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The Governing Body

The Role of Governors

Governors are the strategic leaders of our school and have a vital role to play in ensuring every child gets the best possible education. Governing bodies have a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
Holding the head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Setting Strategic Direction

Governing bodies are the key strategic decision making body of every school. It is their role to set the schools strategic framework and to ensure all statutory duties are met.

The governing body should ensure that the school has a medium and long-term vision for its future. The governing body should also ensure that there is a robust strategy in place for achieving its vision. This strategy should address the fundamental questions of where we are now, where do we want to be and how we are going to get there.

The governing body should set and safeguard a school ethos of high expectations of everyone in the school community. This includes high expectations for the behaviour, progress and attainment of all pupils in the school and for the conduct and professionalism of both staff and governors.

Holding the Head Teacher to Account

Governing bodies should work to support and strengthen the leadership of the head teacher and hold them to account for the day to day running of the school, including the performance management of teachers. Governing bodies should play a strategic role and avoid routine involvement in operational matters. It should focus strongly on holding the head teacher to account for exercising her professional judgement in these matters and of all other duties.

Effective governing bodies hold their head teacher and other senior leaders to account for improving school performance by asking the right questions. This might include asking:

Which groups of pupils are the highest and lowest performing and why?
How do you plan to address gaps between groups of children to ensure all groups are making good or rapid progress?
What is the quality of teaching across the school? How do you support teachers to improve their skills and knowledge so that standards continue to rise?
Is this a happy school with a positive learning culture? How do you know?

It is through our standards committee meetings that we provide governors with a wide range of data and other evidence to enable them to fully explore and question how we are performing as a school.

Overseeing the Financial Performance of the School

Governing bodies are responsible for making sure their schools' money is well spent. They should do this by making sure they have at least one governor with specific skills and experience of financial matters, and by asking questions such as:

Are we allocating our resources in line with our strategic priorities?
Are we making full use of all our assets and efficient use of all our financial resources?
How do we compare with similar schools?
How can we get better value for money from our budget?

School governors are members of their school's governing body, which is known as a 'corporate body'. A corporate body has a legal identity that is separate from its members and as a result, individual governors are generally protected from personal liability as a result of the governing body's decisions and actions provided they act honestly, reasonably and in good faith.

Individual governors have no power or right to act on behalf of the governing body except where the whole governing body has delegated a specific function to that individual or where regulations specify a function is to be exercised in a particular way.

School governors are drawn from different parts of the community and can be parents and staff or from the LA, the community and other groups. This helps ensure the governing body has sufficient diversity of views and experience but does not mean governors of a particular category represent that group on the governing body. For example, parent governors are not delegated by the parents at the school and do not report back to them.

Composition of the Governing Body

	Mr. Mike Tyler MBE Chair of Governors Co-Opted Governor A Chartered Accountant, Mike spent 28 years with IBM in consultancy, sales and management roles before completing a full-time MBA at Imperial College. He subsequently spent 17 years leading a charity in Tower Hamlets, working with businesses and their staff to help young people develop their employability skills. Now retired, Mike has been Chair of Governors at Osmani Primary School since 1996, he was also a Governor of St Paul’s Way Trust School and Christchurch Primary School. Mike is passionate about ensuring that every young person in Tower Hamlets has access to a good education and the opportunities they need to achieve their personal goals and aspirations
	Mrs. Husna Khatun Co-Opted Governor Husna has over 20 years’ experience in community work across Tower Hamlets. Through her roles as a Health Promotion Officer, fitness instructor and Sports Recreational Officer, she has promoted healthy living, encouraged women’s participation in sport and supported disadvantaged residents to access their rights and entitlements. She is also Secretary of Stepney Green Residents’ Committee, helping to promote community cohesion through workshops and programmes. As a proud Osmani parent for over a decade, Husna previously served as a Parent Governor and remains actively involved in school life, bringing parents together through charity events and other initiatives. She has returned to the governing body as a Co-Opted Governor, bringing her community experience, commitment to inclusion and passion for supporting families. Husna is dedicated to helping Osmani Primary School build on its achievements and ensuring every child receives the best possible education.
	Dr. Roger Courtenay Co-Opted Governor Dr Roger Courtenay is an economist and fund manager with a first-class degree in Economics from Cambridge University, alongside a Master’s degree and PhD in Finance. He began his career as an economist at the Bank of England before moving into fund management. Roger became one of Osmani’s first business reading partners in 1998 and joined the governing body in 1999. He has chaired the Curriculum and Standards Committee since 2002, bringing his professional expertise and long-standing commitment to supporting the school. Roger is passionate about helping Osmani pupils realise their full potential, enabling them to succeed and make a positive contribution to the wider community. Originally from Cornwall, he is also an elected member of the Cornish Language Board
	Ms. Charlotte Louise Menefy Co-Opted Governor Charlotte joined Osmani’s Governing Body after taking part in a school reading programme, where she enjoyed working with the children. She is passionate about ensuring every child receives the support, guidance and education they need to thrive. Charlotte began her career in health and fitness, owning and operating a gym, before transitioning into law. After working in insurance and reinsurance, she moved into aviation law in 2019, where she now handles aviation-related disputes involving airlines. As a Co-Opted Governor, Charlotte has oversight of Literacy, Pupil Premium and Staff Wellbeing. She is committed to supporting the school in providing the best possible educational experience and opportunities for all pupils
	Mr. Mohammed Nur Parent Governor As a former pupil and current parent at Osmani Primary School, I have a strong personal connection to the school and its community. Having benefited from the foundations Osmani provided, I am proud to give back and contribute to its continued success. I bring nearly two decades of experience in investment banking, where attention to detail, sound judgement, accountability and strategic decision-making are essential. These skills support my contribution to the Governing Body, helping me analyse information, ask constructive questions and maintain a focus on long-term outcomes. As a Parent Governor, I bring an understanding of both the school’s lasting impact and the perspectives of current families. I am committed to working collaboratively with fellow governors, school leaders and staff to uphold high standards, support educational excellence and ensure every pupil has the opportunity to succeed.
	Mr. Peter Holmes Co-Opted Governor Peter holds a joint honours degree in Environmental Science and Computer Science and has pursued a career in finance, undertaking senior operational and programme management roles at major institutions. Alongside his career, he mentored a charity through its first five years, helping it grow into a thriving organisation providing disadvantaged children with access to sports coaching. Peter has been a Governor at Osmani Primary School since 2004 and has chaired the Operations and Finance Committee for much of that time. He works closely with the Headteacher and Business Manager to support effective financial management and oversee school operations, helping to maintain a safe, welcoming environment for all pupils. Peter believes a good education provides the foundation for future success and a greater understanding of the diverse world in which we live. He is committed to supporting Osmani in delivering both
	Ms. Michelle Renaud Co-Opted Governor Michelle joined Osmani’s Governing Body after volunteering as a Reading Partner, where she enjoyed supporting children’s literacy and learning. She is passionate about helping pupils thrive and promoting effective communication and engagement across the school community. Michelle works as an Organisational Change Management Lead , where she supports individuals and teams through organisational change, including the adoption of new technologies and modern working practices. Her experience working with diverse stakeholders across the public and private sectors brings valuable insight to her role as Governor. Originally from Washington, D.C., Michelle holds a BA in English and Government & International Politics and an MA in Communications from George Mason University. An avid reader, she believes reading is fundamental to children’s knowledge, imagination and personal growth.
	Ms Shelagh Taylor Local Authority Governor Shelagh is a qualified solicitor who spent many years in private practice before moving into Knowledge Management. She holds a MSc in Information Science from City University. Her role includes coordinating lawyer training, ensuring information is accessible and managing regulatory compliance. She also leads a small team and is a trustee of two charities. As a Local Authority Governor, Shelagh brings valuable legal, organisational and leadership experience to Osmani Primary School. She believes every child deserves access to a good education and is particularly passionate about ensuring that children in Tower Hamlets have the opportunities and support they need to achieve their full potential.
	Mrs. Rujina Begum Parent Governor Rujina is a Senior Team Leader in Early Help services in Tower Hamlets, bringing valuable experience in safeguarding, supporting vulnerable families, education and multi-agency working. She has a strong understanding of the challenges families face, including barriers to education, mental health and housing, and is committed to helping ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive. As a Parent Governor, Rujina brings her professional knowledge and understanding of the local community to the Governing Body. She contributes to the school’s priorities around safeguarding, attendance and inclusion, helping strengthen links between the school and local services. With experience in data analysis, chairing meetings and collaborative working, Rujina supports constructive discussions, effective decision-making and school improvement.
	Mr David Sayers Co-Opted Governor David has worked in the finance industry for over 30 years and recognises the value of the skills and opportunities his career has provided. He began volunteering at Osmani Primary School as a language volunteer around 2007 and thoroughly enjoyed supporting the pupils. During a sabbatical from his company, David worked with a charity, where he wrote a paper encouraging employees at all levels to volunteer their time and share their skills and experience to benefit others. Following his return to work, David joined Osmani’s Governing Body as a Co-Opted Governor in 2009. He has responsibility for the school’s arts and cultural activities and is committed to helping pupils benefit from a broad range of enriching experiences and opportunities beyond the classroom.
	Ms Remi Atoyebi MBE The Headteacher Remi has worked in Tower Hamlets since 1997, serving as a teacher, Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher. She has been Headteacher of Osmani Primary School since 2006, bringing extensive experience and a strong commitment to the local community. Remi is passionate about supporting the children and families of Tower Hamlets and believes that every child deserves the best possible start in life through a high-quality primary education. She is dedicated to ensuring that all pupils at Osmani benefit from excellent teaching, an engaging and inclusive curriculum, and opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence. Her vision is to help every child reach their full potential, laying strong foundations for future learning, personal growth and success.
	Ms. Runa Begum Co-Opted Governor Runa has been the School Business Manager at Osmani Primary School since 2014. She holds an MSc in Management from Birkbeck, University of London, With a background in banking, where she progressed to branch manager, Runa brings valuable financial and management experience to her role in education. She is passionate about understanding how financial planning and resource management support the effective running of the school and contribute to pupils’ learning and development. Runa enjoys working closely with the school’s leadership team on strategic planning and is committed to ensuring that resources are used effectively. Her focus is on providing high-quality support to pupils, staff and governors, helping Osmani deliver the best possible educational experience for every child.
	Ms. Asma Hassan Staff Governor Since October 2006, I have had the privilege of working in Tower Hamlets, specifically at Osmani Primary, where I have served in various roles, including as a Teacher, Assistant Headteacher, and now as Deputy Headteacher and SENCo. Over the years, I've enjoyed the opportunity to connect with our local community and contribute positively to the lives of our pupils and their families. Throughout my time at Osmani, I have been committed to supporting all of our pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It is my passion to ensure that every child receives the tailored guidance and encouragement they need to thrive and reach their full potential. Witnessing our pupils' growth and achievements is incredibly rewarding and continues to inspire my dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment. I look forward to continuing to make a positive contribution at Osmani Primary School and anticipate more engaging experiences with our school community. Our shared journey is one of growth, learning, and development, and I am eager to see what the future holds.

Co-opted Governors (8)

Co-opted governors are appointed by the governing body. They are people who in the opinion of the governing body have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.

Local Authority Governor (1)

Local authority governors are nominated by the local authority but appointed by the governing body. The local authority can nominate any eligible person as a local authority governor, but it is for the governing body to decide whether their nominee has the skills to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school and meets any other eligibility criteria they have set.

Parent Governors (2)

Parent governors are elected by other parents at the school. Any parent, or carer, of a registered pupil at the school at the time of election is eligible to stand for election as a parent governor. Although voted to the governing body by parents, they are a representative and not a delegate of parents. Parent governors may continue to hold office until the end of their term of office even if their child leaves the school.

Staff Governor (1)

Teaching and support staff who, at the time of election, are employed by either the governing body or the local authority to work at the school under a contract of employment, are eligible to be staff governors.

The Headteacher

The headteacher is a member of the governing body by virtue of their office.