Daniela Schwartz - Chair of Trustee Governors

Daniela has worked in Marketing & Communications, mainly in the Financial Services industry, for the past 20 years. As a foster carer for over ten years for the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, she and her husband mainly looked after children with special educational needs. "During this time I heard about Parayhouse and it's amazing work", Daniela says. "Hence I'm delighted to now have a chance in my role as a community trustee governor to contribute to the future success of the school and its pupils.”

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johnnie Wraith - Parent Trustee Governor

I have been an investment banker for over 20 years always working in the City of London, for various different banks. My connection with Parayhouse comes through my son, Max, who has been a student at the school since 2014. I wanted to become a Trustee Governor to help the school in all its wonderful efforts to help ensure that all the students develop to their full potential in a safe, happy and nurturing environment. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about the ways Parayhouse supports its students and plans their education, and am delighted to have had the opportunity to act as Chair of Trustee Governors, and Trustee Governor for English.

 

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 ang 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 the 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.

 

Nick Herrtage – Trustee

‘I have been in the property industry since 1978, in a number of aspects including Interior design, residential estate agency and development.  I now run my own development company and have done since 2001.  I was asked to become a Trustee really to assist in property related matters, latterly the relocation of the school to its current premises’

 

Michael Gallagher, Co-opted Trustee Governor

All my work experience has been interesting with opportunities to make a contribution to worthwhile endeavours (it goes without saying, mostly other peoples!). After graduating I trained as a teacher, gaining experience in a London comprehensive and later in a school undergoing transition to a Sixth Form College. I subsequently became a career civil servant and have taken on a number of roles both in administration and in provision for vulnerable people. These have included roles with responsibility for managing a departmental budget and related business planning, and in leading my own department’s response to the need to provide for clear safeguarding measures at every level of the work force. Outside work, I enjoy walking around capital cities in other countries, I follow sport, read, go to concerts, and enjoy plays and films. I enjoy cooking and eating although some will say I am far too fussy, and I like meeting up with my friends. I am looking forward to being part of Parayhouse School and the part it plays in the life and development of the children there.

 

Georgina Klein, Co-opted Trustee Governor

I have worked in education since 2013, in areas including educational neuroscience, educational technology and international development. Since qualifying as a primary school teacher with Teach First in 2014-2015, I have worked in young people's advocacy at the Children's Society, international teacher development and policy at the Varkey Foundation, and educational technology at BecomingX. With a Master's in Educational Neuroscience from UCL and Birkbeck, I am delighted to be able to support the success of students and staff at Parayhouse 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.