Management Committee

Newhaven School Management Committee

The Management Committee of Newhaven School is responsible for the strategic direction and financial accountability of the school and meets 4 times a year.

For the efficient conduct of business, the Management Committee delegates certain responsibilities to an Appointments Committee and a Finance and Pay Committee. The remainder of Management Committee business is conducted on a whole-team basis organised on the ‘Circle Model’.

We have a Clerk to the Management Committee, Julie Scott. The Management Committee consists of people with expertise in different areas that serve the school’s needs, along with elected Staff and Parent Committee Members.

Management Committee Positions

Chair
Debojyoti Das

Co Vice-Chairs
Jen Davis & Raymond Sojah-Ngante

Health & Safety Member
Mr Zahid Hafeez

Safeguarding Member
Mr Joseph Turner-Wing

Clerk
Mrs Julie Scott

dr debojyoti das

Debojyoti Das - Chair of the Committee

I was born in Shillong, Northeast India, known as the Scotland of the East, and lived across the London boroughs of Newham, King’s Cross, and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. I completed my PhD from SOAS University of London and have worked across the higher education sector in the UK and the USA, in Ivy League and Russell Group institutions. I am an active green campaigner and stood as a Green Party MP candidate in the 2024 general election.

As a school governor at Newhaven School, I will contribute to the strategic leadership and governance of a specialist educational setting dedicated to supporting children and young people with complex learning needs and disabilities. Working collaboratively with fellow governors and the senior leadership team, I will help shape the school’s vision, monitor educational standards and student wellbeing, and ensure effective accountability and good governance.

Drawing on my academic and professional expertise in higher education, sustainability, and community engagement, I will support the school’s commitment to inclusive, high-quality learning and the holistic development of its pupils. The role reflects my broader commitment to public service, educational equity, and fostering positive outcomes for diverse communities.

Jen Davis - Co Vice Chair of the Committee

I bring a strong background in political engagement, policy development, and community advocacy. In my current role, I work closely with Cabinet Members to shape policies that deliver meaningful and lasting change for local communities. I also serve on a Safer Neighbourhood Board, helping to build trust and strengthen relationships between the police and residents. I am deeply passionate about supporting young people, particularly those in alternative provision settings, and am committed to helping shape a school environment that empowers students to thrive, grow in confidence, and realise their full potential.

raymond sojah-ngante

Raymond Sojah-Ngante - Co Vice Chair of the Committee

I am currently a student at BPP University, with a strong academic background in Civil Litigation and a keen interest in community leadership and governance. I bring to the Management Committee a detail-oriented approach, excellent written communication skills, and experience in navigating complex legal and procedural matters. I am passionate about supporting education and ensuring fairness, transparency, and high standards in governance. My resilience and collaborative spirit make me a valuable addition to the committee, where I look forward to contributing positively to the school’s vision and the life chances of its students.

Philip Moody

I was born and raised in Woolwich and have lived in Blackheath for over 30 years. I have worked for Newhaven (originally known as GUSS) since 1998. When the service was moved to its current site in 2004 I became the ICT Network Manager. Since 2016 I am also responsible for the school’s additional site, King’s Park Campus. I have been a committee member since 2010.

jane higgins

Jane Higgins

I have lived in South East London my whole life and in Greenwich borough for five years.

I have a background in education. Throughout my working life I have always worked with children and young people and their families. Firstly, as a play / youth worker, then as a SEN TA before completing my teacher training degree at Goldsmiths College in the early 2000s. I have taught at a number of primary schools in South East London.

I know the value of education, and have always focussed first on the social and emotional needs of the children in my care. I firmly believe that if a child or young person does not feel safe and happy then they will not meet their full potential within or outside of the classroom. I have a strong history of advocating for children and families.

Dominic Mbang

I was born in Ghana, coming from The Alokuga Clan of the Zuosi Tribe and I am a Kusaasi man from the Great Kusaug Kingdom from Northern Ghana. I was educated in Ghana and trained as a State Registered Nurse, and I was later recruited into the Ghana Police Service, worked as a Teacher, State Registered Nurse, a Police Officer, a union representative and a political party activist.

I was first elected as a Councillor in 2018 representing Woolwich Riverside Ward and in 2022, got re-elected for Woolwich Dockyard Ward where I have lived for 24 years. As a councillor I have held the posts of Labour Group Secretary and Treasurer, Disability champion, and took interest in Health, Housing, Education, Community Safety and the Environment. I was elected and held the position of Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich for 2023 to 2024 and I currently hold the position of Deputy Mayor. I joined the Newhaven Management Committee in March 2023.

zahid hafeez

Zahid Hafeez

I was born in Pakistan and got my education there having completed my post graduate education in 1971. I moved to England due to personal reasons some 30 years ago.

My involvement with and in the field of education started in 2008. I have over 15 year’s involvement with Manchester Islamic Educational Trust Ltd (MIET), a registered charity operating three schools in Manchester, and over a decade’s experience with Association of Muslim Schools UK as a member of their executive board. I have been a committee member (similar to school governing board), representing the Board of Trustees, of all three schools of the Trust.

During my association with both MIET and AMS, especially with MIET, I have contributed to supporting and ensuring an effective learning environment at the same time also warranting that the Board members continue to be active with their presence in schools and were therefore better able to be “critical friends” to the schools, their leadership, staff and other stakeholders. I hope to do the same at Newhaven.

leah clarke newhaven

Leah Clarke

I have a background in HR and a strong interest in people, wellbeing and positive culture. I’m committed to supporting the school and helping create the best possible environment for pupils and staff

joseph turner-wing

Joseph Turner-Wing

I was born at the old Greenwich Hospital and have lived or worked in the borough for much of my life since. I have worked at a local primary school for the past 20 years. My current role is Pastoral Deputy Headteacher & Safeguarding Lead. In addition, I lead on the area of School Finance and Human Resources.

I first became a school governor in 2007 (since 2019 at Newhaven/Kings Park) and have always enjoyed contributing to education, in particular thinking about how we include those who may be disadvantaged or need to be taught differently in order to achieve success. As Chair of the Management Committee, I am working closely with the Headteacher and his staff to ensure that students always receive a fantastic quality of education.

Code of Conduct

All members of the Management Committee have signed and adopted the NGA Code of Conduct and agree to faithfully abide by it. This includes how all will abide by the Seven Nolan Principles of Public Life:

Selflessness
We will act solely in terms of the public interest.

Integrity
We will avoid placing ourselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence us in our work. We will not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for ourselves, our family, or our friends. We will declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

Objectivity
We will act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

Accountability
We are accountable to the public for our decisions and actions and will submit ourselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

Openness
We will act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information will not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

Honesty
We will be truthful.

Leadership
We will exhibit these principles in our own behaviour. We will actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Name Type of Governor and Term of Office Appointed/Elected by Declared Interest Position of Responsibility
Dr Debojyoti Das Community
20/05/2026-19/05/2028		 Management Committee Chair of the Committee
Jen Davis Community
21/05/2025-20/05/2029		 Management Committee None Co Vice Chair of the Committee
Raymond Sojah-Ngante Community Co-opted
15/10/2025-14/10/2027		 Management Committee None Co Vice Chair of the Committee
Philip Moody Staff
21/05/2025-20/05/2029		 Staff Father to Samantha Moody, School Business Manager

Father-in-law to Warren Rose, Premises Manager
Jane Higgins Community Co-opted
08/01/2021-05/02/2029		 Management Committee Gentle Learning Support (tuition and parent support). Gentle Learning and Mentoring CIC Limited Company
Dominic Mbang Local Authority
15/03/2023-01/11/2026		 Management Committee
Zahid Hafeez Community Co-opted
21/05/2025-20/05/2029		 Management Committee None Health & Safety Member
Leah Clarke Community Co-opted
15/10/2025-14/10/2027		 Management Committee None
Joseph Turner-Wing Community Co-opted
05/10/2026-04/10/2028		 Management Committee Staff Governor, Charlton Manor Primary School

Director and Shareholder of Harbour Education Ltd (company currently not trading)		 Safeguarding Member
Previous Management Committee Members

Committee Membership

All members of our Management Committee sit on both of our sub-committees:

The Learning and Achievement Committee – responsible for looking at performance data and holding the school to account for the academic progress and achievement of all students

The Resources Committee – responsible for providing scrutiny and quality assurance regarding the school’s budget, staffing and the school premises

Management Committee Attendance – 2026/27

Member 05/10/2026 01/12/2026 TBC TBC TBC TBC
Dr Debojyoti Das Y
Jen Davis Y
Raymond Sojah-Ngante Y
Philip Moody Y
Jane Higgins Y
Dominic Mbang N
Zahid Hafeez N
Leah Clarke Y
Joseph Turner-Wing Y

Key:
NA – Not Applicable
N – Absent
Y – Present

Management Committee Attendance 2025-26
Management Committee Attendance 2024-25
Management Committee Attendance 2023-24
Management Committee Attendance 2022-23

Employee Salary Information

Maintained schools are now required to publish salary information on any employee earning over £100,000 per annum. All staff employed directly by the school are paid in accordance with the School Teachers Pay & Conditions Document (STPD) or National Joint Council (NJC) Terms & Conditions (support staff). All salary levels are determined and reviewed annually by the Pay Committee of the Governing Body.

Please see below the numbers of employees earning over £100,000 per annum:

Salary (£) Employees earning over £100k
100,000 or above 1

Financial Benchmarking

You can view the School’s Financial Benchmarking data via the link below:

https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/School?urn=100103