Governors

Chair of Curriculum and Standards,
Safeguarding and Health and Safety Lead

I became a governor at John Scurr Primary School in 2008 and I have been Chair of Governors since 2018.

I was born in Crewe, Cheshire and moved to London in 1995 for work after university. My work is in management, technology and publishing. I have a lifelong interest in the power of education, in particular through science and literature.
My three children attended John Scurr, they have now progressed to secondary school and beyond. The school made an immediate impression on me as a happy, welcoming place where the staff really care about all of the children.

Being a School Governor is a wonderful way to contribute to the local community, with many opportunities to learn and grow while supporting a school – making a genuine impact on children’s education.
In my spare time I enjoy running, swimming and cycling, and I read and go to the cinema and the theatre as often as I am able to.

I am Maria Lewington and I am the proud Head teacher of John Scurr Primary School.
I have been the Head for 11 years and before that I was a Deputy and Assistant Head teacher in Newham.

I am also a Governor at Morpeth School and I sit on the Head Teachers Consultative for the Local Authority.
Governors at John Scurr work hard to ensure that the school is safe and happy place for us all to come to, with high expectations for everyone. We meet every term in two separate committees and then as a full Governing Body to make decisions and to hold all school leaders to account. Thank you for your interest in our Governing Body.

Finance Committee

I became a governor at John Scurr Primary School in 2019 and I have been Chair of the Finance Committee since 2021.

The industry I work in organise Number/Reading Partner schemes whereby a group of volunteers attend a primary school in Tower Hamlet during lunch hours to help children with their maths and reading skills through either playing maths-based games or reading books with the children. This is how I came to know John Scurr and the reason why I am also the Maths Link Governor as I have a keen interest in mathematics and encouraging children to develop their maths skills through fun and engaging ways of learning.

I have a background in engineering and also in the financial services sector. Being a School Governor means that I can use my financial skills to help challenge the school budget and it is a great way to give something back to the community.

In my spare time, I enjoy dog-walking, running and practicing yoga.

Finance Committee & Inclusion

My son is in his final year at John Scurr. I’ve seen him flourish from the happiness and safety provided to him. I’m grateful for the considered and comprehensive development he’s experienced over the last seven years.

I became a school governor around three years ago. It’s been interesting to learn the complexities behind running a primary school. I am enjoying my role as a school governor 

and happy for the opportunity to support the school in this small way.

My professional life has included a significant amount of time working in the voluntary sector providing support to vulnerable people of all ages. In addition to service provision, my roles included recruitment, training and supervision, as well as working on strategic planning, policies and safeguarding matters. I participated in several management sub-committees during this time and I am very impressed by the range and depth of analysis and information John Scurr provides Governors with, enabling us to ensure that the pupils remain at the centre of all of the schools’ decision-making. 

Local Authority Co-opted

I have been a governor of John Scurr School in excess of 20 years. All my children as well as nephews and nieces attended this school. John Scurr is a community school based within the heart of the community. Our parents are made to feel welcome & their children learn in a safe environment. 

I am a local resident and moved to the Bancroft Estate in 1985. I am also as a local Labour Councillor & served on the Council for over 20 years. 

As a long-standing Governor, I have worked with two previous head teachers and different governing bodies. I have seen the evolution of the school over the past 20 years to the present one under Maria Lewington’s leadership. As governors we are passionate about education & welfare of our children. Most of our children come from a deprived background and live in overcrowded homes. Despite all this our children are excelling in their education attainment. This is thanks to our parents’ commitment & guidance together with the learning provided by our excellent teachers. John Scurr school and its governors are committed to fulfilling the potential of our children. 

Safeguarding Vice Lead -Curriculum Committee – Early Years

I’m originally from South West London and have lived in Tower Hamlets for the last 4 years. I studied French and German at Durham University followed by a year in China teaching English as a foreign language before training to become a solicitor. I now work as a lawyer for a small business lender. 

I became a governor as a way of connecting my interest in education with giving back to the local community. I’ve enjoyed witnessing the happy faces of children as they learn new facts, make friends and expand their horizons at John Scurr. Please come and say hello if you see me around! 

Outside of work, I enjoy swimming, cooking and learning more about the world whether that’s new languages, international cuisine or foreign films. 

Curriculum Committee

My name is Joanne and I have been a Co-opted Governor at John Scurr School since 2014.

I was born and bred in Tower Hamlets where I was lucky enough to receive a first-class education at Cayley primary school and then Raines Foundation Secondary School.

During my school years, I was inspired by some very special teachers who gave me the encouragement to believe in myself and succeed in life.

I became a teacher at John Scurr Primary School in 1990 after completing my PGCE and, since then, have been committed to the school and its community, hoping to inspire the children to achieve their goals just as I had been at their age.

Over the years I have held several roles with increasing responsibility. I am currently an Assistant Head Teacher with responsibility for overseeing Curriculum Development, English, Key Stage 2 and ECTs.

I have enjoyed every minute of my teaching career at John Scurr, watching the school grow from strength to strength. The children are a delight and never cease to amaze me.

My hobbies include reading, gardening and cooking for my family. I enjoy going on holiday after a busy school year to rest, relax and prepare myself for the next one!

I joined John Scurr as a Governor in Spring 2025, having started working in Tower Hamlets just over a year prior to that, as the School Business Manager at Morpeth School. I have been a school leader for 6 years now, and alongside my work with John Scurr, I am a governor at two other primary schools in my home Borough of Bexley. I am also treasurer of my children’s primary school PTA.

Curriculum Committee

I have lived in Tower Hamlets for the past 35 years and work in a local GP practice for the past 15 years, where some of my time is spent on clinical work as well as being the IT lead.

‘I have lived in Tower Hamlets for the past 35 years and have been working in a local GP practice for the last 15 years, where some of my time is spent on clinical work as well as being the IT lead and on the Senior Management Team. In addition to this I do Quality Improvement work and help develop training programmes for GP practices across seven boroughs in the Northeast London area.  

I am confident that my knowledge of the local area and cultural background, not to mention being a father of 2 adorable daughters, both attending John Scurr, will be beneficial to a school as diverse as John Scurr in representing the parents’ voice.  

In my spare time I enjoy learning about most things tech related and love being a father and spending time with my girls, especially trying different restaurants. Ultimately, I would love to enable the children of John Scurr and their families to have access to a safe and fun learning environment where they can flourish and positively contribute to our local communities.’ 

I have lived in Tower Hamlets all my life and feel deeply connected to the community. I completed my entire education up to college within the borough, and now my two children attend John Scurr Primary School, where I proudly serve as a parent governor.

Professionally, I have over a decade of experience in recruitment and operational management within the healthcare and children’s social care sector. I work closely with both the NHS and Children's Social Services, supporting the placement and care of some of the most vulnerable children—particularly those facing mental health challenges and physical disabilities. My background also includes leading teams, overseeing compliance, and operating under pressure to deliver quality outcomes.

I enjoy being a parent governor because I genuinely care about the wellbeing and future of all children—not just my own. It’s a privilege to contribute to a school that plays such an important role in shaping young lives. Supporting the school means supporting the wider community, and I believe every child deserves access to a safe, inspiring, and nurturing learning environment. Being involved allows me to help ensure that children from all backgrounds are given the opportunities, support, and encouragement they need to reach their full potential.

In my spare time, I enjoy family outings, exploring new places and experiences together, and I’m also a keen gamer when time allows.

Curriculum Committee

I’m a family oriented and happily married father of three. I have lived in London, in the same area, since I was 6 months old when my family moved here from Bangladesh. After finishing schools, I went on to support my family business and have been working on it for 10 years.

I am currently working for a charity and based in one of HM Prisons, supporting offenders on their road to rehabilitation and re-joining society. As a part of my professional development, I run peer led groups and coach prison mentors, as well as oversee rehabilitation programs we run in our unit.

As a long-standing member of our community, I believe I have a good understanding of our needs and how to support our children to reach their full potential. I am glad to be part of this vibrant team and have the opportunity to ensure that the school’s vision and mission are in the best interest of our youth.