Local Committee

DKH Primary School Local Committee

DKH Primary School is delighted to be part of the Nexus Education School Trust (NEST), and although we work very closely with them, the day to day governance of our schools is carried out by the Local Committee.

The key responsibilities of the Local Committee are as follows:

To carry forward the vision of the Academy and NEST
To ensure that standards of attainment and progress are high
To take a strategic role in the governance of the Academy
To support and challenge the School’s leaders
To monitor and evaluate the work of the Academy in relation to:
– pupil outcomes,
– teaching, learning and assessment,
– effectiveness of leadership and management and
– financial probity
To ensure actions are taken to comply with statutory regulations
To implement the policies of the Trust and the Academy
To support the strategic development of the Trust

Governance Documents:

Please click on the links below to download an item of interest.

Liam Wardley – Chair

Sits on the Resources Committee, Pay Committee, First Committee for Appeals, Complaints and Disciplinaries, and Headteacher Appraisal. Link governor for Safeguarding, Staff Welfare & Workload; and SMSC education.

Liam is a co-opted Community Governor and joined the Governing Body in 2019. Liam has spent the last 12 years of his career working for international law firm Pinsent Masons on marketing, client relationship management, international expansion, and strategy. Liam leads Pinsent Masons LGBT+ Network and is passionate about diversity and inclusion. In a past life, Liam was an international swimmer. What Liam brings to the Governing Body is a focus on strategy setting and strategic planning and his passion for diversity, inclusion, belonging and ensuring everyone can reach their potential.

Mary Henley

Sits on the Curriculum and Standards Committee, Pay Committee, and the First Committee for Appeals, Complaints and Disciplinaries, and Headteacher Appraisal. Link governor for Inclusion, MFL, and ICT.

Amber Malik – co-opted governor

Member of the Curriculum & Standards Committee. Link governor for EYFS, Sport, and Science

Amber is a co-opted governor, having joined the River Hill Federation governing body in 2021. She is a qualified accountant and has built a career in financial services over the last 20 years. Amber is a mentor on the 30% Club scheme which was founded in 2010 to improve gender diversity at board and executive committee levels. Amber believes the education system is pivotal in driving inclusion and diversity in workplaces of the future.

Martin Finn – Co-opted Local Committee Member

HAT for Safeguarding, has run a gardening club for reception children and organised careers events for year 6 pupils

Martin joined the Governing Body of the federation in 2022. He was previously a governor of Dog Kennel Hill School from 2008-2016, including six years as Chair of Governors. His four children attend the school. Martin co-founded a communications company which specialised in education. He worked for over 30 years developing business-education partnerships in the UK and globally, bringing schools together with commercial, government and third-sector organisations to create unique learning experiences for young people. He sold the business in 2019 and is now a business consultant. He brings extensive experience of organisational management, finance, HR, communications and working with schools and governments. He is highly committed to delivering the very best educational experiences to all children, especially those from the most disadvantaged backgrounds.

Jamie Saunders

Sits on the Resources Committee and the First Committee for Appeals, Complaints and Disciplinaries, Link governor for Finance and Health & Safety

Jamie is a co-opted community governor having joined the Governing Body in mid-2021. Jamie has ~15 years’ experience in consulting and capital markets and is currently a Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Over the last decade at BCG, Jamie has supported the executive management teams of corporates, financial institutions, governments, and charities on a broad variety of topics including strategy, corporate finance, operating model, risk management, and transformation. Jamie is an active member of BCG’s social impact practice, completing projects for local and international charity partners and supporting the development of ESG strategies for a number of Europe’s firms. Jamie started his career by working in corporate risk management at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. He graduated with a First-Class degree in Economics from Downing College, University of Cambridge. Jamie has travelled extensively, including periods working for charities in Mozambique, Peru and India. Outside of work he is a father to two boys, and has a keen interest in sport, travel and politics.

Kofi Danquah

Member of the Curriculum and Standards committee.

A co-opted staff member, I advocate for transparency and a strategic approach for a balanced curriculum which is accessible to Black pupils; and the general welfare and wellbeing of children and their families and that of my colleagues.

Meeting Attendance

Governor Meeting Attendance – 2022-23

Local Committees are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and play a vital role in raising school standards. To operate effectively the Local Committee appoints members who bring a wide range of knowledge and experience. The Local Committee consists of the Executive Headteacher and Heads of School, parent and staff members, and co-opted members. Local Committee meetings occur every term and Local Committee Members visit both schools on at least a termly basis.

Our Local Committee:

Appointed Chair and Vice Chair:

Liam Wardley – Chair of the Local Committee
–

Parent elected members:

Agatha Nabweteme
Kazia Fisher-Mantej

Staff elected members:

Kofi Danquah
Tom Roche

Co-Opted Members:

Jaime Saunders
Martin Finn
Mary Henley