Governors

The Governors at Plaistow Primary School have an important role in ensuring that the school provides a positive educational experience for all in our school community. They are committed to ensuring that all of our children get the best possible start in life.

Governors at Plaistow monitor the leadership of our school with regards to curriculum, standards and financial management, as well as the safeguarding of our pupils. 

Governors support, but also challenge the Head Teacher and wider leadership team in ensuring that the School Development Plan is a robust, comprehensive action plan that is followed, reviewed and reflected upon. They ensure that decisions, whether they be financial or human resources related, are informed by a well-thought-out and carefully constructed planning process.

The Governing Body of Plaistow 

Our Governors provide expertise and experience across a range of skills so as to ensure that the Governing Body is able to undertake its duty to support the creation of a strong learning environment.

Governors at Plaistow Primary School fully support the school’s aims, vision and ethos.

By being a challenging and critical friend, governors assist the school in maintaining an environment where:

• all are respected
• pupils are supported and stimulated to realise their full potential
• staff are valued and feel motivated
• the school continues to achieve high standard

The Governors would welcome any comments or enquiries from parents and members of the community. We can be contacted through the main school office.

Meet Our Governors

Sue Giddens (Chair of Governors)

I was born in London, have lived in London all my life and have taught in Newham schools for over 20 years. I have taught across the whole age range but probably spent most of my time teaching years 5 and 6. For several years, I served as a teacher governor. 

I have a passionate belief that all children are entitled to a great education and thereby a good start in life.  After retiring from my post as an Assistant Head in 2015 I joined the governing Body of Plaistow Primary School to support the school in delivering the very best for our children. I believe that I have the educational experience, the local knowledge and the commitment to assist the governing body.

Retirement has given me more time to spend reading and knitting, both of which I enjoy immensely.  I have 4 adult children and a great deal of my time is spent with a growing number of grandchildren!  The most exciting part of retirement for me has been the ability to travel, to experience new places and meet so many different people.

Justin Fong (Vice-Chair of Governors)

I was born and raised in Malaysia, before moving to London for university and have lived in Newham for the past 6 years. 

I’m a qualified chartered accountant, starting my career in Audit and now work as a Manager in Transaction Services and as such, I’m able to bring my experience in finance and accounting to the governing board.

Outside of work, you could find me in a yoga studio, cooking up a feast for my friends, or travelling to see more of the world.

I look forward to my role as a governor to provide effective challenge and to help the school grow to greater heights.

Dean Benoit

I am incredibly proud to be the Head Teacher of Plaistow Primary School and Children’s Centre. 

I grew up in Canada but moved to the UK to complete my teacher training in Exeter. I started my teaching career in Tower Hamlets and developed a keen interest in language acquisition and the teaching of early reading and phonics.

I have had experience as a leader across several schools where I have led on teaching, learning and assessment with a particular passion for curriculum design and implementation. I am also interested in how coaching and mentoring can build strong teams and leadership at all levels in educational settings.

My interests outside of school include cycling, running and travelling to see family and friends abroad. 

Plaistow is a happy school that celebrates its successes whilst always looking for ways to develop and grow. The Governing Board at Plaistow supports and challenges the school on its journey of ongoing school improvement.

Donna Occleshaw

My name is Donna Occleshaw and I have been a member of Plaistow Primary Governing Body since 2013. I am a member of both the curriculum and progress and standards committees and I currently serve as chairperson for the Curriculum Committee.

I have a wide range of experiences within education and education leadership. I have taught in all primary aged key stages in different schools within Newham, Havering, and in Early Childhood settings in Sydney - Australia.

I am able to support the governing body to understand the policy, structures and systems within our school as well as representing the voice of the staff within the governing body.

I enjoy reading and travel and have been lucky enough to travel and live in several different countries, including Brazil and Australia - I understand the challenges that some of our pupils face when they begin in our setting and do not understand the language that is spoken!  

I am a keen gardener and have recently taken on the co-ownership of an allotment plot and hope to have lots of tasty veggies to dig up soon!

Folashade Omoniwa

Better known as Fola, shortened form of my first name, I became a co-opted member of the Plaistow Primary school in April of 2023.

I received my B.Sc. (Education) and a Masters Degree in Science in Nigeria, where I taught Maths and Science for many years before becoming a Principal (Head Teacher). For a change, to other areas of Education, I moved to a government establishment for curriculum development and quality control for higher education with responsibility for the whole country where I was coordinating science and mathematics based programmes. Despite my achievements, I missed the classroom where I felt better visualising that change in children. I therefore began voluntary teaching in schools around me. I believed that every child, given the right opportunity, can and will learn.

I moved to the UK got my Qualified Teachers Status (QTS) and taught at different key stage levels in London Boroughs, Kent and Essex.  I have enjoyed teaching either as a volunteer or paid teacher and am always happy to see how the children go through the different stages of learning development.

I retired and learnt swimming to add to my keep fit activities. I love walking, going to the gym and dancing especially to Afrobeat’s music. I also love travelling, especially to discover new places.

I have 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren who I have helped with their learning with success. I help my grandchildren far away over zoom. I also coordinate the Sunday school in my church.

It is my belief that with my wealth of experience and knowledge gathered over the years, I can contribute to assist the Plaistow Primary School to achieve the high standards hoped for by helping to motivate staff, and stimulate pupils to realise their full potential.

Aishah Mukadam

I was born and brought up in South Wales before moving to London, to study for my Psychology degree which I completed at the University of East London. I have lived for most of my time in London within Newham. Working as Nursery Lead, Play Worker and Youth Worker before becoming an intervention teacher. I have spent over 20 years working within schools working across all of the key stages but most of my time has been spent in year 5 and 6. I qualified as a Forest School Practitioner approximately 6 years ago, as I was inspired by the approach and felt that it was a fantastic way for children to manage their own risk and behaviour, I have run many forest school sessions with 9-11 year olds but would like to run sessions for young people and adults as I believe it is of benefit to all ages.

I have a passion for working with children and young people and want to ensure that they enjoy and gain enjoyment from their education. I believe that as educators it is our job to ignite a passion in our children to want to learn. I believe that Plaistow Primary School shares my love of learning and the freedom to let children learn and make mistakes, as to never make a mistake is to never to have challenged yourself.

I love being outdoors exploring and learning about the world around me or relaxing with a great book. I feel blessed to have four children all of whom love reading or being outside either exploring the forest or walking up a mountain.

Kitty Clark-McGhee

My name is Kitty and I am excited to join Plaistow Primary School's board of governors as a new parent governor. 

I am proud to have grown up in Newham and I feel strongly that the borough's diversity is its greatest strength. It feels really special to now be raising my two children here. In my spare time you'll mostly find me chasing my children around West Ham Park!

Rob Saunders

I trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts, graduating in 2011. I was then very fortunate to work professionally in both theatre, film and television, including credits for the BBC, Netflix and global touring productions. As a dancer and choreographer I have had the opportunity to work with brands including, Selfridges, Harrods and Walkers. I was a member of The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain as a child and having seen what the arts had given me throughout my youth, I had always wanted to teach and pass the joy of performance on to others. I strongly believe that the arts should be engaging and accessible to all, regardless of background, upbringing and beliefs. I have taught workshops and outreach programmes throughout schools, colleges and university's throughout the UK and am a co-founder of 'Youth Creation', a performing arts school, as seen on 'Britain's got Talent' live semi finals 2013.

Governor Committees and Attendance

Governors Committees are as follows:

• Curriculum (C)

Curriculum Committee Terms of Reference - Plaistow Primary School

• Standards (S)

Standards Committee Terms of Reference - Plaistow Primary School

• Finance, Staffing and Premises (FSP)

FSP Committee Terms of Reference - Plaistow Primary School

• Safeguarding (Sa)
• Head Teacher's Performance Management (HTP)

Statement on Governor Expenses

The Governing Body of Plaistow Primary School and Children's Centre has adopted the policy that no expenditure outside of the Service Level Agreement with Newham Partnership Working will be authorised, with the exception of isolated cases which will be authorised by the Finance Committee (or the Chair of the Finance Committee or Chair of Governors where matters are urgent).

Instrument of Government

The Instrument of Government sets out the arrangements for the constitution of all governing bodies of local authority maintained schools.

Our Instrument of Government states our governing body shall consist of:
 

• 2 parent Governors
• 1 Local Authority Governor
• 1 staff Governor
• 1 Head Teacher
• 5 co-opted Governors

Link Governors