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The Mount Stewart
Schools Federation

Governance

Welcome to our Governors’ section.


Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.  You will also find information explaining how you can become a governor.

 

Mount Stewart Schools – Federated Governing Body

Title

Name

Status

Position

Term End

Mr 

Darren Phillimore-Farden

Co-opted

Chair, Wellbeing

20.02.27

Mrs

Rasila Pindoria

Cop-opted

Vice Chair, Safeguarding and HR

24.11.25

Mrs

Gillan Barnard

Co-opted

 Vice Chair/ Finance Monitoring

18.10.28

Mr

Kishan Parshotam

Co- opted

LA Governor

27.04.26

Miss

Sharan Uppal

Staff

Governor Training and induction

 

Mr

John Ryan

Co-opted

Health & Safety

   26.09.26

Mrs

Penny Christodoulou

Co-opted

HR

18.10.26

Mr

Ulrich Stark

Parent

Finance

 

 Mrs

Bina Senghani-Parmar

Parent

Early Years

 

Mr

Manoj Varsani

Co-opted

Early Career Framework

   15.07.25

Mrs

  Zahra Obaydi 

Co-opted

  Curriculum -Reading & Writing

  29.10.28

Mrs

Sally Newing

Associate

Headteacher

 

Mrs

Sarah Jones

Associate

Operations Manager

 

 Miss 

Rachel Johnson

Associate

Deputy Headteacher

 

Mrs

Jean Garten

Associate

SEND

 

Governor Diversity

At Mount Stewart Schools Federation, we acknowledge the vital role that diversity of thought, voices, and perspectives plays in fostering effective governance and the efficient operation of any organisation. To support these principles, we routinely gather diversity-related data from our governing body. Depending on the current data available, we utilise this information to:

 

  • Target recruitment efforts to bridge gaps in experience and diversity.
  • Adapt and refine board practices to facilitate full and inclusive participation.
  • Prioritise training and awareness initiatives in areas that require attention.
  • Address potential "blind spots" by seeking broader advice and perspectives on current and forthcoming opportunities, challenges, and risks.