Welcome to our Governors' section.
Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
We have also provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information.
This is achieved through:
The Governing Body consists of:
Governors are generally appointed for a two year term, this includes the Staff Governor. The Chairs and Vice Chair are appointed at the beginning of each academic year. The Full Governing Body meets five times per academic year as do the Resources Committee and the Curriculum Committee.
Co-opted Governors are appointed by the Governing Body, on the basis of a regular skills audit, because they have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
Purpose of the Finance Committee
The purpose of the Finance Committee is to:
The purpose of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee is to:
Katie Adams Foundation Governor | Katie has been a Governor at Clore Shalom School since January 2011, initially as a Parent Governor and now serve as a Foundation Governor. She sits on the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee. Katie is also the named Safeguarding Governor, which involves ensuring all policies and procedures around safeguarding are current and she carries out termly audits with the member of staff responsible for safeguarding to ensure that this very important area meets all statutory requirements. In addition to the above, she is also the Safer Recruitment governor so ensure that the recruitment process is fair and safe at all times. Katie has been a Probation Officer and now as a Community Outreach Worker for the local community enables her to be well equipped to govern. She attends regular governor training sessions to ensure that my practice is up-to-date and relevant. Katie is also an ex-parent of the school - her 3 children were at Clore Shalom from 2004 until 2016.
Classification: Foundation Governor Term of office: January 2022 to January 2026 Areas of interest: Member of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee Pecuniary interests: None |
Audrey Almeida Observer | Audrey has been the school business manager since September 2022 and supports the finance and resources committee.
Classification: Observer Term of office: July 2022 to July 2026 |
Liz Auerbach Parent Governor | Liz has over 15 years of experience working in HR Management and People Leadership. Liz has worked across various sectors and within organisations large and small. During more recent years, Liz’s focus has become increasingly strategic, being involved in organisational development & planning, hiring, performance management, budget & stakeholder management, people development and change management. Liz is mother to two boys at Clore Shalom, one of whom has additional needs. This has led to a particular interest in better understanding the needs of SEN pupils and the importance of inclusivity throughout schools.
Classification: Parent Governor Term of office: November 2022 to November 2026 Areas of interest: Pecuniary interests: |
Simon Barr Foundation Governor | Simon 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 has given him an in-depth understanding of the vital role the governing body plays in the running of schools. Simon is enjoys being a Governor at Clore Shalom, and being able to make a vital contribution to the school.
Classification: Foundation Governor Term of office: March 2020 to March 2024 Areas of interest: Chair of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee Pecuniary interests: Deputy Headteacher of Wembley Primary School |
Beth Bean Staff Governor | Classification: Staff Governor Term of office: September 2021 to September 2025 |
Jack Bispham Parent Governor | Jack has worked in the property industry for over 19 years specialising in asset and property management. His wealth of experience with ongoing property maintenance, project management and general business bring a depth of knowledge in helping the finance and resources committee drive value for money and other general efficiencies. Jack was previously the treasurer of the PTA for 6 years making a significant contribution to their fundraising activities and achievements, further Jack has been a regular volunteer and contributor to school and school event security. Jacks' daughter, Georgia, left Clore Shalom in 2021 to start at Yavneh College and his son, Max, is in Year 6.
Classification: Parent Governor Term of office: January 2022 to January 2026 Areas of interest: Member of the Finance & Resources Committee |
Ian Brookman Foundation Governor | Classification: Foundation Governor |
Karen Cohen Observer | Karen Cohen is an experienced leader and educator, with over twenty years of experience in the classroom. She has held a variety of leadership positions in different schools and was the Headteacher of Clore Shalom between January 2017-January 2023. Karen has had considerable impact during her time at Clore Shalom. Karen has recently taken up the post of Executive Principal at Aspires Trust, is a Hertfordshire Improvement Partner(HIP) and also a founding co-director of a school improvement consultancy business. Karen is currently providing support to the leadership team during the transition phase of the school.
Classification: Observer Term of office: From January 2017 Areas of interest:Curriculum, school development Pecuniary interests: Hertfordshire Improvement Partner, Local Authority Governor at Shephalbury Park Primary School Partner in an educational and leadership consultancy business |
Ben Conway Foundation Governor | Ben is an experienced primary school leader, having worked in various schools across Enfield and Hertfordshire. He is currently a Headteacher of another Hertfordshire primary school, and has previously held the positions of Deputy Headteacher, Maths Leader and Achievement Year Group Leader to name a few. In addition to his permanent roles, he has always supported, and continues to support, a range of schools in different contexts, as a consultant senior leader, acting and interim headteacher and through leading staff development. He is proud to have contributed to the development to Clore Shalom in the recent past, as Deputy Headteacher, and is committed to support the school on its onward journey. Prior to working in education, he attained an honours degree in sports therapy and spent time working with professional and semi-professional football teams. Ben lives in Broxbourne with his young family, and enjoys participating in a wide range of sporting activities, cooking and socialising in his spare time.
Classification: Foundation Governor Term of office: September 2020 to September 2024 Areas of interest: Member of the Finance & Resources Committee Pecuniary interests: Headteacher Shephalbury Park Primary school Partner in an educational and leadership consultancy business |
Sophie Goldsmith Acting Headteacher | Sophie has worked at Clore Shalom since 2018, as a class teacher, Assistant Head, Deputy Head and currently Acting Headteacher. Sophie is passionate about providing the most effective learning experience for the children at Clore Shalom and has had considerable impact in developing the curriculum.
Classification: Headteacher Term of office: January 2023 to September 2023 Areas of interest: Member of the Finance & Resources Committee, Member of Curriculum and Safeguarding Pecuniary interests: None |
Ben Konopinski Vice Chair of Governing Board | 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. Ben is currently the vice-chair of the governing board and chair of finances committee.
Classification: Vice Chair of Governing Board Term of office: January 2022 to January 2026 Areas of interest: Member of Finance and Resources Committee, Vice Chair of the Governing Board Pecuniary interests: none |
Carly Lax Foundation Governor | Carly Lax has been a teacher since 2003 and has worked at Clore Shalom since 2011. Prior to working at Clore Shalom, she has worked in different settings including spending many years working in an inner London Catholic School and a private school, gaining a wealth of experience. Since working at Clore Shalom, she has undertaken many roles including Class Teacher, Senco, Curriculum Leader, Phase Leader and now Assistant Head for Pastoral and behaviour. She has a young family, who she enjoys spending time with and enjoys going to the gym, baking and reading in her spare time.
Classification: Foundation Governor Term of office: October 2021 to October 2025 Areas of interest: Member of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee Pecuniary interests: None |
Sara Levan Co Chair of Governing Board | 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 2022 to December 2026 Areas of interest: Member of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee, Finance and Resources Committee, Admissions Committee. Headteacher performance management Pecuniary interests: None |
Geraldine Louch Co-Opted Governor | 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 three 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 2021 to January 2025 Areas of interest: Member of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee Pecuniary interests: Governing Body Improvements & Independent Consultant for Herts for Learning |
Hannah Morris Local Authority Governor | 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 2020 to May 2024 Areas of interest: Member of the Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee Pecuniary interests: None |
Neil Rosen Co Chair of Governing Board | Neil has recently changed roles to concentrate on his property business which enables him to spend more time with his family and his voluntary activities. Neil’s property company, along with over 20 years in business will help support the school with all aspects of cost savings and efficiency. Neil also takes an active role in the safety and security of the school. Neil lives in Borehamwood and had been a parent at Clore for around 11 years before his youngest recently left to start her secondary school journey at Yavneh.
Classification: Co-Chair of Governing Board and Chair of Finance and Resources Committee Term of office: October 2021 to October 2025 Areas of interest: Chair of the Finance and Resources Committee Pecuniary interests: none |