of pecuniary interests: None registered
Sarah Keefe - Ex-Officio
A member of the Governing Body as Ex-Officio by virtue of being Headteacher, having joined the Federation on 1st Sept 2021. Sarah serves on TL&A, PPC, F&R and Pay Committees.
Attendance last year: 13/14 meetings.
Declaration of pecuniary interests: None registered.
Vacancy - Co-Opted Governor
Appointed by the Governing Body on … for a term of 4 years. … serves on …Committee.
Attendance last year: 0/0 meetings:
Declaration of pecuniary interests: …
Sophie Riley - Co-Opted Governor
Appointed by the Governing Body as Co-Opted Governor on 03/03/2022 for a term of 4 years. Sophie serves on TL&A Committee.
Attendance last year: N/a
Declarations of pecuniary interests: Has children who attend one of the schools.
Personal Statement: None provided.
Suzie Robinson - Parent Governor
Elected by the parents of both schools on 10/10/2022 for a term of 4 years. Suzie serves on PPC Committee.
Attendance last year: N/a.
Declaration of pecuniary interests: None registered.
Maddy Row - Co-Opted Governor
Appointed by the Full Governing Body on 13/02/2023 for a term of 4 years. Maddy serves on F&R Committee.
Attendance last year: N/a.
Declaration of pecuniary interests: None registered.
Jamie Allen - Associate Member
Reappointed by the Governing Body as Associate Member on 28/09/2021 for a term of 4 years. Jamie is Deputy HT of the Junior School and serves on TL&A Committee.
Attendance last year: N/a
Declarations of Interest: None registered.
Laura Sands - Associate Member
Appointed by the Governing Body as Associate Member on 05/12/2021 for a term of 4 years. Laura is the School Business Manager for the Infant School and serves on F&R Committee.
Attendance last year: N/a
Declarations of interest: None registered.
Debbie Staynes - Associate Member
Appointed by the Governing Body as Associate member on 05/12/2021 for a term of 4 years. Debbie is the Federation Secretary and serves on PPC Committee.
Attendance last year: N/a
Declarations of pecuniary interests: None registered.
Barbara Taylor - Clerk to the Governing Body
Appointed by the Governing Body on contract since 2016 and ratified annually. Barbara provides clerking services for all the Committee and Full Governing Body meetings.
Governors who have left in the last 12 months
Simon Bradley was reappointed by the Governing Body on 28/09/2021 for a 4 year term of office. Simon resigned on 12 Sept 2023
Harry Owen was reappointed by the Governing Body on 21/10/2022 for a 4 year term of office. Harry resigned on 12th Sept 2023.
Jo Dyson was appointed by the GB on 17/05/2019 for a 4 year term of office. Jo’s term of office ended on 16/05/2023.
Ciaran Jones was reappointed by the Governing Body on 13 Sept 2022 for a 4 year term of office. Ciaran resigned on 15 November 2022.
Tom Lalonde was elected by the parents of both schools on 3 October 2018 for a 4 year term of office. Tom’s term of office ended on 2 October 2022.