Introduction

School governors are ordinary people from the local community who wish to make a positive contribution to children’s education. They are the largest volunteer force in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. Governors are not involved in the day-to-day management of the school.

On 1 January 2023 Round Diamond converted to become an academy within the Ivy Learning Trust. The Trust is responsible for a group of academies within Hertfordshire and the London Borough of Enfield. Within academies, the trust board is the accountable authority. The model of governance for Ivy Learning Trust includes a local governing body (LGB) within every academy. The LGB is accountable to the trust board and operates as a committee of the trust. The core responsibilities of the LGB are the quality of education provided by the school and the safety and well-being of pupils. Details of the current LGB members for Round Diamond are set out in the table below.

The local governing body normally meets four times within the academic year, twice in the autumn term and once in both the spring and summer terms. In addition, local governors conduct visits throughout the year, some to look at specific aspects of the school as well as attending school events and celebrations.

Almost anyone can become a school governor and you can find out more information here. All new governors receive training and support from Ivy Learning Trust and their fellow governors. If you are interested in assisting Round Diamond School in this way, please contact governance@ivylearningtrust.org.

Please find below the details of how our local governing body is structured, including the categories, responsibilities and terms of office for each governor. We also note whether individual governors have declared any relevant business interests.

CLAIRE BAILEY

I joined the Governing Body in November 2021 and sit on the Resources committee. I currently have a son in the Nursery class at Round Diamond. I am a school business manager working in a North London Primary School and hope that I can offer something to RD and share my knowledge of school finance and HR in particular. I am looking forward to getting more involved in the school community.

CHERYL DESBOROUGH

I became a Parent Governor in October 2019. I am a Business Analyst at the University of Hertfordshire and have worked there since 2007. I have two children, both of which are at Round Diamond and am pleased to be able to be part of the school community. I am currently the Vice-Chair of the Governing Body.

ZAK KARIM

I was elected to join the governing body in November 2022.  I currently have a son who joined Reception in September 2022.  I am very excited to be a governor at Round Diamond and look forward to getting more involved with the school.  I have worked in finance for over 10 years and currently work in the technology sector providing insight into budgeting, forecasting and other financial specifics.

JOHN MALYNN OBE

I am a retired career civil servant, having worked in education policy from 2004 at the Department for Education. Prior to retiring I spent my final years of employment leading on school inspection policy matters within Ofsted. Originally from London where I served as a governor at primary and secondary school level for many years up until 2018, I moved to Great Ashby in 2006. I became a co-opted governor at Round Diamond in September 2020 and am currently Chair of the Governing Body. 

ZOE PHILLIPS

Executive Headteacher

Please find below the details of how our Governing Body is structured, including the categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor. We note whether a Governor has any relevant business interests at the school. We also show the Governors' attendance at meetings.