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Meet the Governors

The Governing Body works in partnership with the headteacher, teaching staff, all other members of the school community, families and the wider community. Our role as Governors is to challenge and support our committed team of staff, both teaching and ‘non-teaching’, to provide a nurturing environment where all pupils can reach the highest standards they can.

School Governors draw expertise and experience from a wide range of professions working in the worlds of education, business, and community organisations. The governing body consists of:

Community governors
Local authority governors
Parent Governors elected by other parents at the school
Teacher Governors elected by their colleagues
Staff governors elected by support staff
Headteacher
Co-opted Governors

Professor Gary Beauchamp – Chair of Governors I am Professor of Education in the Cardiff School of Education at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where I work in educational research. I began my career as a primary teacher before moving into higher education at Swansea University, with a short secondment to the inspectorate with Estyn, before moving to Cardiff Met. In this time, I have visited many primary schools in the UK and beyond and I try to use this experience to contribute new ideas about how our school can continue to grow and flourish. I have been a governor in primary schools in different capacities for more than 20 years, including as chair of governors at Llandaff CW primary school and at Mount Stuart, where I have been a governor since 2010. My role as chair means that I ensure that the governing body works as a team, making good use of the skills and expertise of all members. In addition, I work very closely with the head teacher to ensure that all members of the school community share a vision for the school and know how that vision is to be achieved, to continue to raise the standards reached by all pupils.
Helen Borley - Headteacher I joined Mount Stuart as Headteacher in January 2017, prior to this my teaching career has been in London, Southampton, Berkshire and Hampshire. This is my second headship and I am proud and excited to be leading such an amazingly diverse, creative learning community. At the heart of my philosophy for education is that children should be at the centre of all we do; children's learning, welfare and wellbeing is paramount and our key priority.
Ivor Gittens – LA Governor Following a career in the Royal Air Force I work for the Ministry of Defence as an Instructional Officer. I have had several Committee positions with Wales and West Housing Association and the South Wales Police Authority. I am a LA Governor at two Primary schools in Cardiff. I am registered with the Engineering Council at I Eng. Level and have a Cert. Ed. (FE).
Helen Edgeworth - Community Governor I am employed as Governor Services Officer for Cardiff Council. I also have years of experience working in the south of Cardiff formerly as Hub Manager of Butetown Pavilion and previously as a development officer of Communities First. I am also a qualified ESOL teacher and train students in citizenship and assist in Life in the UK tests. As a governor I bring experience to the role in recruitment, dealing with conflict, community liaison, safeguarding/child protection and project management.
Saeed Ebrahim - Parent Governor I have lived and worked in the vicinity for many years and have children attending Mount Stuart from nursery through to Year 5. I formerly ran the Butetown Youth Pavilion and have 15 years of experience with Cardiff Council as a Community Education Officer for Cardiff Youth Services. A former pupil of Willows High School and Whitchurch High School Sixth Form, I went on to study for my undergraduate degree at Cardiff Metropolitan. A keen rugby supporter, I having formerly played for Cardiff Schools and Youth. I am presently setting up a rugby team for the local area and am involved in a steering group to open a boxing club for Butetown. I am community focused and work closely with Cardiff University and with Helen Edgeworth (another Community Governor) at BRG Communities First to produce innovative and bespoke projects for young people in schools and college to excel in education and improve their employability.
Kelly Finlayson- Parent Governor My name is Kelly Finlayson I’m a former pupil of Mount Stuart Primary, when Mrs Betty Campbell was Headteacher! The opportunities that Mount Stuart school has to offer to pupils and parents is truly the reason that gives me the greatest pleasure to be a Governor of this school. I have sent all 3 of my children to Mount Stuart Primary in the hope that they would have the same primary school experience as myself. With Mount Stuart school being such a multicultural school with such diverse cultural backgrounds I feel so proud to send my children to this school. I come from a nursing background and worked in the University Hospital of Wales for the past 20 years. I’m also part of the Mount Stuart PTA and school council for class 10 Year 4. My goal has been and always will be to help and support Mount Stuart as a parent and a governor, doing my best for the pupils, staff and parents in every way that I can. I am committed to give this role as a Governor as much help and support that I can.
Ruth Williams-Sharp – Local Authority Governor Vice-Chair I was appointed as an LA Governor in September 2015 and was appointed Chair September 2019-September 2020. I have been Vice-Chair since September 2023. I work in Cardiff University's Admissions Team as the Admissions Support Manager and live in Grangetown (though am originally from Pontypridd). I am passionate about Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), in particular our shared journey to become actively anti-racist. I became a Governor because, even though I do not have children myself, I believe strongly in equal access to education for all.
Bethan Whitehead – Deputy Head & Teacher Governor I have been the Deputy Headteacher at Mount Stuart Primary School since September 2019. Previously I have been Deputy Headteacher, Acting Headteacher and part of the senior leadership team at schools in RCT, Bristol and Chicago. I am a language specialist and have coordinated Literacy and Language in previous schools, I am also a qualified French and Spanish teacher. I have also led Maths and Science in previous schools, as well as having 8 years of experience as an ALNCO. I am passionate about the new Curriculum for Wales. I believe that it is our role as educators to provide children with a wide range of fun, exciting and engaging experiences, relevant to them. The curriculum should equip them with the skills to achieve their very best in the future and be confident, healthy open-minded citizens.
Shubnam Aziz - Senior Leader & Teacher Governor I have worked at Mount Stuart since 2002 in various roles across the primary age and I can't ever imagine working anywhere else! I love working in an environment which is as diverse as it is exciting. I am a member of the ‘Senior Leadership Team’ and have Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) for Standards. As a teacher and governor, I work hard to ensure that all children leave Mount Stuart with an excellent education and the confidence to strive to be the best they can possibly be in their future lives.
Wali Mohammed - Parent Governor As a father of four smart and exceptional boys, three of whom attend Mount Stuart Primary School, I bring 20 years of diverse work experience to my role as Parent Governor. I hold a master’s degree in public policy-International Development from York University. Throughout my professional journey, I have held pivotal roles such as Head of Information Coordination, Advisor to Ministers, and Human Resources Director. Currently, I serve as the Refugee Resettlement Project Manager at Cardiff Council, where I contribute to the successful integration and support of refugees in the community. In addition to my professional work, I am actively involved in community service as a board member of Displaced People In Action (DPIA). In this role, I offer governance and strategic guidance to support asylum seekers and refugees. My career is marked by significant professional achievements, driven by a strong combination of expertise and personal commitment. My dedication to humanitarian causes leads to a positive impact on marginalized lives. I focus on supporting and empowering individuals facing adversity. My overall aim is to create meaningful change through my expertise, leadership, and passion. I am committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all my endeavours. As a Parent Governor, my main objective is to uphold children’s rights and prioritise their well-being in every aspect of my role.
Asha Saleh – Support Staff Governor My name is Asha Saleh and I am a Support Staff Governor. I have worked for Mount Stuart Primary School for a number of years and thoroughly enjoy my time here. I like to think I take my role seriously and if a member of staff would like my help at all I would be available to assist them. Mount Stuart is a multi-cultural school with many diverse backgrounds that I am happy and proud to be a part of.
Julian Konten – Community Governor I am currently Head of Department for Design and Technology at a secondary school. I was extremely honoured to be asked to be a community governor of Mount Stuart Primary School. Especially, being a past pupil that was taught by the late Betty Campbell. I have high aspirations for all pupils I work with, and I am committed to supporting growth in children and enabling them to achieve their full potential. I see myself as a role model for those who are disadvantaged or less fortunate than others. I am passionate about educational equality, and this can be demonstrated through my work within the school I teach at, where diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of my practice. In addition to commitments as a teacher I am actively involved as a member of the National Education Union (NEU) and BameED network an organisation, aimed at increasing the representation of BAME people within the education sector.
Abdi Samater - Parent Governor My name is Abdi Samater Parent Governor, I was student in Mount Stuart Primary School. and now I have 2 sons going there in Year 1 and year 4. I currently work for Royal Mail as union learning rep. I am also studying a part time psychology course.
Toyin Owoade Toyin is a dynamic professional from Nigeria with extensive experience in education, food, healthcare, and project management. As a passionate advocate for equality and diversity, Toyin is dedicated to fostering inclusive communities and helping both children and adults unlock their full potential. Holding a B.Tech in Food Science and an MSc in Project Management, along with several trainings in education and healthcare, Toyin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every endeavor. As a proud member of the school governors team at Mount Stuart Primary School, Toyin is committed to promoting unity among the diverse cultures and communities that enrich the school. Toyin’s children have passed through Mount Stuart Primary and now in high school and she has a daughter currently in her early school year in the school. Her core area of interest as a governor includes unity in diversity, inclusion and safeguarding.
Hayley Smith – Community Governor
Margaret Lewis- Local Authority Governor I’m a local councillor for Butetown and am proud to be representing the children of Mount Stuart Primary. I believe that all children should have access to good quality education wherever they live or whatever their background, to provide equal opportunity to further education, and their career aspirations. I have faced challenges throughout my life, which has provided me with the knowledge and experience that I feel give me the skills to be able to provide support for children and young people in the Butetown area and an understanding of what barriers they face to achieve. Being a workplace union steward for 15 years, has given me the tools to be a voice for others facing difficulties to ensure they have fair representation.
Bethan Jones – Clerk I am a qualified solicitor (currently non-practising) and for over 10 years specialised in family law in Cardiff and then across the South Wales valleys. I have been a parent governor of 2 mainstream primary schools and currently work full time as a clerk to governors. I am the clerk for 14 schools across Cardiff which include a mix of; high schools, primary schools, federated schools, special schools, faith schools and Welsh medium. I also work as an independent clerk, and regularly co-ordinate and clerk disciplinary hearings and complaints meetings for a number of schools, working in conjunction with HRPS. My passion is foreign travel and I am always planning the next travel experience for my family.
Hannah Jenkins – Clerk I have lived in Cardiff my whole life, I’m a former pupil of Whitchurch High School and studied my degree at Cardiff University. I have worked for the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate at Cardiff Council since 2017 and am presently the Schools Liaison Officer for Cardiff. My role focuses on the Cardiff Commitment which aims to bring the public and private sectors together to work in partnership to connect young people to the vast range of opportunities available in the world of work. Ultimately, the goal of the Cardiff Commitment is to ensure that all young people in the city eventually secure a job that enables them to reach their full potential. My work involves ensuring that all children and young people have equal access to opportunities, whilst also focusing on the city’s most vulnerable learners. I am a Clerk to Governors in three primary schools across Cardiff and I work hard to ensure that I utilise my skills and knowledge to support them and provide opportunities for the children and young people within their schools.