Bangabandhu

Our GOVERNING BODY

What is a Governing Body?

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, and ultimately to ensure that the school can be as successful as possible.

Our Governing Body works in close partnership with the Executive Headteacher, Head of School, staff and the local authority. Whilst the Executive Headteacher and Head of School are, of course, responsible for the day-to-day running of the school, the governors are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives. 

The Structure of Our Governing Body is:

1 Staff Governor, 6 Co-opted Governors, 1 Local Authority Governor, 5 Parent Governors, the Head of School and the Executive Headteacher.

The standard term of office for a Governor is four years. The Chair and Vice-Chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.

The Chair of Governors is Dr Steffan Kennett who can be contacted via the school office.

Click here to find the Governing Body 'Instrument of Government'

Our Committee Structure

Much of the work of the Governing Body is done by committees.  At Bangabandhu, we have the following committees:

  • Human Resources and Safeguarding Committee

Terms of Reference for the Human Resources and Safeguarding Committee

  • Curriculum and Standards Committee

Terms of Reference for the Curriculum and Standards Committee

  • Finance and Premises Committee

Terms of Reference for the Finance and Premises Committee

What is a Governor's Role?

Our Governors are the strategic leaders of our school and have a vital role to play in ensuring every child gets the best possible education.

Core Strategic Functions

Governing bodies have a strong focus on three strategic functions.  They are:

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
  • Holding the Executive Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils.
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Setting Strategic Direction

The Governing Body is the key strategic decision making body of our school. It is their role to set the school's strategic framework and to ensure all statutory duties are met.

Our Governing Body ensures that we have a medium and long-term vision for our future - and ensures that there is a robust strategy in place for achieving this vision.

Holding the Headteacher to Account

Our Governing Body works to support and strengthen the leadership of the Executive Head Teacher and hold her to account for the day-to-day running of the school, including the performance management of teachers.

Governing bodies should play a strategic role and avoid routine involvement in operational matters. It should focus strongly on holding the Head Teacher to account for exercising her professional judgement in these matters and of all other duties.

Overseeing the Financial Performance of the School

Our Governing Body is responsible for making sure the school's money is well spent. They do this by making sure that they have at least one governor with specific skills and experience of financial matters, and by asking questions such as:

  • Are we allocating our resources in line with our strategic priorities?
  • Are we making full use of all our assets, and efficient use of all our financial resources?
  • How do we compare with similar schools?
  • How can we get better value for money from our budget?

DfE Governance Handbook - January 2017 Update

Here are some useful Governing Body related documents:

List of Initials, Acronyms and Abbreviations Commonly Used in Education

A Competency Framework for Governance

Governor Hub

Governor Hub User Guide

How to Declare Business Interests on Governor Hub

Governor Welcome & Induction 

Keeping Children Safe in Education 2020 - Part 2

NGA Learning Link Registration

Meet our Governors

Dr. Steffan Kennett – Parent Governor. Chair of Governing Body. Chair of Curriculum and Standards Committee.

I am the (usually) enthusiastic dad to two Bangabandhu children, with my oldest first joining the school in 2010.

I have been a Co-opted Governor of the school since 2nd October 2017. I have a special interest in Science and ICT education at our school. I am a scientist in the fields of Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology and am a lecturer at the University of Essex. After family, science and teaching, I also love sport. I am a keen runner and take part in the London Marathon most years.

As a governor, and a parent, I am keen to see Bangabandhu succeed and to play my part in helping that happen. Its staff work hard to give our kids an excellent education, in an inclusive environment. In all schools, this is a team effort. So, staff need the support of its governors and parents to achieve this. 

Steffan

Cathy Phillips - Co-Opted Governor - Chair of  Human Resources, Finance & Premises Committee & SEND Link Governor

 I came to Tower Hamlets over 40 years ago as a primary school teacher. I became a headteacher in a Bow school and then moved to open Bangabandhu as a new school. I retired in 2008 and became a governor at Globe School. I am delighted to return to Bangabandhu as a governor as the school means so much to me. I have a particular interest in Special Educational Needs and the arts.

Cathy

Kabir Miah - Vice Chair of Human Resources & Safeguarding Committee & Safeguarding Link Governor

A Deputy Headteacher in a Tower Hamlets Secondary School, I have over 20 years' experience in working in education, the last ten of which have been in our borough.

As an English graduate, teacher and parent, I realise the key power that literacy, alongside numeracy has in improving the life chances of our young people.

Consequently, when the opportunity came along to serve as a Local Authority appointed governor at a forward-looking school such as Bangabandhu, I was delighted to join the school community.

Kabir

Salim Ullah - Co-Opted Governor

Martin Tune CBE - Co-Opted Governor

I currently work as an Education Consultant in Tower Hamlets, Haringey and Cambridge.  I previously worked in Tower Hamlets as a Primary School Headteacher for 23 years. 

Whilst working as a Headteacher I worked in several national initiatives including the national strategies for English and Maths and worked as a local and national leader of education.

I am pleased to support Bangabandhu as a  governor and I am especially please to work with the school at this exciting stage of its development.  

Martin

Saira Begum - Parent Governor

It is a privilege, an honour to take part in a role of a Parent Governor. I have two children who attend Bangabandhu school. As parents we are the main educators of our children. I value how Bangabandhu supports us with our children’s education.

As a Parent Governor I dedicate my time in taking up active roles towards the life of our school community. I put forward my ideas and share these along with staff and governors on how we can build future developments for our school. 

I enjoy being a Parent at this school and also a Parent Governor.

Saira

Ala Uddin Bhuiyan - Parent Governor

My aim is to engage with  the community more closely, learn and share ideas.
Academic education: 15 years.
Working experience: 10+ years.
Language speak: English, Bangla, Portuguese, Hindi.
Writing skills: English intermediate level, Bangla advanced level, Portuguese Basic.
Reading: English, Bangla, Portuguese.

Ala

Shajeda Khanom - Parent Governor

I have been part of and also the head of FOBS  (Friends of Bangabandhu) and am committed to help improve the school. I have organised and helped arrange many fund raising events at the school. I have also taken part in the Early Words programme at school to help children who would benefit from some extra help aswell as help support parents with their children's learning.

I run my own business along with my partner and have my food hygiene certificates and am very organised and methodical. I also run my own little baking business and am confident in the use of social media which could be beneficial for the school.

I have a good relationship with the teachers and parents alike and feel I would fit this role very well. I would love to see the school start to fund raise more and already have experience of this, and lastly this position is something I would enjoy doing and would give me great satisfaction.

Shajeda

Michele Inniss - Co-opted Governor

Samira Dahhane - Parent Governor

 

Ilona Wrzeszcz - C0-opted Governor

Harsh Mehta -  Co-opted Governor

Governing Body Register of Business Interests

Name of Governor

Governor in another educational establishment

Declaration of any relevant business interests

Declaration of any relationships between Governor and school staff

Dr Steffan Kennett  No None  None 
Cathy Philips  Yes - Globe Primary School None None
Saira Khan  No None  None 
Ala Uddin Bhuyian  No None  None 
Salim Ullah Yes - Swanlea School None  None
Kabir Miah  No  None None 
Martin Tune No None None
Shajeda Khanom No None None
Marie Maxwell Yes - Globe Primary School None None

Governing Body - Term of Office & Attendance at Full Governing Body Meetings

Governor Attendance at Meetings 2022 - 2023

Name Category of Governor Term of office start date

Term of office end date

Cathy Philips Co-Opted 23rd September 2019 22nd September 2023
Steffan Kennett Co-Opted 1st October 2021 1st October 2025
Saira Khan Parent  2nd March 2021 1st March 2025
Marie Maxwell Headteacher 8th February 2019 To Present
Kabir Miah Local authority 31st October 2022 30th October 2026
Salim Ullah Co-Opted 11th February 2023 10th February 2027
Martin Tune Co-Opted 19th November 2022 18th November 2026
Ala Uddin Bhuyian Parent 15th October 2021 14th October 2025
Shajeda Khanom Parent 19th November 2021 18th November 2025

Governing Body Meetings, Minutes and Visits

The full Governing Body meets six times each year and each committee meets 3 to 4 times per year.  Agendas are prepared in advance and minutes of each meeting are taken. 

Minutes are not published on the school website due to confidential items contained therein.  Copies of minutes can be requested through the school office.

Governors visit the school on a regular basis in order that they can see school improvement actions at first hand.  This is one of the methods they use to evaluate the impact of our school development plan.  A report is written following each Governor visit. 

Governors solicit the views of parents through their annual parent questionnaire.  Outcomes from these questionnaires are found on the ‘Parent View ‘page of this website.

Record of Governor attenddance at Full Governing Body Meetings 2021/2022