School Governors & Trustees

MSc (Oxford) Child Development and Education, MSc (Oxford Brookes) Psychology

After starting out working in Early Childhood Education in London, Becki moved to Oxford to study Education and Child Development at University of Oxford Department of Education where she also worked on research into inclusive education. Her other interests include: early childhood education and care; special and inclusive education; child development & psychology; further and higher education; quality measurement in education;further and higher education; and professional development, skills, training and competence. Becki is a member of the care team at Helen House children’s hospice and has recently started to train as a children’s nurse. The Chair can be contacted via e mail () or by writing to the following address:

The Chair of SGB
Sydenham High School
19 Westwood Hill
London SE26 6BL

BA (London) English

For many years Angela has worked closely with various local groups to provide a safer environment for the community. She is Chair of Sydenham SNT Police Ward Panel; panel member for the Lewisham Police Safer Neighbourhood Board; Executive Committee Member of the Sydenham Society, and Coordinating Group Member for the Sydenham Assembly. She also mentors girls aged 14-16 who have been removed from mainstream education. Angela is a former Sydenham High parent and is taking the lead for Marketing on the SGB.

BA Cambridge, MA

Jacynth Bassett is the award-winning Founder and CEO of The Bias Cut – the first age-inclusive online fashion shopping platform – and global movement / community Ageism Is Never In Style®.

Having attended Sydenham High from aged 4 to aged 18, graduating in 2010, Jacynth went on to study Law at the University of Cambridge, where she became President of the Cambridge Law Society. Upon graduating, she decided to pivot away from law, and launched The Bias Cut in 2016 with the aim to pioneer age inclusivity in fashion, and address the gendered-ageism that females face throughout their entire life. Today, alongside The Bias Cut, Jacynth is a leading and highly sought-after pioneer and voice in the anti-ageism & age-inclusive fashion movement. She is regularly invited to aid and consult charities, research projects, educational establishments, organisations and businesses that are aiming to tackle ageism and create a more age-inclusive society.

Postgraduate Diploma (London) – ARB Architect, Vita Architecture (RIBA) Director

Ruta is a qualified architect passionate about community led architecture and introducing innovative and technologically forward approach to design. She has extensive experience in educational, commercial and residential projects. Currently a Director of a practice in London and Lecturer of Architecture at Vilnius Academy of Arts of in Lithuania.

BA and MA Reading

Having attended Sydenham High School between 1998 and 2005, Zara Berry has most recently worked at Chatham House, The Royal Institute of International Affairs for over 12 years. In her position as Head of Individual Membership, she is part of the institute’s External Relations, Fundraising team, which is responsible for stakeholder engagement, relationship building and raising discretionary income critical to Chatham House fulfilling its mission.
Chatham House, a world-leading policy institute, strives to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world.

BCL (Oxford)

Deirdre Coolahan is a qualified solicitor admitted to the Roll of Solicitors for England and Wales and is currently taking a lead for safeguarding on the SGB.

B.Eng(Hons) (Bristol) FBCS CITP FRSA

Punita is a senior business advisor with deep technology expertise and broad experience in the Financial Services Industry, Olympics and blue chip consulting. She is an expert in combining strategy, operational and digital experience with change management to deliver business change. She is alumna from Notting Hill and Ealing High School GDST and a current parent of another GDST school in South West London.

MPhys (Oxford) Physics, MSc (London) Actuarial Finance, Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries, Investment Director

Cyprian is a qualified Actuary with focus on providing investment strategy advice to pension schemes, charities, endowments and other institutional clients. He is currently an Investment Director within an Asset Management firm in the City of London. He’s passionate about personal finance and the importance of financial education to students.

BA (St Mary’s)

Sarah-Jane Pendleton qualified with a First Class honours degree in Primary Education and Drama from St.Mary’s University in Strawberry Hill in 1998. She has been a teacher for 21 years and has also worked as a National Strategies Literacy consultant. She has been Deputy Head at Rathfern Primary School for 6 years, prior to taking up the position of Head teacher at Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School 3 years ago and is extremely proud of her little hidden gem in the heart of Lewisham. She is also Mummy to Bronte-Isabella who is 7 years old.

MD FRCP FESC FACC

Dr Sanjay Prasad is a Consultant Cardiologist and a Reader in Imperial College, London. He trained in Cardiff, Geneva, London and Boston. He runs a busy NHS Clinical Service and in addition leads a large research group. He was a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Medical School, Boston and currently supports the Harvard Selection Committee for UK applicants. Previously, he has also sat on the Fulbright Selection Committee. Dr Prasad regularly teaches medical students as well as post-grads and is a current Sydenham High parent.