Our Governors

We welcome your comments or feedback about any aspect of school life, and will endeavour to respond to you in a timely manner. You can contact the governors by emailing the school office on admin@stmichaelsn6.com

Cordelia Brown – Chair of the Governing Body

My two children both attended St Michael’s and I have previously been a Parent Governor. When my youngest child left St Michael’s I was appointed LDBS Foundation Governor by the London Diocesan Board for Schools. I am delighted to be able to continue as a member of our Governing Body.

I have worked for 20 years as an Educational Psychologist, most recently as a Senior Educational Psychologist in a neighbouring local authority, supporting schools and parents to meet children’s learning, emotional and developmental needs. In 2014-7 I was seconded to work strategically across the authority, leading on the implementation of the Government’s Special Educational Needs and Disability Reforms, the conversions of Statements into the new Education, Health and Care Plans, and secondary transfer for pupils with special educational needs.

I am a qualified teacher and began my career in education as a class teacher and specialist language support teacher in two inner London primary schools. As a Governor at St Michael’s I have responsibility for Inclusion and Safeguarding and I chair the Children’s Committee. I am also the Church Safeguarding Officer at All Hallows Church, Gospel Oak.

Geraldine Gallagher – Executive Head

I became Headteacher of St Michael’s School in April 2013 and I have always worked as a teacher. After training and working in Liverpool for two years I returned home to North London. I spent sixteen fantastic years working in Islington with parents and governors and I will continue to work closely with all members of the school community to ensure the children have the best facilities and resources to learn.

When not at school I enjoy spending time with my young family, reading, swimming and travelling.

Angela Stathi

I joined the school Governing Board in March 2021 as the Local Authority Governor. I am an Independent Advisor and Non-Executive Director in the private, public, and charitable sectors in the fields of youth, sustainability, energy, and health. My work involves helping companies and multilateral organisations with their strategy, stakeholder management, financial oversight, social and environmental impact and growth.

Prior to my advisory work, I worked in the financial services and technology sectors in senior management, strategy, product, and operation roles. Following my career in financial services and during my MBA, I held the position of CEO at a business accelerator and not-for-profit that helped develop early-stage ventures and founders to become investment-ready.

Passionate about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, I participated in the UN’s 65th and 66th Commission on the Status of Women and I am an Ambassador of the Women ESTEAM EU Program to boost women and girls’ digital & entrepreneurial competencies. Born in Brazil to Greek parents and raised in Brazil, Greece, France, and the UK, I have a very multicultural background. I am an MBA graduate from London Business School and a Rising Women Leaders Scholar from Cambridge Judge Business School.

Claire Southern

I am delighted to have been appointed as a governor by the West Haringey Deanery Synod. I have two daughters at St. Michael’s and am committed to supporting the school reach even greater heights.

I’ve lived in Highgate for over 15 years and am an active member of St. Augustine’s Church on Archway Road. I’m a solicitor and partner of a large city law firm where I specialise in pensions law. My work involves advising corporates, pension scheme trustees, banks and government agencies on their duties and liabilities. I’m heavily involved in my firm’s commitment to promoting diversity and equality – with a particular focus on ensuring that more women progress to the top.

I’m excited to be able to use my professional skills for the benefit of the school and also to learn more about the great work that goes on here!

Julia Machin

I have worked at St Michaels since 2017, and in education for 15 years. Prior to that I was a solicitor.

Currently, I teach History across KS2 in the afternoons, and as an HLTA, spend mornings teaching and supporting with Maths and English. I love the variety and challenge! I was delighted to be elected Staff Governor in 2022.

I have 3 adult sons and my personal interests include singing, reading, and of course, history!

King-Lynn Swayne

I currently have two sons at St Michaels and have loved being part of the wonderful community.

As Parent Governor, I am honoured to be able to contribute to the continued
success and development of our school. I have also been delighted to learn more about thegreat work that goes on!

I am a chartered accountant and look forward to using my experience in financial management to support the school.

Reverend Kunle Ayodelji

I am Vicar of St Michael’s Church, Highgate and father of two children at St Michael’s school. As Vicar, I am interested in ensuring that the close links that exist between St Michael’s, the church, and St Michael’s, the school, are nurtured and maintained. As a parent, I believe that children are best served when they are taught moral values that stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives. As Governor, I believe it is particularly important that St Michael’s, as a Church of England primary school, maintains its strong Christian ethos for the good of the children, staff, and community. It’s a great privilege to serve as School Governor at St Michael’s.

Lisa Maguire

I have recently been appointed by St Michael’s Parochial Church Council as one of the PCC governors of the school. I’m a parishioner at St Michael’s and have lived in the Highgate area since 2008, with some large chunks of time working overseas.

I work for the Foreign Office with recent postings including Sudan, South Sudan, Libya and the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York. I’ve also spent some time working for the UN in peacekeeping missions overseas. My current role in London involves working on conflict and post-conflict countries. Outside of work, I volunteer with Westminster Befriend a Family and with the Sunday school at St Michael’s church. It’s a privilege to join the Governing body and I’m really looking forward to making a contribution to the school over the next four years.

Maja Raskovic

I currently have twin daughters at St Michael’s and thoroughly enjoy being part of the school community. I have lived in Highgate since 2014 and am part of the nearby St Augustine’s Church, Parish Council.

Since April 2014, I have been the Business and Finance Director of a large secondary school in North London. Prior to that, I was Global Operations Manager at a start up firm in the financial research sector.

I am honoured to be part of St Michael’s Governing Board and look forward to contributing to our school, and its continued success!

Stephen Bethel

My two children are pupils at St Michael’s and in the short time they have been there I have become deeply invested in the school and passionate about its success and the positive role it has in the Highgate community. I was appointed as a parent governor in April 2019 and I am delighted to be able to contribute to the further success of the school.

In my professional life, I am corporate affairs director at the British Retail Consortium. I have extensive experience in communications and lobbying, have held executive committee positions in global businesses and served on the board of an educational charity. I’m excited to be able to use these skills to support St Michael’s.

Valerie Doulton

Valerie Doulton is founder and artistic director of The Live Literature Company. This is a performance company whose work she has staged at prestigious venues in London, the U.K, and internationally. In lockdown her company successfully produced many podcasts.

She was educated at Newcastle University, where she studied child language acquisition as part of her degree in English Language and Literature, a subject which fascinates her. Her post-graduate education was in theatre directing at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. She has also trained and worked as a studio manager at the B.B.C. working at Broadcasting House, the World Service & Radiophonic Workshop.

Her work in education includes teaching Public Speaking at Birkbeck, London University. Her company also specialises in drama and performance education for all ages. She runs a Study Abroad Drama degree programme for American students in the U.K. She is bringing her Introduction to Shakespeare for Children workshop to St. Michael’s School this Spring 2022.

St Michael’s Learning Fund (previously The Governors’ Fund)

The Learning Fund is a pool of assets controlled by the school governors and raised from voluntary sources, primarily the parents. It is operated entirely independent of the SMSA’s funding raising activities; the assets are not co-mingled.

The Fund exists to provide a safety net to cover funding shortfalls for what we consider to be essential spending on school infrastructure. We are blessed with exceptional facilities that will only remain exceptional if they are well maintained. However, St. Michael’s is a Voluntary Aided school, and our premises are owned by the Church of England; the Local Education Authority does not fund building repairs and improvements. Indeed, when you accept a place at the school you are making a commitment to support the school in a manner that you feel is appropriate given the school’s Voluntary Aided status.

Please download a donation form.