John Bramston Primary School

Ms Sam Brookes - Chair of Governors - Co-Opted Governor

  Ms Sam Brookes
  Chair of Governors
  Co-Opted Governor

I have lived in Hainault for 25 years, and both my children attended John Bramston before moving on to secondary school. I became a parent governor in November 2013, and a co-opted governor in October 2020. I was elected as Chair in December 2021.

I am incredibly proud of all that the school does to support children and their families, particularly our school values and the emphasis on children’s rights at the heart of all we do. This has been recognised in our Unicef Rights Respecting Gold Award. All children have the right to an education that develops their personality, talents and abilities to the full, and the school delivers this through the breadth and quality of the curriculum that it provides. Children enjoy their learning and this gives them motivation to succeed. As safeguarding link governor, I work closely with the leadership team to ensure children’s right to be safe. Most importantly, pupils at John Bramston are confident in knowing and defending both their own rights and those of children around the world.

I am also passionate about ensuring all children develop the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. I work for the National Literacy Trust, a national charity that works to improve literacy skills in the UK. I know what a difference both families and teachers can make to children’s life chances by developing their skills and confidence around reading and writing, and am delighted to see this in action in the school’s approach.

I am proud to be working alongside our dedicated and experienced staff to ensure all John Bramston pupils leave the school ready for the next stage of their lives.

Mr Arfan Shakeel - Vice Chair - Co-Opted Governor

Mr Arfan Shakeel

Vice Chair
Co-Opted Governor

I have been a parent governor since March 2017, and have lived in the local area for over 35 years. I have enjoyed learning about how the school works and the fantastic efforts of the governing body, committed staff, senior leaders and the Head Teacher, in preparing all children with the tools and foundations to become well rounded and capable achievers.  

My professional background is over 15 years in Financial Services and Banking covering Operational Excellence, Accountancy, Audit and Risk Management. Many of my roles have involved the interpretation and adherence to internationally recognised quality standards.  

As someone whom has benefited from mentoring programmes, I feel giving back to the community can add value to young minds in achieving their true potential.  

The governorship will allow me to contribute my skillset to monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achieving its aims and objectives whilst providing strategic leadership and accountability.  ​ ​

Since being a governor I have felt privileged to work with such hardworking, motivated and dedicated staff. I have enjoyed hearing about the efforts the staff go to ensuring all pupils have the opportunity to learn in a positive, safe, warm and friendly environment embodying John Bramston’s core values.  

I believe John Bramston is going from strength to strength and I look forward to being a part of its success in the years to come.

  Mr Will Worth
  LA Governor

I am in my 9th year as a Local  Authority Governor, having previously served as a Parent Governor, and serve as the vice-chair. Most Governors will have areas of the curriculum or school they monitor and at present I have links with the school in the areas of Educational Needs and Governor Training. Since joining the Board the school has come a long way and we can all be proud of the hard work and achievements of the staff and management in getting us to the present standard. We are all looking forward to the results of the outstanding improvements we have been working through.  

I retired from the Fire Brigade almost two years ago, having served for 30 years. Whilst there I served first as an operational fire-fighter, then as an officer within the Fire Safety Regulation section. This gave me a great many skills including policy-making, internal systems auditing, management, and fire prevention. Understanding the risk based approach and base standards has also allowed me to carry out risk assessment for various bodies.  

Retirement itself hasn’t led to a raft of free time as a large chunk of it has been taken up by various commitments. Outside the school I am a churchwarden at All Saints Chigwell Row and sit on the PCC of the Church Parish of Chigwell and Chigwell Row. I ring at All Saints church and at St Marys in Chigwell, having becoming the tower master there. I have helped many people learn to ring and have re-started the ringing school there, which has recently become recognised as a local ringing centre. I also joined the Independent Appeals Panel and hear appeals for children who didn’t get into a chosen school, as well as those more unfortunate enough to be excluded. The appeals are by no means easy and can be mentally exhausting, even though there are strict guidelines to follow.

Mrs Claire Holder - Co-Opted Governor 

Mrs Letitia Dumbura - Co-Opted Governor

  Mrs Letitia Dumbura
  Co-opted Governor

I have lived locally in Barkingside for more than 10 years. I was co-opted in the Governing Body in of John Bramston primary School in May 2015 after showing passion for giving back to the community which has welcomed my family and me when we first came to live in the area. I am a Chartered Accountant working in the banking sector and wanted to use my professional skills to complement the good work being done at the school.    

Being a mother to three daughters, I am very interested in the development of children and am keen to see all children achieve their full potential in a safe and nurturing environment, to see each child come into their own.

Mr Rob Consalvey - Co-Opted Governor

Mrs Zelal Islam - Teacher Governor

  Mrs Zelal Islam
  Teacher Governor

I spent 16 years as an IT Trainer before becoming a teacher. I changed career because I have a passion for teaching and for improving the prospects of our children. As a relatively new teacher to the school, becoming a governor would allow me a broader view of how our school works from different perspectives and understand what drives key SLT decisions which affect our school.  I would support and influence the Head teacher to determine the optimum direction for the school. I believe a school governor needs to show a strong commitment to making sure there are high aspirations for all the children in our school and a  commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for all the pupils. It is important to listen and problem-solve, often creatively!  

I am really passionate about teaching and ensuring children enjoy their school experience. I will bring my individual perspective to our discussions and hope that my contribution will be of value. I want our school to continue to be a safe, nurturing, enjoyable, inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to achieve their personal best.

Mr Charlie Paddon - Parent Governor