Governance
The Governing Board is accountable to the SOLA Multi-Academy Trust which is in turn accountable to the Department of Education. SOLA is responsible for the money that has been delegated to the school.
The Local Governing Board oversees the running of the school and is also responsible for the standard of education the school provides. There are particular statutory responsibilities in relation to, for example, admissions, attendance and behaviour, curriculum, provision for children with special educational needs, premises, staffing, finance, complaints and inspections.
In essence, the conduct and overall management of the school is under the direction of the Governing Board. They work at the strategic level, the day-to-day management of the school is the responsibility of the Head of School, who reports to the Governing Board.
Governors Information 2023-2024
Register of Interest 2023-2024
Our Governing Board consists of:
- The Head of School;
- Up to 4 Governors who are parents and are directly elected by the parent body;
- Up to 2 Governors who are employed by the academy and who are directly elected representatives of the staff;
- Up to 7 Co-opted Governors;
- Clerk to the Governing Body.
Governors are appointed for a term of 4 years. Parent Governors can complete their term even if their child leaves the School.
Governors also have particular responsibilities in the following areas:
- Safeguarding
- Disadvantaged and Recovery
- Special Education Needs and Disabilities
- Health and Safety
- Risk
Stacey Taylor - Headteacher
I have been Headteacher at Orchard Way Primary School since September 2019 and have experience working and leading a range of settings; from a half-form entry village school to a three-form inner-city school. I am passionate about the importance of culture at Orchard Way; I see our role as developing future citizens and prioritise equally the social-emotional development of children with their academic achievement.
Thouraya Walker – Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor
I am a Chartered Accountant with 15 years’ experience primarily in the Financial Services sector. Currently I am a Finance Director of a technology company as well as running my own independent finance consultancy.
Thomas Rice - Vice Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor
I am a postdoctoral research scientist with experience working in industrial, clinical and academic laboratories. In my current role at Queen Mary University and St. Bartholomew's Hospital, I am investigating genes that are involved in the development of disorders of the endocrine system.
Cherry Bartholomew - Staff Governor
I have been a teacher for over thirty years and I have spent the majority of my career teaching in Croydon schools. I have taught mainly in Reception, although I have also taught in Nursery, Year 1 and Year 2 classes. I have been at Orchard Way Primary School for seven and a half years. I am currently responsible for both EYFS and Key Stage 1. I am the assistant head teacher and the subject coordinator for science, RE, PSHCE and British Values. Through my role, I am committed to the well-being and development of the whole child and I aim to make a positive contribution to the caring and community-spirited ethos of the school.
Lorna Crooks - Co-opted Governor
I am a Civil Servant with the Home Office where I manage other staff and give lots of policy and operational support and advice. Working in a large organisation means I liaise with a lot of internal and external stakeholders. I am an active member of my church where I am the church clerk responsible for keeping the records and administration. In the past have been a foster sister and supported teenagers to become independent. I love spending time with the young members of my family, friends and church. One of my passions is to volunteer on projects which I have done for a charity (ADRA – Adventist Development & Relief Agency). I also love to be creative and am an expert knitter. I live locally and am keen to contribute within the community.
Heeral Davda - Co-opted Governor
I’m a mother to 3 young children, and passionate about children’s education and the foundation it sets for future life outcomes. Professionally, I’m a principal speech and language therapist with over 10 years’ experience working in the NHS with children who have Speech, Language and Communication Needs. I now have my own private clinic. I’m an advisor for Speech and Language UK – the UK’s communication charity and I’m also part of the Professional Practice & Policy committee for the Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists. I live locally and I’m keen to support the local community.
Romana Janku - Parent Governor
My two children attend Orchard Way Primary School (OWPS) and I’m an active member of the community and the current chair of the PTA. I am a Senior Global Portfolio Manager at Westminster Foundation for Democracy. I’m keen to use my experience to add value to the Local Governing Board and to OWPS as a whole.
Mudassar Malik - Parent Governor
Please click on the link below for the Governor Meeting Schedule:
We are required by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) to publish attendance details of Governors Meetings:
Orchard Way Primary School Local Governing Body Committee Meetings, 6:30pm
Meeting 1 - Thursday 28 September 2023
Meeting 2 - Thursday 7 December 2023
Meeting 3 - Thursday 1 February 2024
Meeting 4 - Thursday 14 March 2024
Meeting 5 - Thursday 9 May 2024
Meeting 6 - Thursday 4 July 2024
OWPS Governors Attendance Record 2022-2023Please email the school office on officeowps@solamat.co.uk if you require agenda or minutes of any school governor meeting.