Meet our Governors (ID 1200)

• Ben Pheloung
  Chair of Governors (Parent Governor)
  Ben Pheloung

  Ben Pheloung - Chair of Governors

  I'm Ben Pheloung, and I have the honor of serving as the Chair of Governors. My commitment to the school is personal as well as professional, with both of my children attending—currently in Year 4 and Year 6. In addition to my role as Chair, I also act as the Link Governor for Special Educational Needs (SEN), ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. Outside of the school, I work in the digital advertising industry, and I bring that expertise and perspective to my role on the governing body. As Governor, I work to support the team at South Grove in their continuing mission to provide an environment of supportive and excellent learning.

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• Elizabeth Gaskell
  Vice Chair of Governors (Parent Governor)
  Elizabeth Gaskell

  I am proud to have been a Parent Governor at South Grove since 2017 when my daughter began reception, I now have two more children at the school across the key stages. Throughout this time, I have been impressed with the schools inclusive and positive ethos which is befitting of the diverse demographic of the school community.

  Professionally I have worked for the past 20 years as a teacher in East London secondary schools within Design Technology, Art and Photography and currently support ECTs in my role as Induction Coordinator.

  I am passionate about the arts and pupil access to a rich and diverse curriculum, that encourages and enables cultural capital to allow all pupils to thrive and reach their potential!

• Poppy Flint
  Local Authority Governor
  Poppy Flint

  Local Authority Governor since September 2022

  Link Governor for Sustainability and Climate Change

  I am the Climate Action Outreach Coordinator for The Hive which Waltham Forest council’s environmental and climate education centre in the heart of Epping Forest. I am fortunate to be able to divide my work time between there and visiting schools across the borough.

  Prior to this role I was a freelance environmental educator with a number of charities including the Country Trust which is how I first came to know South Grove Primary School. I ran two years of the ‘Food Discovery Project’, teaching year 5’s food growing, cooking skills and about food and farming.

  Living around the corner was very handy for carrying precious seedlings too and fro during holidays, and for getting to know the South Grove community. I was delighted to be invited to be a Governor for South Grove; I'm committed to working with the school on how to make the operations as climate friendly as possible as well as nurturing a care for the planet and aspirations for a sustainable, healthy future through the school's curriculum and culture. Climate and sustainability are emerging issues in education so it is a learning journey for everyone, especially me.

  I hold a BA in Theatre: Design for Performance and an MSc in Education for Sustainability. Alongside my work for the council I have a freelance arts practice.

• Helen Trivers
  Co-opted governor
  Helen Trivers

  I have been a Co-opted Governor at South Grove since 2021 and am really proud to be part of a school that constantly strives to support all children to be the best they can be. I have worked in education for over 20 years, as both a primary and secondary school teacher and within the field of human rights education for organisations such as Amnesty International and the British Institute of Human Rights. I am currently work within the Rights Respecting Schools team at UNICEF UK where I support schools across the UK to put children’s rights at the heart of what they do. I have lived in Walthamstow for 12 years and have two children in local schools. In my spare time I sew and also sing as part of a local choir, Sing17.

• Georgia Winter
  Staff governor
  Georgia Winter

• Miss Charlotte Slade
  Co-opted governor
  Miss Charlotte Slade

  I have been a co-opted governor at South Grove since 2011. It has been a privilege to work with a school that works so hard to ensure that all the children are able to achieve the best that they can, both academically and as members of the community. Over my time with South Grove, it has been wonderful to see the school go from strength to strength.

  I have undertaken a variety of roles during my time at South Grove, including Vice Chair and Chair of Governors. I am currently a member of the Pay and Personnel Committee and am Link Governor for raising standards and Early Years. Through these roles I have aimed to support the staff to provide the best possible education for all the pupils. It is always a delight to visit the school and to talk to the children about their learning and life at South Grove. They are always so proud of their achievements and of the school.

  Before I retired, I worked in education for over 30 years. I taught in primary schools in Lambeth for 20 years. I then worked in Initial Teacher Education for 10 years training students to become primary teachers. In this role I was fortunate to visit trainees in many schools across East London.

• Mohammed Baporia
  Parent Governor
  Mohammed Baporia

  I have three daughters who attend South Grove in years 1, 4 and 5.

  I was elected as a Parent Governor at South Grove in November 2023, and I am proud to have been given this opportunity.

  I am excited to play a role in ensuring that each child’s needs are met so that they can succeed.

  I hope to use my life experiences, including growing up in Walthamstow, attending local schools and my background as an accountant, to assist me in my role on the governing body.

  As a governor, I strive to create a supportive and excellent learning environment by listening to as many experiences as possible.

• Claire Sampson
  Co-opted governor
  Claire Sampson