Meadlands Primary School Governing Board

At Meadlands, the Full Governing Board comprises 13 governors, made up of:

• 2 parent governors
• 1 local authority governor
• 1 staff governor
• 1 Headteacher governor
• 8 co-opted governors  

We are an energetic and ambitious group that work together to provide independent oversight of the management and operation of the school.

Our three main focus areas are:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school;
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the effective and efficient performance management of staff; and
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

We meet six times a year at Full Governing Board (FGB) meetings to review the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and the leadership and management of the school. Governors also have ‘Governor Link’ responsibilities, looking in more detail and then reporting back to the FGB.

There are two sub-groups of the FSB which also report back:

• The Finance Steering Group – which has responsibility for resources and health and safety, and
• The Head Teacher Performance Steering Group – which has responsibility for reviewing the Head Teacher’s performance and pay.

There are a number of helpful links at the bottom of this page for more information about the governors, their meetings and governance.

 

Meet the Full Governing Board

Christina Powell (Parent Governor): Co-Chair of Full Governing Board

Governor Curriculum, Governor Values and Ethos, Head Teacher Performance Management Panel, Finance Steering Group

After studying German and Italian at university, I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference to children's lives. I have an MA in Education and over a decade of experience as a teacher and leader with responsibility for teaching and learning and staff development. I had always wanted to teach and I enjoyed getting involved in all aspects of school life, seeing children thrive both inside the classroom and out. I have managed summer schools and summer camps for young people from diverse social and economic backgrounds and I have been a member of school review teams. With a son in Reception, I hope my experience and skills set will equip me to make a positive contribution as a Governor in supporting Meadlands to drive standards and achieve the best possible outcomes for all pupils.

Melissa Shaw: Co-Chair of Full Governing Board

I wanted to become a governor to support Meadlands, where my daughter is a pupil, as it is a fantastic school and an important part of our community in Ham, where I have lived for the past 20 years.

Professionally, I am Vice President for User Experience at a global academic publisher, where I lead a UX design and research team. My role involves leading an international team and overseeing areas such as people development, performance and financial management, experience I believe is valuable in my work as a governor.

Inspired by my mum, who was a teacher for many years, I have always been interested in education and children’s learning and development. Earlier in my career, I worked at the Natural History Museum, developing the digital aspects of their schools’ programme and creating interactive experiences for children. Other relevant experiences, both in the UK and abroad, include leading school nature walks, teaching environmental education at summer camps, and running science workshops for children. I have a degree in Environmental Science.

Mrs Jo Wreford - Headteacher Governor - Co-opted governor

I am now in my 7th year working at Meadlands. I am Co-Headteacher and DSL. I lead on assessment, curriculum, CPD as well as English, Oracy and Finance and am the ECT Induction tutor. I completed a Masters in Education in 2022 and am currently undertaking the NPQH qualification. I love working at a small school with a huge heart: a school where everyone is a leader and everyone dreams big for themselves and of course, for the children. I greatly enjoy working alongside governors and am privileged to be part of the governing body with such committed individuals who support our school so thoroughly. 

 

Mrs Laura Barson - Staff Governor (Deputy Headteacher)

I have been working at Meadlands since 2016, starting as Reception teacher. I taught Early Years for 5 years before moving through the school teaching Year 1 and Year 6. I am currently the Deputy Headteacher and Inclusion Lead. This role involves me supporting pupils with SEND, EAL and PPG. I have completed my NPQSL qualification and my National Award for Special Educational Needs Co-ordination (PGCert). Meadlands is such a joyful place to work; we are in the heart of the community and it is a joy to know the families we support. I have enjoyed being on the Governing Body for two years now.

 

Kasia A Oberc (Co-opted Governor): Member of the Head Teacher Performance Management panel and Link Governor for Early Years, Culture and Communication and Governor Values and Ethos

 

Currently undertaking an MSc Psychology of Education at UCL's Institute of Education, Kasia was most recently EMEIA Brand, Marketing and Communications Lead at EY, having started off in law. She has worked with Richard Branson's The B Team and Unilever in spearheading a More Human workplace. Competent in six languages, three of which she speaks fluently, she is a keen sportsperson and a former director of the London Rollergirls. Kasia is also a Trustee of the Twickenham Riverside Trust, which encourages the enjoyment and use of Twickenham riverside.

 

Mrs Penny Frost (Local authority governor): Governor Link for Inclusion (joint), Exclusions and Governor Values and Ethos

I am Penny Frost, Councillor for Ham and Petersham and a member of the Meadlands Governors since 2013. My first involvement with Meadlands started over 20 years ago, when I taught on the Meadlands School swimming programme! I have a great interest in education, and have worked in Special Needs for many years as a Special Needs teacher and SENDCo in secondary schools, with a recent move into the primary sector as a SENDCo. I really enjoy helping children to learn, particularly if they are finding reading a struggle. Following my retirement as a teacher, I was elected as a ward councillor for Ham, Petersham and Richmond Riverside. Since 2018 I have held the position of Cabinet member, and subsequently Chair of Education and Children’s Services for the Borough.

 

Komal Parekh (Co-opted Governor): Governor Link for Safeguarding and Looked After Children (joint), Wellbeing and Governor Values and Ethos

I joined the governing board when my son moved from Nursery to Reception. Our experience is of a caring, responsive and dedicated teaching team. I am a Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist and have worked in children's mental health services, the NHS and private sector, for 18 years. My work involves finding ways to reach young people and families who are often highly distressed and have at times given up hope. Much like that of teaching, it involves remaining curious, using my analytic stance, and introducing different views/ways of thinking. Schools are becoming more focused on trauma and attachment informed practice, and with the continuing rise in mental health difficulties in young people, early intervention is key. Teachers are often the first to notice that a child might need more, that they may be experiencing difficulties at home, school or both, and to bring this to the attention of others. I also know from experience that it takes just one teacher - who believes in you, who really 'sees' you - in order to make a huge difference in a child's life and turn their trajectories around. I think what the teachers and the wider school team do is invaluable. I would like to give something back and support them with this amazing work.

 

Alida Hawthorne (Parent Governor): Governor Link for Curriculum and Governor Values and Ethos

I feel very lucky to be on the Governing Board at such a forward thinking school and have seen a lot of changes in my first few years as a Governor here. I am happy to be part of a school which is not afraid to try new things and to lead the way depending on the cohort's needs. This is needed more and more in the fast changing teaching sector and the increased mental health awareness adults need be mindful of to care for children in today's tech-heavy society.

Having done my first degree at Kent, I then went on to Cambridge University to do my teaching degree.  I have now been in education for 29 years.   Having begun with senior pupils, I now predominantly teach upper primary KS2 and have lead Year 6 for many years. I specialised in preparing children for a variety of senior schools and have worked independently as a schools advisor in London.  I spent two years in North Carolina as a ‘cultural ambassador’ in a state school - arriving a month before 9/11.  At the moment I supply teach in Richmond schools so I can be involved in school while my daughter is young.  I hope remain involved in Meadlands to help the school adapt to the ever changing demands of the Government and to assist the hard working staff and pupils in achieving their potential.

My own education was abroad in a local school in Tonga, at an international school in Ethiopia and lastly a grammar school in Kent. This diverse education gave me a lifelong interest in what makes ‘good’ education. I still adhere to a belief that it must be the right school for that particular child and every child's needs are different.  We are so lucky to be in an area in which we have a wide choice.

I have a daughter at Meadlands Primary School which suits her perfectly for now and a teenage son who was at Tiffin and now at Winchester College. Each school suits each child rather than a one size fits both.

My hobbies include cinema, cooking, gardening and also have a wellness business which I love to pay attention to when I'm not teaching.  I also do TV and film extra work which is hugely interesting as I get to work on some fabulous shows like Ted Lasso which is really fun. I am a complementary practitioner in massage and reflexology and am doing a dietician diploma in the evenings.

 

Mr Kevin Echevarria (Co-opted Governor): Member of the Finance Steering Group, Link Governor for Early Years, and Governor Values and Ethos

I joined the Meadlands governing board in 2024. I am proud that my daughter attends Meadlands Primary School, and being a governor allows me to meaningfully contribute to the school’s continued success.

Professionally, I work in higher education in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), with expertise in data analytics, and I am currently pursuing an MSc in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. My role as a governor is an extension of my passion for using data to support decision-making. Alongside my career, I also volunteer as a Squirrel Leader, helping young children develop valuable skills and confidence. I am passionate about using my skills in finance and analytics to support the school’s decision-making processes, and I am excited to bring my dedication to this wonderful community to help Meadlands thrive.

 

Mrs Katie Schukes (Co-opted governor)

I am the Deputy SENDCo at our secondary school in West London, with over 15 years of experience in Special Educational Needs (SEN), inclusion, and pastoral care. My career has been dedicated to supporting young people to thrive both academically and emotionally, and I am passionate about creating an inclusive environment where every student can succeed.

As a parent of two children currently attending the school, I have a strong personal connection to the school community. In 2025, I joined the Governing Board to contribute further to the school’s development and to help ensure that all students receive the support and opportunities they deserve.

 

Mr Geoff Fisher (Co-opted Governor)

Mrs Annabelle Hughes (Associate Governor)

I have been a part of the Meadlands family since 2015 and Meadlands Governor since 2017. I studied Maths, Statistics and Operational Research at university and I have a real passion for analysis and using it to help make better decisions. I am lucky to be able to do that in my job in the Civil Service, where I have spent most of my career and currently work part time. I've covered a wide range of roles, including estimating the cost of changes to the tax system, forecasting and monitoring departmental performance and distributing education funding in England and Wales. I hope that my experience is useful as a governor and in helping Meadlands continue to be the brilliant school it is.

 

Mrs Sarah Taunton-Johnson (Associate Governor)