Welcome to the Governing Body pages of this website. Here you can learn more about the responsibilities of governors and how they carry out their duties. The governance statement outlines some of the work and impact achieved by governors. We have endeavoured to make all information as accurate as possible.

The Role of the Governing Body

Governing Bodies are established by law as corporate bodies. The Governing Body of the school provides a number of functions and is answerable to parents and the community. Its role includes:

• providing strategic management
• acting as a critical friend to the school
• ensuring accountability
• promoting high standards of education and achievement
• planning the schools long term future
• setting the schools aims an values
• appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher
• budgetary allocation and control.

Governors are appointed from a range of backgrounds but all share a common purpose of ensuring the best for the school and children. Types of Governors include Parent Governors, LA Governors (appointed by the Local Authority) Staff Governors and Co-Opted Governors.

The Full Governing Body generally meets at least once a term while other Committees, which are used to progress certain areas of activity, may also meet once or more a term.

Who are the Governors at Isleworth Town?

Below is a list of all our current members of the Governing Body. In many cases you'll find a short introduction in the Governors' own words.

Eileen Sheedy - Headteacher

I have been Headteacher at Isleworth Town School for the last 15 years.  I have worked as a governor for 30 years, starting as a teacher Governor during my NQT year. I have also served as a Governor in two local primaries and more recently I have become a Governor at a local secondary school.

As a Governor I welcome the opportunity to work with a dedicated group of people who represent both the parents and wider school community. As a group of Governors, we are ambitious for the school and are dedicated to continual whole school improvement through robust strategic and financial planning.

Nicola Bedford - Chair of Governors

My daughter started Reception in 2017 and left in 2024 and she made amazing progress both academically and personally. I have been involved in with the school since she started both as a volunteer and a governor. My journey began as a Parent Governor, and I was honoured to be elected to that role twice before becoming Chair of Governors in January 2023. Before becoming a parent, I had my own business specialising in IT training and travelled around Europe managing and delivering large scale training programmes. I have a undergrad and masters degree in Psychology and I work in a local secondary school.  I am passionate about education and equality.

Keith Johnson - Vice Chair 

I'm a parent of three children at Isleworth Town. I was lucky to attend good primary schools followed by grammar school, and went on to study science at Oxford University. I then worked at the BBC for 6 years in various diverse roles and currently work as a freelance technical director for Sky News. I also taught part-time for 3 years on the post-graduate journalism course at City University. I have many other interests, especially information technology, photography and music. Apart from my day job, I work as a semi-professional musician, playing mainly jazz and latin music, and I teach a salsa music workshop in Kew and a Saturday jazz workshop. Music led me to Cuba in 2002 where I met my wife, spending a total of 4 years there and becoming fluent in Spanish. I believe a great all-round education from an early age leads to the best opportunities in life. The arts and physical activities are just as important as core subjects, and Isleworth Town effectively embraces this wider curriculum. Music is particularly important, as research shows it improves performance in all other subjects. I think a good headteacher and a dedicated team of governors are what make a great school and I'm pleased to be part of this.

Jocelyn Bassett - Deputy Headteacher - Co-opted Governor

I have worked at Isleworth Town Primary School since 2005, teaching initially in KS2 for four years before teaching in Year 1 and Year 2. I have led KS1 as Team Leader before becoming Assistant Head and now I have taken on the role of Deputy Headteacher in 2016. I initially became a Governor during my first years in the school and found it an invaluable experience. I now reprise my role as a co-opted Governor and it is a pleasure to work alongside others who are dedicated to supporting our school to ensure we continue to develop a community where everyone is valued and children are confident and become successful learners.

Esther Berryman - Co-opted Governor

I live in Isleworth and my son attended Isleworth Town School from nursery to Year 6. We were pleased our son attended this local community school as he could learn and play with children near to his home. During that time I was a Parent Governor. I am pleased to continue now as a Co-opted Governor. I have been a primary school teacher for many years and I am senior leader in a primary school in Brent. My knowledge includes Special Educational Needs and inclusive teaching. I have also been a subject leader for science, history, RE and geography. As a Governor I will support the school so that staff and pupils are safe and thrive in their development.

Sarah Hopper - Co-opted Governor

I have lived in Isleworth since 2012 and have two daughters aged 11 and 8. I decided to become a Governor because I am passionate about my children’s education and about the school. Since my daughters have started Isleworth Town I have been bowled over by the vibrancy of the school, the teaching standard and the overwhelming sense of community. I hope to be able to contribute to this through the governing body. My day job consists of managing business continuity and resilience at the BBC where I have worked in various roles for the last 18 years .

Cara Carey - Parent Governor

I grew up in west London and after 3 great years at university in York, I returned to the area and then set up roots in Isleworth. My eldest son is in year 3 at Isleworth Town and my second has just started reception. 

I am a trained secondary music and science teacher and have held a variety of leadership roles in schools. I now work in teacher development, working with trainee and recently qualified teachers.

I am passionate about the importance of education and the value of using evidence to inform decisions made in schools so that all pupils are supported to achieve their best.

Nicole Worthey - Parent Governor

I strongly believe that all children, whatever their background, needs and academic ability, deserve an education helping them reach their full potential and lead a fulfilled, happy life. I am proud and continue to be motivated by the chance to support Isleworth Town in doing so as my role of Parent Governor.

Throughout my 16-year career in education I have developed a repertoire of skills, gaining a high profile through the roles I have fulfilled in pastoral and curricular, working at a whole-school capacity. Currently, I am the Head of Maths at a local secondary school, a position I have passion for. 

Cyrus Mwangi - Co Opted Governor

I joined Isleworth Town Primary School as a co-opted School Governor in May 2022, after visiting the school and getting a chance to see the great learning experience being provided by the teachers and staff. My passion for education comes from the opportunities it provides, and the role it plays in shaping and developing children's futures. Education has been a defining part of my journey, I grew up in West London and was schooled in Hounslow Borough and now work in management consulting, with a background in Aerospace Engineering. I'm looking to use my skills and cross industry experience to further enrich the learning experiences of students at Isleworth Town Primary School, ensuring equitable outcomes for all students.

Milan Tailor - Co Opted Governor

I was born and brought up locally as were my wife and children.  I have worked for the NHS for the past 22 years in various roles including as a Healthcare Assistant and Ward Clerk at St Charles Hospital, Project Manager at Kings College Hospital at Kings College Hospital, Clinical Governance & Risk Manager at Ealing CCG and Head of Performance & Planning at North West London ICS. I am impressed with what I have seen at Isleworth Town Primary School following my school visit and look forward to using my experience professionally in the NHS and locally of growing up in the area to contribute to the schools progress and development. I am passionate about health, well-being and sports and have played county cricket for Middlesex CCC as a colt and trained in martial arts for the past 25 years. 

Rahila Shaikh - Co Opted Governor

Page awaiting update

Shelagh Longland - Co Opted Governor

I have two grown up children and live in the Woodlands where I have been secretary of the local residents' association for many years.  I have been associated with the school since September 1992 when my son joined as a pupil.  I started as a parent helper and ended my career as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, retiring in July 2023.  I wanted to become a Governor because I wanted to be able to use my experience to contribute to school life in a different way, perhaps be able to ring a different perspective.  

Helen Michael - Staff Governor

I am delighted to be the new Staff Governor because I am eager to contribute to the continued success of our school.  I aim to champion the interests of both staff and students on the governing body, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.  I have worked at Isleworth Town since 2019 when I first came here as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education student and I have grown to value the strong sense of community that we enjoy.  Prior to retraining as a teacher, I worked as a policy analyst for the Civil Service.  

I live in Isleworth with my husband, our three children and my two cats, Kiwi and Coco.

Caitlin Arnold - LA Governor

I was born and raised in Isleworth and after a strong educational foundation at The Blue School and The Green School, I then went on to study Geography at the University of Cambridge. 

Following university I boomeranged back to West London and completed the Teach First programme, teaching Geography at Cranford Community College. After two years, I ventured to step out of education and now work as a management consultant at BCG London. 

I am excited to use my experience in both education and strategy to support the continued development and success of Isleworth Town.

Outside of work, you will see me running or cycling around the streets of Isleworth.

Garima Arora - Parent Governor

I strongly believe that to bring about a change, you have to be the change. 

I was born and brought up in India, in a completely different educational culture. I moved to the UK in 2008 but my introduction to the British education system didn’t happen until my children (now 5 and 10) started nursery/reception in Isleworth Town school.  I couldn’t stress enough on how being involved with the school and PTA on various occasions helped me to not only support the school and upbringing of my children, but also benefited my own personal growth. 

So, when the opportunity to become a parent governor came by, I knew I had to take it and contribute to the future of the school and children, with my own unique offerings as a parent, as digital creator and as an IT professional. 

******************************************************************************************************

  Governing Body Committees – 2025/2026

Awaiting update.