Mr Mohsin Ali

Parent of Yusuf Y1

I have a BSc (hons) in Computer Science and for the past 16 years I have been working for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Currently, I am a Senior Licensing Officer in the Licensing and Safety Team of Environmental Health & Trading Standards. As an enforcement officer I have vast experience in the field of Council policies and dealing with Government Legislations. I have the knowledge of working in multi agency environments as well as providing advice to businesses and residents. Over the years, I have represented the council at committee meetings advising councillors and responsible authorities and also at Thames magistrates court during appeals and prosecutions. I have been involved in work surrounding the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm along with various responsible authorities including the emergency services. As a key worker, I am involved with providing advice to businesses, residents and other authorities in the enforcement of Government Regulations in relation to Coronavirus.

Mrs Nazma Ali

Parent of Myrah Y5 & Maryam Rec

My name is Nazma and I have two children currently attending Old Palace in Year 5 and Reception. I would like to be considered as parent governor at Old Palace as I believe in children having the maximum opportunities to develop their full potential through education and extracurricular activities whatever their history or backgrounds may be. My background is in Knowledge Management and systems which I have been doing for the past 13 years in various roles though, I took a small break in 2015 to look after my children. I believe I may be able to bring transferrable skills to this role. As parent governor, I would offer commitment, enthusiasm and determination to make a difference; striving for excellence in education and be that link for communication between parents governors.

Mrs Ruhana Ali

Parent of Zakariyah Y1

I would like to nominate myself as a parent governor having been an active member of the reception group parent councillors last year. I share the vision of making the school the best it can be for all students and have experience in project management, strategic planning and community organising which I feel can add to the board. I currently work as a programme director part time leading on curriculum and leadership facilitation so can communicate effectively and liaise with parent and the school. I am also a trustee of a charitable trust in East London and I am comfortable with the requirements of a governing body. As a proactive person I like to stay involved in the school development and regularly try to make suggestions and engage with the Head and school staff team. I also try to attend coffee mornings and parent workshops where possible and feel I could help the school more by being on the board.

Mr Mohammed Mufti Miah

Parent of Dawood Y5 & Khadijah Rec

I am standing to be your representative at Old Palace Primary School’s Governing Body as parents governor for the following reasons. My Local community background; I have lived in Bromley By Bow for almost 40 years with my family. My affiliation with Old Palace goes back to the eighties where myself and my siblings had the privilege to attended the school. Since 2005, all my children have been also attending the school. Currently attending are my youngest son Dawood and Khadijah. For many years I have actively been involved in various roles within the community including youth service and being a school governor at both Central Foundation Girls’ School (2013-2016) and Old Palace Primary School (2009-2016). I served as a link governor at Old Palace where I succeeded in putting structure in place for Sex & Relationship Education (SRE) at a very young age – bringing parental awareness of the subject and their right to withdraw their child from the class if they wished. I have also served as an elected councillor in Bromley By Bow (2014-2018). On behalf of the parents and with the help of local authority, I managed to install a zebra crossing outside Tudor Lodge on Bromley High Street so that crossing the road for children coming to and from school is easier and safer. On behalf of the school I have also managed, with the help of the local authority, to install appropriate speed humps, keep clear school road marks, and double yellow lines on both St Leornard Street, and in particular on Bruce Road, where accessing and coming out of the school staff car park was extremely difficult. Governors are responsible for overseeing the management side of school strategy, policy, budgeting and staffing. They enable their school to run as effectively as possible. They also work alongside senior leaders and support teachers to provide excellent education. I have the commitment to attend governing body meetings which consider issues, set the school vision, mitigate financial risks and scrutinise educational outcomes, acting as a critical friend to the headteacher and senior leaders to provide excellent education for all children. While the parents as well as the school are managing to live in the time of the pandemic (COVID-19) it is very important that we parents have an experienced candidate with a strong voice that understands how the school governing body operates in Old Palace Primary School. Almost 40 years of affiliation with both the community and with the school, as well as over 8 years of experience as a school governor at both primary and secondary level, I believe I am the right candidate to represent all parents to Old Palace Primary School’s Governing Body and to continue to serve the community.

Statement of clarification by Old Palace Primary School

Governors have collective responsibility for decision making; this means that they discuss issues and agree a collective response.  As such, the actions taken by the Governing Body should not be attributed to an individual governor.  The Governing Body oversee the strategic leadership of the school; it is not involved in day to day management, which is the responsibility of the headteacher. Governors do not directly support teachers, though they provide the headteacher with the tools to do this, for example by agreeing a budget for staff training.  All governors have an equal voice and are expected to express  their views openly, courteously and respectfully, as set out in the Governors Code of Conduct​.

Mrs Nasima Nahar

Parent of Khattab Y5 & Abdurrahman Y3

I am delighted to see this opportunity available and would really like to dedicate my time and effort in making a positive contribution to Old Palace. I have worked in early years for 5 years and I believe I can make a difference by volunteering my time and effort to the school where ever needed.