Kemi Arogundade  (Chair)

Kemi joined the Local Governing Body in July 2020. She is an Assistant Principal at a single academy trust school for young people aged 11 to 18, working as part of the Senior Leadership Team. Kemi is also the named CFO and Company Secretary for the single academy trust. Prior to this, the majority of her career in Education spans over 14 years, starting in higher education as a University Finance Manager and Deputy Head of Income, through to the primary sector as School Business Manager.

Kemi is passionate about young people having access to high-quality education, so that they can flourish and feel empowered to work towards their personal aspirations. Kemi looks forward to working with the school’s Local Governing Body and Leadership Team, to make sure that every child and their families have the best experience Addington Valley Academy can offer.

John Reilly, Principal (Ex-Officio) 

John has been a teacher since graduating in the mid 1990s and started as a teacher of History in a local comprehensive school before moving onto posts in a number of inner London schools. During this time, he developed a strong interest in inclusion and wanting to assure all young people had access to high quality education. He feels blessed to have worked in a variety of different types of outstanding settings and been inspired by exceptional school leaders.

Jordana Berk

Jordana has been a secondary Drama and Theatre Studies teacher since 2013 and a middle leader since 2015. She is committed to ensuring every student receives the quality education and pastoral support they deserve, in order to achieve their potential. Jordana has taught in both the state and independent sector. She has a PGCE and MA in Education with Distinction from Goldsmiths, University London and holds an undergraduate degree in Theatre and Russian Language from Beloit College in Wisconsin, USA.

In addition to her work as a middle leader, Jordana has been responsible for leading whole-school teaching and learning initiatives. She has taught students with autism in mainstream settings and has enjoyed helping them to develop their social communication and emotional needs, alongside their academic and practical theatre skills. She looks forward to helping students to gain their confidence and independence in her role as governor.

Lucy Davey

Lucy is the Senior Assistant Principal at Carew Academy, an Outstanding school for students aged 7-18 with a wide range of ability levels and additional learning needs, including complex needs.  She is a primary trained teacher and spent ten years working in mainstream before joining Carew five years ago – a move she is thankful to have made every day since.

Lucy is married with two daughters, both of whom are still in primary education, and served a two year term as a parent governor at their school.  A keen amateur dramatics enthusiast, she is extremely supportive of The Arts within schools, as it enables children of all ages with varying additional needs, to communicate and express themselves freely.

Janet Sherborne

Janet recently retired from her role as Chief Operating Officer at Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust, having worked as a senior manager in the education sector for over 25 years, including as Head of Carshalton College.  She has extensive experience in apprenticeships, vocational education, higher education and SEND and was Designated Safeguarding Lead  at Carshalton College.  Prior to retraining to be a further education lecturer, Janet worked for the Ministry of Defence and Esso Petroleum.  Janet says,  ‘It is an honour and privilege to have worked with so many young people and adults and see them succeed and flourish in their chosen career pathway’.

Sarah Goldsmith 

Sarah works full time as an operations manager for a shopping centre, a role which she’s had for three years, having worked for 17 years at Debenhams in a similar job.

Since joining Addington Valley Academy, Sarah’s son has really thrived and the school have supported his journey (and the family’s) in so many ways.

Sarah is keen to support the school with their vision and to be part of their exciting journey as they grow. This really is a great opportunity to be involved as a parent.

Amy Wood

To follow…

Fadia Kabene

Fadia has been a dedicated professional in the field of education for 15 years, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the classroom. With a diverse background, Fadia worked in both private and mainstream educational sectors. Fadia has a profound dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of children with autism and has made it her personal mission to inspire and support these children on their educational journey.

Fadia’s deep commitment to serving her school community has led her to join the governing body and work with the school leadership team to make the school a truly exceptional place filled with remarkable people.

Melissa Chami

I began my journey into education as a mature student, through a work-placement year in an inner London SEN Primary school for children with severe and complex learning differences. The experience was transformative and inspiring. I continued with the school for a further 12 years, during which time I completed a PGCE at Goldsmiths University London, with a specialism in Early Years.

Having come from an outstanding school where I felt incredibly supported and encouraged by both colleagues and the leadership team, I feel passionately about the impact of a whole-school community’s well-being on the quality of support and care provided for students.

In my fourth year of teaching and first year at Addington Valley Academy, I am excited to be joining the Local Governing Body as a Staff Governor, not only to gain a good all-round understanding of the school, but to be part of a vision which strives for a positive and nurturing environment, fostering a strong sense of self-worth and emotional well-being for our children.

Contact

You can contact the Chair of Governors at Addington Valley Academy, c/o Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, Quadrant House, 8th Floor – The Quadrant, Sutton SM2 5AS, or via email at enquiries@addingtonvalley.org

Please click here for details of OHCAT’s Trust structure and further Trust governance information.