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Hampstead School

Governor Biographies

Brian Netto

Brian Netto’s background is in teaching; he qualified to teach religious education and physical education at secondary level. His experience of schools has been cross phase, through local authority and Ofsted experience. His skills and knowledge are related to education, with extensive experience of school improvement, governor support and training, local authority management including writing policies and papers for senior officers and members, and contributions at national conferences.

Natalie Couceiro

As a first time school parent governor, Natalie Couceiro brings a fresh outside perspective on accepted procedure and protocol that often provokes questions about established practices on which the current governing body may not have been challenged in the past. This has led to changes and improvements that might not have been considered previously. Additionally, coming from a public relations background, she brings 25 years experience of best practice in external communications for big corporate organisations, as well as all the ‘soft skills’ acquired through decades of office-based etiquette, with which she aims to add as much value as possible.

 

Andy Goodwyn

Andy Goodwyn is Emeritus Professor at the University of Reading. At the University of Bedfordshire, he was Head of the School of Education and English [2017-22] and Director of the Institute of Research in Education [ 2018-22]. Previously [1978- 2088] he taught English in secondary schools, also spending 1 year 1980-81] teaching in the USA. He became PGCE English course leader at The University of Reading in 1988, course leader of the MA in English and Language in Education in 1990, Head of Continuing Professional Development 2002-2006, Director of Teaching and Learning, Deputy Head of School, 2002- 2007, appointed Professor in 2005, and was Head of School from 2005-2015. He worked as Director of Research at The Centre for Research and the Use of Evidence in Education 2016-17.

Jacob Leonard Sam

Jacob Sam studied Philosophy and Literature. He has several masters in Business Law, Taxation, Accounting, Audit, and International Accounting Standards (US, UK, French GAAPs). He is an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Finalist.

Jacob has wide-ranging multivalent competencies having worked with Lawyers and Barristers in France. Jacob also performed Accounting and Finance duties for global accounting firms and global corporates in France and in the UK. He also worked as SOX (Sarbanes - Oxley) Tax Accountant for global commercial industries dealing with Corporate and International Taxation, Accounting and Audit.

He manages his business as a Sole trader in accounting and finance. He has also taught French, Audit, and Taxation as a Freelancer.

 

Hunter Danskin

Hunter Danskin is a co-opted governor, having started as a parent governor in 2003, and was previously chair of governors at Beckford primary school. He is currently Joint Chair of Governors and at different times, has chaired the Curriculum & Assessment and Site & Finance committees.

A physicist by training, he has worked for many years in central government as a technical analyst on energy efficiency, particularly in relation to buildings, commissioning scientific research and advising on policy. His experience of working practices includes management and recruitment, from a different part of the public sector, which has proved to be useful.

Hunter Danskin is a strong supporter of high-quality state education.

Anne Clarke

Anne Clarke served as a Parent Governor from October 2013 to September 2021. She is a Governor at a Barnet Local Authority primary school and was a parent governor of a Camden primary for 5 years.

Anne Clarke is a Councillor in Barnet’s Childs Hill Ward and has had a career in family and youth services. She is a core member of the Cricklewood Town Team, a body that works with residents and Brent, Barnet and Camden Councils to improve Cricklewood Town Centre and station.ry school and was a parent governor of a Camden primary for 5 years.

 

Paul Stratton

Paul Stratton studied Chemistry and Spectroscopy at university and his professional career has been varied, from working at Kodak as a testing technologist, driving cars for an export company, jointly managing a pop group and programming computers at BT. He then, after a short spell being retired, moved to being a learning support assistant in a secondary school where he is now an administrator supporting alternative provision and the SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disability Co-ordinator). Paul Stratton has been at this local secondary  school for the past 16 years.

In addition, Paul is still involved with his children’s junior school as the treasurer of their Parent, Staff and Friends Association. He belongs to an international support network and helps organise workshops for them. Both his children attended Hampstead School.

Paul very much enjoys these varied roles.

Neha Patel

Neha Patel is a cybersecurity consultant with a background in conducting risk assessments to industry standards. Her experience includes managing global projects remediating strategic infrastructure and technology risks on large-scale technology transformation programmes for Financial Services and Energy clients.

Prior to joining a global consultancy in 2015, Neha’s previous experience included procurement of Adult Social Care services across three London Councils. Neha graduated with a BA History from Queen Mary, University of London in 2014.

Neha is an Inclusion and Diversity advocate, with a particular interest in social mobility and mentoring and inspiring young females to break boundaries in STEM. Outside work Neha co-hosts and produces a podcast.

 

Qurat-Ul-Ain Batool

Qurat Batool is a former student who was elected as Chair of the School Council and Head Girl. As a student Qurat was recognised as one of England’s 100 young leaders and awarded a place on the 2008 Prime Ministers Global fellowship. During her gap year Qurat returned to the school to support the Mathematics Department as a Teaching Assistant.

Qurat studied Mathematics with Management and Finance at Kings College London, going on to qualify as an ACA Chartered Accountant with the National Audit Office. She is currently working as a Global Internal Audit Manager overseeing 33 countries. Qurat has expertise in performance data, budgeting, driving financial efficiency in performance management, and working constructively in committees.

Qurat is the first generation in her family to attain higher education and understands the additional challenges faced by many pupils in the area. She is committed to ensuring that there are high aspirations for all the pupils in the school and to achieving the best possible outcomes for all. "

Lorraine King

Lorraine King's background is in journalism and TV production as a Senior Producer who has worked in BBC News for over 25 years with specialisms in business, politics and as Interviews Editor for BBC World News.

She is from the local area, having been brought up in Cricklewood and values the importance of a comprehensive education that is connected to the community in which it serves. She brings skills in communication and trying to get to the heart of issues while learning how a big secondary school functions.

As someone who was a beneficiary of free school meals in her childhood, she is aware of the needs of children who are part of the Pupil Premium cohort and the challenges they face.