Hermitage Governors
Our Governing body works very closely with the Headteacher and the whole school community to make sure that the school is always improving.
They can be contacted via the school office.
The Governing body meets twice a term.
The governing body is responsible in law for the school, but it has a strategic role and doesn’t get involved in operational matters like teaching or timetabling – these are the responsibility of the headteacher. The governing body holds the headteacher to account for her decisions by providing support and challenge, ensuring that all statutory duties are met and holding the headteacher to account for the impact of the school’s work on improving outcomes for all pupils.
Governing bodies have three main roles:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos & strategic direction
- Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school & its pupils, and the performance management of staff
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent
The governing body welcomes suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents/carers. If you are interested in becoming a governor, or would like to contact governors, you can write to the Chair of Governors, Polly Jones, via the School Office or by email:
Please click on the links below for further information:
Headteacher
Name: |
Zoe Howe |
Type of Governor: |
Headteacher |
Governor responsibility: |
|
Time on the GB: |
Since 2009 |
What you do for a job and briefly what it involves: |
Leading and managing Hermitage Primary School with 60 staff and 292 children to get the best outcomes for all our children. |
What you like to do in your spare time: |
Enjoys long walks with her dog, and tending to her garden. Loves being inspired by the art, music and theatre in London and enjoys a good book, when she gets the chance! |
Chair of Governing Body
Name: |
Polly Jones |
Type of Governor: |
Parent Governor |
Governor responsibility: |
Chair of governors. |
Time on the GB: |
Since November 2014 |
What you do for a job and briefly what it involves: |
Director of Brick Lane Bookshop, bookseller with focus on children’s books. Freelance event organiser and consultant for overseas charity organisation. |
What you like to do in your spare time: |
Enjoys spending time with family, cooking, reading, swimming, walking, cultural activities. Participant on the Governor Leadership Programme; Active interest in overseas charities. |
Chair of Resources Committee
Name: |
Richard Tyndall |
Type of Governor: |
Local authority Governor |
Governor responsibility: |
Chair of Resources |
Time on the GB: |
Since November 2017 |
What you do for a job and briefly what it involves: |
Freelance Consultant in local government sector |
What you like to do in your spare time: |
Enjoys going to the theatre, the opera, cycling, and France |
Vice Chair of Resources Committee
Name: |
Yasemin Lamy |
Type of Governor: |
Parent Governor |
Governor responsibility: |
Member of Resources, Teaching and Learning Committees. |
Time on the GB: |
Since March 2016 |
What you do for a job and briefly what it involves: |
Advisor for global impact investors across sectors and regions. Now working on strategy, research and innovation for Omidyar Network. Also experienced in fund structuring, corporate venturing and transactional advisory. |
What you like to do in your spare time: |
Enjoys black and white photography, writing children’s stories and exploring the natural world with her children. |
Name: |
Amanda Owen |
Type of Governor: |
Co-opted Governor |
Governor responsibility: |
Member of Teaching and Learning Committee |
Time on the GB: |
Since 1989 |
What you do for a job and briefly what it involves: |
Chair of Tower Hamlets British Medical Association, Retired NHS psychiatrist. |
What you like to do in your spare time: |
Plays the cello in a baroque orchestra, enjoys worldwide travel, going to the opera, swimming, health and wellbeing. |
|
Name: |
Patric Sherwin |
Type of Governor: |
Staff Governor |
Governor responsibility: |
|
Time on the GB: |
Since November 2018 |
What you do for a job and briefly what it involves: |
Premises Manager at Hermitage Primary School |
What you like to do in your spare time: |
Take long walks along the coast and spend time with my grandchildren |
Vice Chair of Teaching and Learning Committee
Name: |
Maartje Geussens |
Type of Governor: |
Co-opted Governor |
Governor responsibility: |
Member of Teaching and Learning Committee |
Time on the GB: |
Since November 2017 |
What you do for a job and briefly what it involves: |
Teacher at Francis Holland independent girls school. Second in English Department and Head of Extended Project Qualification. |
What you like to do in your spare time: |
Enjoys playing the guitar, creative writing and finding new places to eat. |
Name: |
Amjed Hossain |
Type of Governor: |
Parent Governor |
Governor responsibility: |
Member of Teaching and Learning Committee |
Time on the GB: |
Since November 2017 |
What you do for a job and briefly what it involves: |
Consultant Psychiatrist at NHS |
What you like to do in your spare time: |
Chair of Teaching and Learning
Name: |
Martine Hall |
Type of Governor: | Parent Governor |
Governor responsibility: | Chair of Teaching & Learning |
Time on the GB: | Since April 2018 |
What you do for a job and briefly what it involves: |
Project Manager for a software company, working on projects in the financial sector. |
What you like to do in your spare time: | Making the most of living in our wonderful city, travel, TaeKwonDo and spending time with family and friends. |
Name: |
Melissa Jorgensen
|
Type of Governor: | Parent Governor |
Time on the GB: | Since November 2018 |
What you do for a job and briefly what it involves: |
Full-time mum at the moment. Previously I worked in the Aviation Industry. |
What you like to do in your spare time: | I enjoy Yoga and country walks and eating nice food! |