Board of Governors
The school governors play a key role in the life and running of Bevington Primary School. Comprehensive information in line with the statutory guidance on the constitution of governing bodies of maintained schools can be read here.
The Board is an elected body drawn from the School’s various stakeholders including parents, staff and the local community. It has important legal powers and has strategic oversight of the school and its activities.
Other roles of the Board are to:
- promote high standards of achievement;
- act as a ‘critical friend’ to the School;
- provide robust monitoring and evaluation of School performance;
- oversee all aspects of School governance;
- ensure that the School’s finances are managed properly;
- offer support and challenge to the Executive Headteacher, Head of School and staff;
- get involved in higher level staffing and building matters.
Current Board:
Amanda Sayers – LA Governor, Chairman of the Board, Leadership and Management and Staff Wellbeing, Link Governor for Training and Visits
I have been a governor in RBKC since 1999. I was previously Chairman of the Board at Bevington (2005-2015), then an Associate Member until 2020. I qualified as a barrister in 1984, spent ten years working in the corporate finance department of a Swiss bank (both in the City and in New York) before leaving to bring up my two sons. I have also been Chairman of the Board of Governors at All Saints Catholic College since 2015 and was Chairman of the Board of Governors at Park Walk Primary School from 2012 until 2020.
I have also chaired the Governing Board of St Matthew’s Primary School, Westminster, since January 2026.
I currently serve as Chairman of the Chairs’ Forum for RBKC, and as a member of Schools’ Forum for RBKC.
Dr Michael Harrington – Co-opted Governor and Link Governor for Procurement and Benchmarking
My doctoral research was in the field of psychodynamics; I am a summa cum laude graduate, an alumni of the Harvard Business School and London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. In addition to acting and writing, I am an experienced business leader and former Justice of the Peace. In the voluntary sector I’ve been a night volunteer at a London homeless shelter, driver of an old people’s minibus in North Kensington, and a mentor at an international aid agency.
Jagdeep Birdi – Ex-Officio Governor, Executive Head Teacher
I began my teaching career in 1992 and have been involved in school governance for over 30 years, serving as a governor across a number of schools. In 2002, I became a Deputy Head Teacher and later the Head Teacher of Colville Primary School.
During my time at Colville, I led the school to achieve an Outstanding Ofsted judgement in 2019. Following this success, I became the Executive Head Teacher of the Colville and Marlborough Federation, having previously volunteered as a governor at Marlborough Primary School for five years. Both schools are strong examples of excellent practice, high-quality education and are Outstanding.
I began working with Bevington Primary School on 22 April 2024, where I provide strategic leadership as Executive Head Teacher. Since then, the school has continued to build on its strengths and has made significant improvements through the dedication and collaboration of the whole school community. Bevington now offers a high-quality educational experience for its pupils, with a strong curriculum, committed staff team and a clear focus on ensuring every child achieves their potential. I look forward to continuing to develop the school’s excellent provision and supporting the whole school community.
Alongside my school leadership roles, I am an active member of several boards and steering groups, including serving as Chair of the RBKC Schools’ Forum and as a member of the RBKC LGPS Board.
Jonathan Damsgaard – Co-opted Governor, Vice Chair and Link Governor for Safeguarding
I have a 15-year career in financial services, and currently work in investment management, with a focus on UK and international real estate. Prior to that, I was an investment banker for five years. I have an undergraduate degree from the London School of Economics (LSE) in Government and Economics (Bsc). In the voluntary sector, I am on the board of the Rugby Portobello Trust (RPT) Foundation, a local youth club in North Kensington. I live locally in Ladbroke Grove.
Chris De Marco – Co-opted Governor, Finance and General Purposes Committee, Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, Link Governor for Risk Management and Fundraising
I joined the Board in May, 2024. I have worked in financial services for thirty-nine years, mainly in London, but also in NY, across banking, consulting, investment management and insurance. I have served as a trustee to one of Legal & General’s life insurance companies as well as a trustee on the company’s pension schemes. I am currently a trustee for Trekstock Limited, a cancer charity, and an active volunteer for Crisis, the homeless charity.
Paula Evans – LA Additional Appointed Governor, Chair of Curriculum and Standards Committee, Link Governor for Curriculum, Teaching and Inclusion
I have worked in teaching since qualifying in 1986. I have worked in secondary, middle and primary education. During my time in education, I have held various roles, both pastoral and curriculum based. Most recently, I worked at Park Walk Primary School, Chelsea, for 10 years, where I held the post of Deputy Head Teacher. During this time, I held the Acting Headship on two different occasions and, for the last two years there, supported the Headteacher as the SENDCo.
Jessica Asher – Co-opted Governor, Curriculum and Standards Committee, Link Governor for Curriculum, Teaching, Attainment and Personal Development
I joined Bevington’s Board of Governors in September 2023. Before joining, I was bringing up my two young children as well as caring for my parents, both of whom were suffering from long term degenerative illnesses. Previously I worked as a solicitor, beginning my career in the City but moving to, what was then, a smaller niche firm, Russell-Cooke LLP, specialising in dispute resolution, disciplinary and administrative law. I worked at Russell-Cooke for approx. 17 years, becoming a Partner in 2003. I was eager to join Bevington’s Board and hoped that my professional skill set and experience would prove useful not only in an educational sphere but specifically at a school in my local community.
Jack Collett, Staff Governor
I have been a teacher at Bevington Primary School since 2015. I have been the Maths Co-ordinator for the past six years and Top Floor Phase lead for the past two years. This is my second year in the role of Staff Governor.
I attended Westminster Cathedral Primary School in Central London, followed by St Thomas More Language College in Kensington. I then completed my A-Level studies at Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, also in Kensington. I hold a degree in Primary Education with a specialism in Mathematics from the University of Roehampton.
Vicky Fisher – Co-opted, Curriculum and Standards Committee, Link Governor for Communications, Curriculum, Teaching and Attainment
I have over 14 years’ experience in the education sector in a variety of roles including teaching and school data management. I now specialises in impact and evaluation. Having worked with schools across the country to measure the impact of interventions and strategies used by schools, I work for the Raspberry Pi Foundation. As part of my role, I measure the impact of their work encouraging children around the world to get involved in coding.
Samer Shehadeh – Parent Governor, Finance and General Purposes Committee, Link Governor for Fundraising, Behaviour and Attendance.
I joined the Board in 2024. I have worked in technology in the financial services and management consulting sectors for 20 years, in NY and London. I have a daughter that goes to Bevington and I am passionate in supporting the continued success of the school.
Ksenia Sablin - Associate Member
My academic background is in finance, and I am a graduate of Bayes Business School. I have over 15 years’ professional experience in London within wealth management, including roles with leading British and Swiss private banks. Through this work, I have supported clients across a range of financial planning and investment strategies.
I currently represent a leading software provider in the wealth management sector in the UK, part of an international organisation. In this role, I work with a global client base, supporting firms to improve efficiency and deliver stronger outcomes for their clients.
Alongside my professional career, I have a strong interest in primary education and the development of young learners. As a parent, I recognise the importance of a secure educational foundation and a supportive school environment, and I am keen to contribute positively to the wider school community.
Financial Benchmarking:
Click on this link to compare this school’s finances with other schools.
Salary Finance Statement:
No individual is paid more than £100,000 from this school’s budget.