Fitzjohn's Primary School

Our Governors

To contact our governing body please telephone the school office on 020 7435 9797 or write to Chair of Governors c/o Fitzjohn's Primary School, 86a Fitzjohn's Ave., London NW3 6NP.

In December 2018, Ofsted wrote this about our Governors:

Governors are committed to the school's success and collectively have a range of expertise and skills. Through regular visits to the school, and through reports they received form school leaders and from external agencies including the local authority, they have a detailed knowledge of the school. They use this information to monitor the impact of the work of school leaders on pupils' outcomes. This enables them to offer sharp and timely support to the leadership team.

In November 2014, Ofsted wrote this about our Governing Body:

The governance of the school:

Governors are exceptionally well informed. They receive comprehensive, accurate and candid reports from the headteacher. Governors also gather their own information through a formal timetable of activities, including visits to lessons and talking to pupils and parents and carers.
As a result, they ask probing and challenging questions of leaders and have deep insight into how well all groups of pupils achieve, including disadvantaged pupils. They know how well the pupil premium funding is used.
Governors know how effective teaching is and how good performance is rewarded.
Governors relish any training and advice. Most recently this has focused on safeguarding and on analysing pupil progress information. They have a wide variety of skills and are keen to make sure they are used to benefit the school. They have recently undertaken an audit of their skills and have actively sought to appoint new governors to fill potential gaps.
They make sure that all statutory arrangements are met, including for safeguarding. Procedures are robust to secure pupils’ safety and well-being.

	Information on GB Membership October 2023	[pdf 192KB]
	Attendance Sheet summary fitzjohns 2022-23 LATEST	[pdf 0B]
	Terms of Reference 23-24	[pdf 0B]
	UPDATED Governing Body workplan 2023-24	[pdf 0B]

Rob Earrey

Headteacher

I love my job. Every day I get to come into work and hopefully change someone's life for the better. There can be nothing more satisfying.

As well as wanting the best academic standards for all of our children, I also want Fitzjohn’s to be a place that children love to come. Schools are much more than places of academic learning. They are places that create great human beings – if we do that then that’s our job done.

As the children will tell you, I am a life-long Beano fan and a magician. I am a hugely proud member of The Magic Circle, the world’s most exclusive magic club. I write a monthly column for our magazine (The Magic Circular) called Diversity in Magic. It is an attempt to tell the stories of magicians who are people of colour, female, trans, gay, disabled, etc.

As Head I am also a member of the governing body. It is my role to advise the governing body of current academic standards and challenges we might face.

The Head of each school is ex officio a staff governor, but he or she can decline to take up the position. Should they decide not to become a member of the governing body, their place is left vacant.

It is up to the governing body as a whole whether the Headteacher has voting rights.

Mike Herlihy

Clerk

I joined Fitzjohn's as Clerk to the Governing Body in May 2013 having worked for Local and National Organisations for many years in the Governance field as a Chartered Secretary. Over the past 8 years I have worked in a number of positions as Clerk to Governing Body/Company Secretary to Academy Trusts/ Free School Trusts and have enjoyed working with all the different schools across all phases. Each school is very different but I can say that Fitzjohn’s is the nicest and most welcoming school I have worked in. Not only that but their governance practice is also outstanding as evidenced in the last Ofsted report, a Governing Body who is supportive but also prepared to challenge the Headteacher and his excellent staff team to ensure the best outcomes for the school

I am also a specialist youth magistrate and sit on two children services boards as well as the Advisory Committee responsible for recruiting magistrates across all of London .You could say the courtroom and the classroom are important places for me.

Danielle Litterick

Co-opted Governor and Vice Chair

I initially became a parent governor at Fitzjohn's because I wanted to be more involved with the school that my son was attending. I wanted to see how decisions were made and why, and to offer any help I could to make the school as good as it could be. I firmly believe that with education you can change the world! My oldest son is now at university, and I am now the Vice Chair of Governors after serving as Chair for over 6 years

My background is in Physics and Maths – I did my degree as a mature student and single mother. Before that I worked in a casino, although I initially trained as a ballet dancer. I've been working as a software developer for Legal & General Investment Management for over ten years. I have an interest in neurodiversity and equality.

Debbie Moss

Co-opted Governor

I am the Deputy Head and Inclusion Manager at Fitzjohn’s. I’ve been working alongside Rob in this role since January 2008, and have always attended all governing body meetings as an associate governor. Since our re-constitution in January 2015, I have become a co-opted governor which has given me voting rights for the first time.

It is my responsibility to make the governing body aware of how we maintain and develop our inclusive practices, through development sessions, meeting with the SEN Governor and information in the head’s half termly report to the Governing Body.

It is a pleasure to be on the governing body, particularly now that we have developed a more streamlined structure to meetings, that allows us more time to focus on our main purpose – helping the school to move forward and improve so that it is a place where ‘everyone can succeed.’

Christina Pappas Kohle

Parent Governor

My name is Christina Kohle. I have lived in Hampstead and Belsize Park for over 20 years. I have a son at Fitzjohn's Primary School (my daughter who is now in seondary school attended Fitzjohn's too). I became a Parent Governor because I have a keen interest in education and believe in the ability of community schools to empower children to succeed. I have over 25 years of international finance experience, focusing on communication and infrastructure development projects in Europe, the Middle East and most recently Africa.

I have a BA in Political Science from Binghamton University and an MSc in Government from the London School of Economics.

Ruth Schocken Katz

Parent Governor and Chair

I am a parent governor and have two daughters who were at Fitzjohn's but have now moved on to secondary school. I became a governor as it was important for me to support the school that I love in whichever way I can. Additionally, I wanted to be a role model for my daughters and take an active role which has an impact on our community.After serving as Vice Chair for a number of years I was honoured to be elected Chair of the Governing Body in October 2021

I work as a personal coach and a filmmaker - both are roles which allow me to create meaningful connections with people. These two roles are deeply connected: by choosing the lens by which we look at the world and ourselves, we can shift perspectives, decide what to focus on, and transform how we characterise ourselves and the people around us. By choosing the narratives that align with our sense of purpose and how we make meaning in this crazy, mixed-up world, we gain greater awareness of the role we play in how we experience every aspect of our lives. (rskcoaching.com)

As well as coaching, I run my own film production company (presentfilms.com) which helps individuals and small companies or organisations tell their stories through film. Each film we make as a true collaboration with our clients - a journey of discovery - so that the experience is empowering and creative for all of us. Joining the governing body, allows me to work as a team member in another capacity that has an impact both on my family and my community.

I hold a Coach Practitioner accreditation by the EMCC, an MA in Filmmaking from the London Film School and a BA in English Literature and Drama from Queen Mary, University of L Townsend London.

Deborah Townsend

Co-opted Governor

I have lived locally since 1974.
I have been on the governing body at Fitzjohn's since my own children attended the school in the 1980's.
I have worked in local government, supporting the voluntary sector and as an organiser of a community centre in Camden.

Between 1997and 2013 I worked in Kensington and Chelsea within the Language Development Service as a teacher and an Active Teacher Consultant, providing strategic support for ethnic minority pupils, including those developing English as an Additional Language.

Now retired, I take an active part in the local community and continue my interest in education policy and practice. I question the wisdom of many recent education reforms which have ushered in a more constricted, less imaginative system, lacking in democratic accountability.

I hope to continue to support the inclusive, broad educational offer at Fitzjohn’s. It is a school rooted in its community with policies and practices that support the social and emotional well-being of pupils and staff.

Pat Traynor

Co-opted Governor

I was one of the first parent governors when I was elected. Prior to that date parents had not been represented on the Governing Body. One of my reasons for becoming a governor was because I believe that children benefit from the involvement of their parents in their school. I have three daughters, who are now adults, and they have all done well following their education at Fitzjohn’s. I was vice-chair of governors for a number of years and chair for four years. I now chair the Education Committee of the Governing Body

My career was in university administration and I have considerable experience in the governance of educational institutions. I was involved in the drafting and interpreting of instruments of government (Acts of Parliament, Royal Charters and Statutes, and Memoranda and Articles of Association) for the Colleges and Institutions of the University of London and for obtaining the approval of Parliament and/or the Privy Council. I have also acted as secretary/clerk to University statutory bodies, including the academic governing body, the Senate. During the last dozen years of my working life I was Head of Academic Policy in the Medical Faculty which was responsible for the education and training of doctors, dentists, vets and pharmacists and the University’s interface with the NHS. I have also done editorial work and job evaluation.

Pete Winiewicz

Staff Governor

Pete is our Year 6 Teacher and Sports Lead.

Nick Zangwill

Parent Governor

Professor Nick Zangwill has two children at Fitzjohn's. He has taught Philosophy in the universities of Glasgow, Oxford, Durham and Hull, and he has been Visiting Professor in Sao Paulo, Campinas, Tehran, Haifa, Kyoto, Osaka, Wuhan, Padua, and various places in the USA.

Ella Salter (Parent Governor)

I have two children currently attending Fitzjohn’s School - after my son’s first two years at the school I jumped at the opportunity to become a parent governor and become more involved in the school and help it continue to offer a great, well-rounded education to local children.
I have a background working in the Arts, particularly live music and look forward to working with the school community to continue the wonderful ethos and spirit of Fitzjohn’s Primary School.

Anya Smirnova (Parent Governor)

My family has lived in Hampstead since 2008 and my two sons are at Fitzjohn's Primary School. I love that in Fitzjohn's the focus is on children growing into great human beings and that the academic learning is just a part of good schooling. I believe this is the way to prepare our kids for a rapidly-changing world. As a multicultural family, we also love being part of the Fitzjohn's international community.

I became a Parent Governor to support our wonderful school with my skills, enthusiasm and a fresh, newbie view on the British school system. Personally, I want to better understand the education system and I learn best by taking part (the level of training school governors get is impressive!).

I am a lawyer-turned-coach with some adventures in-between. After a 13-year career as a project financing lawyer in a global law firm, I left to live on a tropical island, became a women’s health activist, an entrepreneur and a transformational women's coach. Here is my story: https://www.anyasmirnova.com/about

As a lawyer and a coach, I’m trained in critical thinking and supporting people in questioning their mindset and what impact it has. I've also been a mansion block director and so I'm familiar with the processes and responsibilities of being a board member.

I hold two law degrees, I'm a registered solicitor in England & Wales and an executive & life coach certified with the International Coaching Federation.

Simon Lickert (LA Governor)

I'm proud and excited to join the board of governors at Fitzjohns. Since moving to Camden two years ago, my wife and I have been welcomed by the local community and it's a pleasure to find an opportunity to give back.

Primary schools play a vital role in preparing children for a happy and fulfilling life. In my professional life, I support charities and local governments to make the most impact they can.

I hope I can use these skills to support the school leadership, parents, and pupils to create a positive school experience.

Andrea Yiakoumetti

Co-opted Governor

Andrea lives (relatively) locally in Kentish Town. During Lockdown 1, she was prompted to apply for a school governor role to contribute towards her local community and a cause which she feels strongly about, being education. She is a property solicitor by day, grew up in Barnet, north London, and is grateful for the educational opportunities that she had. Outside of work, Andrea enjoys the company of her friends and family, the occasional gym class and, prior to lockdown, would frequently attend Camden Leaseholder Forum meetings as an observer