Meet Our Governors

Mrs Hannah Abu-Ghaida

Headteacher

Committees: Member of all Committees
Term of Office: 01/09/2024 - Ongoing
2025/26 Attendance: 14 out of 14 meetings

Register of Interests
Current Employment: Headteacher
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: The Elizabethan Schools Foundation
Any other conflict: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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I am very proud to be the Headteacher of St. John's School and as Headteacher I sit on all the Governing body committees. I have extensive experience both as a teacher and leader in a range of schools in both the maintained and independent sectors. I have particular experience as a SENDCo.

My favourite thing about my role at St. John's is the variety that it offers - never a dull moment, for sure! I see a vital part of my role to be maintaining the fun and vibrant approach to teaching, learning and growing that is so important for young children. At the same time, I hold the highest expectations and best possible outcomes for all children in mind. We seek to enhance opportunities for every child that we serve.

Having grown up on a farm in rural North Devon, I moved to Oxford to study before settling for my first teaching experiences in Devon. I moved to Fulham when I met my husband and we now have two children, both at local secondary schools. In my (precious) free time, I enjoy cooking, reading (often books about education!) and playing board games.

Mrs Nicky Scott Knight

Foundation Appointed (London Diocesan Board for Schools)

Committees: Admissions (Chair), Resources
Term of Office: 17/05/2017 to 04/02/2029

2025/26 Attendance: 7 out of 8 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment: Company Secretary; Company Director
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): CD-adapco; DBCN Ltd
Company Directorships: CD-adapco; DBCN Ltd
Charity Trusteeships: Addison Singers & St. John's Walham Green CE Primary School
Any other conflict: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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I have been a governor at St. John's School since 2013. In April 2016 I retired as company secretary from an international engineering software company that I helped to found thirty years ago. My background is in finance and administration, I am the chair of the Governor's Resources Committee and Admissions Committee. I love all forms of music and sing in a local jazz choir for which I am a trustee.

17.05.2017 to 16.05.2021 and 01.02.2013 to 31.01.2017 - Foundation Appointed (London Diocesan Board for Schools)

08.03.2017 to 16.05.2017 - Co-opted Governor

Ms Alero Abbey

LDBS appointed

Committees: Resources, Curriculum (Chair), & Admissions
Term of Office: 21/02/2016 to 12/06/2028

2025/26 Attendance: 9 out of 11 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment: London Underground
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: Almond Properties
Charity Trusteeships: St. John's Walham Green CE Primary School, Women in Rail
Any other conflict: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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I am an appointed Foundation Governor at St. John’s Primary School. This means I represent the interests of both the school and the Church.

I became a School Governor because it is my desire to contribute to shaping the lives of the next and future generations, and in so doing, give back to my community. I have an innate desire to utilise education as a tool to enable children to realise their dreams and fulfil their potential.

My skills as a trouble shooter in my current role as a Centurion Manager at London Underground will be useful in helping to turn St. John’s Primary School into a centre of excellence.

In my personal life, my passion is travelling around the world as I value diversity and I want to gain a better understanding of other cultures. This provides a fresh and enriched perspective to my outlook on life. When not airborne, I am active in my Church and I also enjoy relaxing by reading the Bible or watching detective series on TV.

Mr Jacob Lord-Garnett

Staff Governor

Committees: Curriculum
Term of Office: 19/01/2026 to 18/01/2030

2025/26 Attendance: 2 out of 2 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment: St. John's Walham Green CE Primary School
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): N/A
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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I am a teacher and Head of Mathematics at St. John's Walham Green CE Primary School and am proud to serve as a Staff Governor. Through my role, I bring both a classroom and leadership perspective to the Governing Body, helping to support the school's strategic direction and continued development.

Prior to joining St. John's, I worked within a specialist SEND provision and supported children and families through local authority short-break services. These experiences strengthened my belief that every child should have access to the support, opportunities and encouragement needed to thrive.

I am passionate about curriculum development, mathematics education and ensuring high standards for all pupils. Having lived in West London throughout my life, I have developed a strong appreciation for the diversity and cultural richness of the communities that make this part of London unique.

Outside of education, I enjoy travelling, playing football and exploring different countries and cultures. I am also involved in international football coaching programmes during school holidays, working alongside professional footballers and supporting young people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. I am committed to supporting St John's in providing an inclusive, ambitious and nurturing education for every child.

Fr Ross Gunderson

Deanery Synod Appointed

Committees: Admissions
Term of Office: 24/05/2023 to 23/05/2027

2025/26 Attendance: 3 out of 5 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment: St Etheldreda, Church of England
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): N/A
Company Directorships: N/A
Charity Trusteeships: The PCC of St Etheldreda with St clement, Elizabethan Schools foundation, LYGON Almshouses
Any other conflict: none
Other schools where I am a governor: Queens Manor Primary School, OAT Bridge Academy, All Saints Primary School Fulham

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To follow

Mrs Sarah Timpany

Vice Chair & Parent Governor

Committees: Curriculum
Term of Office: 25/04/2023 to 24/04/2027

2025/26 Attendance: 6 out of 8 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment: Ibstock Place School
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): N/A
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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I am a parents governor and have three children who attend St John's School. I have lived in Fulham for nearly 15 years and have been a member of St Peter's Church Fulham since moving in 2011. I taught at Lady Margaret School for a number of years before having time off with young children and am now really enjoying being back in the classroom at Ibstock Place School.

I would never thought I'd live in London having grown up in a fairly rural area of the Midlands. I went to university in Bristol and then moved to Manchester but after training to be a teacher at Kings College London we, as a family, have decided to stay in 'the big smoke'- who knew such a wonderful community could exist in London!?

It's an honour to be able to support the school by being part of the Governing Board here.

Sarah Wood

Parent Governor

Committees: Resources
Term of Office: 25/04/2023 to 24/04/2027

2025/26 Attendance: 8 out of 8 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment: Apple Inc.
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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Originally from Los Angeles, California, I arrived in London over 10 years ago, landing directly in Fulham.

I have been part of the St. John’s school community since 2019, when my daughter joined Reception. I am an active member of the PTFA, run the second-hand uniform sales and am part of the library volunteer team. I am passionate about travelling, foreign languages and sports — especially football having played since the age of 5. At Apple, I work on a team that manages content localisation for EMEIA markets.

As a parent and governor, I’m committed to making St John’s the best it can be and am willing to support in any way I can!

Sue Whittaker

Chair of Governors & Co-opted Governor

Committees: All
Term of Office: 19/03/2025 - 18/03/2029

2025/26 Attendance: 7 out of 8 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment: Head of Mandarin, The Godolphin and Latymer School
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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I currently work as Head of Mandarin at The Godolphin and Latymer School in Hammersmith, a post I took 13 years ago when Mandarin was introduced at the school. From then, we have rolled out Mandarin throughout the school, offering GCSE and A-Level, as well as Lower School classes. I am a form tutor, currently with Year 10, but I have worked with all years up to Year 11 and I am also a teacher of PSHE. Prior to becoming a teacher in 2010, I worked as a stockbroker for 15 years, working at both British and American banks advising on investment into the Japanese stock market. My interest in China and Japan was driven firstly by a fascination with their respective languages, both of which I studied at university, having loved French in my time at school.

I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to serve on the governing body at St John's. I hope my experience of working in a secondary school, as well as outside the education sector, will allow me to help St John's follow its vision of enabling everyone to flourish.

Jessica Dawson

Governor - H&F Deanery Synod

Committees: Resources
Term of Office: 19/03/2025 - 18/03/2029

2025/26 Attendance: 5 out of 8 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment: Public Health Principal at Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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I was appointed as a Deanery Synod Governor at St. John's in March 2025. I work in the Public Health team at Hammersmith & Fulham Council as a Public Health Principal, designing and commissioning public health initiatives and programmes to improve the health and wellbeing of residents of the borough, with a particular focus on children and young people.

I have worked in public health for almost a decade, across government bodies in the UK and Australia (I moved from Melbourne, Australia, to the UK in 2021), and have a particular interest in health promotion, obesity prevention, nutrition and physical activity. I have recently commenced a National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded predoctoral award, working towards a PhD in the obesity prevention space.

I am really enjoying supporting families at St. John's through the Governing Board, and look forward to meeting more of the St. John's community over the coming years. As someone who was raised Christian and attended Christian primary and secondary schools throughout my education, I hope to lead with Christian values in all I do to support the school community.

Charles Karsten

Governor - LA

Committees: Co Chair of Resources
Term of Office: 01/10/2025 - 30/09/2029

2025/26 Attendance: 4 out of 8 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment: Self employed
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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I joined the governing body in October 2025 as the Local Authority appointed governor. I sit on the Resources Committee and am the link governor for Online Safety, including Filtering and Monitoring.

My background is in growth and commercial strategy. I started my career at a strategy consulting firm, then spent several years in senior growth roles at a global direct-to-consumer business, working across Australia, New Zealand and Europe. I now run my own consultancy, working with consumer businesses on growth and performance.

I became a governor because I was keen to contribute to my local community here in London, despite being based abroad for much of the time. I hope my experience with budgets, data and making decisions under constraint is useful to the school, particularly on the Resources Committee.

Outside work I enjoy hiking and sailing, and I spend as much time as I can in the New Forest, where my family is based.

Marin Daley

Governor - PCC

Committees: Resources
Term of Office: 02/12/2024 - 01/12/2028

2025/26 Attendance: 3 out of 8 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment:
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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To follow

Scott Fisher

PCC Appointed

Committees: Co Chair of Resources
Term of Office: 21/01/20256- 20/01/2030

2025/26 Attendance: 2 out of 3 meetings

Register of Interests

Current Employment: Rothschild & Co
Businesses (of which I am a partner / proprietor): None
Company Directorships: None
Charity Trusteeships: None
Any other conflict: None
Personal Interests: None
Other schools where I am a governor: None

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I currently work in investment banking, specialising in the metals and mining sector. I am part a global advisory team that supports mining companies on M&A, corporate and project financings, and restructurings. I hold a degree in mining engineering from Queen’s University in Canada and am a registered Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder. Prior to working in finance, I trained as a mining engineer at a Toronto‑based mining company.

I have a strong interest and passion for STEM education, technology, nature, travel, creative arts, and sports.

Originally from Canada, we arrived in London in 2013 and have lived in Fulham since 2017.

Vacancies:

Other Governors from the past 12 months

Mr Alistair Stock

Staff Governor
Committees: Curriculum
Term of Office: 22/09/2017 to 09/12/2025

2024/25 Attendance: 5 out of 8 meetings

Register of Interests

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I joined the staff of St. John's, initially as a student, and took my first teaching role as a class teacher in year 4 in 2015. Having formerly worked in the world of web marketing, I have a passion for technology and its use within the educational world which drives me in my role as assessment and computing lead - though I also love the opportunities to teach such a wide range and blend of creative and academic subjects in a primary school.