Welcome to the Governing Body section of the website. My name is Will Emms and I am the Chair of Governors of the Blossom Federation of Daubeney, Sebright & Lauriston Schools and Children Centres.
Our governors represent our wider school community: elected parent and staff governors, one Local Authority nominee and co-opted members from the wider community. They have a mix of skills, experiences and backgrounds to help provide the best possible support to the School. We are actively recruiting new members.
School governors have a responsibility for supporting the schools, while also holding them to account. At each school, Governors are actively involved in all aspects of school life and contribute time and energy to ensure the school continually improves. Governors share the school’s aims and values, and are keen to enhance the environment, provide the right resources and to see that every child receives the best possible education.
The purpose of the Governing Body is to help the school to provide the best possible education for its pupils. They work closely with the Executive Head Teacher and the Senior Leadership Teams to set the school’s strategic aims and policies and actively work to monitor, support and improve the quality of teaching and learning for all pupils. The role of the Governing Body is one of strategic oversight; governors are not involved in the day-to-day running of the school. That is the responsibility of the Head of School.
The full Federation Governing Body meets formally once a term.
Sub-committees also meet once or twice a term to focus on particular areas in more detail. The two main sub-committees are:
- Finance & Staffing (F&S), and
- Curriculum & Standards (C&S).
Each of the Schools in the Federation have a Local School Committee who focus on the individual schools, their needs and developments. The Chair of the Local School Committees are:
- Daubeney – Annwen Johnson BEM
- Sebright - Katie Lewis
- Lauriston – Katie Beck
Other committees, panels and project teams meet when needed. It is also important for Governors to see the school in action, and they make regular visits to classrooms, to speak with teachers and to join in school events and celebrations. Governors take very seriously the role they play and the contribution they can make. Governors are expected to sign up to a code of practice agreeing to act with honesty and integrity, to keep up to date with training and to respect confidentiality at all times.
If you wish to contact me, you can do so via the school office. Please mark your correspondance 'FAO Mr Will Emms, Chair of Governors'.
Who We Are

Will Emms
Chair of Governors, Co-Opted Governor
Will has lived in Homerton with his wife Holly since 2011, and Hackney and North East London since 1999.
Will has been a governor at the federation since 2015, until recently Chairing the Curriculum and Standards Committee, and Chair of Governors since January 2021.
Will and Holly have 2 children, currently in Years 6 and 4 at Daubeney.
Will works at the Department for Education, where he has supported schools with the national curriculum tests, provided learning and development to the department’s finance people, and now works with the various professions across the department.

Katie Beck
Lauriston LSC Chair, Co-Opted Governor, Safeguarding & SEND Link
I am a co-opted governor and currently Chair of the School Committee at Lauriston. Both my sons, now in Years 10 and 7, attended the school (very happily!), and I was previously an elected parent governor before Lauriston joined the federation. In my ‘day job’ I teach, research and manage in the School of Politics and International Relations at Queen Mary, University of London. Being involved with the federation as a governor is a big time commitment but really rewarding – right now I am especially excited about the OPAL initiative to transform playtimes across the three schools, which I feel will make a big and positive difference to the children.

Sam Ingleby
Chair of the Finance & Staffing Committee / Co-Opted Governor / Vice-Chair
I am a co-opted Governor. I started my career as a journalist at the Independent, and then worked at the Foreign Office before being a Teach First participant where I taught English for two years at a school in Tottenham. I then spent 12 years at a communications consultancy called Portland, latterly as the firms Managing Director. Outside of work I am a trustee of WorldSkills UK and sit on the Teach First Business Leaders Council.
I believe schools play a vital role in local communities and am looking forward to playing a part in making sure the federation is offering a high quality and inspiring educational experience to the students they serve.

Katie Lewis
Chair of the Sebright Local School Committee / Co-Opted Governor
Hi All – my name is Katie Lewis, and I am the mum of a child in Year 1 at Sebright. Originally from the USA, I have lived in the UK for 12 years and in Hackney for the past 9 – and I love it!
In addition to being a Mum, I am a Regional Director at TransPerfect, a company focused on helping global companies create, translate and launch global content. My primary focus is in the pharma sector and our mission is to help companies get lifesaving drugs to patients faster. I am a volunteer with the Healthcare Businesswoman’s Association and passionate about driving gender parity and equality. I’m also passionate about supporting local schools and via a charity called Business2Schools, have been involved in leading programs to get devices to children learning remotely, clean / rejuvenate school grounds and organize panels including women in science to speak to future students in STEM.
I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve as a Governor. I am committed to helping grow and continuously improve the Federation.

Annwen Johnson BEM
Chair of the Daubeney Local School Committee / Co-Opted Governor
I am Annwen Johnson BEM, I am currently a Civil Servant and have been for many years now.
I am a parent Governor at Daubeney and a newly appointed Co-opted Governor of the Blossom Federation. I have a British Empire Medal for my services to Diversity and Inclusion I obtained whilst working at HM Treasury.
I believe that all children from all races and backgrounds should have an education that is tailored to their educational and cultural needs, and diversity and inclusion makes this is possible. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion is very important to me personally and professionally. Being a Black Woman, Wife, Mother and Professional has given me a wealth of experience and lessons to bring a diverse perspective and challenge to the School and the Federation.
I am committed to supporting the school and families for the enhancement of learning for all children but with a special focus on children from Black and Asian backgrounds. Using my experience, skills and knowledge to help all children and make their futures brighter.
While Hackney is and has been my beloved home for many years, I am originally from Leeds which becomes very apparent once you speak to me! I am here to provide support, a listening ear, and where possible solutions to any challenges you may be experiencing.
Representation Matters! If you can see it, you can be it!

Robin Warren
Executive Head Teacher and Deputy DSL
I have been the Executive Head Teacher at Blossom since 2021. Will, the Chair of Governors, and I started in our roles together. This has been really important.
Prior to joining Blossom, I was a Head Teacher of two outstanding schools - Primrose Hill Primary School in Camden and Moss Hall Infant School in Barnet. I have taught across the primary age range, been a Deputy Head, Music Teacher, National Leader of Education as well as running an Early Years Hub for Camden Learning. I am passionate about children learning in a creative and fun way. I love developing staff and seeing their skills develop. This gives me a lot of motivation. I am proud how the Blossom Federation is developing. I also feel very lucky to work with such an engaged and hard working Governing Body.

Reece Lukeman
Co-Opted Governor

Alex Ivey
Staff Governor
I am dedicated and passionate member of staff with over ten years of experience working within the private childcare sector, including nursery settings. Throughout my career, I have developed a strong understanding of importance of providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where children can learn, develop and thrive.
As a Staff Governor, I am committed to supporting the school's vision and values while contributing positively to decision-making processes. I am passionate about promoting high standards of education, wellbeing, inclusion and positive relationships across the whole school community.
I look forward to working collaboratively with staff, families and governors to help ensure the best possible outcomes for all children.

Jill Cameron
Clerk to the Governing Body
I grew up in East London and still live about two miles away from the place I was born! Almost all of my working life has involved providing services to Children and Young People. This included 15 years as a Secondary School Business Manager - first in Newham and then in Hackney. In 2012 I moved to work full-time in school governance. Working in governance involves lots of unsocial hours, but when I get free time I enjoy being outdoors, doing grandma duty and watching cycling.
I have been the clerk to the Federation Governing Board since 2014.

James Ross
Local Authority Governor
Hi, my name is James and I am a Local Authority Governor at the Blossom Federation and on the Lauriston LSC.
I am originally from Sydney, Australia but have been living in the UK for the last 9 years and East London the last 6. I work in private equity at a London-based investment trust, following previous roles in investment banking and the civil service.
Schooling has had an indelible impact on my life and I am passionate about ensuring every child reaches their potential through education. I will seek to serve the Blossom Federation and all those involved with it to ensure its key beneficiaries, its students, can continue to receive the best primary school experience. I would encourage any Blossom or Lauriston School stakeholder to please get in touch on any matter that should be considered by the governors.

Ohemaa Peprah-Konadu
Co-Opted Governor
My Name is Ohemaa, a co-opted governor. I am passionate about children accessing good, quality education and having opportunities to thrive even from a very young age regardless of their socio-economic background or disadvantages they may face. My current role is in program management however, I have previously worked as a business teacher in a secondary school. I am excited to be given this opportunity to contribute to the federation as a governor.

Jessie Goodison Burgess
Associate Governor
Hi I'm Jessie, an associate governor. I was born and raised in Hackney and currently work at Hackney Museum. I am passionate about community heritage and supporting a sense of belonging for young people based in the place where they grow up. I have worked with local heritage services, charities and museums to share stories and develop creative projects around community histories, getting people excited about the area they're from. I am excited to take part in the governorship of Lauriston Primary School having lived around the corner from this school for many years.

Sofia Cerqueira
Parent Governor
I am passionate about education and access to opportunities and I am always in awe of what the school achieves with such constrained resources, catering to such a diverse student body and community. I want to contribute to that community, not just ‘take’, and support the team with my skills and time. I have 12+ years of experience as a financial and business journalist, editor and manager, so I can combine business and numerical literacy with storytelling, content and communication skills. I also enjoy working collaboratively and managing different stakeholders to get a project done, having worked through a few change management/internal consultancy projects and restructuring processes.

Katy Beale
Parent Governor
I’m passionate about making Hackney a good place to live and work. I've lived in the area for over 25 years, raising my children, worked for Hackney Council and ran two independent businesses here. I want to continue to support Lauriston, and extend to the wider Federation, to be able to give experienced guidance in HR, finance, comms, data and technology, community liaison, organisational development and change.
Through feedback and discussion, I hope my governor role has enabled the school to make better decisions, strengthen internal ways of working, and improve learning outcomes.
As a parent to three children - my youngest is in Year 4 at Lauriston - I know how important a supportive school community is. I am deeply committed to ensuring Lauriston is an inclusive, anti-racist, and welcoming school that fosters a nurturing environment while delivering exceptional learning opportunities for every student.
Local School Committee

Katie Lewis
Local School Committee Chair

Terry Corpe
Head of School / Associate Governor

Alastair Wainright
Associate Governor
I am an Associate Governor of the Blossom Federation and a member of the Sebright School Committee. I am parent to three children at Sebright, all of whom are very happy at the school.
I have worked in Financial Services for over 20-years. My career is largely focused on research and analysis of investments and the investment management industry. I now work at the City of London Corporation as the lead for Financial Services competitiveness. This means I analyse all the things that make London successful – from business and buildings to people, skills and education.
I am particularly interested in ensuring Hackney is an area that families can continue to live in and promoting the opportunities available to children living in London. I am also a Trustee of Hackney Play Association and the Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Carers and Parents Network.

Shane Franklin
Associate Governor
I am a proud parent of two children at Sebright and a resident of Hackney. As someone who has always had a passion for education, I am excited to serve as a parent governor, contributing to the school and fostering a positive learning environment for pupils across the federation.
With extensive experience in Learning and Development, I have delivered leadership and financial education training to primary and secondary schools across the UK. Currently, I manage an early career program at a leading global tech company, designed to help young people from underserved communities access opportunities in the tech industry.
Outside of work, I am a music enthusiast who loves attending live gigs, and I’ve recently started learning to DJ! I look forward to bringing my professional expertise and personal commitment to education to my role as a parent governor, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Roshan Nilaweera
New Associate Governor
I am a local Hackney resident and have been involved in education for nearly 20 years, first as a classroom teacher and later as the leader of an education technology company. This journey has given me a unique blend of hands-on classroom experience and a broader strategic understanding of the education sector.
My work has taken me beyond the UK, providing services to education systems in both Australia and the United States, which has given me a valuable international perspective on what high-quality, innovative education can look like. I also bring direct governance experience, having previously served as a community governor of another Hackney primary school, Harrington Hill.
As a parent of two daughters at Sebright Primary, this role is both a professional and personal commitment. I believe that education is the most important investment a society can make in its future, and as an associate governor I am passionate about contributing to a school that sits at the heart of the community I call home, and committed to helping every child here thrive.

Alex Ivey
Learning Support Assistant

Sofia Cerqueira
Parent Governor
I am passionate about education and access to opportunities and I am always in awe of what the school achieves with such constrained resources, catering to such a diverse student body and community. I want to contribute to that community, not just ‘take’, and support the team with my skills and time. I have 12+ years of experience as a financial and business journalist, editor and manager, so I can combine business and numerical literacy with storytelling, content and communication skills. I also enjoy working collaboratively and managing different stakeholders to get a project done, having worked through a few change management/internal consultancy projects and restructuring processes.
Governing Body Responsibilities
A Governing Body’s responsibilities cover three key areas:
1. To provide a strategic view
- focus on the future
- set appropriate objectives
- develop a strategic framework and policies to achieve these objectives
2. To be a ‘critical friend’
- offer support and constructive advice
- be a sounding board for ideas
- ask challenging questions when necessary
3. To ensure accountability of the school
- ensuring that the school delivers good quality education
- monitoring the school’s overall performance
- ensuring the school complies with its statutory and legal responsibilities
Governing Body Membership
Governor News
Governor Newsletter 2025-2026
It's interesting to note that at the end of last summer term I wrote that I hoped everyone had managed to keep cool during the heatwave.
15th July 2026
Meeting Minutes
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