The Governing Body is made up of seven governors, including the Headteacher.

Governors are the strategic leaders of the school and have three key responsibilities:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.

In addition, governors may also be asked to serve on a panel such as an exclusion or HR appeal.

Our Governing Body currently meets at least once a term. The agendas for each meeting are planned in advance on an annual basis. This forward planning ensures that all meetings are purposeful, focus on the school's development plans, review all statutory and good practice requirements in addition to any items that may need discussing throughout the year. 

Our Governors

Staff Governor - Deena Chetty (Headteacher)

Staff Governor - Patricia Branco

Co-opted Governor - Alina Shiraz

Co-opted Governor - Chris Brown (Co-Vice Chair)

Co-opted Governor - Lucy Morris

Co-opted Governor - Ann Lakshmanan

Co-opted Governor - vacancy

LA Nominated Governor - David Backhouse MBE (Chair)

Parent Governor - Sadaf Khan

Parent Governor - Seham Kassim-Ali

Link Governors

1. Safeguarding and Attendance - Lucy Morris and David Backhouse MBE
2. Curriculum and achievement -  David Backhouse MBE (temporary)
3. Early Years Foundation Stage - to be determined
4. Equality - to be determined
5. Finance - Ann Lakshmanan
6. Health and Safety - Patricia Branco
7. Online Safety - Lucy Morris and David Backhouse MBE
8. SEND, Pupil Premium and Sports Premium - Alina Shiraz

Contact our Chair of Governors:

By email: school@downsellprimary.waltham.sch.uk

By post: FAO David Backhouse MBE

Downsell Primary School 
134-136 Downsell Road
Leyton
E15 2BS

If your communication is private, please make sure you mark this in the subject of your email or on the envelope of your letter.