Management Committee

Newhaven School Management Committee

Our Management Committee is an exceptionally committed team, some of whom have had links with the school and its community for over a decade.

The Committee is made up of elected Staff of the school, parents of former and current students, community members and representatives from Children’s Services. The combined knowledge and experience of those members has enabled them to build up clear understanding of the working of the school as well as the needs of the students and their families.

New members are brought onto the committee because of the additional skills and knowledge that they can bring to support the school and their ability to challenge if the need arises. New and experienced committee members receive regular training and information that enables them to deliver that challenge.

The Committee Members are welcomed in to the school and have a strong presence. As result of that, they are able to forge meaningful working relationships with the staff and where relevant, students, parents and carers.

They can be contacted via the school office or by the email address below.

Joseph Turner-Wing – Chair of the Committee

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.

Rekha Vara – Vice Chair of the Committee

I have lived in Greenwich since I was a child and have attended Greenwich primary and secondary schools. I have a background of working in the mental health field since 1998 and have worked as a clinical psychologist in various statutory and non-statutory services including NHS, MOD, family law courts, local authorities, social care, schools and charities.

My values are rooted in a strong commitment to addressing injustice and inequalities, especially in the context of healthcare and education. These values drive me to ensure that my knowledge, skills and expertise are used to create systems that prevent poor (mental) health whilst ensuring services that support those experiencing poor mental health, are accessible, equitable, responsive and effective.

I previously worked at Newhaven between 2017-2025 as a contractor providing whole school clinical psychology services to the school community either through assessments & therapies with pupils/parents/carers or supervision, consultation, training and support to staff.

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

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.

Ann Lorek

I have worked locally and in Southeast London for more than 30 years as a paediatrician and lived in Greenwich for nearly as long.

I also teach Health and Development at King’s College London with a welfare and rights focus.

I joined the committee in 2025; it is a privilege to be part of the team to support the school and I look forward to getting to know the Newhaven School better.

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.

Jen Davis

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.

Jan Shadick

I am currently the CEO of The Haberdashers’ Academies Trust South – a post I have held since September 2020.

The Trust that I now lead is a Trust of nine schools all based in South London (four Secondary Academies and five Primary Academies). I joined the Trust from United Learning where I worked as Regional Director for Academies (South Secondary), overseeing 11 secondary academies within the Group. I have been a head teacher of three schools, including two in central London and an Executive Head teacher of two London Academies. During my leadership experience I have led and supported schools in a variety of contexts from ‘inadequate’ to ‘outstanding’.

In addition, I am an Ofsted Inspector and a qualified ILM7 Diploma Executive Coach.

I originally trained as a teacher of PE with History, at the University of Warwick and gained a Masters in Education Leadership from the University of London and NPQH from UCL Institute of Education.

I have served as a Governor in several schools and Charities, and is also a Trustee at a successful Independent School.

Raymond Sojah-Ngante

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.

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

John Fahy

I have been a Councillor in Greenwich since 1990. I was Mayor of Greenwich in the Millennium Year. I have held a number of senior posts in the Council including Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Social Care and Children’s Services. I am currently the Chair of the Children and Youth Scrutiny Panel. My outside interests include being a Board Member of Greenwich & Bexley Credit Union, Chair of Greenwich Cooperative Credit Union and a Board Member of Cooperative Councils Innovation Network. I have served as Chair of Cardwell Primary School and a Member of Charlton Manor Governing Body. I am currently Councillor for Kidbrooke Park.

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
Joseph Turner-Wing	Community 09/07/2021-03/11/2026	Management Committee	Staff Governor, Charlton Manor Primary School	Chair of the Committee Chair of Learning and Achievement Committee
Rekha Vara	Community 16/10/2024-15/10/2028	Management Committee	Just Community Psychology Greenwich (Providing Psychological Assessment Services to Assessment Centre pupils)	Vice Chair of the Committee Chair of Resources Committee
Jon Kelly	Ex-Officio	By virtue of office	Company Director, Greenwich Community Schools Partnership Community Interest Company	Headteacher
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 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	Councillor - Royal Borough of Greenwich Chair of Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel
Ann Lorek	Community 04/12/2024-03/12/2026	Management Committee	None
Zahid Hafeez	Community 21/05/2025-20/05/2029	Management Committee	None
Jen Davis	Community 21/05/2025-20/05/2029	Management Committee	Labour Party Member Unison Trade Union Member
Jan Shadick	Community 15/10/2025-14/10/2027	Management Committee	CEO of a MAT – Haberdashers Academies Trust South. Governor of Haberdashers Elstree School
Raymond Sojah-Ngante	Community 15/10/2025-14/10/2027	Management Committee	None
Leah Clarke	Community 15/10/2025-14/10/2027	Management Committee	None
John Fahy	Associate 15/10/2025-14/10/2027	Management Committee	Chair of Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency. Board Member of Greenwich and Bexley Credit Union. Board Member of Cooperative Councils Innovation Network.

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