Governors

WIL THURSFIELD

Chair of Local Governing Board and Safeguarding Link

Wil became Chair of the Local Governing Board at the start of the 2024-25 academic year. Wil joins the school as an experienced chair of governors, most recently at the nearby Livity School (a special school, part of the Elm Court Livity Foundation).  He believes that schools should have high expectations for all pupils and provide them with the opportunities and support to succeed.   Professional, he brings over 15 years experience as a central government servant working in education, youth offending and adult social casre. He has a particular interest and experience in school standards.

Term of office: Sept 2024 - Sept 2028

ROSEMOND ANSAH

Parent Governor

Term of office: Dec 23 - Dec 27

ADAM CALLAGHAN

Adam has been a member of the governing board since 2016.  He currently works as the Managing Director of Legal & Project Finance for a global real estate investment company and is a qualified lawyer with a background in political studies.  Adam is keen to support the school in the consideration of its financial priorities and proposals. 

Term of office: Jan 21 - Jan 25*

LEO FRANCO

With seven years of professional experience in the Renewable Energy sector, Leo Franco brings a wealth of expertise in problem solving and critical thinking.  A proud former student of the DET schools, he is committed to ensuring students in South London receive a high-quality education that prepares them for both academic success and active, positive contributions to society. 

Passionate about supporting young people, he has already been volunteering by offering guidance to prospective university applicants at their former school for a number of years.  This hands-on experience, combined with a desire to give back to the community, inspired him to join the governnace team at The Elmgreen School.

Term of office: Sept 24 - Sept 28

JOSEPH HYLTON

Joseph is a civil servant with over 10 years experience in both the Recruitment and D&I sectors. Joseph has also worked as a Community Liaison Officer, successfully helping to bridge the gap between under-represented communities and local authorities.  In joining The Elmgreen School's local board, Joseph hopes to give back to the community, and be a critical friend, in the aim to make young people's experiences in the education system more positive and rewarding. 

Term of office: Oct 23 - Oct 27

MICHAEL MARGERISON

Staff Governor

Michael has worked at The Elmgreen School since 2009.  It has been quite a journey from a tiny school on Gipsy Lane, to the thriving and bustling school we have today.  Michael's decision to join the school in the first place, and why he has stayed so long, is because he passionatly believes in the school's mission.  It was established on principles of equality, opportunity, community and social justice and has held firmly to those beliefs for all these years. This is the kind of place where we can make a real difference to the lives of young people, and as a working class boy himself, the kind of place where Michael feels he is put to best use. 

Michael, as the librarian, is passionate about young people and their reading.  Not only becuase it is a lifelong skill which will inevitably enrich their lives, but because it is an essential skill to success in school and in life.  Michael works relentlessly to promote, encourage and coerce our students to read more, because "kids who read, succeed". 

Term of office: Dec 22 - Nov 26

MARSHA-MARIE RICHARDS

Marsha has a special interest in inclusion and the role that this plays within educational settings.  She is a parent to a young man, who has been through the school system and a teenage girl who attends The Elmgreen School.  She brings to the Board her experience and knowledge as a parent and as a professional working with individuals from primary age to adulthood who are involved with the criminal justice system.  She also brings enthusiasm and a genuine desire to assist the school to help the children and staf to be the very best that they can be. 

Term of office: Dec 20 - Dec 24

DAVID TIMMS

Health & Safety Link

Dave has had a long career in environmental and global justice advocacy, and is currently the Head of Campaigns for a major conservation charity.  Dave brings communications, sustainability, management and scrutiny skills to the governing board.  Dave was formerly a parent governor on the Local Governing Board before being appointed by the Trustees for a new term of office in Autumn 2023.  Dave's two children both previously attended the school.  He believes that Elmgreen's ethos enables students to achieve both their academic potential and to become engaged, questioning citizens able to play a positive role in the community and wider society.  Dave is the LGB's link governor for Health & Safety.

Term of office: Dec 23 - Dec 27*

NICK WOODWARD

Vice-Chair

Nick lives in West Norwood and having originally served one term as a parent governor, was co-opted to the board in 2020 on the basis of his skills and experience as a safeguarding governor.  Nick is currently Vice Chair of the local governing board. Nick is a full time NHS Consultant at the Royal Free Hospital where he is also the Clinical Lead for Radiology. His background in the NHS gives him an understanding of the challenges in public sector service provision. He is actively involved in medical student and junior doctor training and education as a Clinical and Educational supervisor and was formerly a Training Programme Director for the Royal Free.  Nick is the LGB's link governor for Safeguarding.

Term of office: Dec 20 - Dec 24*

GEORGINA WORRALL

Parent Governor

Georgina joined the board of governors in November 2023 as a Parent Governor.  She has a SEND child at The Elmgreen School, so inclusiveness is an important issue for her.  Georgina is Head of POWERful Women, a professional initiative working towards better female representation within the UK energy sector. 

Term of office: Nov 23 - Nov 27

*denotes second term of office

Governors who have left in the last 12 months

Joan O'Mahony - August 2024

Mark Chetwynd  - August 2024