Governors are not involved in the day to day running of the school, but take a keen interest in all aspects of school life – the welfare of pupils and staff, the curriculum, the achievement of pupils, the management of school funds, and the condition of the school buildings and equipment.
It has been suggested that Governors act like Directors of a company, who have overall control, but leave the routine management to a CEO, which, in the case of a school, is the Headteacher.
Ofsted now regard the quality of the governance of a school as an important consideration when they come to make a judgement about a school. For this reason governors are expected to act in a professional manner, keeping a close eye on the pupils’ progress, scrutinising the school’s spending and overall financial management, and ensuring that the school is well organised, and provides a good learning environment for the staff and pupils. In the end, Governors are legally responsible for much of what happens in school. They must set an annual budget and monitor the progress of the spending of the money. They are asked to set targets for achievement and monitor outcomes. They are the employers of school staff and so have responsibility for complaints and disciplinary matters arising from the employees. The tasks of the Governing Board are many and wide-ranging. In carrying out these duties, the Governors work in partnership with the Headteacher, staff, pupils and parents.
The Governors meet all together twice each term, but much of the detailed work takes place in committees. We operate through three committees: Finance, Premises & Personnel; Curriculum & Standards; and, Pupils, Families & Community. In our meetings we look in detail at the School Development Plan, the school budget, staff issues, how well pupils are progressing, the quality of teaching, the school buildings, and how the ethos of the school is reflected in its everyday life. We sit on interview panels for the senior leaders in the school, and operate the admissions process for places in the school.
We receive reports from the Headteacher on all aspects of the school’s work and discuss whether the ambitions for the school are being delivered. We receive information from the Director of Education of the Local Education Authority, much of which keeps us up to date with the ever-changing statutory duties of Governors as well as informing us of initiatives which are designed to support or enhance our work. We continue to analyse our own performance and attend training courses to improve our knowledge and understanding. Individual governors take responsibility for particular areas of the school curriculum, visit the school to meet with teachers and to observe classes at work, before reporting back to committees on their findings.
The 16 Governors come from different backgrounds and represent different constituencies. Governors are appointed by the local church, Holy Cross , Greenford; by the London Diocesan Board for Schools; Ealing Council; and by the parents of pupils in the school, and by the school staff. Two governors are appointed by the Betham Trust, which exists to maintain Edward Betham’s vision of providing education for children in the area, and to manage his financial legacy. The governors have differing political and religious views, but we see this variety as a strength, not a weakness. The Governors share a broad vision for education, based on an inclusive approach which welcomes people from other world faiths as a feature of our commitment to the Christian faith.
The school’s ethos is determined by our Christian values, and we see these as providing the framework in which the children may grow to have a generous understanding of the world in which we live. These values include equality and inclusivity, care for each other, honesty and tolerance, and a willingness to challenge intolerance, hatred, cruelty and inequality. We believe that these Christian values have underpinned the development of the United Kingdom and its institutions, and the ‘British values’ of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.
The Governors are proud to be the managers of a Church of England school, which has been operating for over 200 years. We do not see that heritage as a narrow sectarian one, and although preference in our admission criteria is given to the children of worshipping Anglican families, we are open to the good influences from all the families who send children to the school. It is a vital feature of our Religious Education curriculum that children from all faiths visit places of worship which include Churches, Mosques, Gurdwaras and Mandirs and learn about other faiths, and religious traditions. This positive statement is both educationally sound and spiritually vibrant. We want the children to experience what the world has to offer in every area, including the area of faith journeys. So, children of other world faith families are not encouraged to see Christianity as superior and Christian children are nourished in their faith with confidence.
Co-Chairs: Silva Hilburn and Lianne Lambourne
Co-Vice Chairs: Atour Toma and Andrew Vigor
Clerk: Natalia Siabkin
Treasurer: Andrew Vigor
Foundation Governors
Silva Hilburn (parent)
James Macdonald-Brown (parent)
Oliver Martin
Fr. Graham Miller (Ex-officio)
Atour Toma (parent)
Andrew Vigor
Representative Governors
Tracey Cameron
Caroline Chamberlain (Ex-officio)
Catherine Christodoulou (parent)
Katy Lawrence
Lianne Lambourne (parent)
Alicja Urlewicz (parent)
Governor Register of Business Interests and Attendance Record
Curriculum and Standards
Caroline Chamberlain
Catherine Christodoulou
Silva Hilburn (Vice Chair)
Katy Lawrence
Atour Toma (Chair)
Andrew Vigor
Finance, Premises and Personnel
Tracey Cameron
Caroline Chamberlain
Lianne Lambourne (Chair)
Oliver Martin
Andrew Vigor
Pupils, Families and Communities
Caroline Chamberlain
James Macdonald-Brown
Fr Graham Miller (Vice Chair)
Alicja Urlewicz (Chair)
Andrew Vigor
Tracey Cameron - School Business Manager
Tracey is the staff governor and has been an employee with the school for 12 years; she has responsibility for management of the school budget, personnel and premises. Tracey has over 30 years’ experience in the financial and education sectors, and a qualification in school business management. Tracey is a deputy safeguarding lead, first aider and fire warden. Tracey has a son, Alex, who was a pupil at Edward Betham and now has a career in IT. Tracey has a cat called Caspar, named after one of the three kings. Tracey became a governor to support the school in making every pupil's learning journey the very best it can be.
Caroline Chamberlain - Headteacher
Caroline Chamberlain’s teaching career started in 1996. She has worked at Edward Betham since 2004, becoming a Deputy Headteacher in 2014. Caroline was delighted and proud to be appointed Headteacher in March 2017. She is passionate about providing a safe, supportive and stimulating learning environment for all pupils, giving all the opportunity to flourish academically, creatively, personally, morally and spiritually. Caroline works closely with the Governing Board to ensure Edward Betham is a place where children can achieve to the best of their ability in a safe and nurturing environment.
Caroline is a fervent supporter of Brentford Football Club and enjoys her spare time cheering loudly for The Bees!
Catherine Christodoulou
Catherine is a Parent Governor and serves on the Curriculum and Standards Committee. Catherine grew up in Australia and after finishing her degree in social work moved to the UK. Catherine is a therapeutically trained social worker and works in the field of adoption, supporting children and families. She has a keen interest in working children who have suffered developmental trauma and feels privileged to work alongside families to help children reach their potential. Catherine is a mum of one and when not at work enjoys going on new adventures in the great outdoors, baking and eating cake and spending time with family and friends.
Dr Silva Hilburn - Co Chair of Governors
Silva is a Foundation Governor reappointed by the Holy Cross Greenford Magna Parochial Church Council in April 2021. She serves on the Curriculum and Standards committee and is the link governor for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Silva has a BSc in Microbiology and in 2013 she completed a doctorate in Virus Immunology from Imperial College. She continues to work at Imperial College in Clinical Research and Diagnostics on a part-time basis. She devotes the rest of her time to her family and the local community. When time permits Silva enjoys driving in veteran car rallies and recently became a member of the Veteran Car Club. Silva is married with two children, one of whom attends Edward Betham.
Katy Lawrence - Deputy Headteacher
Katy is the Deputy Headteacher for the Junior Department, with responsibility for assessment, behaviour, English, Continuing Professional Development, mentoring/student placements, and Pupil Premium. She has twenty years’ teaching experience and has been at Edward Betham since 2014. Katy has a particular interest in ensuring that all pupils, regardless of background, access a balanced and excellent curriculum, and a MA in Social Justice and Education. Katy became a governor to work closely with the Headteacher and Governing Board in shaping the school and serving its pupils as best as she can.
Lianne Lambourne - Co Chair of Governors
Lianne Lambourne is a Parent Governor assigned to the Finance, Premises & Personnel Committee. She has been resident of Greenford since birth, and is currently working as Senior Analyst in the Civil Service, where she is directly influencing strategic decision-making for the organisation through evidenced-based analysis. She is also currently on a Leadership and Development programme with The Mayor of London to increase the number of women in positions of most senior leadership across government. When she has spare time she enjoys cooking, long dog walks with her (rather large!) fur-baby and good old catch ups with friends and family. Lianne also loves getting creative! Upcycling, decorating or making bits and bobs where she can, unleashing her inner creativity is one of her all-time favourite hobbies.
James Macdonald-Brown
Jamie is our Local Authority Governor. He is an Assistant Headteacher (Head of Inclusion and Deputy Head of Safeguarding) at a local secondary school, and supports the school Pastoral Teams. Jamie teaches PE and Business studies. He was a Head of Year for 18 years and has a lot of pastoral and safeguarding experience. One of Jamie’s children attend Edward Betham, where his wife is a class teacher. Jamie feels that the strong Christian ethos of Edward Betham underpins all that it does, and as a practising Christian was immediately drawn to the opportunity to be a governor here. Jamie has been studying AikiJitsu for nearly 30 years and is a senior black belt grade. He is the PCC secretary and Deputy Treasurer of his local church.
Oliver Martin
Oliver is a recently appointed Foundation Governor appointed by the PCC of Holy Cross Church. Oliver is a Service Manager for Local Government with 18 years experience. He is a specialist in community safety, CCTV and network management hoping to bring his knowledge and skills to help the school. Oliver lives locally in a home where his family have been for over 60 years and his father attended Edward Betham as a pupil. In his spare time, he helps to organise street party events with his wife and neighbours and attends Holy Cross with his wife and two sons.
The Revd Graham Miller
Fr Graham is Rector of Holy Cross Greenford Magna and an ex-officio Governor of Edward Betham School. He serves on the Pupils, Families and Community Committee and is the Link Governor for Collective Worship and Religious Education. He regularly leads Collective Worship in school, celebrates the Infant, Junior and Whole School Masses at Holy Cross Church and supports the school's programme of educational church visits. He is a Governor of William Perkin Church of England High School, where he also supports the work of the Chaplaincy. Before moving to Greenford, he was a curate in Sunderland and then served on the staff of St James’s Sussex Gardens in Paddington. As a student he worked for a year in Jerusalem and, following ordination, returned to the Middle East to work for three months at the Anglican Chaplaincy in Qatar. From his travels he has developed a love of the North East, the Middle East, and Paddington Bear.
Marcos Ravelo
Marcos Ravelo serves as the Area Support Chaplain for MHA, covering London and the South East region. In his role, he provides guidance and assistance to chaplains in end-of-life training and the development of pastoral care skills. Additionally, Marcos is an elder at City Temple, a URC church, where he actively contributes to the nurturing of leadership within new church plants. He has also been involved in mission work across Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica, fostering spiritual and community development in these regions. His wife serves as a minister at a URC church in West London. Together they raise their five children; two of his children currently attend Edward Betham School (his two older children attended Edward Betham before starting high school).
Atour Toma - Co-Vice Chair of Governors
Atour is a Foundation Governor appointed by the Edward Betham Trustees in September 2021. He serves on the Curriculum and Standards committee and is the link governor for Online Safety, GDPR and Filtering & Monitoring. Atour is of proud Assyrian descent and has been a resident of Ealing all his life. At university, he studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and has been working in IT for almost twenty years. In his spare time, Atour enjoys watching movies, reading, running and following Tottenham Hotspur FC.
Alicja Urlewicz
Alicja is a Parent Governor re-elected in December 2023 serving on the Pupils, Families and Community Committee. She received her Master’s degree in Architecture and Town Planning from Poznan University of Technology in Poland. Shortly after graduation Alicja joined architectural company in London. In 2010 she qualified and now with over ten years’ experience she is a company’s Associate. For several years she has been acting as a local PlayStreet Co-ordinator. She also volunteered as an Architectural Ambassador and under supervision of the Royal Institute of British Architects promotes architecture in primary schools across London. Alicja is married and a full time working mum of two children. One of them attends Edward Betham.
Andrew Vigor - Co-Vice Chair of Governors
Andrew is a Foundation Governor appointed by the PCC of Holy Cross Church. He serves on the Finance, Premises and Personnel Committee and the Pupils, Families and Community Committee. Andrew is Link Governor responsible for monitoring Pupil Premium and P.E. and Sports Premium. Now retired, Andrew worked in business in Commercial and Customer Care management. Outside interests include being the Registrar of a Classic Car Club where he looks after the membership and helps to arrange social events. Andrew is an Assistant Warden at Holy Cross Church and uses his practical skills in helping with maintenance of the two old buildings. He is married with two grown up sons and previously served as a governor when they were pupils at our school.
The Edward Betham CofE Primary School