Who’s who in the LGB (ID 1125)

• Matthew Weightman
  Joint Chair of the LGB
  Matthew Weightman

  
  Matt currently works as a policy and technical advisor for HM Revenue & Customs, where he works on tax policy. However, he has always had a passion for education and improving the life chances of children. He taught English in France during his undergraduate degree and following that completed the Teach First programme, teaching modern languages in a secondary school in South Yorkshire. Since completing Teach First and joining the civil service, he has been eager to contribute again to education and is delighted to have been appointed as governor at Farnham Green.

• Michael Adofo Kwakye
  Joint Chair of the LGB
  Michael Adofo Kwakye

  
  Michael is a teaching fellow at UCL and is currently employed at London Free Royal Hospital; he believes that a good education is an invaluable tool for upward mobility and personal development. He wants to start the process of giving back to his community by contributing in ways that improve education and schools for young people. His experience in education so far has been varied. He volunteers on a UCL run scheme called "Target Medicine" the aim of which is to provide mentorship to aspiring medical students from underrepresented backgrounds. He has also tutored sixth-form students in maths and science. I would like to get involved in the managerial aspects of schools: school strategy; school finances and working with headteachers to improve overall education performance.

• Chris Curtis
  Safeguarding Trust
  Chris Curtis

  A retired Headteacher with over 30 years' experience in good and outstanding schools. Chris is (for the next 14 weeks only) a serving Headteacher of St Anthony's Catholic School in Woodford, within the Diocese of Brentwood up until July 2017. During the past 5 years she has been an active member of the Redbridge Headteacher Steering group and part of the Redbridge Education Partnership.

• Jay Gami
  Parent Representative
  Jay Gami

  
  Jay is delighted to be the new Parent Governor for Farnham Green Primary School. He has a background in procurement and supply chain, having worked in this industry for over 15 years. He is very much looking forward to using his skills and experience to drive the objectives of the school. More importantly, he would like to be a voice for all the parents at Farnham Green.

• Aaron Richards
  Parent Representative
  Aaron Richards

  
  As a Parent Governor, Aaron has a keen interest in the long-term strategy and progress of the school given he has two children who currently attend Farnham Green Primary. Aaron has worked within the higher education sector as a Finance Business Partner for over 10 years with a strong understanding of the challenges faced within the educational sector.
  Aaron has a strong passion for education and the key role it plays in forming and developing our young people of the future.

• Maddison Andrews
  SEND Link
  Maddison Andrews

  
  Maddison is an enthusiastic, inquisitive and approachable professional working as an Insight Executive for Smart Energy GB. She is accustomed to prioritising competing deadlines in a fast-paced, collaborative team supporting different departments. Maddison is confident in analysing and presenting data and making insight-cased recommendations to varying stakeholder groups. With a marketing background, Maddison hopes to support the school to show its USP and to make a difference to the life chances of the children at Farnham Green.

• Samina Ismail
  Staff Representative
  Samina Ismail

  Samina Ismail leads Maths and Mental Health and Wellbeing at Farnham Green Primary School. Samina has 12 years of experience in the classroom as well as with a range of middle leadership roles across the school, leading phase, PSHE and RE. She is also an ECT mentor for new teachers, providing ongoing coaching and support. Samina ensures pupil outcomes and wellbeing remain high priority and this is demonstrated consistently in her own practice. Samina is overjoyed at joining the Governing Body as a Teacher Governor.

• Connie Abela
  Co-Opted LGB Member
  Connie Abela

  
  Connie Abela is a Deputy Headteacher at Ray Lodge Primary School who has more than 17 years of comprehensive experience in both classroom teaching and leadership roles within mainstream primary education. As a strategic leader, Connie oversees various key areas within the school, consistently working towards enhancing the overall outcomes for every pupil. Currently, Pupil Premium Champion, where she facilitates initiatives and provisions aimed at supporting disadvantaged pupils, ensuring that every child receives the tailored support they need to thrive. Beyond her contributions within the school, Connie extends her impact to a broader educational context. She currently works with the Best Practice Network, where she facilitates training for National Qualifications, with a particular focus on the Leading Teaching programme. Through this engagement, Connie shares her wealth of knowledge and experience, contributing to the professional development of educators and the continuous improvement of teaching practices.

• Rosie Hahlani
  Director of Learning
  Rosie Hahlani

  
  Rosie Hahlani is a Director of Learning at Farnham Green Primary School. Rosie has 13 years of experience in teaching both in the classroom and as a leader in mainstream primary. Rosie oversees several key areas within the school, consistently striving to enhance outcomes for every pupil. In her current role as Trust Maths Lead, she drives the development of high-quality maths provision across the trust, ensuring that all pupils receive the support and challenge needed to excel. Alongside this, she plays a pivotal role in supporting Early Career Teachers, providing tailored mentoring and professional development opportunities to build confidence and strengthen classroom practice

• John Lee
  Head of School
  John Lee

  John Lee is the Head of Farnham Green Primary School from September 2023. Previously he was the Head of Farnham's 'sister' school, Ray Lodge Primary School - an outstanding, large primary school and Nursery in the London Borough of Redbridge. John has been a head for over 5 years. John has over 17 years' experience in teaching and leadership in both mainstream primary and special school sectors. Formerly the head of Farnham Green Primary (between 2017-2021), John successfully led the school out of 'causing concern' into good on the cusp of outstanding; in just 7 terms of opening. John currently works in close partnership with the Best Practice Network facilitating training for National Qualifications for school leaders, thus investing in the future for schools. John has a particular expertise in Inclusion and SEND, leadership and development, safeguarding, and rapid but sustainable school improvement.

• Amanda Jennings
  Chief Executive Officer of Strive4 Academy Trust
  Amanda Jennings

  
  As Chief Executive Officer, Amanda develops and articulates the vision, values and ethos for Strive4 Trust and inspires and empowers others to lead ever-progressing schools. She is responsible for the performance of Strive4 schools and is committed to creating profound learning opportunities for both pupils and staff alike; she believes in the personal and academic development of all.

  With a proven track record of educational innovation, development and improvement, Amanda has a breadth of strategic leadership experience and skills across the primary and middle school sector. Prior to her role as CEO in September 2017, Amanda had successfully led several schools from requiring improvement to good and outstanding with Ofsted reports reflecting the ambitious culture of aspiration within the schools. Amanda has particular expertise in teaching and learning, safeguarding and developing leaders and this has led to school improvement work both locally and nationally. Amanda has over 32 years' experience in Education, with over 18 years experience of being a headteacher and she has held many positions of responsibility and leadership within schools. Amanda holds both the national professional qualification for executive leaders and the national professional qualification for headship. Amanda is principally responsible to the Trust Board, Parliament and the Education and Skills Funding Agency for managing the financial resources under Trust control. This is achieved by ensuring value for money to achieve the best possible educational and wider outcomes through the economic, efficient and effective use of Trust funds.