Governor Diversity

The governors of Longfield Primary School believe it is important that our Governing Body reflects the diversity of the school community we serve. Diverse boards promote inclusive school environments and provide diverse role models for staff and young people.

The governors are currently collecting data on the diversity of its members, including data on age, gender and ethnicity. This data will be used to inform recruitment and training needs and to ensure there is always a diverse range of perspectives around the table to support robust decision making.

Due to our relatively small number of governors we will not publish this diversity data online as individual governors could be identified and we have a legal obligation to protect their personal data.

In my spare time I enjoy reading, Zumba, running and spending quality time with my family.

Chair of Governors / Co-Opted Governor
Elizabeth Whitcombe

I have been part of the governing body since July 2007 when my children attended the school and even though they are now adults, I still really enjoy being part of the school community. I have a passion for ensuring that children are given every opportunity to achieve to their highest potential and it is a pleasure and privilege to see the school and the pupils go from strength to strength. 

I have a background in finance having worked for Barclays bank for over 25 years but now do voluntary work in the local community. I am a member of Elmfield Church and part of their children and youth team and also help to run a seniors' lunch club. In my spare time I enjoy shoe shopping and eating chocolate. 

Vice Chair / Co-Opted Governor
Stephen Pidgeon

My 3 children are former pupils at Longfield. I first became a governor in 2008 and am currently Chair of the Finance and Personnel committee. I originally volunteered as I was keen to ensure that the school was supported and challenged (where appropriate) to ensure that educational standards were the best that could be provided. This is becoming more and more challenging due to the substantial rises in costs versus what is relatively static funding. I previously worked for the Met Police for over 30 years and now work part-time in a school for children with social , emotional and mental health needs. In my spare time I enjoy golf , live music and travelling.

Clerk to the Governing Body

Sue Doel

My first contact with Longfield was as a parent volunteer and PFL supporter during the time my children attended Longfield First & Middle schools, whilst continuing to work as an administrator for a well-known retail company. I was recruited as a teaching assistant in 2004, and later was given the opportunity through continuing professional development to successfully train as a Learning Mentor. I joined the office team in 2010 whilst continuing to support children's learning in the classroom. At the time of amalgamation, I took the decision to move to full-time administrative work and since September 2012 hold the roles of PA to the Headteacher, Office Supervisor and Clerk to the Governing Body. I am very happy at Longfield and passionately embrace our goal of "working together achieving forever" to ensure the best learning outcome for every child.

In my spare time, I confess to being a Zumba addict, and enjoy teaching and participating in classes in both Pinner and Northwood.

Parent Governor  

Rajeshri Suthar

Parent Governor

Sarah Walters

I have lived in Harrow since 2010 and I have a daughter who is currently a pupil at Longfield Primary School. I feel very honoured to have been elected as Parent Governor, and I am very much looking forward to making my contribution to developing a community where children feel safe, loved and nurtured. I have been a Social Worker within Child Protection since 2008 and have had the opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of hundreds of children and their families. I love a broad range of music and enjoy dancing.

Co-Opted Governor

Neil Enright

I have been involved with Longfield Primary School since the autumn of 2009 when I was elected to the Governing Body of what was then the Middle School as Local Authority nominated Governor. As a teacher myself, I take a particular interest in matters concerning teaching, learning and pupil progress.

Since 2011, I have been the Headmaster of Queen Elizabeth's School, a selective state maintained school for boys aged between 11 and 18, in High Barnet.

Co-Opted Governor

Jack Frohlich

Co-Opted Governor

Alex Rusby 

I was an Economics Teacher at Harrow School before leaving to pursue a career in Behavioural Science. I am passionate about pedagogy and, through my work, I design and implement cutting-edge educational research to improve learning outcomes amongst adults. I continue to bring this love of teaching forwards in my role as a Co-opted Governor at Longfield, a position I have held since 2019. This is my first role on a Governing Body, but I bring with me a knowledge of education, respect for Longfield and its staff, and a love of Harrow and the surrounding area. 

Co-Opted Governor
Dipak Umeria

I have been a governor of Longfield Primary School since 2002, currently the longest serving member on the governing body.  I have lived in Harrow since 1986. Both of my children attended the school. I serve on the governing body as a co-opted governor. Previously I was the chair of Longfield Middle School for four years.  

I believe my extensive experience of business is invaluable in ensuring the school is well run. I am particularly keen to help the school use its inevitably limited resources efficiently and to ensure it is effective in offering the best possible opportunity for pupils of all backgrounds and abilities to fully realise their own potential.

I have over 30 years' experience of working in the public sector, with qualifications in housing, management & marketing.  I am also a qualified cricket coach and coach under 11's locally in my spare time.          

Co-Opted Governor

Bijal Vaducha

I have recently been appointed as a co-opted governor (October 2022) and am excited about joining the Longfield Primary School Governing Body. I am a Chartered Certified Account with over 20 years of experience in the field of finance and auditing, and have co-founded a successful software development company. I look forward to using my experience and skills in supporting the leadership team to ensure the school is making progress towards achieving its aims and objectives whilst providing strategic leadership and accountability.

Being a mother to two daughters, 15 and 9, who keep me occupied most of the time, I enjoy reading, walking and music in my spare time.

Staff Governor

Katie Jarvis, Assistant Head

I joined Longfield as a newly-qualified teacher in 2011 and have continued to be inspired by the pupils, staff and feeling of community that surrounds our school to this day. I believe in celebrating learning as a life-long process and I am passionate about giving children the very best start in their educational journey, with early literacy skills being key to ensuring that pupils become confident, well-rounded and motivated learners. In my spare time, I am a bookworm and enjoy swimming and pilates. More than anything, I love spending quality time with my husband and young children.

Co-opted Governor
Nick Vairea

My daughter has started in reception and my youngest will hopefully start nursery and therefore I want to contribute to making their school as successful as I can. I feel passionate about human experiences not only on impacting the present but the future generations with positive, happy memories and also the platform to excel during their academic years. I work in a senior position for one of the largest software companies in the world (SAP) and in my spare time I love to go to the gym, watching movies and a massive Manchester United Fan.

What I bring: Strong problem solving, conducting, orchestrating and leadership skills, combined with emotional intelligence that provide a cultural and people-oriented approach to help release potential. Result orientation, proven execution capability, guide, coach & mentor across all levels.

Ethos: Passionate about constant improvement, operational excellence, building, fixing “things” within an organisation that has a measurable impact on people, productivity, and the human experience.

Local Authority Governor
Vacancy