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.

Fran Sorapure

I am the Head of School and have taught in many classes across the school. I particularly enjoy supporting the staff to grow and develop, as well as the pupils in their care. Before my teacher training, I worked as a professional actress for television, theatre and radio. I am passionate about drama and have taught drama workshops across all year groups and taken a role in all of the SMSA’s annual pantomimes. My own two children thrived here at St Michael’s and now one is a Secondary School Teacher of Science at Hampstead School (proving the apple never falls far from the tree) and the other is in his third year studying Architecture at Westminster University. I thoroughly enjoyed being a parent here, making long lasting friendships to this day. I have seen the school grow from strength to strength and feel proud that I can be part of that journey as a staff Governor as well as a school Leader and enjoy working alongside Mrs Gallagher our Executive Headteacher.

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.

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!

Charlotte Allen

I joined the Governing Board in February 2019. I have a son in the nursery at St Michaels and have enjoyed living in Highgate for 10 years.

I work for a major advertising agency, specialising in creative communications strategy. I understand what motivates different audiences and help develop creative ideas that connect with them. My experience has spanned both big global brands and public sector, including Government social change campaigns. I hope this experience will help St Michael’s communicate even more effectively with its many stakeholders, including the most important – parents and children.

I am excited to join the Governing body and look forward to helping drive the progress of such a special school.

Adel Burgess

I have lived in Highgate for over ten years. I have two young children; a son in Reception at St Michael’s School and a daughter who attends a local nursery.

Professionally, I am a solicitor with higher rights of audience, a senior partner and practice manager of a legal aid firm in north-west London.

I am very proud to use my skills to support St Michael’s School as a parent governor.

St Michael’s is a fantastic school and I embrace the opportunity to be involved in its future development.

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.

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.

Alexandra Economides

I am delighted to have been appointed as an LDBS Foundation Governor for St Michael’s. I spent my childhood growing up in Highgate and am very fond of the area.

In my career I have worked in a variety of roles in investment banks, with a primary focus in the COO (Chief Operating Office) function. This requires managing the budget and hiring of the teams within our Market Risk Management division, working with senior stakeholders to influence the strategic direction with respect to staff location, strategy, corporate title distribution and headcount targets.

I am looking forward to being able to utilise the skills I have developed throughout my education and career to give back to my community. I am a strong believer that good education from a young age has a major influence on the path that an individual follows in their life, ultimately contributing to their happiness and success.

When not working I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling and painting.

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.

Governors’ Fund

The Governors’ 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.