Governors
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.
We have also provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information.
Chair of Governors : Carl Brewin
Vice Chair: Samantha George
Co-Opted Governors: Carl Brewin, Suzanne Nethaway, Samantha George, Lisa Donovan, Gloria Elliot, James Sesay
Staff Governors: Rupert Cook
Parent Governors: Lee Strong
Clerk to Governors: Liz Blaylock
Letter from the Chair of Governors - Carl Brewin
Dear Parents and Carers,
My name is Carl Brewin and I have been the Chair of Governors of Comber Grove Primary School since my election as Chair in September 2017. I joined the school as a governor in October 2015. I live locally and am passionate about improving education and opportunities for every child at Comber Grove and in Camberwell.
The governors help Miss Bowmer and all staff in the management of the school. While the staff are responsible for the day to day running of the school, governors provide strategic oversight and they are a critical friend, supporting the work of the head teacher, senior leaders, middle leaders, teaching staff and other staff.
One of the crucial roles of the Governors is to monitor and review the school's performance and progress. We set annual targets for the school's performance in conjunction with senior leaders and we review how the school has met those targets and what it can do further to improve. This includes dealing with complaints from staff and parents.
As a maintained primary school Comber Grove has a delegated budget from the London Borough of Southwark to cover salaries, running costs, maintenance and equipment. The governors ensure this budget is well spent. We offer advice to the school about staff recruitment and other strategic spending decisions including educational resources and premises.
Governors are not paid for the assistance they give, but carry out their roles because of direct links they have with the school and/or the local community.
We would be delighted to hear from you if you have anything you would like to discuss with us about any aspect of the school. You can contact us through the school or me directly through my email address: cbrewin2.210@lgflmail.org
We are currently seeking parent governors for the school. Parent governors give an invaluable contribution to the governing body and the school as a whole, so if you would like to get involved, please let me, Miss Bowmer or the school office know.
Thank you.
With my very best wishes,
Carl Brewin
Chair of Governors
Carl Brewin
I became a co-opted governor at Comber Grove Primary School in September 2015 and was elected as Chair of Governors in September 2017.
I am a practising barrister, working from Hardwicke Chambers in Lincoln’s Inn in London. I became a barrister in 2006 and specialise in property law and landlord and tenant law.
Before coming to the Bar I studied Russian and Politics at the London School of Economics.
I have lived in London since 2000 and in Walworth since 2007. I love the local area, and have always wanted to build greater links with the local community.
Comber Grove is a fantastic school, encouraging the highest standards in work and play and driven to improvements across the board for the benefit of every child. I was delighted to be invited to join the governors as a co-opted governor and have taken an active role since joining.
Since becoming a governor, my focus has been on finance as a member of the Finance and Premises sub-committee, where I have used previous experience of management of my former chambers to help me assist the sub-committee in making the tough decisions it has to make for the benefit of the school overall.
I am really excited to have been elected Chair of Governors, and relish the opportunity and challenge to serve the school in the years ahead.
Samantha George
I became a governor at Comber Grove in 2017, after six years working as a teacher in Birmingham and London. I currently work as a Senior Research Associate for a social enterprise which works with schools across England to support them in building skills like communication and leadership in their children. I'm really interested in how we can use data and research to help children get the best education they can, skills I am hoping to bring to my role as a governor at Comber Grove.
Being a governor is a great way to feel even more of a part of the Camberwell community, where I've lived for the past four years. When I visited Comber Grove for the first time, I was really struck by the warm, caring atmosphere and the talented, dedicated staff. I'm excited to see all the brilliant stuff the school does in the next few years.
In my spare time, I love live music and comedy, cooking and spending plenty of time outdoors.
Samantha George
Suzanne Nethaway
I became a co-opted governor at Comber Grove in February 2014 and I am a senior associate at a City law firm, specialising in real estate transactions. I grew up partly in Germany and also in Lincolnshire but London has been my home since 2004. I live in Camberwell with my husband, not far from Comber Grove and have done since 2011. We are expecting our first baby in early 2018. Together we enjoy eating out, particularly around Camberwell Green and Peckham, cooking at home and travelling. I also run a small online stationery business from home and, when I have time, am a keen hobby baker.
I have been the chair of the Curriculum and Welfare committee for two years and am also the school's link governor for [curriculum and learning]. Comber Grove is such a wonderful school because it encourages children to become well-rounded, confident individuals, ready to face the challenges that life will hand them. There's a strong history of the arts which I think is really important and the children are respectful, kind and above all happy. I particularly love the school's library facility and am always delighted to watch any of Comber's plays and performances because they're so imaginative.
Suzanne
