The Governing Body of Valence Primary School and Financial Information

There are seven Governors and one Associate Governor at Valence including Mr November, the Head Teacher.

Now that you have been introduced to each of us, I would like to let you know how we work together as part of the Leadership team to improve provision for the children in our community.

Being a Governor involves working strategically: this means discussing and setting policies that affect all areas of school life including Child Protection, Budget setting and monitoring and the Quality of Teaching. Many of these policies are statutory meaning the school is required to set and implement them by law.

Governors have a responsibility to hold school staff accountable for the educational provision and attainment of the children at the school.

We also recruit and support the Headteacher in their role as Senior Leader.

In order to carry out our responsibilities we meet regularly throughout the year, usually at least once a term but the Chair meets more regularly with the Head Teacher to keep abreast of current issues within the school.

We also have defined roles such as oversight of Special needs provision. This involves ensuring that all our policies and practices are up to date and that provision for children with additional needs such as autism, ADHD or Learning Delay is of the highest quality.

Each Governor has their own responsibilities that ensure they liaise with school staff and report back to the whole Governing Body. In this way, strengths and weaknesses can be identified and the best way to overcome shortcomings can be discussed and then implemented by school staff.

Whilst Governors have involvement in all aspects of strategic leadership we are also invited to celebrate the children's achievements. We often visit special assemblies and productions to congratulate children, staff and parents on the high standards achieved by the children.

Governors Personal Statements

Chair of Governors

Ms Avril McIntyre

I was keen to be a Governor at Valence Primary School because it is my local school and close to where the charity I work for is based. It’s great to be part of a committed and skilled team. I’m passionate about seeing local people shape their community and keen that Valence is a place where both children and parents know how significant their contribution is to the school and neighbourhood.

Vice-Chair of Governors

Miss Sarah Hutton (Effectiveness of Early Year and Quality of Teaching and Learning)

I taught for 10 years in Barking and Dagenham. I am currently teaching and leading the early years’ department at a school in a neighbouring borough. I have had responsibility for a number of subject areas including art, computing and PE. This experience enables me to contribute effectively to the curriculum and standards committee.  In my spare time, I enjoy reading as well as exploring London’s art museums.

Staff Governor

Cindy Bailey

I am honoured to have the opportunity to introduce myself and share my passion for education as a dedicated teacher with over 36 years experience, including 16 years in senior leadership roles.  My journey in teaching has been a fulfilling and transformative one, and I am excited to continue making a difference in the lives of the pupils at Valence Primary School. I look forward to my role as a staff governor, collaborating with pupils, parents, and staff to provide the highest quality education and empower our pupils to become lifelong learners and responsible global citizens. 

Head Teacher

Mr Richard November 

I thoroughly enjoy working at Valence Primary School as headteacher. It is a challenging and highly stimulating place to be with a diverse and engaging community. I have been teaching for almost thirty years, including eighteen years as a senior leader in Barking and Dagenham. I am a firm believer that all children have the right to a full and vibrant education that equips them for the challenges of the modern world.

Local Authority Governor

Mr Abdus Salam (Health and Safety) 

My name is Abdus Salam living in Barking for the last 16 years. I did my M.SC. in Chemical Technology from the University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. I worked in Research & Development in ICI Paints Slough for 10 years and 20 years in ICI Paints Pakistan as Development & Process Control Manager before my retirement. I am a former member of the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham (2010-2014) and tried to maintain a high standard of conduct expected of me. Apart from being Governor of Valence Primary School, I am also an executive member of Barking Muslim Social and Cultural Society and Forum for the Elderly. I try to follow the principles of honesty, openness, fairness. I aim to contribute effectively to make Valence Primary School achieve the best possible results in all the fields.

Co-opted Governors

Mrs Cameleta Ffrench-Young (Safeguarding and SEND) 

I have worked in education for over twenty years. I have a BA in Linguistics, Post Graduate studies in Effective learning, NASENCO award and have had various training in Safeguarding and Child Protection. Having worked in Barking and Dagenham for over fifteen years, I feel that I am very much a part of the community. Currently, I am employed as an inclusion Manager and Safeguarding lead in a Primary school. I am very passionate about learning and I am driven by the need to promote an inclusive and safe atmosphere where all individuals are happy and can enjoy whilst achieving. 

Parent Governors

Mr Steven Adams (Mindfulness, Race & Social Justice)

I’ve lived in Barking and Dagenham all my life; I currently work full-time as an IT Deployment Specialist for a Book Publisher.

I have two children that attend the Bonham Road site.

Hearing about this role I was curious on what a Parent Governor is and how this role works within the School. I was interested in what goes on behind the scenes at Valence Primary School and what I could bring with my point of view as an invested parent.

I hope to be a part of helping to deliver high-quality education for the pupils as we work together with the senior leadership team.

Associate Governors

Mrs Ann Parr

I started my employment at Valence in September 2003 and was a staff governor for 6 years before becoming an associate member. I have watched the school grow during its expansion and my particular interest is the development of entrepreneurial activity in education. My professional background includes working in the HR section for Redbridge Council and then as the Business Manager at Valence Primary School. I am responsible for Finance, HR, Site Health and Safety, IT and Catering.

I live in a neighbouring borough and regularly enjoy the outdoors. I also enjoy travelling.

Clerk

Ms Jayne Noonan

Former Governors

• Amanda Fogarty (Staff Governor), stepped down September 2023.
• Alok Agrawal (Co-opted Governor), stepped down September 2023.
• Fatin Hamed (Parent Governor ), stepped down September 2023.
• Cemali Dervish (Parent Governor ), stepped down July 2024.

Governors Documents

• Annual Schedule of Meetings (PDF)
• Meeting Attendance Record 2021-22 (PDF)
• Meeting Attendance Record 2022-23 (PDF)
• Meeting Attendance Record 2023-24 (PDF)
• Register Business of Interests (PDF)
• Business Interest Declaration form (PDF)