I’m delighted to serve as Chair of Governors at The Courtyard, working alongside such a talented team to support our brilliant students. The school’s commitment to preparing young people for life beyond the classroom resonates deeply with my belief that education should be inclusive, adaptive, and empowering. Being part of shaping not only students’ academic success but also their confidence and independence is incredibly motivating.

Beyond The Courtyard, I am the founder and CTO of a health technology company where we tackle ambitious challenges. My background allows me to bring fresh perspectives on innovation and on how best to prepare students for an increasingly digital world. I also find great reward in supporting people early in their careers.

Outside of work, I am passionate about food, music, and sport. At weekends you’ll often find me cooking late into the night, spending time with friends and family, or tinkering with one of my many technology projects.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Annie Coleridge: I've been a Governor at The Courtyard since 2024, and love being a small part of the team which runs this fantastic organisation. I am very passionate about every student being treated as an individual, and being supported in a way which works for their lives. My admiration for the staff of The Courtyard is huge - they so deeply care and it is amazing to see their passion for this organisation.

Alongside being a Governor at The Courtyard I work in women's health, running an online clinic for perimenopausal and menopausal women. I am incredibly passionate about inclusive healthcare for everyone, and there being more research into women's health in particular. I've worked in this area of health since 2019.

Outside of work I enjoy keeping fit, reading, and eating great food. I'm lucky that my partner is a very good cook - so whilst he does the cooking, I do the eating. A big part of my personal life is my small Jack Russell called Susan, who I take pretty much everywhere. She keeps me active and brings me a lot of joy.

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!

I am delighted and honoured to have been nominated by my colleagues to represent them as the Staff Governor in the Courtyard governing body. To be given the opportunity to represent the views and thoughts of the staff at the Courtyard will be a pleasure.

I have been working at the Courtyard for 4 years, starting as a TA and then working towards becoming a qualified teacher, teaching Maths and English. I have also been involved in the development of a soft skills curriculum in the school. SEN education, and providing the best for our students has become a passion of mine over the years; this has led me to deliver pupil-first lessons that centre the pupils and their needs.

Outside of school, you may find me collecting records, making music, cooking up a storm, hanging out with friends or doing yoga.

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.

Marc is the Founder / Director of Diversita and has over 20 years of recruitment experience. Diversita is a neurodiversity consultancy.

Marc has a personal passion for neurodiversity awareness and strives every day to make as many workplaces as neuro-inclusive as possible.

In his spare time, Marc loves Comic Con's, Disney, Star Wars, Marvel films and retro video games (do not try to tell him that Mario 64 isn't the greatest game of all time). He also has an unhealthy obsession with his Peloton! His biggest passion by far though are his family and in particular his 2 children.