Governors (ID 1256)

• Aoife Nolan
  Parent Governor
  Aoife Nolan

  Eleanor Palmer is a warm, diverse, inclusive and positive community where people grow together and support each other. A crucial part of securing that community is a governing body that supports the School in transparent, accountable decision-making in an economic climate that is ever-more challenging for the School and families. With children in Year 3 and Reception (as well as older children who attended EP many years ago), I am an academic with a background in children’s rights, the right to education and social justice. I have been a trustee for multiple charities and have run several centres and initiatives. All of these experiences have given me insight into the challenges of staffing and resource management in situations of constrained finances. As a lawyer, I have a strong sense of the importance and value of process, while my work as an educator and a researcher (including work with children) has given me direct experience of the potential challenges surrounding curriculum design and delivery. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with and advocated for people from a wide range of socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious and national backgrounds. State education is under pressure and so is the School. My role as governor is to work with the School and our community so as to ensure the best possible educational experience, opportunities and outcomes for all of the children at Eleanor Palmer.

• Christophe Frèrebeau
  Chair of Governors and Parent Governor,
  Christophe Frèrebeau

  I am a father of three. My son is in Year 3.I am a software engineer by training. My business knowledge as evolved as I participated in multiple technology over the last 15 years. My colleagues would describe me as a creative problem solver, strategic thinker and an achiever. I like to rely on data to drive my decisions but I recognize good inter-personal relations and good communication is often the key to success.

  Our son started at EP in nursery and for the past 4 years I believe the team at EP have been doing a fantastic job. There seems to be quite a few hurdles to navigate ahead of us from the evolution of the curriculum, potential changes to special needs funding rules, or simply focusing on the next big project for EP.

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• Gonzalo Coello De Portugal
  Parent Governor
  Gonzalo Coello De Portugal

  I am the father of two children at Eleanor Palmer. Born in Madrid, I hold the British and Spanish nationalities, and have lived in Camden and Islington since 2004.

  I am an architect and run a practice based in Kentish Town, which has given me experience dealing with local authorities and expertise to make the most out of limited budgets. Always interested in Education, I have taught part-time at London Universities for the last twelve years and currently I am an Associate Lecturer at University College London (UCL). I am lucky enough to have complemented my day job with volunteer work for a long time. I serve on the Executive Committee of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in UK since 2017, making decisions about which initiatives to fund and how money could be best spent. Prior to that I have been the representative of a housing association in Islington, and volunteered for Architects Without Borders for 10 years.

  I have a particular interest in Arts education and fostering creativity as a way to “think outside the box”, with the ultimate objective that all children can fulfil their potential whatever their background or special educational needs.

• Jack Tinley
  Local Authority Governor
  Jack Tinley

  I became a governor in 2022 and have several years of experience working with charities that help to develop skills and confidence in local young people. I live in Camden and professionally I work in finance.

• Nanouche Umeadi
  Associate Governor
  Nanouche Umeadi

  I have lived in Kentish Town for over 25 years and have two children at EP! Since joining Eleanor Palmer I have enjoyed and embraced the positive culture that the school provides, as well as the community spirit. We are part of a thriving school community.
  I am passionate about ensuring our children’s best interests are at the forefront of the agenda. I come from a diverse working background, ranging from research and administration to working in schools and the voluntary sector. My experience in schools is working as a teaching assistant as well as supporting pupils with a range of disabilities and special needs in classrooms for several years.
  The governance of our school should be one that is reflective of the diversity of expertise, lived experience and positive role-models required for us to continue to be deliver on our core aims as a school.
  With the school facing numerous challenges, and cuts to funding, it is vital we have a broad representation of people to help move the school forward. That is how I believe we will sustain all that we value in a challenging financial climate.

• Sei-Kee Maturine
  Parent Governor
  Sei-Kee Maturine

  I have four children at Eleanor Palmer and have first hand experience of dealing with children in various year groups with different needs and challenges.

  I have a broad working background that ranges from working in Mental Health, Safeguarding and Protection, mentoring young people & adults and working in the Health and Social care sector. I work extensively with social workers within the community as well as Camden Commissioners making key decisions. As an Educator I have experience working in various educational settings and institutions in different capacities. I also work closely with several organisations that encourage the educational attainment and future aspirations of children and young people.

  It is important to ensure that all children, regardless of their background, needs and behaviour are thriving and truly feel part of the school community. A governing body should be one that is reflective of different backgrounds and cultures; but with great minds to elevate our school. As a parent Governor I want to help contribute towards making a positive impact in a school that continues to thrive and do amazing things for our children.

• Shanti Fricker
  Co-opted Governor
  Shanti Fricker

  After many wonderful years being a parent at Eleanor Palmer, I wanted to give something back and became a parent governor. I am now chair of the staffing committee and safeguarding governor.

  As a primary school teacher, I have first hand experience of the education system and knowledge of teaching and learning. I currently work part-time as an intervention teacher where I support children across the school needing extra help in Maths and Literacy.

• Jennifer Allan
  Co-opted Governor
  Jennifer Allan

  I have been a governor since 2004, first as a parent governor and subsequently as co-opted governor. My two sons attended Eleanor Palmer and even though they are now adults (and tower over me!) they remember EP very fondly (yes….trips, classmates, visitors). I retired recently after over 30 years working on various aspects of schools policy at the Department for Education and I keep up my interest in education policy and research alongside some (ok, many) new hobbies. Over the years, I have really appreciated the chance to contribute to the school and be part of this inclusive, lively and striving community.

• Tim Peake
  Co-opted Governor
  Tim Peake

  Governor since 2000. I became a governor primarily as I had an interest in assisting the school my 2 children were attending. I was also keen to understand how schools work and saw that my architectural skills could be useful given the need for improvement works to the premises and the lack of overt support from the local authority on such matters. I have also an interest in assisting the local community, having been a founding member and chair of two housing cooperatives in Camden and lived in the borough for over 30 years.

• Boris Telyatnikov
  Co-opted Governor
  Boris Telyatnikov

  I have lived in Camden for the greatest proportion of my life, now serving as co-opted governor I was originally appointed as a LEA governor at Eleanor Palmer in June 2008 to have more involvement in my local community. I have always taken great interest in our education system and am a parent to a primary school age boy. During the day, I work as a solicitor in the City specialising in commercial litigation.

• Sally Hill and Natalie Stevenson
  Co-Headteachers
  Sally Hill and Natalie Stevenson