Governors
Governors are involved in every aspect of school life and usually take on specific roles according to their experience and interests.
We play a strategic role, concentrating on the underlying principles of how the school is run. Day-to-day management issues remain the responsibility of the head teacher and her staff.
Overall, governors have 3 key roles:
1. We take general responsibility for the school. We appoint the head teacher and together set the strategic direction of the school. We uphold and promote the vision and the values that underpin all we do. We ensure that every child is safe at Parkside.
2. We agree the school development plan and monitor progress against the targets set, holding the head teacher and senior leaders to account and acting as a ‘critical friend.’
3. We set the school budget each year, approve spending and monitor progress against the budget.
Who are we?
Emily Saunderson – Chair of Governors
I joined the Governing Body in late 2022, after learning all about school governance through my work at DfE. I live in Borehamwood – within walking distance of the school, and it was important to me to be able to support in my local community and to hopefully bring some of my expertise from Business Analysis and the Public Sector to support the good work at Parkside. I am also a mother to three children. I am the governor responsible for SEND – this is a passion of mine, to provide good quality experiences through life to all neurodivergent and disabled individuals – everyone deserves to thrive!
Geoff Strack
Our children and grandchildren have been fortunate in being able to go to Hertfordshire Schools. My own career has been in education, in Primary, Secondary, University and with Ofsted. I worked as a local authority adviser and was involved in the early introduction of ICT in schools at a national and International level. This included work in the USA, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Germany and Vietnam. My interests are team building, well-being for children and staff, improving my own knowledge of early years and the format of governing body meetings. In 2018 I was presented with the Herts, Outstanding Governor of the Year Award. As well as being a governor at Parkside, as required, I help out with other Herts Primary Schools.
Leonard Vitarana
Leonard’s career began in the finance function at the Carphone Warehouse Plc, after completing a masters in management studies at Brunel University. He is currently a management consultant with over 15 years of experience, delivering business change within various well known organisations across the utilities, media and telecoms sectors. With two children currently in EYFS education, Leonard is passionate about ensuring that all children have the best possible foundation to flourish educationally and socially.
Andrew Hatton
I joined as a parent governor at Parkside in March 2020 and sit on the Finance Committee. I have lived in Borehamwood for about 40 years. I work full time for my company selling, installing and support Electronic Point of Sales systems. I have three children and the two oldest attended Parkside and have now moved on to Hertswood. My youngest still attends Parkside. I have been enjoying attending the governor meetings and seeing all the hard work being put in behind the scenes to best support the children, no matter what challenges have been presented.
Hayley Bloom
I grew up locally in Elstree and, after a few years living closer to London, moved back to Radlett around 14 years ago. I have worked mainly in the entertainment industry and I currently work part time as Head of Production for a small company specialising in film, television and theatre production.
I joined the Parkside Governing Body as a co-opted governor in 2021 and I am currently Chair of the Education Committee and the Early Years link governor. I also share various other roles including Stakeholder Voice, GDPR and Safeguarding. I really enjoy my visits to Parkside, especially when I am able to spend time in the classroom with the pupils or attend assemblies, etc. It’s always lovely to see the children enjoying their lessons and the facilities provided at school and I am consistently impressed by the Parkside pupils and the dedicated staff at this fantastic school.
Sam Neagus
I am delighted to have joined the Governing Board at Parkside early in 2023 and excited to contribute to further successes of the school! I have been a History & Politics teacher for the last nine years and have held roles in Pastoral Leadership and Safeguarding in the schools I have worked in- given this, I have taken on the role of Safeguarding Governor at Parkside. Just to keep myself busy in education, I am about to start my Masters in Educational Leadership & Management. I am originally from Southend-on-Sea, but relocated to Borehamwood almost 2 years ago.
Laura Trigwell
I am one of the newer co-opted governors having joined in September 2020 but am thoroughly enjoying being part of such a vibrant school community. Given my experience working in a bank, I am responsible for GDPR and sit on the finance committee. I grew up locally in Stanmore and now live in Radlett. Whilst I work part time in the City, my full-time job is being mum to two boys and a mad dog!
Melanie Weinstein – Staff Governor
I am originally from Canada and moved to England in 2002. I have been teaching at Parkside since 2003 and have taught various year groups during my time at the school. I love working at the school and seeing the smiling faces of the children. I am currently the Keystage 1 lead, computing lead and phonics lead and have led in other areas previously. Therefore, I felt I could use my experience to support our school as a staff governor.
Charles Soyka – Headteacher
I have been headteacher at Parkside for 5 and half years and during this time the school has gone from strength to strength. It is a privilege to lead such a wonderful school and a team who embody the school’s vision statement : NURTURING AND INSPIRING YOUNG MINDS TOWARDS A BRIGHT FUTURE. This is my second headship having previously worked in a different area of the county for a number of years. I have worked in and around inner London for a long time before I made the leap to work in the home counties nearly 10 years ago.
How do Governors work ?
We meet as a full governing body 5 times a year. We have two committees – education, and finance and operations – which also meet 3 times times a year to deal with matters of specific interest. Those committees report back to the full governing body. We also have a pay committee that meets when necessary. Anyone can attend the non-confidential part of a governors’ meeting.
In between the meetings governors undertake work according to their responsibilities and any other work they have agreed to do. They visit school regularly to meet with key staff and see how the children are doing. They also attend regular training on a wide range of subjects, from safeguarding to data analysis to help them carry out their roles to the highest standards.
How are Governors appointed ?
We are required to have a designated number of governors from a number of categories. We can also adopt additional governors, known as associate governors, who can advise but not vote. These governors usually have a particular area of expertise.
Our current body consists of :
- 1 parent governor
- 1 Local Authority governor
- 1 staff governor
- 2 partnership governors
- 4 co-opted governors
- The head teacher
The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The Chair and Vice Chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year. The Chair of Governors is Emily Saunderson who can be contacted via the school office.
If you feel you have skills and commitment to become a governor at Parkside, or are interested in finding out more, please contact the Chair.
The Governing Body 2022 – 2023 Attendance Register at Meetings
| Governor Name | Governor Type | FGB | FIN & OP CTE | EDU CTE | EMER FGB | FGB | FIN & OP CTE | EDU CTE | PAY CTE | FIN & OP CTE | EDU CTE | FGB | FIN & OP CTE | FGB | ECU CTE | FGB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Sep | 16th Oct | 7th Oct | 3rd Nov | 6th Dec | 16th Oct | 7th Oct | 13th Jan | 21st Feb | 10th Mar | 13th Mar | 16th May | 16th May | 9th Jun | 27th Jun | ||
| Hayley Bloom | Co -opted | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||
| Irene Charles | Co -opted | Y | Y | NS | ||||||||||||
| Carly Davis | Other | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||||
| Emma Graham | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||
| Andrew Hatton | Parent | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||
| Emma Lad (Clerk) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Desislava Lazarova | Parent | Y | Y | N | N/A | Y | Y | Y | NS | Y | Y | |||||
| Zoe Moon | Staff | N/A | N/A | N | ||||||||||||
| Sam Neagus | Co – opted | Y | Y | N | ||||||||||||
| Simon Salem | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||||||||
| Emily Saunderson | Partnership | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||||||
| Charles Soyka | Head | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Geoffrey Strack | Partnership | |||||||||||||||
| Linda Taylor | Other | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | ||||||
| Laura Trigwell | Co-opted | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||||
| Leonard Vitarana | Co-opted | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |||||
| Melanie Weinstein | Staff | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
