Daniela Schwartz - Chair of Trustee Governors

Daniela has worked in Marketing & Communications, mainly in the Financial Services industry, for over 25 years. As a foster carer for ten years for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, she and her husband mainly looked after children with special needs. "During this time, I heard about Parayhouse and its amazing work", Daniela says. "Hence I'm delighted to now have a chance in my role as a co-opted Trustee Governor to contribute to the future success of our school and students.”

 

Hala Elansari - Vice Chair of Trustee Governor/Parent Trustee Governor

Being a Trustee Governor of Parayhouse School has been an opportunity to develop  my passion for education by seeing the workings of a school from a different perspective. Having worked as a subject teacher for 19 years, I am looking forward to contributing to the education sector as Governor. 

Since its inception, Parayhouse School has come a long way. It now has a clear vision and a team of professionals wanting to work towards achieving this. It is an honour to be part of that team of people dedicating time and effort to an institution we are all vested in.

 

Jakub Koper – Staff Trustee Governor

I started at Parayhouse school as a Learning Support Assistant in 2015 and soon realised that this was the career choice that I wanted to follow. I decided to undertake my Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Practice degree and am now completing my teacher training year while I act as Key Teacher in Lime Class. I enjoy seeing my students progress and helping them to do their best. I like to find ways to help them enjoy their education and reach their full potential. In terms of my role as Staff Governor, I hope to be involved in making positive changes to procedures and systems which will benefit the students as well as the staff. I also feel that this experience will broaden my experiences as well and give me an insight into how the school is run on a wider level, which will benefit my career development.

 

Steve Hussey, Parent Trustee Governor

I have worked in finance and asset management for over 25 years. My daughter, Edie, has been at Parayhouse School for a couple of years and when I got the opportunity to join the Board as a Parent Trustee Governor I jumped at the chance to support and contribute my experience, especially on the finance side. The school fosters an amazing environment for children to develop their life skills and hopefully grow towards their full potential, testament to the hugely talented and committed staff. As a Trustee Governor, I hope to be a critical friend to this staff and to help manage the operating risks of the school.

 

Tom Cowley, Co-opted Trustee Governor

Having worked in finance since 2016, I was thrilled at the opportunity to join the board as a community trustee governor. After first visiting Parayhouse school, I was in awe of the level of effort and commitment contributed by all members of staff in the day-to-day development of each student. I am looking forward to utilising the skills and expertise I have gained whilst training as an accountant to contribute positively towards both the financial and wider affairs of Parayhouse School.

 

Yvonne Woodford, Parent Trustee Governor

My daughter joined Parayhouse School from a mainstream setting in September 2021 and the Parent Governor vacancy came up just a few months later. I decided to put myself forward because I wanted to make a tangible contribution to her school life. I have two other children at different stages of their education and felt that my experiences with the 6 or so schools and nurseries we’d attended between us would be useful. As Parent Governor I am keen to take on board views from all Parents at the school and am at the school gate most days if you want to catch me.

In terms of my background and career I am a qualified chartered accountant, I worked in corporate finance and M&A for nearly 8 years and after that have been on the board of multiple companies during my 15+ years working in the city for a property fund manager. More recently I have a number of personal projects which keep me busy.

 

 

Victoria Coleman, Co-Opted Trustee Governor

I am an experienced social researcher with a Master's in Psychology and Education, and I have carried out research on a variety of topics including education, mental health and neuro diversity, and online safety and the protection of children. I have previous experience as a teaching assistant, and in my role as an education researcher I developed and evaluated teaching, learning, and assessment materials. I'm really excited by the great work being done at Parayhouse school, and having the opportunity to contribute and apply my skills and experience to supporting the success of staff and students.

 

Raphael Pasquier, Parent Trustee Governor

My daughter joined Parayhouse from a mainstream school in September 2024, and shortly after, a parent trustee governor vacancy became available. Seeing an opportunity to contribute to the school’s development and gain a deeper understanding of its operations, I decided to get involved.

I am committed to supporting Parayhouse’s continued growth and success by engaging in discussions around its teaching methods, curriculum, and logistical challenges.

Professionally, I have spent the past decade in the drinks industry, helping to elevate brand profiles within the luxury hospitality sector. My background also includes experience as a journalist, and I hold degrees in media and political science.

 

Elena Ermakova, Parent Trustee Governor

My journey as a parent of a child with Down Syndrome has been transformative. Since my son was born, I’ve shared his story through social media, which became a powerful platform for raising awareness and advocating for our needed support. As a single parent, I took on every challenge, determined to secure the right help for him.

In September 2024, my son joined Parayhouse School, marking a new chapter for us. I knew I wanted to get more involved in the community, and soon after, a wonderful opportunity came along—I received a message about applying for a governor's position at the school. I applied and was honoured to be selected.

With over 15 years of experience in business development, project management, and leadership, I bring a strategic mindset and a passion for driving positive change. My skills in team collaboration, client engagement, crisis management, and operational efficiency will help me contribute meaningfully to the school. Additionally, as a ballet teacher and a strong advocate for children with special needs, I aim to foster an inclusive, supportive environment where every child can thrive.

I look forward to using my experience to help Parayhouse become an even better place, opening more doors for other children and families, just as we’ve been supported along our journey.