‘Support through challenge’

Belleville Wix Academy opened in August 2017 as part of the Quality First Education (Q1E) Trust . There is a Board of Trustees which oversees all of the schools in the Trust. The Trust Scheme of Delegation sets out how certain roles and responsibilities are delegated to the local governors of each school.

In January 2018 we established a Local Governing Body (LGB) for Belleville Wix Academy, to whom the Trustees delegate certain roles and powers. The LGB is currently delegated responsibility for curriculum & standards and safeguarding. This includes attendance, pupil welfare and health and safety. Finance and staffing is currently the direct responsibility of the Trust.

The LGB includes local staff governors (elected by the school staff), local parent governors (elected by the school's parent body) and co-opted local governors (appointed by the local governing body and/or the Trustees, because they have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school). The headteacher also sits on the local governing body. We currently have one vacancy for an additional co-opted local governor and hope to make an appointment shortly

We meet twice a term to discuss the progress being made by the school on its school improvement journey. At these meetings the senior leadership team provide us with reports and data. It is our job as governors to use our skills and training to demonstrate our understanding of the strengths and weaknesses which the school is dealing with. To ensure that the LGB can do this properly each governor takes a special link responsibility for one aspect of our statutory responsibility or school improvement priority. We make it a priority to visit the school and find out more from experts in the school and the Trust about our link area. Governors are also required to read around their link area and attend training sessions. Our aim is to be able to ask challenging questions which come from a place of secure, valid, up to date and relevant understanding of the key issues facing our school. Our role as governors is thus designed to provide ‘support through challenge’

If you would like to contact the Local Governors, please contact the school reception where you can leave a message for David Siesage or James Waller, joint Chairs of the LGB.

Contacting the LGB
If you wish to contact the Local Governing Board, you can write to us, care of the school office. Bring or send your letter to the school, marked for the attention of the Chair of the Local Governing Board, or email us through the school admin email. Please be aware that concerns should be managed in accordance with the school concerns and complaints policy, which means that local governors will not act unilaterally and may refer issues back to the school.

Declaration of interests

It is important that all those involved in governance act impartially. All those involved in school governance have a responsibility to avoid any conflict between their business and personal interests and affairs, and those of the school and the Trust. We keep a register of business interests for the LGB and maintain signed individual statements. In addition, individuals have a duty to declare any interest that could lead to questions of bias, when considering any item of business at a meeting and to withdraw, if necessary, whilst the matter is considered.
The register of interests for our Members and Trustees can be found on the Q1E Trust website.

WHO'S WHO IN THE BELLEVILLE WIX ACADEMY LOCAL GOVERNING BODY

James Waller

Joint chair of local governing body

I have lived in Battersea for the last 16 years. I have a degree in Geographical Science and a professional background in information technology. I now specialise in information security and work for a multinational media holding company.

We have one son who is currently in year two at Belleville Wix Academy.

I wanted to become a school governor as I believe it is important to be involved with and contribute to the school community. I can see how happy our son has been since starting in reception which is a tribute to the team at the school. I look forward to working with the other governors and staff of the school to build on the fantastic work that has already been done."

David Siesage

Joint Chair of local governing body

I have been interested in becoming a school governor for some time, due to a keen interest in education and a desire to contribute positively to my local community. I have lived in the Clapham area for around five years, and was co-opted as an associate governor of Belleville Wix in March 2019. My parents have both spent their careers working in schools and universities, and their work has led me to recognise the importance of a good education, as well as giving me some appreciation of the challenges.

My professional background is in law; I am currently a trainee solicitor at Allen & Overy and have spent time in the firm’s London and Paris offices. I studied History and French at Durham University, spending a year working as an English teacher in Burgundy, so Belleville Wix’s bilingual stream particularly interests me. I have been very impressed by all that I have seen of the school and look forward to helping the governors and staff achieve its objectives.

Dermot Mullin

Staff Governor

Having joined Belleville Wix Academy in 2019, I have worked alongside a dedicated and supportive team of senior leadership, teachers, teaching assistants and non-teaching staff. As a teacher in the Year 6 class, I applied for the role of staff governor to contribute to raising standards within the provision at the school. ‘Relentless drive for excellence and equality’ is an ethos I readily embrace and it aligns with my own professional aims to ‘Achieve, Respect, Altogether’.

Daisy Mirfakhraie

Staff Governor

I joined Belleville Wix Academy in 2021 and with a background in modern foreign languages, and having studied in Paris, was particularly attracted to its bi-cultural community. As well as being a Year 5 class teacher, I also share my passion for languages through teaching French to KS2 pupils. Being at the forefront of learning, a class teacher’s perspective is integral to the LGB and I wanted to become a staff governor to support BWA as we continue to strive for excellence in every aspect of the education we provide for our pupils.

Irene Lau

Parent governor

I believe that every parent should be involved in their children's education. Whilst our amazing teachers take care of the day to day life of our children, parents could help shape the strategy, vision and ethos of the school. I wanted to become a Parent Governor at Belleville Wix because I would like to use the experience I gained in my job as a legal counsel and my charitable appointments to make a positive impact on the school. I would love to contribute my experience from being the Treasurer of a local church and knowledge in securing funds for a non-profit organisation and help decide how best to spend these resources. In addition, when tough decisions have to be made, I will cast my vote with our children's best interest at heart.

Krestina Hayes

Parent Governor

I wanted to become a Parent Governor at Belleville Wix because I appreciate the importance of having an excellent education as well as having a positive experience at school.

Using my experience as a lawyer I hope to help analyse key information and as a parent with children in different year groups I hope to provide a different viewpoint to support the school leadership team to make positive decisions for the benefit of the children at the school.

I have a degree in Law and French Law and have worked and studied in Paris. I also enjoy the unique added dimension of Belleville Wix with its French English Stream.

Ursula Hankinson

Parent Governor

I am passionate about the role of school in supporting children academically, socially and emotionally, and ensuring that all children have access to the support they need. I have a background in education in the international development sector, working in South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, Ghana and the UK. I have lived in Wandsworth since 2016, and I am excited to be able to contribute to the local community.

I work as a senior manager at Global Schools Forum, providing technical support to member organisations in the global south. I have a degree in History from Durham University and Development Studies from London School of Economics.

Outside of work I have two children who are bilingual French-English, and enjoy running.