Welcome to
Newton Farm Nursery, Infant & Junior School
Our Governing Body
Our Governing Body
What is it?
All schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. A key role is to act as a ‘critical friend’: to support, to challenge, to ask questions, ultimately to represent the school community.
The Governing Body works in close partnership with the Headteacher, staff and the Local Authority. Whilst the Headteacher is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum and standards, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives.
Membership of the Governing Body includes parents, teaching staff and representatives from the local community and the Local Authority. Newton Farm Governing Bodymeets twice each term; additionally, there are sub-committees and working parties which meet during each term:
- Finance
- Staffing
- Curriculum and Standards
- Premises
Message from the Chair of Governors
On behalf of the Board of Governors, I welcome this opportunity to briefly introduce you to the work the Governing Body undertakes to ensure that your child(ren) will receive the very best primary school education.
The Governing Body has a range of powers, legal obligations and duties laid down by various Education Acts. In the main, these responsibilities relate to:
· Setting targets and promoting high standards of educational achievement
· Setting the strategic framework within which the school operates
· Management of the school’s delegated budget
· Ensuring that the curriculum for the school is balanced and broadly based
Governors discharge the above responsibilities, together with many others, through a Governing Body meeting each term. These formal meetings are supplemented by a series of sub committee and working party meetings dealing with more specific issues. A number of governors also have responsibilities for specific issues within the school such as literacy, maths and inclusion.
Governors adopt, review and monitor a range of policies that govern the operation of the school including Health and Safety, Behaviour, Curriculum and Performance Management.
We believe Newton Farm and its Governing Body draws a unique strength from its size, fostering a close knit family atmosphere where staff, pupils, parents and Governors work together to ensure that all our pupils have the opportunity to develop to their full potential.
The Governing Body is, therefore, rightly proud of the achievements of the school, not only in terms of high academic results, but also in the solid foundations it provides in preparing all our pupils for the remainder of their formative education.
Shafi Fazaluddin - Community Governor
Chair of Governors and chair of the Curriculum committee
I am delighted to have the privilege of acting as Chair of Governors from September 2023. On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank our former Chair Julian Green for his diligence and commitment over the past 6 years. I also look forward to working with our excellent team of dedicated governors, the school leadership and our wonderful staff for the benefit of the school.
I currently have four children at Newton Farm School and am passionate about ensuring that Newton Farm maintains its excellent record of academic achievement, whilst continuing to provide a safe and nurturing school environment for young children. With its highly-driven management and staff, and its close-knit community, Newton Farm provides a unique environment in which pupils of all backgrounds, needs and abilities can flourish. I believe a close partnership between staff and parents is key to supporting pupils in their ongoing development, and the role of Parent Governor will be instrumental in cementing this partnership. As always, strong governance will be essential in providing the children with a robust education system as well as compassionate emotional support.
Professionally, after a short period in the IT profession, I practised as a lawyer in the Financial Services sector at two leading international firms in the City of London for around 15 years. Since then, I have been in academia at SOAS, University of London, as a researcher and university lecturer for around 5 years. In 2020, I completed my Doctorate degree, having previously completed two Masters degrees after my BSc. I have volunteered in primary and secondary schools for around 15 years, providing students and staff with both learning support and business mentoring.
I have worked closely with the Friends of Newton Farm in the past, negotiating a generous annual funding arrangement from a local estate agent that supports essential extra-curricular opportunities for our pupils, such as theatre visits. At the same time, I have volunteered and provided a visual display and teaching session at the school to the upper years, where I had an opportunity to interact directly with many of the pupils. I know many of you from conversations and events at the school, and I very much look forward to working closely with you, as a Parent Governor of Newton Farm School.
The Chair of Governors can be reached at the following email: sfaza.310@newtonfarm.harrow.sch.uk
Term of office: Setp 2025 - Sept 2027 - Co-opted by: Governing body - Relevant Business/Pecuniary Interests: None
Richard Appleby – Community Governor
Vice-Chair of governors and Chair of the Finance committee
I am currently the Head of Academic Quality at the University of London. Prior to this I was Assistant Registrar at City St George's, University of London, Quality Assurance Manager at SOAS and curriculum lead for PGCE teacher training & Drama Education at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama for many years.
I am a strong believer in the transformative power of education and have committed my career to facilitating this within Higher Education. I believe I am able to bring this experience and knowledge to the school as Vice-Chair of Newton Farm's Governing Body and to contribute to the development of the school as a place where children of all backgrounds and educational attainment thrive and to be a warm and inclusive school community.
Term of office: Sept 2025 - Sept 2027 - Appointed by: Governing body - Relevant Business/Pecuniary Interests: None
Hayah Choudhry - Local Authority Governor
Chair of the Pay committee
I currently work as an in-house Legal Corporate Counsel in the Financial Services industry, involved in all legal affairs related to drafting, negotiating and implementing corporate governance and business-to-business contracts. Becoming a parent inspired me to look for opportunities to participate in the education sector and I am very lucky to have found a way to contribute to the system by becoming a school governor. I migrated to the UK as a teenager from Karachi, Pakistan and settled into a very different and socially challenging schooling environment in the UK, where I completed my tertiary education and legal studies. I believe this experience puts me in a unique position to offer a different perspective on how a school, the staff and its stakeholders can enhance the schooling experience for each child. It is in my opinion vital, that we work towards a truly inclusive environment which nurtures the diverse experience of each child and works for all levels of ability, by focussing on learning goals and praising effort rather than a fixed mind-set. I can help convey this vision by highlighting the commitment, focus and determination required to succeed within the legal profession. I am excited to be part of Newton Farm’s Governing Body and contribute to the continued success of the School by supporting the Staff, students and the parents.
Term of office: Sep 2022-Sep 2026 - Appointed by: Local Authority - Relevant Business/Pecuniary Interests: None
Mr Bradley – Headteacher
I was appointed as Head teacher at Newton Farm school in September 2017. Prior to this (with the exception of a brief hiatus where I served as a Deputy Head teacher in a school in Westminster) I worked as a teacher in Newton Farm school for six years, during which time I grew to admire and respect the thriving community both in and around the school. I am thrilled to return to Newton Farm, a school which means so much to me, in the role of Head teacher, and look forward to working with the Pupils, Staff, Governors and Parents to ensure that the high standards that we have always enjoyed at Newton Farm are maintained well into the future.
Term of office: Sep 2017- Present - Appointed by: Governing Body - Relevant Business/Pecuniary Interests: None
Naqiyah Padley - Parent governor
Chair of the Safeguarding committee
As the former Chair of Friends of Newton Farm, I have significant experience in engaging and partnering with the school in delivering a range of projects inline with policies and procedures. My previous experience as an Executive Assistant to the Vice President of a global corporation ensures I am highly organised and have exceptional budget management skills. My goal would be to work with the governing body to ensure all of our children, regardless of their ability or background, receive a well rounded and holistic education delivered in a range of learning styles. With three children across Infant and Junior school, I am a resourceful and approachable person with the motivation and time to commit to the role of Parent Governor.
Term of office: Jan 2025- Jan 2026 - Elected by: Parents - Relevant Business/Pecuniary Interests: None
Saniya Khedkar - Parent governor
It brings me immense pleasure to take up the role as the Parent Governor in Newton Farm School. I have always striven for the betterment of the kids and school community as a whole. Over the years, I have been actively involved with the school and have contributed with considerable voluntary work. As an Ex Chair of the Friends of Newton Farm, I also got the opportunity to closely work with parents and school which has given me further motivation to work towards the improvement of the school. With time I have also realised that working for the community brings me immense happiness and fulfillment. I will give in my best to the role and do the maximum in my capacity to tick every detail with great enthusiasm. I look forward to learnnig and growing as I progress in my role and bring the best out for our much deserving students, faithful parents and our dedicated staff and achieve the best for our school.
Term of office: July 2024 - July 2028 - Co-opted by: Parents - Relevant Business/Pecuniary Interests: None
Sudeep Kshirsagar - Community Governor
I joined the governing body in July 2024 as Co-Opted Governor. I have 15 years’ experience in senior roles across banking and technology organisations, currently working as Director at UBS AG. Having worked in a highly regulated environment, I believe that the skills I have gained over the years will be of value and will help support the Governing Body and whole school community.
My goal is to work with the school’s highly regarded leadership team to drive for improvement and ensure our children can thrive in a supportive and nurturing environment. As a father to primary school age children, I realise what an important role schools and particularly teachers play in developing our children.
Term of office: July 2024 - July 2025 - Elected by: Governing body - Relevant Business/Pecuniary Interests: None
Nimasha Kuruppu - Staff governor
I have been a teacher for four years and currently teach Year 6, where I enjoy guiding pupils through this important stage of their primary education. During my time at the school, I have developed a real passion for creating an engaging and supportive learning environment that helps children to thrive both academically and personally. I believe education should not only equip pupils with knowledge and skills, but also inspire confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning that will stay with them for life.
As the staff governor, I am excited to broaden my contribution to the school by supporting the decision-making process and ensuring the voices of staff and pupils are represented. I look forward to working alongside colleagues, parents, and governors to help nurture young minds, strengthen our school community, and continue building an environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Term of office: Sept 2025 - Sept 2026 - Elected by: Staff- Relevant Business/Pecuniary Interests: None
Please click on the link below to see our Equality Information & Objectives Policy . . .
Governance documentation
If you wish to get in contact with a School Governor please contact the School Office.