St. John's C.E. Primary School

Meet The Governors

  • Richard Hughes
    PCC Foundation Governor, Joint Chair, Chair of Admissions, Finance and Premises

    Richard Hughes

    I am a member of St John's Parochial Church Council and excited to join the school's Board of Governors. Â I live locally in Whetstone and am passionate about education. Â In my professional life, I am a solicitor and have experience of advising and working with a wide range of organisations and people management.

    Sub-Committees: TBC; Â
    Appointed by: PCC 06/01/2021. Expiry of tenure: 05/01/2029

  • Ian Copelin
    PCC Foundation Governor, Joint Chair, TLS, Safeuarding

    Ian Copelin

    I am delighted to accept the role of PCC governor at St. John's CofE Primary School. I realise that accepting such a position is a commitment with considerable responsibilities and I will endeavor to fully discharge my duties as a governor to the best of my ability. Â

    As a family, we have lived in Whetstone since 2012. Â Â We have two sons at the school and are entirely supportive of its excellent aims and objectives, academically, emotionally and spiritually. I have been a parishioner at St. John's since 2016.

    I am an offshore installation manager in the oil and gas industry and aware of the diverse aspects of running a complex establishment. I hope such experience will stand me in good stead as a governor at St. John's.

    As the parent of two young children I am fully involved in their social and spiritual development and, with my wife, encourage them to always participate in the life of our school and church community.

    I am open to new ideas and look forward to working as a team and seeing first -hand the impact that we can make in improving the education for all the children in our local community.

    Appointed by: PCC 05/09/2022. Expiry of tenure: 04/09/2026

  • Jeremy Brough
    Parent Governor, Admission, Finance and Premises, Personnel

    Jeremy Brough

    I'm very pleased to have been accepted as a parent governor at St John's in July 2019. Â My wife and I are the proud parents of Angelica and Jessica - who have both attended the school since nursery. Â Having grown up in the area, I'm passionate about the local community: Our family was drawn to St John's for its strong values and focus on bringing out the very best in its children.

    I am well aware of the ongoing climate of financial challenges and the very real funding crisis that schools now face. I believe I have a range of skills and experience to assist the governing body and leadership team in making informed strategic decisions on priorities and risks, setting the school on a secure course for the future.

    I look forward to taking on this new opportunity to support the school community going forward.

    Sub-Committees: Personnel; Finance & Premises; Â
    Elected by: Parents 28/6/2019. Expiry of tenure: 27 June 2027

  • Lucinda Hutton
    Parent Governor, Personnel, TLS, Pupil Premium

    Lucinda Hutton

    I'm proud to join the Board of Governors in my role as Parent Governor. I grew up in Whetstone and it's great to be part of such a wonderful community still. I'm a mum of three with my eldest having started at the school. My job as a commercial solicitor provides me with a wealth of experience that can help support the school at this challenging time.

    Sub-Committees: TLS
    Elected by: Parents 11/09/2020. Expiry of tenure: 10 September 2028

  • Daisy Lai
    Deanery Foundation Governor, Chair of Finance and Premises

    Daisy Lai

    I am thrilled to join St. John's C.E Primary School Board of Governors.

    I am a self-employed accountant, and have gained extensive experience in accounting and finance after spending many years working with accounting firms and commercial firms.

    I have been serving as one of the Children's Church leaders at my local church since 1999. I find the experience enjoyable and rewarding. I am also a member of the church's Leadership Team. It is wonderful to be able to serve God.

    I was also an Associate Governor of The Henrietta Barnett School from 2005 to 2012. I served on the school's Finance Committee. Over the years, schools are facing many more major challenges, such as insufficient school funding, worsening child poverty which is harming children's capacity to learn, and the coronavirus pandemic.

    I look forward to serving on the Board of Governors, and will try my very best to contribute to it.

    Sub-Committees: TBC
    Appointed by: Deanery 24/02/2021. Expiry of tenure: 23/02/2025

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  • Gabriella Smith
    Staff Governor, TLS

    Gabriella Smith

    I am in my first year of teaching at St John's but it is my 6th year of teaching. As well as being a class teacher, I am also the English subject leader. I am highly committed to ensuring that our pupils receive the best possible education, through a range of stimulating and exciting experiences. This I believe will equip them well for their adult lives ahead. High expectations are at the heart of everything that I do. I am very proud to be part of such a vibrant and happy school where the children always come first!

    Sub-Committees: TLS
    Elected by: Staff 08/10/2024. Expiry of tenure: 07/10/2028

  • Curtis Sweetingham
    Headteacher Ex-OFFICIO

    Curtis Sweetingham

    As Headteacher at St John's, I am passionate about Christian education and believe that all children should be provided with every opportunity to succeed in reaching their full potential. Bringing experience from high achieving schools where emphasis is placed on excellence, progressive thinking, curriculum development and the highest standards of pastoral care, I am committed to setting and achieving challenging targets with the assistance of the Governors and the Senior Leadership Team of St John's.

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  • Catherine Mitri
    Associate Member

    Catherine Mitri

    As the Head of School at St John's, I believe that teamwork and good communication, built on the foundations of a Christian ethos are key to ensuring that each individual child at our school has a happy and fulfilling education.  I am fully committed to working in partnership with the Executive Headteacher, Mr Sweetingham, the governors, staff and parents on the journey towards outstanding .

    Sub-Committees: Personnel; Finance & Premises; Teaching & Learning Standards.
    Appointed by: Full Governing Board 1/9/2015, renewed 10/9/2019. Â Expiry of tenure: 9 September 2023

  • Reverend Kim Quak-Winslow
    Incumbent vicar of St John's Church Ex-OFFICIO,

    Reverend Kim Quak-Winslow

  • Judith French
    LDBS Foundation Governor

    Judith French

    Now retired, I taught for twenty years in a CE primary school after a career in account management with companies such as Sony, Oral B and Gillette. During my teaching career, I had responsibility for all aspects of assessment within the school and served as a school’s representative on the executive of AAIA – a national organisation supporting assessment within education. I am looking forward to working on the Governing Board and hope my experience will prove useful in supporting the school.

    Appointed by: Diocese 06/07/2023. Expiry of tenure: 05/07/2027

  • Paola Postali Bradfield
    PCC Foundation Governor, TLS, Equalities

    Paola Postali Bradfield

    Appointed by: PCC 01/09/2022. Expiry of tenure: 31/08/2028

None of our current governors are governors at other schools.

The Clerk to the Board of Governors is Clerks Associates. 

Previous Governors 

 

  • Alison Cruickshank - Staff Governor (resigned 31/08/2024)
  • Carolyn Black - Chair of Governors (resigned 21/07/2023)
  • Sam Goodman (resigned 19/06/2023)
  • Jamie Goumal - Joint Vice Chair of Governors (resigned 05/07/2021)
  • Ben Pullenayegum – Parent Governor (resigned 15/03/2021)
  • Revd Lynn Davidson – Ex Officio Priest in Charge (resigned 16/11/2020)
  • Ajanta Kamal – Parent Governor (resigned 31/08/2020)
  • Alice Gavin Atashkar – Deanery Governor (resigned 14/07/2020)