Governors
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
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 an ex-Sydenham High parent and is taking the lead for Marketing on the SGB.
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.
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.
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.
Andrea is a qualified Actuary, specialising in risk management. She currently works as a Risk Manager at a large global insurance company in the City. Prior to this, she worked for two of the Big Four financial services firms in a variety of actuarial roles. Andrea enjoys using her finance skills in a variety of settings and has previous experience as a school governor, with a particular interest in financial management.
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.
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.
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.
Trustees
The Trustees of the school are the Trustees of the GDST, details of whom can be found here on the GDST website. The Chairman of the Trustees, Juliet Humphries can be contacted via Alison Smith at the GDST office –
Senior leadership team
| Headmistress: Mrs K C Woodcock | BA (Bristol), PGCE |
| Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mr K Guest | MA, BA (St Mary’s Twickenham), PGCE |
| Deputy Head (Academic): Mr C Batty | BSc (Bangor, Wales), PGCE |
| Head of Prep School: Ms V Goodson | MA (Durham), BA (Durham) |
| Deputy Head of Prep School: Mrs G Panton | MA (St Andrews), PGCE |
| Director of Sixth Form/Assistant Head: Ms R Parrish (maternity leave from October 2019) | BA (Southampton), PGCE |
| Director of Sixth Form: Mr R Stevens (maternity cover) | MA (London), BA (Sheffield), PGCE |
| Director of Teaching & Learning: Dr E Waites | PhD (Birmingham), Maitrise (Poitiers), BSc (Liverpool), PGCE |
| Director of Finance & Operations: Mr J Nelson | BA (Napier) |
| Director of Marketing & Communications: Ms L Hooper | BA (Manchester), PGDip School Business Management |