Katie Adams

Katie Adams has been a Probation Officer for 16 years.  During this time, she has experienced working in a multi-agency setting, thereby developing good knowledge and understanding about safeguarding (adults and children), the legal system and working with other organisations including mental health, local authorities (eg: child protection teams) and education.  

Katie is the Vice-Chair of the Governing Body and has previously chaired the Safety, Safeguarding and Wellbeing sub-committee.  She has a daughter still in Clore Shalom and two other children who in secondary school age having previously passed through Clore Shalom from the Nursery.

Classification: Foundation Governor

Term of office: January 2018 to January 2020

Areas of interest: Chair of the Governing Body, Safeguarding Governor, Member of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee

Pecuniary interests: None

Karen Cohen

Mrs Cohen is an experienced leader and educator, with over fifteen years of experience in the classroom, and as a consultant advising schools on improvement strategies. She has also worked at the London School of Jewish Studies, training and mentoring student teachers. Mrs Cohen has held a variety of leadership positions, at Clore Shalom and Menorah Foundation, Burnt Oak including Assistant Headteacher and since April 2013 was the Deputy Headteacher for Hertsmere Jewish Primary School.

Mrs Cohen has already had considerable impact, since taking up the position of Headteacher, in January 2017 and, together with the committed and hardworking staff team, she is excited and confident about the positive future of Clore Shalom School.

Classification: Headteacher

Term of office: From January 2017

Areas of interest: Headteacher

Pecuniary interests: None

Richard Cannon

Richard has been a qualified solicitor for over 20 years. He is a Partner in a central London law firm which specialises in fraud and related matters. He holds the position as Compliance Officer for Legal Practice at the firm and is experienced in oversight and compliance. He is able to bring those forensic skills to the Governing Body.

Richard grew up and was schooled in Edgware and has been a life-long member of the Reform community having been a senior leader in RSYNetzer in his past.

Richard has 4 children, all of whom were or are Clore Shalom pupils and has been a Clore parent since 2001.

He has a deep commitment to high quality pluralist Jewish education.

Classification: Foundation Governor

Term of office: January 2018 to January 2020

Areas of interest: Chair of the Finance & Governance Standards Committee

Pecuniary interests: None

Simon Barr

Simon Barr has been teaching for 27 years and is currently Deputy Headteacher at a large four form entry primary school in Wembley. During his time in education, he has held a variety of senior roles (including Acting Head on three occasions) and has lectured in Education at the University of Hertfordshire. 

Simon has 10 years’ experience of sitting on governing bodies and various committees (including personnel and curriculum) which have given him an in-depth understanding of the vital role the governing body plays in the running of schools. 

Simon is looking forward to the exciting opportunities that being a Governor at Clore Shalom will bring, and to being able to make a vital contribution to the school.

Classification: Foundation Governor

Term of office: February 2016 to February 2020

Areas of interest: Chair of the Admissions Committee

Member of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee

Pecuniary interests: Deputy Headteacher of Wembley Primary School

Geraldine Louch

I worked in primary education in Hertfordshire for 47 years. I have been a class teacher, deputy headteacher, headteacher, acting headteacher and latterly was a County Adviser, working with schools in difficult circumstances. My experience of working in many different schools, in differing circumstances has given me a real insight into primary education. I have served as a governor at Clore Shalom for two years and have watched the school move forward under good management. I am also on the board of a multi academy trust in Stevenage. I still enjoy working with schools, sharing my experience and expertise.

Classification: Co-Opted Governor

Term of office: January 2017 to January 2019

Areas of interest: Member of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee

Pecuniary interests: Governing Body Improvements & Independent Consultant for Herts for Learning

Maurice Balfe

Maurice Balfe is a semi-retired Chartered Accountant, currently working part-time for working for the JCoSS Trust with responsibility for voluntary contributions, Ethos and Pears accounting, budget monitoring and reporting.   Prior to his retirement, Maurice had considerable experience in both business and accountancy practice, most recently with a well-known firm of Chartered Accountants in the City.  Before that, he worked as Director of Finance in small to medium private and quoted companies in the chemical, agribusiness and printing industries in the UK and Ireland. Maurice lives in Southgate with my wife and has four grown up children and one granddaughter. Maurice regularly co-ordinates the Christmas shelter for homeless people in Barnet and helps with the Winter Shelter, again for homeless people in Barnet. His hobbies include motor boating, gardening and bread making.

Classification: Foundation Governor

Term of office: June 2016 to July 2020

Areas of interest: Member of the Finance Committee

Pecuniary interests: Finance Officer at JCOSS

Hannah Morris

Hannah is an independent educational psychologist, helping families and schools to understand the learning strengths and needs of children in relation to all aspects of child development, behaviour and the psychology of teaching and learning. Hannah has previously worked with children in care, co-ordinated a Local Authority Anti-Bullying Strategy and taught reception at a Hertfordshire primary school. 

On a voluntary basis, Hannah has been a youth leader, Childline telephone counsellor and a trustee for the NSPCC. She is actively involved in the Masorti community, with particular focus on leading activities for under 5s. She enjoys dance, theatre and spending time with her family.

Hannah is committed to supporting the school in ensuring all children learn and succeed through quality first teaching, in an environment that is safe and nurturing.

Classification: Local Education Authority Governor

Term of office: May 2016 to May 2020

Areas of interest: Member of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee

Pecuniary interests: None

Ben Konopinski

Ben Konopinski has worked in the IT Industry for over 18 years during which he has run a company and then started his own business in 2012.  Ben is able to bring his skills of managing budgets, business management and health & safety to the Governing Body.  Ben is also active in fundraising and utilising contacts made throughout his personal and business life.

Ben lives locally and has two children at Clore Shalom so has a very keen interest to make sure the future of the school is one to be proud of.

Classification: Parent Governor

Term of office: April 2018 to April 2020

Areas of interest: Member of the Finance Committee

Pecuniary interests:

Rabbi Celia Surget

Rabbi Celia Surget is the Associate Rabbi and Director of Youth at Radlett Reform Synagogue where she is involved in all aspects of synagogue life, especially leading services, adult education, pastoral work and officiating at life-cycle events. Rabbi Celia also leads the flourishing Cheder and continues to develop our exciting youth provision across all ages.

Celia studied History of Religions, Hebrew and Philosophy at the University of Geneva and began her Rabbinic studies at Hebrew Union College, before transferring to Leo Baeck College in London. On graduating, she spent four years working for the MJLF Mouvement Juif Liberal de France in Paris, where she worked both as a congregational Rabbi and as Director of Education.  Celia co-wrote a Talmud Torah curriculum designed to meet the specific needs of the French Progressive congregations and she developed informal education programmes such as camps and Israel tours.

Classification: Foundation Governor

Term of office: July 2016 to July 2020

Areas of interest:  Member of the Admissions Committee

Pecuniary interests: None

Sara Levan

Sara Levan is the Director of Jewish Life and a member of the Senior Leadership Team at JCoSS.  She has taught in the UK, Japan and Israel as well as working in youth and community development across the Jewish community.  She holds an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy and also volunteers as a parenting mentor and coach. 

Classification: Foundation Governor

Term of office: December 2014 to December 2018

Areas of interest: Member of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee

Pecuniary interests: None

Hayley Herman

Classification: Foundation Governor

Term of office: May 2017 to May 2019

Areas of interest: Member of the Finance Committee

Pecuniary interests:

Emma Caplan

Ben Conway

(Associate governor)