• Arbour Vale School, Farnham Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL2 3AE
  • 01753 515 560
  • office@arbourvaleschool.org

Summer Club Letter 2023

Emergency, Out of Hours number: 07519 130641

Meet the Governors

Dr. John Wise, Chair 

I joined the Arbour Vale Governing Body in 2017 and continued as a member of the LGB when the school joined OHCAT in 2018.

For the past 30 years I have worked in education, governance and charity management. This experience includes:

Vice-Principal Stanmore College Further Education Corporation 1985-97.
Executive Director: Further Education London Region Services (Corporation of London) 1997-2005.
Chief Executive; National Council of Faiths and Beliefs in Further Education :2008-17.
National Leader of Governance 2014.
Currently Chair of Governors: Park High School Academy, Harrow.

Prav Bassi, Parent Governor

I am first and foremost a mother of a child with significant special needs, who is passionate about improving the life chances of all SEND children. I firmly believe all SEND children should have access to a first-class education that meets their individual needs.  Being Dyslexic myself, and having a child with SEND, I know the challenges and struggles that individuals and families face on a daily basis.  As a Parent Governor, I wish to make it my goal to ensure every child flourishes no matter what challenges they face.

I have over 20 years’ experience within the education sector, 10 of which years have been at Senior Management level in a range of educational settings.  I currently work as an Assistant Headteacher in a large 11-19 mixed secondary school in Hounslow.

In addition to this, I have extensive experience with school improvement and raising achievement gained via my role as a Senior Leader and as a National Strategy Schools Advisor for Birmingham LA.   I believe that my extensive experience of leadership and governance would help me contribute positively to the governing body of Arbour Vale School.

Overall, I have the interests of Arbour Vale School very much at heart and would like to be involved in the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, in whatever ways are helpful to the school community.

Motomori Labode, Parent Governor

I am a retired medical officer, a trustee of a newly formed charity and an active member of the steering committee for Special Voices, a Slough based voluntary organisation that assists parent carers of children with disabilities.

I decided to become a Parent Governor so that I can be a voice for the parents and hopefully play an active role in assisting, Arbour Vale School, in the provision of a high level of care and education for students.

Josie Jones,Governor

I have over 20 years of international experience in marketing; strategic planning; stakeholder engagement; and more recently as a Diversity & Inclusion specialist and advocate for women’s equality.

Originally from Australia, my background has taken me around the world working in Australia, UK & Europe, Asia and the Americas. More recently I have been leading the Inclusion & Diversity program for Women in Sport, focusing on creating workplace cultures where everyone can thrive. I am also an active member of the Surrey FA Inclusion Advisory Group.

I am passionate about inclusion for all, but particularly for women, parents, children/youth and people from non-white backgrounds.

I am excited about the journey with Arbour Vale School and hope my contribution helps make a difference to this unique and special school.

Matthew Downey, Staff Governor

As the staff Governor, I represent a very dedicated staff team, who are very committed in supporting and providing a creative and inspiring curriculum, to our amazing students.

I entered the teaching profession in 2002 and have previously taught Physical Education in three west London boroughs. I joined Arbour Vale School 10 years ago, following a successful spell as a School Sport Co-ordinator, in the London Borough of Ealing.

My current role is the Head of the Physical Education. Arbour Vale a former SEN Sports College, the PE Department is of key importance to a school of our unique size and nature. My other key roles within school are the School Professional Development Mentor, leading the school’s teacher and university student teacher training.  I am also Head of Enrichment, extending the learning opportunities for our pupils.

Neil Sykes, Principal (Ex-officio)

Appointed Principal with effect from 1st July 2018, having previously been employed as a consultant through OHCAT to support Academy improvement and leadership within the Multi Academy Trust.

I qualified as a Physical Education teacher in 1978 and following a successful career progressed into school leadership, gaining an MA (1997) and completing the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers in 2001.

Working with young people all of my professional career has been a privilege and the wealth of experience is now very much focussed on ensuring all pupils at Arbour Vale School make excellent progress in their learning and develop important communication and independent life skills that will enable them to transition beyond school. Every child’s safety and well-being is a priority.

Zynab Al-Bahrani, Parent Governor 

Information to follow…..

 

 

Latest News

Autism Parent Support Group – Tuesday 6th June

Parents and carers are invited to attend our next Parent Support group for parents of children and young people with Autism on Tuesday 6th June from 10am-11.30am. We will have a guest speaker, Joe Harvey a young man who will …

Read more

PPE Donation thanks

Principal, Neil Sykes was delighted to take delivery of a donation of personal protective equipment for the school. SEND-Help, an organisation that supports the school, arrived at the school with a van-load of donated gloves, aprons, masks and other items …

Read more

Arbour Vale’s Got Talent

Our Secondary and Post 16 pupils showed what a talented bunch of young people they are at a talent show, which was part of our Coronation Day celebrations in school. Acts included singing, dancing, impressions and much more. Some pupils …

Read more

Coronations Celebrations

On Friday 5th May we celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III in style with a day of special activities. Everyone was invited to dress up for the day in red, white and blue or royalty themed outfits. The day …

Read more