Governors

Eliot Brooks

Chair of Governors

I’m delighted to be the chair of governors, having been impressed by the school’s clear vision, passion and progress. The chance to help shape the lives of the Courtyard's students beyond just their time at school is an incredibly motivating opportunity!

Outside of my work with the Courtyard, I’m also the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of a health technology company. I've had to wear many hats in my career so far, but the thing that continues to energise me the most is working through complex challenges with mission driven teams!

Outside of work you'll find me trying a new sport/challenge, out for dinner with friends or spending a day in the kitchen (probably making tacos).

Deborah Higgins

Vice-Chair

I have been a part of The Courtyard Governing Body since inception and it has been a huge privilege to play a small part in the growth and development of the school. I have been Vice Chair for many years. I am passionate about opportunity for all and creating an inclusive and safe space where our pupils can flourish. I am committed to ensuring we continue to deliver an outstanding education and experience to all of our pupils as individuals, providing them with the support to fulfil their potential.

I am an economist by training and my career has been in banking, management consultancy and more recently working in the ‘not for profit’ sector as The Commercial Director for The Prince’s Trust. I have had experience of many Boards over the years, including The Prince's Trust Trading Board, Research Autism and as parent governor at a local school for my own children. I live in Highbury and have three children. When I am not working I enjoy walking our dog, reading, films, food and friends.

Jo Honigmann

Safeguarding

I am a governor of the Courtyard because I believe the school delivers an excellent and much needed innovative model of education, which provides our students with a springboard to achieve their ambitions. It is inspiring to be a part of this nurturing community.

I hope the Courtyard will continue to build on its strengths, work with more young people and encourage similar models to be established in other settings.

When I am not working in corporate strategy I love to go to the cinema, take photos, cook, see friends, travel and ride rollercoasters with my family – the faster and higher the better!

Deborah Shepherd

Headteacher

As the Headteacher of the Courtyard school, I sit on the Governing Body to inform the members and support them in making decisions which best benefit the pupils.

I am passionate about ensuring that all young people have the opportunities to achieve their potential, particularly those who may find the expectations of modern society a little overwhelming.

I am reminded daily of the strength of young people with additional needs and am in constant admiration of their resilience and determination.

When I do not have my Headteacher hat on, I am a mother to three beautiful children. We love to travel, particularly to Italy and South-East Asia, enjoying the culture, food and sights. I also love to bake, aiming to perfect my lemon drizzle recipe.

Finally I enjoy staying active and challenging myself physically, having completed the London Marathon last year and training to run it again this year.

Joseph Rondinelli

Chair of Finance and General Purposes Committee

Joseph is a Private Equity Investor whose experience in growing entrepreneurial organisations is bringing additional financial expertise to The Courtyard’s team. 

Joseph is experienced in working within the Finance industry as Chair of Finance & General Purposes Committee, Managing Director, Business Control Global Markets.

Presently, Joseph holds the position of Managing Director and is co-head of Markets Business Control Management. Joseph joined JPMorgan in 1989, and during his thirty-two years at the firm, he has held various front office roles across a range of businesses, including Investor Services, Correspondent Banking, Corporate Cash Management and Trade Finance. Initially joining JPMorgan in New York, Joe has spent most of his career based in the London Headquarters.

Jen Gallagher

Pastoral Governor

I was invited to join the Courtyard's board of governors after spending time in the school as their CAMHS clinician. I am a clinical psychologist in Islington Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and I specialise in working with young people with autism spectrum conditions. I have been privileged to be involved in the development of the CAMHS role within the school and to watch the school grow and change.

I am passionate about supporting schools to provide emotional support and education to young people and their families. I am keen for the Courtyard to make best use of their external professionals to support the well-being and knowledge of their staff so that they can provide specialist support to the students and their families in this area and hope to support this in my role as governor. I feel that children must be physically and emotionally well in order to be able to access education and reach their potential.

Outside of work I love to read, dance and cycle. I have a young son and enjoy spending time with my family and cooking. I live and work in North London and try to contribute to my local community and bring kindness and compassion to my neighbours.

Fajri Aitken

Staff Governor

I am the Staff Governor and the Lead Maths teacher at The Courtyard.

I have 10 years’ experience in the education and childcare sector and I bring plenty of knowledge and varied experiences which will help me to contribute positively in the role of Courtyard Staff Governor. My passion for working with SEN children started at the age of 16 as a one to one play-worker, which steered me to building a career within this environment and led me to my current role.

I am an individual who is always looking for new challenges to further improve myself and I also believe my personal experience has shaped my character personally and professionally. I grew up in inner city Jakarta, until the age of 12, where I developed my firm morals through traditional Indonesian teaching and communal upbringing. I then moved to England where I had to adapt to a new culture and language, as well as a new education system.

When I don’t wear my flamboyant Mr Aitken teacher persona, I am an active individual who enjoys bike rides with my beloved dog Monty as well as relaxing with a great movie.

David Forrester

SMMA Link Governor

David had a long career as a civil servant, mainly in education. Among other responsibilities, he led the development of directly accountable self-governing schools. Now retired, he is also chairman of an arts charity in East London. He has lived in Islington for over 40 years. 

Catherine Ollington

Strategy Governor

Currently working to support school improvement with not-for-profit, Ambition Institute. She has supported the rollout of the new Early Career Teacher training programme and the reformed National Professional Qualifications, working with schools, academy trusts and teaching school hubs.

Previously working with New Schools Network, Catherine worked to support the opening of multiple schools through the free schools programme. Working with proposals across the UK, she has advised on education plans, finance plans, academy governance, Section 10 consultations, and other elements of delivering new schools to open.

Adrian Fernandes

Teaching and Learning Governor

As an English teacher and Head of Department, I am keen to ensure that all students can access a high-quality education. I am happy to share ideas gained from a variety of schools across London, and I am eager to learn from the experts at The Courtyard too. It is clear that everyone at the school approaches education in an innovative fashion. The curriculum is impressive and rigorous, and it is always intriguing to keep seeking further improvement.

As a local resident, it is heartening to be involved in a lively corner of the community, and it is an exciting time to be involved with the work of the school. The aims of The Courtyard tally with everything that I would hope for from a secondary school, and I am glad to be able to help where possible.

Susan Miller Jones

Risk Governor

I am delighted to be a Governor at the Courtyard.

Investment in all children matters to me, which means the work at the Courtyard is of extra special appeal.

I am a human resources professional which, given the ever changing world, is something I have to be tenacious to stay current in my learning and understanding. It has also taught me that the best learning needs to be sought out.

Out of work, I love the theatre, film, travelling and time with my family.

My dream for the Courtyard is that it acts as an exemplar for other schools and is seen as the ‘go to’ place for great ideas.

Matt Nolan

Career Link Governor

I have been part of The Courtyard’s Governing Body since September 2023 with a particular focus on Careers, Curriculum and Standards and Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

My background has for the past 10+ years been within SEND Education.

I fully understand what it is like being a Neurodiverse individual with Speech Communication and Language challenges.

I am deeply committed to ensuring that all young people, especially those who may find contemporary society's demands a bit daunting, have the opportunity to realise their full potential.

I am committed to holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the effective and efficient performance management of staff.

I very much wish to encourage and empower the pupils at The Courtyard to achieve their potential and lead fulfilling lives as independently as possible.

Alice Clark

Teaching and Learning Governor

Joining the governing body at The Courtyard has been a real privilege: having always lived and worked as a teacher in inner city London, I am passionate about quality education. The bespoke curriculum, which is both social and academic, is delivered so well by excellent practitioners at The Courtyard.

Currently, I am a Lead Practitioner and English teacher in Hackney, having previously taught in Tower Hamlets. My areas of expertise include Key Stage 4 & 5 English curriculum; initial teacher training and education; leading literacy; and whole school CPD.

Outside of school, I love spending time with my young family, reading, and running.

Rachel Thomas

Parent Governor

I work with researchers in maths and data science from across the UK and internationally to communicate their research to non-expert audiences. As well as loving learning about new ideas in maths and science, I also really enjoy meeting and interviewing the researchers and writing and speaking about their work.

I am a parent governor and I’m very pleased to be able to support the school from the perspective of the families of the Courtyard’s students.

Matthew Julian

Parent Governor

Right from my earliest contact with The Courtyard I could tell that they had created a special and unique school that embodied all the qualities we had been seeking for our son. I am very pleased to have been asked to be a Parent Governor and I'm happy to be able to contribute and be useful.

When I'm not running my small kitchen business, I enjoy cooking curries and I am trying to re-learn how to paint abstract art.