Dame Alice Owen's School

Governors

An Introduction to the Governing Body by Mr Peter Martin, Chair of Governors

When Dame Alice Owen founded her school in 1613 she entrusted the administration of the school and its endowment to the Worshipful Company of Brewers which, for nearly four centuries as Trustee of the Dame Alice Owen Foundation, has supported and encouraged the school. Throughout the school’s history many members of the Livery have served with distinction on the Governing Body, often as Chairmen.

I myself was a student at the school in Islington during the 60s, and both my sons have also been students at the school. I was asked to become a Foundation governor in 2001, and became Chair in September 2009. We have been fortunate during that time to have a consistently strong teaching and support staff, well led by consecutive Heads and their Senior Leadership Teams, The school has a proud record for its high academic standards, and for its extra curricular activities which give students a wide range of opportunities. It was judged ‘outstanding” in every respect in its latest Ofsted inspection in May 2009 and produced excellent results at both A Level and GCSE in 2009.

The Trustee supports the school financially by providing funds to help maintain buildings and equipment over and above those normally available at a Comprehensive school. The Trustee also supports staff and students in undertaking a wide range of extracurricular activities, including overseas educational and sporting visits. The Master and Wardens, as representatives of the Trustee , make an annual visit to the school in September; and the Master attends the prize giving ceremony known as ‘Visitation’ in July. Read Mr Peter Martin's speech, from the Upper School Visitation Ceremony, July 2012 (60KB)

The Composition and Role of the Governing Body

The Governing Body comprises 11 Foundation Governors, 3 elected parent Governors’ 2 elected teacher Governors, 1 elected non–teaching staff Governor, 2 LEA nominated Governors and the Head.
Of the total of 21 Governors, excluding the teachers, staff and LEA Governors, a minimum of 7 (or one third) of the remainder are required to be parents; hence a minimum of 4 of the Foundation Governors have to be parents.The Governing Body may also appoint from time to time one or more Associate Governors to assist and advise them in their work. Associate Governors do not have voting rights.

The Worshipful Company of Brewers as Trustee of the Dame Alice Owen Foundation are still required to endorse the appointment of the Foundation Governors as recommended by the chair. Currently 4 Foundation Governors are liverymen of the Worshipful Company of Brewers; the remainder comprise parents, ex parents, old Owenians and a number of specialists. The Foundation Governors currently include Accountants, a University Professor, a Doctor, Lawyers, a Primary School Head, and those who hold, or have held senior positions in industry or commerce.

The full Governing Body normally meets once per term, unless there is a special requirement for an additional meeting. In addition there are 5 Governing Body Committees covering Finance, Personnel and Communications, Admissions, Facilities Management and Curriculum. Each Committee meets termly prior to the termly meeting of the Full Governing Body. All Governors serve on a minimum of two committees and receive minutes of all committee meetings.

List of Governors (as of September 2012)

• Mr Peter Martin MA ACIB - Chairman
• Mr Des O’Flanagan BSc (Hons) MCMI - Vice Chairman
• Mr Tim Bonham
• Mr Colin Chick MSc MBA FICE
• Mrs Michèle Constantinou BA BSc
• Dr Alan Davison MBA EdD
• Mr Stephen Goodyear
• Mrs Sandra Huckle BSc (Hons) FCA
• Mr Tom Imber MA FIA 
• Mrs Carole James MA MB BChir
• Mr Sikander Khan
• Revd Michael Ovey PhD MTh MA BCL BA
• Mr Tim Rayner MA FCCA
• County Cllr Eddie Roach
• Mr Steve Roberts BSc
• Mr Charles M Tracy BA (Hons) MSc
• Mrs Sally-Ann Underhill LLB
• County Cllr John Usher
• Mr Kevin Whelan BEd
  
• Brigadier David Ross CBE - Clerk 
  
• Ms Véronique Duvergé BA (Hons) - Assistant Clerk
  

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