Our Governors
Our chair of Governors, Alan Palmer, can be contacted via the academy address at info@harrisprimarymerton.org.uk
All governors can be contacted via Callum Clements, Clerk to the Governing Body via the academy address at info@harrisprimarymerton.org.uk
Governance & Scheme of Delegation (Academies)
The Role of a Governor
Within England, there are over 300,000 School/Academy Governors, who form the largest volunteer force in the country.
The roles of individual Governors, and subsequently members of a Governing Body, work collectively to perform a strategic role and carry out key functions such as:
- Discuss and set the aims and objectives for the Academy.
- Set the required policies for achieving those aims and objectives.
- Set the required targets for achieving those aims and objectives
- Monitor and evaluate the progress that the Academy is making towards it’s set aims and objectives.
Finally the role of the Academy Governor is to be a source of challenge and support to the Principal, i.e. a 'critical friend.'
The Governing Body of Harris Primary Academy Merton
The Academy is a member of the Harris Federation. Ultimate responsibility for the Academy rests with the Board of Trustees of the Federation, (Federation governance details and scheme of delegation can be found here), but much of the work of the Board is delegated to the Local Governing Body (the Governors of the Academy). Some Governors are appointed by the Federation whilst others are elected by parents or guardians of students at the Academy or by staff. The details of the Governors at Harris Primary Academy Merton are shown below.
The Chair of the Academy Governing Body is Mr Alan Palmer
The Governor responsible for Safeguarding is Mr Alan Palmer
The Clerk to the Governing Body is Mr Callum Clements
The Governor responsible for Inclusion / Disadvantaged provision is Ms Sharah Mufti
The Governor responsible for Wellbeing is Ms Lorna Wright
The Governor responsible for SEND is Ms Dev Patel
The Governor responsible for Medical Needs is Mr Alan Palmer
The Governor responsible for Equalities is Mr Kazden Farruggio
| Name | Date of Appointment | Term of Office | Appointed as | Business and pecuniary interests | Total Attended 2025-2026 | Total Attended 2026-2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Dan Moynihan | 01.09.2014 reappointed 30.08.2022 reappointed 01.09.2026 | 4 years | Sponsor Governor | CEO of Harris Federation | 0 | 0 |
| Sabeena Hasan | 01.09.2014 reappointed 30.08.22 reappointed 01.09.2026 | 4 years | Sponsor Governor | Director of Primary Education, Harris Federation | 0 | 0 |
| Sam French | 01.09.25 | 4 years | Sponsor Governor | None | 1 | 0 |
| Alan Palmer | 01.09.22 reappointed 01.09.2026 | 4 years | Chair of Governors | None | 3 | 1 |
| Rachel Bowern | 01.09.26 | 4 years | Sponsor Governor | None | 0 | 1 |
| Andy Macmillan | 01.06.26 | 4 years | Ex-officio | Partner works at academy | 1 | 1 |
| Emma Catley (Maternity Leave) | 01.09.23 | 4 years | Ex-officio | None | 3 | 0 |
| Shazia Yaqub | 01.09.26 | 4 years | Staff Governor | None | 0 | 1 |
| Shahrah Mufti | 01.09.25 | 4 years | Sponsor Governor | None | 2 | 1 |
| Devyani Patel | 07.05.24 | 4 years | Sponsor Governor | None | 3 | 1 |
| Kazden Farruggio | 04.10.24 | 4 years | Parent Governor | None | 2 | 0 |
| Lorna Wright | 10.03.25 | 4 years | Sponsor Governor | None | 3 | 0 |
Governors who have resigned in the last twelve months
| Name | Date of appointment | Date of resignation | Term of office | Appointed as | Business and pecuniary interests | Total Attended 2025-2026 | Total Attended 2026-2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christina Dujardin | 15.05.25 | 26.01.26 | 8 months | Sponsor Governor | None | 0 | 0 |
| Sajini Sajufirst | 01.09.22 | 17.07.26 | 4 years | Staff Governor | None | 2 | 0 |
| Raphaelle Lewis | 07.07.25 | 02.08.26 | 13 months | Sponsor Governor | None | 1 | 0 |
| Henry Swash | 03.06.24 | 06.09.26 | 4 years | Sponsor Governor | None |
Please see the link to the Get Information About Schools (GIAS) website for our school page: https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/141143#school-governance
To contact the Chair of Governors/Safeguarding Governor or clerk to the governors, please write to Harris Primary Academy Merton, Abbotts Road, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 1JW, or telephone 0208 679 3707, or send an email via info@harrisprimarymerton.org.uk
Should you wish to contact the Governing Body regarding a complaint please use the above email address.