Governors
The chair of the Grove Road Primary School governing board is Ken Emerson who was appointed by the local authority.
The main role for governors is to support the Headteacher and staff. Governors help to set and reach targets and to strive for excellence. Governors are essential to the work of the school and are legally responsible for it. They are not however, involved in the day to day running of the school.
The two key documents used for this are the School Development Plan and the Summary Self Evaluation Form (SEF). The SDP sets out our strategic plan for the school, with targets that everyone works towards, and the SEF sets out how well the school is doing and where we aim to make improvements.
Governors have a duty and focus on:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.
The full Governing Body meets at least once every half-term. At this meeting the Headteacher reports to all governors about learning, progress, staffing, financial and premises matters. No committees are held.
There are several categories of Governor, appointed by different groups that have an interest in the school including from the community, parents and staff.
An associate member on a governing board is appointed to provide specific skills and expertise to the board. They are not governors and do not have voting rights on the full governing board.
The governors are committed to providing an excellent environment for all pupils to enjoy during their time at our school.
If you would like any additional information about our School Governors, please ask for information from the office.
To contact the Chair of Governors, please contact the school office using office@groveroad.hounslow.sch.uk with emails clearly marked for the attention of the Chair.
Our Governing Board
Ken Emerson – Chair of Governors
I am the Chair of the Governing Board and Local Authority Governor. My interest in becoming a Governor started when my children were at Primary School and I was a volunteer on a school trip to the British Museum. I enjoyed being part of the School Community so much I wanted to give something back.
I have been a Governor in different schools for over ten years and successfully gone through three Ofsted Inspections. Grove Road is particularly special with its family feel, commitment to inclusion, and wanting the best for all pupils.
My professional background means I can bring in skills around safeguarding, recruitment, strategic thinking and meeting targets. All necessary things to ensure the Governing board and school are well supported.
As a local resident of 40 years, I am proud to be part of the local community.
Hardeep Walia – Vice Chair of Governors
I have lived in Hounslow all my adult life, now that I have more time, I feel its import to give back to the local community. I got the opportunity to become a governor during covid; it’s something I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to do.
I get asked why primary and not secondary school and why Grove Road. The answer is quite simple.
In the words of Whitney Houston,
‘I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside, give them a sense of pride to make it easier’
For me, Reception and Early Years is the foundation of most children’s lives, which is why I am the link governor for Early Years. I am proud of how Grove Road goes the extra mile in to make the school inclusive, encourages children to be creative and ensures that all children have the best possible start in life, not just in education but also in being good citizens.
I bring 20 years of marketing and 10 years of procurement skills, mostly in large corporations. This allows me to have critical but constructive insights into the children’s progression, and ask the question, ‘What can we do to improve outcomes?’
In addition, I also volunteer at Hounslow Gurdwara, where I sit on the committee, looking at upgrading the infrastructure.
Catrin Evans – Co-Opted Governor
Catrin grew up in West Wales where her parents were both teachers at local education authority schools. They inspired her to join the Board and being passionate about our wonderfully diverse Grove Road School community. Catrin has been a proud Londoner since the age of 18. She has worked tirelessly in the London community, which has included being a community outreach worker in Notting Hill at the time of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Passionate about Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Catrin has volunteered extensively as mentor, hospice volunteer, recovery worker with Mind, and as a bereavement counsellor within diverse London communities. Her career in agile project management within data, tech, Science, Health and AI has spanned working at the London Ambulance Service, Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, The Alan Turing Institute and currently within Data for Science and Health at Wellcome.
Catrin is extremely proud to be School Governor at Grove Road and is committed to our school’s vision and culture, being part of our beautifully diverse School Community, our ambitious School Development Plan, and collaborating to achieve together.
Catrin is proudly neurodiverse. She holds a BMus from the Royal Academy of Music, BSc in Psychology from The Open University, and an MPhil from the University of Cambridge. Catrin is STEM Governor and enjoys working alongside the talented Board of Governors, Mrs Beckford, School leadership, Miss Johnson, Hounslow colleagues, and all the teachers, staff and pupils at Grove Road, to provide robust visible governance and shape the future direction of travel. Catrin is proud to have been a part of the first cohort of ‘Success on the Board’ (Advance HE & Wellcome), which is a development programme targeted at people from groups currently underrepresented on governing bodies.
Barinder Sandhu – Co-Opted Governor
Hello, my name is Barinder. I am a co-opted governor and I started in the post in September 2024. I am a retired lecturer, my career has been in education. Currently I am a volunteer at a local place of worship as head of education.
I am excited to get involved and ensure our children have the best possible learning experience and environment – a place where their creativity, potential and knowledge can thrive and where we can develop skills and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Idris Bora – Parent Governor
I joined the governing body to gain greater insight into school operations and to support positive change in an evolving educational environment.
Professionally, I work in product marketing management, bringing a strategic and collaborative approach to my role as a governor.
I have two children in primary education and, through both personal and professional experience; I have a strong interest in supporting high-quality education and outcomes for all pupils.
Baldeep Kaur – Parent Governor
We are currently looking for a co-opted governor to join the board. Please contact the office to find out more.
