Governors

Abbotsbury Primary School Governors

The governors’ work affects most aspects of the school’s work. 

They establish, with the Headteacher, aims for the school and approve policies – for the curriculum, behaviour and discipline, for example; and are responsible for the school’s budget and the use and maintenance of the premises.  More generally, they are expected to be in touch with the local community and to help guide the school to meet the community’s educational needs. They are also expected to help the school explain to the community what the school is trying to achieve for their children.

The governors, together as a body, have a range of legal responsibilities, so being a governor is an important commitment and new governors should be willing to attend training to help them learn what is entailed.  If you feel you would like to be a governor at Abbotsbury Primary School please drop into the school office in the first instance and we will put you in touch with our Chair of Governors to enable you to discuss in more detail what is involved in being a governor.

Abbotsbury Primary School - Governors Information and Register of Interests

Click here for Abbotsbury Governor Information & Committees

Governor Bios

Festus Adeyemo

Festus Adeyemo is director of Seekers International Ministries, where he encourages pastors, local churches, families and communities through mentoring and preaching. He has been a school governor since 2015 and is on the Finance Committee.  Married with children, Festus believes society is better when the academic, emotional, social and spiritual development of children is the primary focus of families, schools and government. 

Joti Bhalla

Joti was Co-opted as a Governor in Nov 2018 and as of March 2020 elected as Vice Chair. She is a member of the Finance and Curriculum Committees. She has a BSc in Biology and MSc in Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance. She has 17 years experience working in the NHS as a Quality Manager in the production and release of cell and gene therapy products under Clinical Governance. Joti is married and has 2 daughters who have been at Abbotsbury since Nursery. Whilst putting her career on hold, Joti enjoys being a homemaker. She is fond of learning new creative skills, crochet and baking. She is also involved in the Kids' Ministry in her church. Having lived in different countries she likes to meet people of various nationalities and can converse in Hindu/Urdu, Dutch and of course English.

Sarah Pfutzner

Sarah Pfutzner is the Special Needs Coordinator at Chelsea Community Hospital School where she provides support for students with special educational needs while they are in-patients in hospitals across the boroughs of RBKC and Westminster. Prior to this role she has worked in schools which specialise in teaching and supporting students with autism and associated learning and communication needs. She has been a school governor since 2018 and is on the Finance, Personnel and Curriculum Committees. Sarah is married with 1 daughter and has another child on the way. Sarah is passionate about advocating for students with special needs and ensuring equal access and provision for all students. She is particularly interested in students who need support for medical, mental health and autism related needs.

Nasira Begum

Nasira Begum has been a Governor since 2019. She worked as a Teacher in Pakistan and has experience with how schools work. She has also been involved in teaching children in the local community. Helping people and getting involved is a passion for Nasira and she has developed strong ties with the local community. She has three boys all of which came through Abbotsbury School.

Henry Basing | Governing Body & Literacy Governor

Henry Basing has been a governor at Abbotsbury since 2006 and has been Chair of Governors since 2013. He is also a member of the Finance Committee, having previously served as its Chair. He works at The Bank of England, but early in his career worked as an English teacher at Junior High Schools in Japan, which led to him developing an interest in education. He has lived in the area for over 10 years.

Samantha Clarke

Sam is the receptionist at Abbotsbury School.  She has been a governor since 2019. She spent several years working for the NHS at a local hospital, where she was a Mental Health Advocate.  She has three children.  Two are still in our school and one who is now in high school but also came to Abbotsbury. So Sam knows the school very well.

 David Beach

David is Head of Humanities with a specialism in History. He has taught in many different types of school and has a particular interest in increasing the attainment and enjoyment of lower ability pupils. Outside of teaching David is a keen sportsman and a long time sufferer supporting Charlton Athletic. He lives with his three cats, three guinea pigs, natterjake toad and partner Sarah.

David is on the Business Committee and Chair of the Personnel Committee.

Khaula Gilani

Khaula has been appointed as a School Governor in autumn 2021 and has recently been elected as Vice Chair. She is a member of the Curriculum and Personal committees.She has been in the teaching profession since 2009 and worked at Abbotsbury Primary School from  2011 – 2017 as a Class Teacher. Following this she decided to take a career break to raise her two sons and focus on her family. She will shortly be starting a phased return into teaching.In her spare time Khaula likes to volunteer in the community, for example she is a member of her son’s school’s PTA. Also she is an active volunteer for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association and has helped to strengthen the relationship between the School and Baitul Futuh Mosque.

Ted Lougher

Ted studied at Exeter and Oxford Universities and began his teaching career at Cheltenham College Junior School. He was Head of Modern Foreign Languages at King’s College Junior School in Wimbledon for five years before moving to Clifton College Preparatory School in Bristol as Deputy Head (Academic). He is now back at King’s as Headmaster of the Junior School, succeeding Dr Gerard Silverlock in September 2021. Ted is the Chairman of the Ecole Française de Bristol, a French nursery school that also offers day-release programmes for bilingual pupils of primary age. He is also a trustee of Polka Theatre in Wimbledon, contributing specifically in matters relating to pupil voice. Passionate about teaching and learning, Ted is delighted to serve on the board of Abbotsbury Primary School.

Esther Taiwo

Esther Taiwo is a Year 3 teacher at Abbotsbury Primary School and leads Diversity and Black History within the curriculum, she has been staff governor since 2021. Before being a teacher, Esther worked in education recruitment and has taught English as a second language abroad. Esther attended first, middle and secondary schools in Merton and has a particularly interested in ensuring that every child feels represented and heard throughout their education.