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Jackie Saddington
Chair of Governors

Date appointed: 28 October 2019 - 26 October 2028

I am currently employed as Head of Bi-Borough School Governor Services covering the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea as well as Westminster City Council. I have over twenty years’ experience in school governance covering all sectors. In addition to working in school governance, I am also a governor at Beddington Park Academy in Sutton, which is part of The Step Academy Trust, and until 2018 I chaired a Multi-Academy Trust, which had grown from one school to seven schools, by the time I left. I have been married for thirty years and have two adult daughters. My interests are sport, history, and travel. 

Charlotte Warner
Vice Chair, Community Governor

Date appointed: 1 January 2025 - 31 December 2027

Charlotte has a background in NHS management and private sector commercial negotiation, along with an MBA from INSEAD. Charlotte is parent of a child with special needs and was the parent lead for establishing The Rise School. Following a term as a Parent Governor (which ended in 2024), Charlotte is continuing to support The Rise School in a Community Governor role.

Karen Oliver
Head of School - Ex-officio

Date appointed: 13 March 2023

Lucy Nutt
Associate Governor

Date appointed: 28 October 2019 - 27 June 2027

Lucy has over 30 years of experience working in schools and educational management. This includes working in special education and with children from 3 to 18. Lucy has worked for local authorities and within an academy chain. Currently, she is employed by the London Borough of Enfield as the Head of the School and Early Years Improvement Service. She co-authored the LDA book, Assemblies to Teach the Golden Rules. She has a successful track record in the field of standards, inclusion, and safeguarding. She has enabled a range of positive outcomes across school systems including; driving up the percentage of good or better schools in Enfield  (84% to 97% in a period of three years) and developing and implementing strategies across diverse areas (e.g. reading, EYFS, primary/secondary transition.)

Andy Nowak
Executive Head - Ex-officio

Appointed by Trust, in position while in post.

Joanne Heapy
Parent Governor

Date appointed: 5 February 2021 - 5 February 2027

Velia Hartland
Community Governor

Date appointed: 13 June 2024 - 12 June 2027

I have worked in education for almost 38 years. My experience is varied, ranging from class teaching, special educational needs coordination,  local authority roles in inclusion services and a number of advisory positions. I began my career as a primary school teacher in inner London and then in the South West of England. More recently, I have worked as a SENCo, designated safeguarding lead and designated teacher for looked after children.

I continue to work part time to support the needs of, children with special educational needs and those who are electively home educated. I have been married for 37 years and have three grown up children. My interests include theatre, music - particularly small jazz clubs, cinema and being outdoors exploring new places.

Ben Smith
Parent Governor

Date appointed: 13 February 2025 - 12 February 2028

Originally from Adelaide, Australia, Ben is an experienced education professional with over 20 years of service in supporting children with social, emotional, and mental health needs. Currently, he serves as Assistant Head at The Cedars Primary School, where he has responsibility for Maths and Assessment. In addition to his role as Assistant Head, Ben is the Chair of Governors at Logic Studio
School, where he offers strategic leadership to the governing body.

Outside of his professional life, Ben is an avid ultra runner, having completed the challenging run from London to Brighton and raising money for charity. He is also a golfer at Fulwell Golf Club, where he represents the scratch golf team. 
 

Sharon Brautigam
Staff Governor

Date appointed: 5 January 2026 - 4 January 2029