Sara Alessandrini (co-opted)

I have been a co-opted governor since March 2020 and more recently have moved to Chair of the Resources Committee.

I was born and brought up in Southwest London but both my parents are of Italian origin. I still live locally and am now a mother to one daughter who is in secondary school. Professionally I am a solicitor and my day job is as a partner in a criminal defence firm in Central London where I have a particular interest in helping young people which, of course, begins with education.

I am committed to supporting Shaftesbury Park primary school to ensure that every child has access to the best education opportunities enabling them to thrive and flourish whilst also maintaining the school’s values and ethos ensuring it’s vital role in the community. I look forward to developing as a team member and being part of this fantastic school.

Emily Cornish (co-opted)

I joined the Shaftesbury Park governing board in 2020 and act as link governor to the enterprise stream.

I am an experienced communications professional, having started my career in the private sector before moving into central government.

I am particularly interested in the school’s marketing and communications strategy, working to promote the unique offer of the school including placing Shaftesbury Park as a leading school in the enterprise space.

James Cousins (co-opted, chair of governors)

I have been a governor at the school for over fifteen years, first as local authority appointee and, more recently, as a co-opted member. I have had the immense privilege of being chair since 2015-2016. I live locally and have been incredibly fortunate to send my children to Shaftesbury Park.
Professionally my career started in the City, before moving into the local government and health sectors and then, more recently, consultancy work.

Within the school I’ve has taken a particular interest in the development of its unique curriculum offer and how — now it’s fully embedded — we can continue to develop both children and staff and fulfil the school’s mission of helping our children change their world.

Andrew Dawes (parent governor)

I joined as a parent-governor in 2021. I am a director of an architectural practice and teach architectural design part-time. My interest is in how architecture can contribute to improving the quality of people’s lives. Our practice is currently looking at how we can re-shape our buildings, high streets and communities following the pandemic: converting an empty office building into affordable housing, providing accommodation for the homeless in a church and re-invigorating an inner-city library with new maker spaces.

I lived abroad for many years and speak fluent Dutch and welcome the opportunities that a bi-lingual environment can offer to our children. I joined as a governor to help the school in offering each and every child the greatest opportunity to grow, develop and flourish. I have helped Shaftesbury Park improve child safety, with proposals for car-free streets outside the school leading to the creation of a safe street on Ashbury Road, and hopefully to improvements on Holden Street soon!

I believe that Shaftesbury Park is a kind and compassionate place of learning, with a bi-lingual and enterprise curriculum which develops a great set of skills for our children, setting them in good stead for the future.

Philippe Mior (local authority)

Born in Belgium, I moved to the UK mid 2016.

I have worked in Banking and now Software consulting for the last 25 years where I gained a great experience in managing projects and budgeting. I strongly believe that education is one of the most important marker of success for a child’s life.

Patrick Montgomery (co-opted)

I have been a governor at Shaftesbury Park since 2014 and I serve on the Resources as well as the Curriculum and achievement committees.

Both my children attend the school and it has been great to see how Shaftesbury Park has been evolving and how my sons are enjoying their time here. Professionally I am an IT Director for 2 London Authorities and as someone who was born in Ireland, raised in Holland and has lived in various countries and worked in a range of industries throughout my career I am a big believer in the benefits of the bilingual environment that we are developing at Shaftesbury Park and also in the enterprise skills the children develop at the school as both will equip them well in their later lives.

Jon Moore (co-opted)

I am the newest appointed governor at Shaftesbury Park and have chosen to work with the school because of its innovative and rigorous curriculum, as well as the emphasis they place on student voice and inclusive learning practices, all of which can be seen through the outcomes and excellent results of the students.

Having worked in Higher Education for the last 15 years, I am passionate about the transformative power of learning and believe this starts from a young age. Shaftesbury Park allows its students to participate in their own journey by selecting either the enterprise or bi-lingual stream, whilst promoting equity, identity and inclusion throughout the entire school. With a background in marketing and student recruitment, I am keen to help the school raise its profile, so that it can continue to flourish.

I am excited to be a part of this community for many years to come and look forward to working with the other governors, staff and most importantly, the students, on creating the best possible environment for them to succeed.

Linnea Samuelsson (staff governor)

I am a Year 4 teacher at Shaftesbury Park, and have previously taught in Cambridge and Sweden. Being Staff Governor means that I have been elected by the staff community, but my role on the board is like that of any other governor. I am committed to upholding and further developing the high quality of education offered at Shaftesbury Park, as I believe that what we have at this school is very special. The offer of the two streams, bilingual and enterprise, as well as the strong international profile are some of the reasons behind this school’s strong profile.

Born and raised in Sweden, and then learning English and French in school and eventually moving abroad to study and work, I have experienced first hand the impact that education and an international outlook can have on a person’s life. I believe that Shaftesbury Park does both of these things – and more – very well, and I am happy to be part of this board, supporting the school as it encounters new challenges and successes.

Vita Shapland-Howes (co-opted, deputy chair of governors)

I became a governor at Shaftesbury Park in 2018 as I wanted to give back to the local community by using my skills and experience of being a former languages teacher. When I got to know Shaftesbury Park’s international outlook, it seemed like the perfect fit!

I now work at the Department for Education and I continue to be passionate about improving education for the most disadvantaged pupils.

Pat Taylor (co-opted)

I have been invested in the growth of Shaftesbury Park for around 15 years. First as a Specialist Teacher from the local authority Support Service. Secondly as a parent whose son flourished and achieved in Shaftesbury’s safe and secure environment. And, finally, for the last 10 years, as a governor. As a Specialist (Dyslexia) Teacher I am committed to giving children not only the academic skills, but also the understanding and tools to navigate the emotional aspects of school when you learn differently. The diverse, bilingual and enterprise environment being created at Shaftesbury Park for our children to grow in, is a vision that has my full support.

Moya Wilkie (co-opted)

I have been a Governor since 2016: first elected as a Parent Governor when my child was in Year 1, and then co-opted after my initial term ended. I am a passionate believer in the importance of quality state education for every child, and as a local resident since 2005 I was pleased to have the opportunity to support Shaftesbury Park. Living in an English-speaking household, I was incredibly excited at the opportunities offered by the bilingual stream, and delighted to chair the Curriculum and Achievement Committee for 2 years.

I currently work in the charity sector but have a background in Higher Education administration and management, and have been able to bring skills in policy development, finance, and HR to the role of Governor. I am responsible for Safeguarding; working with our experienced staff team to keep Shaftesbury Park pupils safe and secure, and hence better able to make the most of their learning opportunities. I have been especially pleased to support the school’s Equalities work, creating an environment that is welcoming, respectful and supportive for all members of the school community.

Nicole Walker (parent governor)

I joined as a parent governor in 2021. I have two daughters currently attending Shaftesbury Park. It has been a pleasure to see how much of an integral role the school has played in my girls’ development, both academic and social. Professionally, I have worked primarily in independent schools and educational non-profits, focusing on enrolment management and marketing and communications.

Having the opportunity to work with various constituencies, and families from all walks of life, prompted me to explore how student and parent experiences are impacted by cultural influences, and validated for me just how important diversity, equity, and inclusion work in and outside of the classroom.

After spending some time at home with my children, I am back to working in independent school admissions, focusing on recruitment. My goal is to collaborate with the school and to use my experience to develop an avenue for parent voices, while continuing to enhance Shaftesbury Park’s mission and support its strategic goals.