Here's where you can find out a bit about our governing body. Some information is currently being updated.
Governors have a key role to play in ensuring that our school is successful in our community.
Their aims include:
Some examples of the areas they help the school in are:
The governors attend a minimum of one meeting per term and one training / development session per school year. They also attend a school’s committee.
Introducing our governors...
Chris Flathers
Type of Governor: Principal (Headteacher)
Relevant interests: Married to Miss Hindle (pre-existing from before any changes in regulations)
Councillor Nagus Narenthira - Chair of Governors
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Elected by: Governors
Relevant interests: Governor at Colindale Primary School
Re-election date: Sept 2025
Responsibility - Academic Standards & Chair and member of Finance & Premises Committee
I'd like to introduce myself to the school community. I am a retired secondary school teacher who taught in a local school for more than 27 years. I have been your governor for nearly 20 years. I live in Colindale and worked with the community for quite a long time. I understand the challenges the community faces and that urged me to give something back. I am also one of the local councillors of this area and I work closely with the community in that role. I became the Chair of Governors in September 2019.
I am very proud of the governor members of Goldstar Governing Body. They are a dedicated group of people who are there because of the passion they have for the well-being of the two schools. Together we will support the schools who make a difference in the lives of children who attend these schools.
Councillor Gill Sargeant
Type of Governor: Local Authority
Nominated by democratic service
Appointed by Governors
Relevant interests: Trustee of Colindale Community Trust
Re-election date: Sept 2025
As a councillor in Colindale I think it’s important to be involved in the future education and wellbeing
of children in the area. I was a parent governor of Christs College and was pleased to be invited to join first The Orion and then Orion and Goldbeaters as the schools federated.
In addition as a Colindale councillor and Trustee of the Colindale Communities Trust I am able to reflect the needs of the local community.
I see my role as supporting the school, the staff, the parents, the governing body and the headteacher. It has been rewarding to seethe schools grow into both locally and nationally respected institutions.
Sue Hinton
Type of Governor: Co-opted Chair of Govs
Elected by: Governors
Re-election date: Sept 2025
Responsibility: Reading and member of Finance & Premises Committee
I started as a parent governor for Goldbeaters about 20 years ago. When Goldbeaters and Orion joined together as Gold Star Federation I became a governor for both schools.
Throughout my time I have been delighted to see both schools go from strength to strength. I fully support the schools’ ethos that learning should be inclusive, enjoyable and be seen as a long-term life-skill. I have always believed that excellent primary education is vital in providing a solid base for later learning.
My governor visits to the schools have always been informative and enjoyable. The enthusiasm of teachers, assistants and of course the children is clearly noticeable. The children work hard at all their learning and produce remarkable results while still enjoying their time at school. They are all understandably proud of the work they do and are pleased to explain what they are learning if asked.
The belief in developing the whole child is important and the schools do this by nurturing the skills and talents of all types in the children. Everyone gets a chance to shine.
The involvement of the wider school community (parents, carers and families) is positively encouraged. This is beneficial to all – staff, children and families- in the area.
Although I began as a parent governor so long ago I stayed on as a co-opted governor because I care about children and am proud to be associated with 2 wonderful schools.
Debbie Cooney
Type of Governor: Co-opted Vice Chair
Elected by Governors
Re-election date: Sept 2025
Responsibility: Well Being & member of Finance & Premises Committee
My name is Debbie Cooney I have been a governor at the Orion for over 20 years both my children went to the Orion old school and they both loved it. I’m still a governor because I care about the children of Grahame park and Burnt Oak. I was born in Burnt Oak so the whole place is important to me .
Vicky Dawes
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Elected by: Governors
Relevant interests: Lead Deputy Head, Goldbeaters
Re-election date: Sept 2025
I have been working in the teaching profession since 1997 and throughout my job I have worked in a variety of roles. In 2001 I came to Goldbeaters and over the years I have taught a range of year groups from Year 2, 3 and Year 6 and In 2003 I became an Advance skilled teacher which involved me modelling lessons offering advice in a variety of schools in Barnet. In 2008 I took on the role of the Deputy Head and have enjoyed being part of the amazing Gold star federation and working with the local community. I then became a governor which has helped me to continue to be involved in supporting and developing the school.
Nicola Young
Type of Governor: Staff
Elected by: Staff Election
Re-election date: Sept 2025
I have been working at the Orion Primary School as a class teacher since September 2006.
Having started as a newly qualified teacher, my role has developed and grown. As well as being a
class teacher I have also had a leadership role within the school. I am now the Head of World
Learning and Key Stage One Leader, which involves leading all foundation subjects and overseeing
Years 1 and 2.
I became a Governor in 2011 because I was looking for ways I could be further involved and support
the school. I am very proud to be part of the Governing Body and the Orion Primary School.
Elizabeth Jane Howard
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Elected by: Governors
Relevant interests: Goldbeaters Support Staff
Re-election date: Sept 2025
Responsibility: Reading & member of Finance & Premises Committee
I have served on Goldbeaters’ Governing Body for more than 20 years and worked here as a Teaching Assistant for over 30 years! I have seen generations of parents and children go through the school, including my own children and grandchildren, so I am very much invested in the past, present and future of Goldbeaters. Enormous changes have happened over the years and I have witnessed Goldbeaters evolve into the outstanding provision it now is. I love being a Teaching Assistant and playing such a vital role in the lives of so many local children and I will be both happy and proud to continue serving on the governing Body, representing the staff and the local community and helping to guide such an outstanding and inspirational school.
Sarah E Fox
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Elected by: Governors
Re-election date: Sept 2025
Responsibility: Safeguarding and SEND
Hello I am Sarah, I have been an elected parent governor for some years now having had 3 children that have all been to Goldbeaters.
Our school's way of teaching the curriculum with I shine learning, Go Fest, and Word Up quests make learning exciting and cater for all educational abilities. Their ethos of empowering our children to strive to be the best they can be. While also ingratiating themselves to be an integral part of the community.
I believe that the Goldstar Federation offers a unique, exciting and diverse learning experience helping develop children to grow into confident intelligent young adults.
Ms Tahiya Ali
Type of Governor: Co-opted
Elected by: Governors
Re-election date: Sep 2025
Responsibility: Well-Being
I became a governor because I was inspired by the positive learning attitude at the school and the encouraging effects it had on my children. When I'm not working at the school as a Teaching Assistant, I enjoy spending time with my family and I'm also fascinated by astronomy.
Being part of a wonderful multi-cultural federation makes me proud... the schools are positive, vibrant and outstanding!
Mr David Satchwell
Type of Governor: Co-opted Governor
Elected by: Governors
Re-election date: Sep 2025
Responsibility: World Learning (foundation subjects) & EYFS
Hi, I’m Dave and I have been a parent at Goldbeaters Primary School since September 2014 and in 2018 I was elected as a Co-opted school Governor for The Gold Star Federation.
Ever since taking my children through the gates for their first day of school, I have been impressed with the general day to day running of the school, coupled with the ethos that the school promotes and the empowering sense of community that all the staff and pupils are fully committed to.
From attending the regular Friday coffee mornings, being a Parent Helper on school trips, to being asked to help with guided reading sessions in the reception classes, I have been keen to help the school give the children of The Gold Star Federation a happy and positive start to their education.
I wanted to find a way that I could help the Federation in some other way and opportunity to be elected as a governor arose.
When visiting the schools in my capacity as a Governor, I have been impressed with the consistent level of enjoyable teaching that is given by all of the teachers.
I feel very honoured to have been given the opportunity to be part of the Governing Body of two fabulous schools that are renowned for promoting a positive outlook on life, and for encouraging children that anything is possible.