Meet Our Governors
Mrs Hannah Abu-Ghaida
Headteacher
Committees: Member of all Committees
Term of Office: 01.09.2024 -
2024/25 Attendance:
Register of Interests
Current Employment: Headteacher
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: The Elizabethan Schools Foundation
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Mrs Hannah Abu-Ghaida
Headteacher
I am very proud to be the Headteacher of St. John's School and as Headteacher I sit on all the Governing body committees. I have extensive experience both as a teacher and leader in a range of schools in both the maintained and independent sectors. I have particular experience as a SENDCo.
My favourite thing about my role at St. John's is the variety that it offers - never a dull moment, for sure! I see a vital part of my role to be maintaining the fun and vibrant approach to teaching, learning and growing that is so important for young children. At the same time, I hold the highest expectations and best possible outcomes for all children in mind. We seek to enhance opportunities for every child that we serve.
Having grown up on a farm in rural North Devon, I moved to Oxford to study before settling for my first teaching experiences in Devon. I moved to Fulham when I met my husband and we now have two children, both at local secondary schools. In my (precious) free time, I enjoy cooking, reading (often books about education!) and playing board games.
Marie Price
Chair of Governors
Foundation Appointed (Deanery Synod)
Committees: Curriculum & Resources
Link Governor for: Music
Term of Office: 23.09.2021 to 22.09.2025 (12.04.2021 to 11.04.2022 - Associate Member)
2023/24 Attendance: 5 out of 6 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 8 out of 9 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: Freelance Actor
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: Chair of the UK Board of Trustees for the Tongabezi Charitable Trust School: Tujatane in Zambia
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Marie Price
Foundation Appointed (Deanery Synod)
My love for the St John’s community began when my son joined the school in 2015. I then went on to serve as the PTFA Chair for 4 years with the aim to help strengthen school life, build strong relationships and communication links within the school and the local community.
I am a professional Actor working both on screen and stage. I am also a communication coach working with children, young people (in the main with those who have specific educational needs) and professional adults (including Teachers, Head Teachers and CEO’s).
In 2008 I locally co-founded, a now national, children’s theatre company, Little Voices, which enables young people to find their own creative voice in a safe and supportive teamworking environment.
I am the Chair of Trustees for a school in Zambia, Tujatane. I have been involved with the primary school in Livingston since 2008 and now work specifically with their Board of Governors. I frequently visit the school to work/ teach and have overseen their nationally acclaimed performing arts department and have directed numerous amphitheatre performances there.
I am passionate about educational and creative empowerment, child development and safety. It is a joy to be part of teams whose sole focus is to build institutional and local support networks that enable young people to thrive both socially and educationally. It is therefore an utter honour to be a Governor at St John’s.
Mrs Nicky Scott Knight
Foundation Appointed (London Diocesan Board for Schools)
Committees: Admissions (Chair), Resources
Link Governor for:
Term of Office: 01.02.2021 to 31.01.2025 (17.05.2017 to 16.05.2021)
2023/24 Attendance: 4 out of 4 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 8 out of 8 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: Company Secretary; Company Director
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): CD-adapco; DBCN Ltd
Company Directorships: CD-adapco; DBCN Ltd
Charity Trusteeships: Addison Singers & St. John's Walham Green CE Primary School
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Mrs Nicky Scott Knight
Chair of Governors
Foundation Appointed (London Diocesan Board for Schools)
I have been a governor at St. John's School since 2013. In April 2016 I retired as company secretary from an international engineering software company that I helped to found thirty years ago. My background is in finance and administration and having chaired the Governor's Resources Committee, I am now Chair of Governors. I love all forms of music and sing in a local jazz choir for which I am a trustee.
17.05.2017 to 16.05.2021 and 01.02.2013 to 31.01.2017 - Foundation Appointed (London Diocesan Board for Schools)
08.03.2017 to 16.05.2017 - Co-opted Governor
Ms Alero Abbey
Vice-Chair of Governors
Foundation Appointed (Parochial Church Council)
Committees: Resources, Curriculum (Chair), & Admissions
Term of Office: 11.06.2020 – 10.06.2024 (21.02.2016 to 20.02.2020)
2023/24 Attendance: 5 out of 6 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 10 out of 11 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: London Underground
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: Almond Properties
Charity Trusteeships: St. John's Walham Green CE Primary School, Women in Rail
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Ms Alero Abbey
Vice-Chair of Governors
Foundation Appointed (Parochial Church Council)
I am a newly appointed Foundation Governor at St. John’s Primary School. This means I represent the interests of both the school and the Church.
I became a School Governor because it is my desire to contribute to shaping the lives of the next and future generations, and in so doing, give back to my community. I have an innate desire to utilise education as a tool to enable children to realise their dreams and fulfil their potential.
My skills as a trouble shooter in my current role as a Centurion Manager at London Underground will be useful in helping to turn St. John’s Primary School into a centre of excellence.
In my personal life, my passion is travelling around the world as I value diversity and I want to gain a better understanding of other cultures. This provides a fresh and enriched perspective to my outlook on life. When not airborne, I am active in my Church and I also enjoy relaxing by reading the Bible or watching detective series on TV.
Mr Alistair Stock
Staff Governor
Committees: Curriculum
Term of Office: 10.12.2021 to 09.12.2025 (22.09.2017 to 21.09.2021)
2023/24 Attendance: 4 out of 4 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 7 out of 9 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: St. John's Walham Green CE Primary School
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): N/A
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Mr Alistair Stock
Staff Governor
I joined the staff of St. John's, initially as a student, and took my first teaching role as a class teacher in year 4 in 2015. Having formerly worked in the world of web marketing, I have a passion for technology and its use within the educational world which drives me in my role as assessment and computing lead - though I also love the opportunities to teach such a wide range and blend of creative and academic subjects in a primary school.
Mr Robin Ngai
LA Governor
Committees: Resources (Chair)
Term of Office: 14.07.2021 to 13.07.2025
2023/24 Attendance: 4 out of 4 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 6 out of 8 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: N/A
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: N/A
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Mr Robin Ngai
LA Governor
My background is in marketing and communications, having worked for organisations and clients in the UK and Hong Kong since 2008. I am keen to use my knowledge and skills to help promote the outstanding academic environment and wonderful community spirit at St John’s.
With a strong belief in helping others (Philippians 2:4), I have been working in the charity sector since 2016. I have also had experience in early years education as the marketing manager for an independent group of preschools.
My family is from Hong Kong and I can speak Cantonese. I studied in Hammersmith & Fulham for seven years and currently reside in Hammersmith with my wife, son and poodle.
Fr Ross Gunderson
Co-opted Governor
Committees: Admissions
Term of Office: 24.05.2023 to 23.05.2027
2023/24 Attendance: 2 out of 2 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: St Etheldreda, Church of England
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): N/A
Company Directorships: N/A
Charity Trusteeships: The PCC of St Etheldreda with St clement, Elizabethan Schools foundation, LYGON Almshouses
Any other conflict: none
Personal Interests: none
Other schools where I am a governor: Queens Manor Primary School, OAT Bridge Academy, All Saints Primary School Fulham
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To follow
Mrs Sarah Timpany
Parent Governor
Committees: Curriculum
Term of Office: 25.04.2023 to 24.04.2027
2023/24 Attendance: 4 out of 4 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 3 out of 3 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: to follow...
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): to follow...
Company Directorships: to follow...
Charity Trusteeships: to follow...
Any other conflict: to follow...
Personal Interests: to follow...
Other schools where I am a governor: to follow...
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To follow
Sarah Wood
Parent Governor
Committees: Resources
Term of Office: 25.04.2023 to 24.04.2027
2023/24 Attendance: 4 out of 4 meetings
2022/23 Attendance: 4 out of 4 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: Apple Inc.
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Originally from Los Angeles, California, I arrived in London over 10 years ago, landing directly in Fulham.
I have been part of the St John’s school community since 2019, when my daughter joined Reception. I am an active member of the PTFA, run the second-hand uniform sales and am part of the library volunteer team. I am passionate about travelling, foreign languages and sports — especially football having played since the age of 5. At Apple, I work on a team that manages content localisation for EMEIA markets.
As a parent and governor, I’m committed to making St John’s the best it can be and am willing to support in any way I can!
Alberto Tinarelli
Co-opted Governor
Committees: Resources
Term of Office: 20.09.2023 to 19.09.2027
2023/24 Attendance: 5 out of 5 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: London Business School
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): N/A
Company Directorships: N/A
Charity Trusteeships: N/A
Any other conflict: N/A
Personal Interests: N/A
Other schools where I am a governor: N/A
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Alberto has over six years of experience in project management, education management, and innovation consulting. He works at London Business School as Programme Manager of the Executive MBA, a world-class degree programme for senior managers and leaders.
Alberto holds a Master of Science Degree in Marketing from King's College London, awarded with Distinction, where he also received a Dean's Commendation and served as a member of the Student-Staff Liaison Committee. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources & Organisation and a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy from Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna. Alberto has also completed several courses from other institutions covering topics such as artificial intelligence, computational thinking, disruptive strategy, sustainability, platform design, digital marketing, and online course design. He is currently attending the Wharton Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program and recently received an Exemplary Assignment award.
Alberto is passionate about creating value through education, innovation, and marketing.
In his spare time, Alberto attends lectures at King's on different topics and mentors graduate students. He enjoys writing, hiking, and playing chess.
Vacancies:
1x LDBS Governor, 1x Deanery Synod Governor, 1x PCC Governor
Other Governors from the past 12 months
Mr Prushad Patel
Co-Opted Governor
Committees: Curriculum
Term of Office: 22.04.2019 to 21.04.2023 (22.04.2015 to 21.04.2019 Parent Governor)
2021/22 Attendance: 6 out of 8 meetings
2020/21 Attendance: 4 out of 4 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: Scientific Officer
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): Hangeland, Hughes & Schwarzer Limited
Company Directorships: Hangeland, Hughes & Schwarzer Limited
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Mr Prushad Patel
Co-Opted Governor
I have lived in Fulham for forty five years and my children have been learning at St. John's since 2006. I became a governor in order to understand how the school functions and to help make things better in any way I can. I spent my first eighteen months on the Finance and Premises Committees and switched to the Curriculum Committee in September 2015. I have an interest in the progress of children with special educational needs or those eligible for Pupil Premium. That aside, I like old movies, the internet, Fulham F.C. and I represent Movember, the charity which raises awareness of prostate cancer.
Parent Governor - 22.04.2015 to 21.04.2019
Mrs Lucy Woodnutt
Parent Governor
Committees: Resources & Admissions (Chair)
Term of Office: 25.04.2019 – 24.04.2023
2021/22 Attendance: 6 out of 7 meetings
2020/21 Attendance: 5 out of 5 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: Self Employed
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Mrs Lucy Woodnutt
Parent Governor
As a parent at St Johns for over 10 years, I have been involved in school life from the very beginning as a class rep, secretary of the PTFA and as a Governor since 2019. I am Chair of the Admissions Committee and sit on the Resources Committee. Next year I am excited about becoming more involved as the Safeguarding and SENCO Link Governor. I am passionate about inclusivity and diversity, the perception of SEN within a school setting and new learning methods.
My professional background is in retail and administration. I’ve worked for some of the largest fashion brands in the UK and specialise in customer relations and project based research. My work as Secretary of the Shepherd Market Retail and Resident Association ignited my love of working within a community. I drove fundraising for local projects, organised events to promote the area and liaised with Westminster Council on the key issues which affect the area including planning applications and homelessness.
I really enjoy working with the wider community at St Johns and as I approach the end of my final year as a parent at the school; I am looking forward to increasing my role as a Governor and remaining part of the fabric of the school.
Mrs Louise Cousar
Parent Governor
Committees: Curriculum
Term of Office: 25.04.2019 – 24.04.2023
2021/22 Attendance: 6 out of 8 meetings
2020/21 Attendance: 3 out of 4 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: None
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Mrs Louise Cousar
Parent Governor
My association with St John's Walham Green school began when my daughter joined the Nursery seven years ago.
I have been class rep twice and helped with many aspects of the PTFA, organising second hand uniform sales before becoming a parent governor just over two years ago.
Following a career in the City, trading financial options, I retrained as a Montessori teacher.
I have worked both in the private and state sectors of education and was Deputy Head of a Montessori Nursery School in South West London.
It is a privilege to be involved with St John's as a parent governor. I hope my knowledge of early years and primary education enables me to contribute to the Governing body and support the school going forward.
I enjoy spending time with family, walking our golden retriever, solving word and number puzzles and finding and exploring new places. Whenever we can we escape London and visit family in Scotland and the South coast.
Dr Liane Saunders
Foundation Ex-Officio
Committees: Resources
Term of Office: 03.02.2022 -
2021/22 Attendance: 1 out of 2 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: N/A
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): N/A
Company Directorships: N/A
Charity Trusteeships: N/A
Any other conflict: N/A
Personal Interests: N/A
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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To follow
Ms Christine Cosker
Associate Member
Committees: Curriculum
Term of Office: 20.07.2022 to 15.12.2022 (04.03.2018 to 03.03.2022 and 04.03.2014 to 03.03.2018 Foundation Appointed Hammersmith and Fulham Deanery Synod)
2021/22 Attendance: 7 out of 8 meetings
2020/21 Attendance: 4 out of 4 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: Retired (Consultant)
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): Christine Cosker Sole Trader
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: Dora Storey
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Ms Christine Cosker
Associate Member
Chris Cosker specialises in Early Years education, assessment and moderation of standards across all age phases of the primary school.
She has a Master of Arts degree in Education, which specialised in exploring the relationship between leadership and management and pupil outcomes. Diplomas for the use of computers in primary schools and for the teaching of science to pupils aged 3 to 11 years. Formerly she was a Headteacher of a challenging Inner London primary school.
As an education consultant she works with schools in a range of ways listed below:
- Extensive experience of working across the primary age phases as a School Improvement Partner, with schools ranging from those in an OfSTED category to others judged as outstanding.
- Leading whole-school reviews in preparation for OfSTED.
- Validation of school judgements of learning and teaching, use of data to determine the true picture of the school’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Moderation manager for Key Stages 1 and 2. Up-to-date knowledge of local and national standards in English, maths and science. How to use exemplars effectively to make robust judgements of the quality of pupils’ work.
- Training Teaching Assistants and Early Years Educators.
- Working with middle managers on identifying their strengths and weaknesses and how they can improve the impact they make on pupil outcomes.
- Performance management of headteachers and advice to senior leaders on how to ensure performance management of all staff contributes to improved teaching and learning.
- Contributing to a local governing body on understanding and carrying out their roles and responsibilities.
Personal
She lived in Hammersmith and Fulham for over 30 years and her children attended Addison Primary School. Her connection with the borough goes back generations. Her Great Grandparents lived on the White City Estate and her Grandmother lived in Shepherd’s bush. Her father attended Wormholt Primary School and her maternal grandmother went to Flora Gardens school. This motivates her to continue to ensure that children in Hammersmith and Fulham get the best deal possible!
Ms Jane Rana
Foundation Appointed (Parochial Church Council)
Committees: Resources Committee (Chair)
Term of Office: 18.10.2018 to 19.10.2022
2021/22 Attendance: 6 out of 7 meetings
2020/21 Attendance: 4 out of 4 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: Retired
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None
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Ms Jane Rana
Foundation Appointed (Parochial Church Council)
I have recently retired after spending 30 years working in education finance. Initially with Brunel University and then with LB Hillingdon, LB Hammersmith and Fulham and finally 3BM Ltd. I have been especially involved in setting and monitoring school budgets and I hope to be able to put this knowledge to good use for St John’s.
I have lived in Fulham since 2009, so I am very pleased to be able to be involved with a local school.
Rev Chris Rankine
Foundation Appointed (Chief Officiating Minister) Ex-Officio
Committees: Admissions Committee, Curriculum Committee, Parents, Pupils & Community Committee
Link Governor for: To follow...
Term of Office: 29.10.2019 - 30.03.2022
2021/22 Attendance: 1 out of 3 meetings
2020/21 Attendance: 2 out of 4 meetings
Register of Interests
Current Employment: To follow...
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): To follow...
Company Directorships: To follow...
Charity Trusteeships: To follow...
Any other conflict: To follow...
Personal Interests: To follow...
Other schools where I am a governor: To follow...
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To follow