I became headteacher at the school in September 2019. I had previously worked as a deputy head teacher in another Kingston primary school for six years and been part of senior leadership teams in schools across Richmond and Kingston for over ten years. I am passionate about developing high quality teaching and learning and working closely with the local community to deliver this. I am proud to be the head teacher of such an inclusive and ambitious school and I am excited about the prospects available to us as we develop our new identity as a primary school.

As Headteacher, I sit on all Committees and work with the Governing Body to develop the school's Strategic Vision and Development Plan. It is also my responsibility to ensure that the school implements the strategy effectively and I look to the Governing Body to support and challenge the Leadership Team to ensure that we do.

Lorraine Slattery is the Chair of Governors

Lorraine Slattery was nominated by the Local Authority and appointed by the Governing Body as a Local Authority Governor in July 2022 and became Chair of Governors in September 2022.  Lorraine has a commercial background in travel, retail, travel-related financial services and international higher education and has served on the executive boards of various organisations over the past 20+ years in the role of Chief People/Human Resources Officer. 

In her most recent role, she worked in the Higher Education sector, employing c.700 English language and academic subject teachers as well as hundreds of management and support staff in dedicated teaching units. She also served on the boards of the joint ventures between her company and the University of Stirling and Drew University (US).  She spent 6 years as a Governor at two large secondary schools, at one of which she was Chair of the Human Resources Committee and a member of the Marketing Committee. Until recently, Lorraine was a director and trustee of INTO Giving, a charity dedicated to the promotion, funding and support of girls’ and refugee education in and from ‘developing countries’.

Lorraine has always been hugely committed to lifelong learning for herself and a strong advocate of development for her employees. She is passionate about the power of education to enable social mobility and the mitigation of disadvantaged starting points, something from which she herself has benefited hugely.  She wants to continue to ‘pay it forward’ to future generations and is honoured to play her part in doing that for Alexandra Primary School.

Sue Jackson is a co-opted governor

Sue Jackson is also Vice Chair of Governors and Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee. Sue started teaching in 1974 and retired a few years ago as the Headteacher of two federated Surrey schools, a nursery & infant school and an all through primary school. Sue is a local resident and was an elected parent governor at Alexandra in the 1980s when her two children attended Alexandra School. Sue has served as a governor for over 35 years in a variety of schools.  

 Elinor Barikor is a parent governor

It is a true privilege to be able to say that my 3 children, who are each so different, are growing and developing, both educationally and just as importantly in their sense of self-confidence, as a result of the exceptional community of Alexandra Primary School. 

For 16 years I have been running my own businesses in the Arts and Technology sectors and have first-hand experience of both small and large business, marketing, communications and finance. My work allows me to interact with, and benefit from, people from many different and diverse backgrounds daily and I see Alexandra’s inclusive nature preparing our children for the accepting, diverse, adult world we hope they will live in. 

I would seek to contribute through my professional background, first-hand knowledge as a parent of children of differing ages/needs and my limited but varied experience of other Primary schools in London. 

It is my firm belief that Alexandra Primary School has the ability to secure and develop even further its unique offering, as it finishes its transition to Primary School, to continue to ensure that the pupils - both collectively and individually, are benefitting from the teaching, pastoral care and governance that make it truly outstanding.

Jane Casling is a co-opted governor

I retired last January after a 35+ year career in business information publishing with a specialism in marketing and data. Becoming a governor at Alexandra Primary School will allow me to ‘give something back’ to the local community in south-west London. As a mother of a 25 year old son I was involved in his school communities mainly through the PTA and was always interested in the ‘politics’ of the education he received. I have friends and family members who are involved in the sector and so keep in touch with their issues.

My business career would allow me to bring a number of skills to bear on helping to support the school’s leadership team and staff through a period of apparently unrelenting change!

• I am financially literate and have been involved in business strategy at board level
• I have managed teams of various sizes over the years and have developed leadership skills and a common-sense attitude to solving people problems
• My specialism in marketing gives me clear views on promotion and marketing

Howard Jackson is a co-opted governor

I am a local resident for 30+ years with children who attended Alexandra. I retired in August 2021 after nearly 30 years as Deputy Principal with responsibility for non teaching matters at a large South London Secondary school. The role included finance, HR, premises, legal and other contract and resourcing issues. I have also previously been a governor of a South London primary school and hope to use that experience and my work background in the best interests of Alexandra Primary School.

Adam Johnson is a co-opted governor

Adam Johnson is also the Chair of the Finances, Resources and Planning Committee.  He is an experienced Project Manager with a strong track record of delivering complex change within organisations. His experience includes ten years of Project Management and over five years working in the Middle East, primarily within Saudi Arabia on large infrastructure projects, including significant experience in the aviation sector. Having recently returned to the UK, Adam is new to the Kingston area and keen to be involved in supporting the local community and applying his Project Management skills to support the school.

Isobel McLeish is the staff governor

I am very proud to be a teacher and staff governor of our friendly and forward-thinking school that nurtures and promotes a love of learning for everyone. I have been a teacher for over 20 years and joined Alexandra Primary School in 2022. During my career I have a range of experience, including the roles of SENCo, Key Stage 1 Co-ordinator, Year Group Leader, and Subject Co-ordinator. I have been on the governing body of schools in the past and feel that it is important to represent staff at these meetings. Being Staff Governor is very important to me and I aim to bring my experiences and understanding of the education system to my role. I am committed to making a positive contribution to the journey of our school as it enters the next stage in its development and am keen to be involved in strategic development including the present and future decisions that make our school the best it can be for all stakeholders.  

Katie Meredith is a co-opted governor

I am proud of Alexandra’s nurturing and child centred ethos, and its important place in the community. I work with the other governors to maintain these, as well as support it in responding openly and decisively to the challenges within the recent Ofsted report. As the mother of two at Alexandra, I have a long-term commitment to the school’s success. But my motivation is to ensure every child at Alexandra feels happy, safe and benefits from a first class education. As a Senior Civil Servant, I have a strong public service ethos; experience of setting strategic direction and managing change; and of leading teams. I am also a Barrister and can contribute strong legal and analytical skills. I am committed to diversity and inclusion, and have experience of championing equalities issues and working with a wide range of people to achieve common goals. As the daughter of a teacher, I appreciate their huge commitment and the importance of giving them constructive support.    

Gloria Reid is a co-opted governor

Primary education has long been a passion of mine.  Now retired, and relocated from Yorkshire, I have been a teacher, LA Adviser and School Improvement Partner, and educational consultant.  I have also been a school governor for over thirty years in various capacities. I provided governor training for my LA and undertook Reviews of Governance after Ofsted Inspections. 

My granddaughter attends Alexandra Primary School.   I was very impressed with the school when I attended the open day and with the educational philosophy that it clearly shows. 

Rosie Fletcher-Brown is a parent governor.

I’ve worked as a teacher since 2011 including roles as co-ordinator for PE and English, mentor, member of leadership and moderator. As a parent of a child with SEND, inclusivity and representation are at the forefront of my mind. I volunteer as a Parent Champion of SEND for the borough and sit on the Board for Children and Young People at Kingston Hospital as a parent representative. I would hope to contribute personal and professional experience to the development of Alexandra as I am passionate about every child accessing an education they deserve and in which they can thrive.

Polly Jones is an associate member.

Polly Jones is the Assistant Head, and has been at Alexandra Primary School since 2008.

Stella Maerker is an associate member

I have a strong passion for early childhood education, I believe primary schools have a unique opportunity to equip children of all backgrounds and abilities in the best possible way for the life ahead of them. Visiting the school, I have witnessed the genuine care and appreciation for each individual child. As a mum of two young children myself, I feel inspired by the school’s vision to establish lifelong learning.

My academic background is across business management, leadership and sustainability studies and I bring experience of leadership positions in the corporate sector. I hope that my knowledge and experience will be a useful contribution in helping the school achieve its goals and long-term vision.

Rose Peacock is an associate member

Rose Peacock has been Deputy Headteacher since September 2020.

Minyi Ye  is an associate member

As a parent with two children at the school, I take great pride in the inclusive and nurturing culture fostered by the Senior Leadership team and all staff. My strong belief in the power of diversity and inclusion is rooted in my personal transformative journey when I migrated to London and pursued my Master's in Management alongside classmates representing over 70 countries. As an individual of East Asian origin, I am enthusiastic about bringing a rich and diverse perspective to the governing body.