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 a former 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
- Prep School Teaching Staff
Prep School Leadership Team Head of Prep School: Ms V Goodson MA (Durham), BA (Durham Deputy Head of Prep School: Mrs G Panton MA (St Andrews), PGCE Assistant Head (Academic & Innovation): Miss J Wollaston BA (Hertfordshire) Head of Assessment, Reporting & Transition: Miss H Cuthbert BA (Oxford), PGCE Head of Pre-Prep: Mrs C Tomalin-Payne BSc (London Southbank), PGCE Teachers Ms G Bazieu BA (Brighton), MSc (Birbeck), PGCE Ms H Cuthbert BA (Oxford), PGCE Mrs F Davies BEd (Cambridge), QTS Mrs S Duffy MA (Usti Nad Laben, Czech Rep) Mr M Duke (maternity cover) BA (Swansea), PGCE Ms B Duval (maternity leave) MA (OU) BMus (Lancs), PGCE Miss D Elliott National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination (UCL) PGDip BSc (Brunel), PGCE Mrs S Fabricant-Lacey BSc (Nottingham), PGCE Ms A Karmock-Golds BA (Warwick), PGCE Mrs Z Laker BEd (Homerton) Mrs C McLellan BA (Nottingham), PGCE Mrs C Mitchell Morgan BA (Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama), QTS Mrs S Murphy-Morris BA (Lancaster), PGCE Mrs P Patrick BEd (Roehampton) Ms F Penn BA (Bath), PGCE Mr A Porter BSc (Sunderland), PGCE Mrs Routledge (maternity cover) MA (Wales), BA (Birmingham) Mr J Rowlands BSc (Birmingham), PGCE Ms F Stockdale-Bridson (maternity leave) BA (Leeds), PGCE Mrs C Tomalin-Payne BSc (London Southbank), PGCE Miss J Wollaston BA (Hertfordshire) Mr B Welch BMus (Canterbury), PGCE - Prep School Teaching Assistants
Ms V Blagu NVQIII Mrs S Byrne NVQIII Ms J Dorman MBA (Hull), BSc (Lancashire Polytechnic), PGCE, CIM Ms C Kay Mr B Matthews Mrs H Mooney NVQIII Mrs S Taak Mrs A Dudani Level 3 Teaching Assistant (QCF) (De Montford) - Prep School Wrap Around Care
Mrs H Mooney NVQIII Mrs H Thomas Ms R Salmon - Senior School Teaching Staff
Heads of Section Head of Year 7: Ms S Sookdeo BSc (London), PGCE, PDip (London) Head of Year 8: Miss L Blair BSc (Bath), PGCE Head of Year 9: Mrs K Evans MA (Lille), PGCE Head of Upper School (Year 10 & 11): Ms S Gonzalez Lens BA (Santiago de Compostela) Deputy Head of Upper School (Years 10 & 11): Ms S Cross BA (Birmingham), PGCE Head of Sixth Form: Mr R Stevens (maternity cover from Oct 2021) MA (London), BA (Sheffield), PGCE Teaching Staff * denotes Head of Department Art and Design Mr A Dunne* BA (Nottingham Trent) PGCE Ms T Ferrier BA (Middlesex), PGCE Classics/Latin Mrs M Frankland* MA, BA (Pembroke, Cambridge), PGCE Mrs C Saunders BA (Kings College, London), QTS Computer Science Ms S Salad* BSc (University of Greenwich, London),PGCE Mrs E Jourzac BA (Greenwich), PGCE Design Technology Mrs P Curran* BEd (Sheffield, Hallam) Miss E Oppong BA (Huddersfield), PGCE Drama Mrs F Eastaugh* BA (University of Wales, Aberystwyth), Acting Diploma (Drama Studio London), PGCE Ms K Palmer (EPQ Co-ordinator) MA (Lancaster), BA (Warwick), PGCE Economics Ms S Murphy BA (Leeds) English Ms S Elliott* BA (Exeter), PGCE Ms S Macdougal MA (Birkbeck College, University of London), BA (Nottingham) Mrs K Rose BA (Warwick), PGCE Mr D Wise MA (Birkbeck), BA (Southhampton), PGCE Geography Mrs C Buckler* MA (Bath), BSc (Sheffield) PGCE Mrs J Dracup BSc (Sheffield) PGCE Government & Politics Mrs J Ellison* MA Russian Studies, BSC Sociology History Dr S Wallace* PhD (Cambridge), PGCE Ms S Cross BA (Birmingham), PGCE Mrs S O’Neill (maternity cover) BA (Sheffield), PGCE Ms R Parrish (maternity leave) BA (Southampton), PGCE French Mrs H Parker* BEd Modern Languages (Anglia) Mrs K Evans MA (Lille), PGCE Ms S Gonzalez Lens BA (Santiago de Compostela) Miss L Job (French Language Assistant) BA (Stirling) Miss L Board (SCITT) German Miss N Gibbs BA (Leeds), PGCE Italian Ms M Belardo BA (Messina), MFL, QTS Spanish Ms M Hunt BA (Newcastle), PGCE Ms S Gonzalez Lens BA (Santiago de Compostela) Mathematics Mr K Brewin* BEng (Bristol), PGCE Mrs J Tibble BA (Oxon), BSc (OU), PGCE Mr A Bruni (maternity cover) BSc (London), B.Ed Open University Miss S Hawley (maternity leave) BSc (Cumbria), QTS Mr R Whitley BSc (Queens, Belfast), PGCE Mrs A Dudani MSc (Bristol), BSc (Delhi), PGCE Music Ms D Brown* BMus (Manchester), PGCE Ms S Bloor BMus LRAM P.E. Miss J Matthews* BSc (Loughborough), PGCE Mrs G Calvert (PSHE & Enrichment Co-ordinator) BEd (Greenwich) Ms H Parnis BSc (Birmingham), PGCE Miss P Emburey BA (Oxford Brookes) Miss D Addo BSc (Coventry) Psychology Mr M Angel (Head of Rowing and Outdoor Education)* BA (Westminster), PGCE Philosophy, Religion & Ethics Mrs C Malacrida* (maternity cover) MA (Edinburgh), PGCE Mrs R Vaughan* (maternity leave) MA (Heythrop), BA (Roehampton), PGCE Miss S Boyle BA (Gloucestershire), PGCE Mr R Stevens MA (London), BA (Sheffield), PGCE Biology Miss K Simcox* BSc (Durham), PGCE Mr C Batty BSc (Bangor, Wales), PGCE Dr E Waites PhD (Birmingham), Maitrise (Poitiers), BSc (Liverpool), PGCE Ms S Sookdeo BSc, PDip (London), PGCE Chemistry Dr D Henriques* PhD (University of London), MA (London), BSc (University College London), PGCE Mrs S O’Connell BPharm (University of London), MSc (St George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London) Ms L Blair BSc (Bath), PGCE Mr R Guevara BSc (De Montfort) Physics Mr M Llewellin* (Head of Digital Learning & Innovation MSci (Memphis), PGCE Mrs J Tilley Mr R Newton (SCITT) Sociology Mrs J Ellison* MA Russian Studies, BSC Sociology Learning Support – Senior School Ms C Pascal PGDip, BA (London), PGCE - Operational Departments
Director of Finance & Operations: Mr J Nelson BA (Napier) Director of Marketing & Communications: Miss L Hooper BAEcon (Manchester), PGDip School Business Management HR & Compliance Manager: Mrs O Fashoro MSc (Surrey), BSc (University of Ghana, Legon) Finance Manager: Mrs A Clarke-Josephs BA (London, South Bank) Finance Officer/Lettings Adminstrator: Ms G Kelly Level 3 Accounting Diploma Head’s PA: Ms J Thomas MA (The London College of Fashion), BA (King’s College London) Registrar: Mrs T Culmer-Guevara Executive PA Diploma Marketing & Admissions Assistant: Mr A Bishop BA (Brunel) Admissions Assistant: Mrs C Michael BA (University College London) Front Office Administrator: Miss S Gloucester-Trotman Front Office and Systems Administrator: Ms Y Nevrkla MSc, BA (Sheffield) Prep School Office Manager: Mrs T Doyle BTec National Diploma (Bromley College) Prep School Administration Assistant: Ms J Catchpole BSc (Open University) Prep School Receptionist/Administrator: Miss M Drepaul Alumnae & Development Coordinator: Ms N Hall MA (Edinburgh), PGCert (Birkbeck) Graphic Design & Teaching Resources Officer: Mrs C Williams BA (University College for the Creative Arts) Librarian & Careers Leader: Mrs S Pett MSc (City, London), BA (Roehampton) School Nurse: Mrs J Armstrong S.R.N, R.S.C.N School Nurse: Mrs J McManus School Counsellor: Ms H Coudyser-Brushett (maternity leave) MA (Goldsmiths, University of London), BA (Bird College Conservatoire of Dance and Musical Theatre) School Counsellor: Ms R Skinner BSc (Open University), PGDip School Counsellor: Mr B Jackson BA (Creative Arts), PGDip in Integrative Counselling and Coaching ICT Operations & Development Manager: Mr B Vanner ICT Technician: Mr T Norman SIMS Data Manager: Mr J Kerr Examinations and Attendance Officer: Mr N Tytherleigh BA (Rhodes, South Africa) Assistant Examinations, Attendance & Cover Officer: Miss H Dixon BTEC, NVQ L2 Art Technician: Miss G Davenport BA (Warwick) DT Technician: Miss H Llewellyn BA (Kingston) Languages Assistant: Ms P Lecocq MA (Paris Diderot) Languages Assistant: Mrs T Urra-Spiess PGCE (Santiago) Science Technician (Senior Technician): Mrs S K Kooner MSc (Punjab) Science Technician: Mr R Guevara BSc (De Montfort) Performing Arts Technical Manager: Mr I Matthews HND, BTEC Premises Manager: Mr P Griffin - Visiting Teachers
Speech & Drama Speech & Drama: Miss A Borge FVCM (TD) Hons Speech & Drama: Mrs A Highman BA (London) P.G.C.E Music Brass: Mr T Harrison BMus (Guildhall School of Music & Drama) Cello: Ms M Bruce Mitford L.R.A.M, A.R.C.M Clarinet & Saxophone: Mr F Christou L.R.A.M, A.R.C.M Drums/Percussion: Mr S Roth BA Music (York) Flute: Ms K Bertolaccini PGCE Guitar: Mr C Olmos BMus (Boston USA) Horn: Ms S Pullen ATCL, BMus (University of Birmingham) PGDip (Perf), MMus (TCL) Harp: Ms L Evans DIP RCM ARCM (Royal College of Music) Jazz Clarinet & Saxophone: Ms L Lale MMus (Guildhall) Oboe: Ms J Britton BMus, PGDip, LTCL Piano: Ms L Bode BMus (Indiana University Jacobs School of Music), MMus (Guildhall School of Music and Drama) Piano: Mr A Law BMus (Royal Academy of Music) PgDip, PGCE Piano: Ms J Rutt Singing: Ms B Duval (maternity leave) MA (OU) BMus (Lancs), PGCE Singing/Voice: Ms L Goddard MA (Cambridge), MA (Royal Academy of Music) Voice: Ms A Whyte BA (The Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama), PgDip (Trinity College of Music), PgAdDip (Trinity Laban Conservatoire) Violin: Mr M Basilisco PGDip, BMus Violin: Mr E Wang Artist Fellowship, MA and PgDip (Guildhall School of Music & Drama) Violin: Ms P Wyatt DIP RCM (Royal College of Music)