Our Governing Body

Governor Biographies

Aysha Esakji (Chair)

Aysha is a community engagement specialist for two local authorities in West London, working around the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. She has also worked in the field of Hate Crimes and has extensive experience of policy and strategic planning.

Aysha was a Governor at Edinburgh Primary School in Walthamstow for over 12 years. Between 2001 and 2012, she served as both Chair of the Governing Body and the Finance Committee. The school was deemed outstanding by Ofsted in 2005 (having previously been judged to have serious weaknesses), and Aysha played an instrumental role in leading its transformation. In 2002, the school achieved Training School status and became one of the first National Support Schools. Aysha established international partnerships and led the transition of the school from a 1 form entry to a 3 form entry under the BSF programme. Aysha lives in Walthamstow and is a passionate advocate of improving educational standards across the borough.

Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed:  September 2014

Usman Arshad

Usman works for a leading IT solutions company that develops and deploys software for GP surgeries throughout the UK. With over ten years of experience in the IT sector and 11 years in the pharmaceutical sector, Usman is currently employed as a Technical Solution Management-Problems Team Leader. Having lived in Walthamstow for much of his life, Usman provides mentoring to youngsters in the community, guiding them with advice in matters of education and careers.

Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed:  September 2014

Shaveena Bashir

Shaveena was elected by our parents to undertake the role of a Parent Governor and is also a member of Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest’s Parent Council. Shaveena believes every child is different and has different needs and does her utmost to reflect this in her practice. Shaveena believes that it is very important to understand the needs of children, parents, teachers and support staff to be a good Parent Governor. She has previously worked as a volunteer teaching assistant during trips and other activities and therefore understands the needs of teachers, as well as students. Shaveena has achieved a Bachelors degree in Humanities in Kashmir. She loves to interact with people, enjoys sports – both watching and participating – and loves to encourage everyone to participate in exercise.

Parent Appointed Governor

Appointed:  March 2015

Elizabeth Gosling

Elizabeth has been working as an interim Children’s Social Work Manager and Consultant since May 2013. She qualified as a Social Worker in 1979 and has since held a number of practitioner and managerial positions, first in Australia and then in the UK. Elizabeth has experience working with recently arrived migrants and vulnerable children and their parents and has a strong understanding of safeguarding responsibilities of the Governing Body and working knowledge as to how children’s social care works.

Elizabeth has a keen interest in exploring how children’s learning can be improved and how one-to-one pastoral care can be used to promote girls’ academic achievement. Having worked in Waltham Forest previously, Elizabeth is keen to be part of the improvement of education provisions for young women in East London and be a Governor to be part of the journey to embed the Trust’s philosophy on learning and focus on leadership. Elizabeth was also awarded an MBE on the Queen’s New Year Honours list in 2011 for services to Local Government and Looked after Children

Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed:  October 2014

Mujahid Khokur

Biography Pending

Parent Appointed Governor

Appointed:  March 2015

Khadeeja Mehtar

Khadeeja works for a local authority in London as an interim Education Business Advisor. She supports the Private, Voluntary & Independent (PVI) childcare settings to maintain high standards of education and care and adhere to all Ofsted and various statutory obligations. She organises training programs for early years’ staff, enhancing the quality of their childcare provisions.

Khadeeja has wide-ranging experience of working with children in nurseries, day centres and primary schools. In her previous work, she worked as project manager to establish a Pre-School and provided effective leadership, resulting in a positive Ofsted inspection with a ‘Good’ outcome. Khadeeja lives in Waltham Forest and is passionate about making a difference to the lives of children. She champions the rights of children and works towards improving their educational opportunities and experiences.

Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed:  September 2014

Sajid Munshi

Sajid is a graduate who has over a decade of experience working in IT at various NHS organisations and is currently Head of Information Systems at a large NHS Trust. As a resident of Waltham Forest, Sajid takes a keen interest in local issues affecting the community and regularly gets involved with activities that centre upon helping young people.

Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed:  September 2016

Shuaib Nurgat

Shuaib is a British-born religious scholar who has served as the spiritual leader of one of the largest mosques in Waltham Forest since 1992. He is a highly respected leader in the local community. He strives to create harmony with different faith groups and communities and also serves on the local Multi-Faith Forum. He is involved in a number of charitable projects and provides counselling to individuals and families in difficulty. He is passionate about the community of Waltham Forest and empowering children. He has taken the lead on various community and educational projects. Following some high profile arrests in Walthamstow in 2006, he played a leading role in preventing violent extremism and fostering community cohesion.

Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed:  September 2014

Fathima Rawat

Fathima moved to the UK from South Africa in 2001. She is a resident of Waltham Forest and has been working in a local primary school for the past 10 years. Fathima is also a member of the Parent Teacher Association at the local school where her daughter attends. A mother of three children, she appreciates the challenges parents face in the development and upbringing of children. She is passionate about transforming the future of children and young people of Waltham Forest. Fathima is interested in baking and tasting cuisine from different cultures. She has previously studied fashion and worked in the fashion industry.

Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed:  September 2014 

Mohammad Sajid Saddique

Mohammad is Executive Director for Technology for one of the leading international blue chip companies in the city. Mohammad is a resident of Waltham Forest and is committed to instilling the entrepreneurial spirit in children from an early age. In his spare time, he works with local community groups and helps organise charity events. He also serves on the Religion in the Work Place Diversity Committee and mentors new graduates to help them realise their aspirations and fulfil their potential.

Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed:  September 2014

Mazhar Zaman

Mazhar is an Associate Solicitor at Kennard Wells Solicitors with some 7 years extensive experience in mainstream civil and general litigation. Mazhar graduated with an LLB honours degree from the University of Hertfordshire in 2006 and thereafter completed his Legal Practice Course as part of his post-graduate studies. He secured a training contract with Kennard Wells and, on his path to becoming a fully-qualified solicitor, Mazhar covered seats in Education Law, Criminal Law, Family Law and General Litigation, before deciding to specialise in the latter two fields. Mazhar has developed extensive experience in Contract Law, Tortious Liability and Negligence, as well as matrimonial affairs and Public Law Proceedings. His expertise lies in resolving the financial, personal and business issues which surround a relationship breakdown. Mazhar also takes part in community, school and welfare activities. He is actively involved in his local community and specialises in dispute resolution between businesses, professionals and the ordinary household.

Trust Appointed Governor

Appointed:  September 2014

Shahina Ahmad (Principal)

Shahina has been in the teaching profession for over 24 years, working in various inner city schools in London.  Her last role was as the Deputy Principal of a local boys’ school.  Shahina is passionate about education, in particular for inner city children, and continually strives to make a difference.  Shahina ran the South CPD Cluster on behalf of Headteachers in Waltham Forest and has completed an NPQH and Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management.  She is also the facilitator of NPQML and OTP training.  As the Principal of Eden Girls’ School, Waltham Forest, Shahina is committed to developing young, well-rounded female leaders.

Staff Appointed Governor

Appointed:  September 2014

Khadija Patel

Khadija is currently a teacher of English at Eden Girls’ School, and considers herself to be in a privileged position to present the staff voice and share this with the governing body; then feedback and implement decisions, comments and suggestions from the governing body amongst the staff body. Prior to joining the school, Khadija worked as a teacher in schools in her home county of Northamptonshire, gaining a wealth of experience at KS3 & 4. Outside of school, Khadija has many interests which, when time allows, she likes to indulge in. She has a love for travelling and immersing herself in varied and rich cultures, taking in their art, history and culinary delights. She also enjoys most sports, with particular favourites being football, cricket and rounders.

Staff Appointed Governor

Appointed:  March 2015

Note:  All Governors are appointed for a 4 year term of office, except for the Principal, who occupies the office whilst in post.

Governor Attendance 2015/16

Trustee Meetings attended Out of a possible
Ayasha Esakji 3 7
Shahina Ahmad 9 10
Usman Arshad 5 7
Shaveena Bashir 4 7
Elizabeth Gosling 4 7
Mujahid Khokur 3 8
Khadeeja Mehtar 5 7
Mohammed Nurgat 6 7
Khadija Patel 2 7
Fathima Rawat 6 7
Mohammed Saddique 7 7
Mohammad Zaman 3 7

NB: Some Governors attended Committee meetings in addition to full meetings of the Local Governing Body, which accounts for the difference in the “out of a possible” number of meetings attended.

Register of Business and Pecuniary Interests 2015/16

The ROBI for 2016/17 will be completed at the first meeting of the Governing Body in September 2016 and the website will be subsequently updated.

Name Business Interests Pecuniary Interests declared 2016/17
Name of Organisation Nature of Relationship Date from
Ayasha Esakji None None N/A None
Shahina Ahmad None None N/A None
Usman Arshad None None N/A None
Shaveena Bashir None None N/A None
Elizabeth Gosling None None N/A None
Mujahid Khokur None None N/A None
Khadeeja Mehtar None None N/A None
Mohammed Nurgat None None N/A None
Khadija Patel None None N/A None
Fathima Rawat None None N/A None
Mohammed Saddique None None N/A None
Mohammad Zaman None None N/A None

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