Our Governors

I first met the students and staff of Highshore in 2018 through the school’s holiday club.

Inspired by my mother’s work as an Occupational Therapist, I was excited to volunteer with such a wonderful programme. Over time, my passion for the Highshore community grew, and I decided to become a Governor to further my involvement and contributions. As current Chair of Governors, it’s a privilege to contribute towards the ethos and aims of Highshore.

Watching our young people develop their communication, social, and independence skills as they contribute to society is truly rewarding!

My daughter started at Highshore in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. We are proud to be part of this happy, nurturing and ambitious school and I look forward to being more involved as a Governor.

I have worked in formal and informal education for over 30 years as a secondary school teacher, EFL teacher and have run education programmes with the BBC, BFI, Media Museum, Science Museum, Horniman Museum and others. I am committed to inclusion and am a member of the Lambeth parent forum and a parent member of the SEND strategic partnership in Lambeth. In my spare time, I enjoy pottery, film, music and walking my badly behaved dog.

I was introduced to Highshore through volunteering in 2018. I was so impressed by the young people, staff and community around the school that I wanted to continue my involvement by becoming a governor.

I have been Chair of the Resources Committee since 2020. I have over 15 years experience leading technology and data teams in the financial services industry. I am passionate about leveraging technology and data to drive business transformation and deliver tangible value for business and customers.

My son Louis joined Highshore’s sixth form in September 2013 following five very happy years at his previous school.

Louis loved his old school, but Highshore was everything we expected and so very much more, including its enlightened approach to the role therapy plays in supporting students, and also its lead in establishing links with local businesses and work experience opportunities for Highshore students. Following his three years in sixth form, Louis has emerged a confident, outgoing young man, ready to take on the next phase of his life, starting with college.

Outside of my work as a journalist, I’ve been involved in a number of locally developed parent/carer-driven community initiatives, including a local charity called Down’s South London and Southwark’s Parent Carer Council. As the parent of young person with a disability, I’ve witnessed the enormous changes to our education, disability rights, social care and how they’re funded. Understanding how these changes affect young people and children with additional needs is key to their life-chances and schools play a pivotal role in that process. As a parent governor I’ve also had the privilege to support and witness how and why Highshore makes a difference to its students and the local community it serves, and I’m extremely proud to be associated with such a committed school.

Ian was appointed a Governor of Highshore School in February 2024.  

Ian Ford is an Independent Social Worker, neurodiversity trainer and mentor for neurodivergent university students. An experienced governor, he is currently acting Chair of Southwark Governors' Association. Before becoming a freelance,  Ian worked in Southwark as an Education Welfare Officer and Early Help Practitioner, including a while as the EWO for Highshore at its old site in Peckham. Ian has an Advanced Diploma in Education (Equalities) from the OU and lived experience of autism, ADHD and dyspraxia. He is our Named Governor for Safeguarding.

My son joined Highshore School (year 7) in September 2017 and I was a parent governor as well as the SEN link governor of his previous school.

I have been involved in parent supporting groups and organising special events too. It is a privilege for me to be part of the governing body and will use my previous experience to support the school the best I can.

I believe Education makes a lasting difference to our children’s lives and trust it is one of Highshore’s achievements.

I feel honoured and privileged to be part of the Highshore’s School Governing Body.

I hope to work closely with the Governors, Staff and Pupils to build on what is currently being achieved.

I have worked at Highshore for about 10 years and it is a privilege to be able to serve as Staff Governor.

I first started at Highshore working as a Teaching Assistant and haven’t looked back! Highshore is such a welcoming environment and I have been lucky to work with some amazing colleagues.

My BA and Masters were focused on English Literature and Language, with my dissertation having a particular focus on Autism in fictional literature. I was also fortunate to be able to complete my PGCE while working at Highshore.

I am currently a teacher mainly working in a Complex Needs KS3 class and I am passionate about the well being of the students and the school.  Outside of Highshore I enjoy reading, watching films and spending time with my extended family

I have been a Parent Governor at Highshore School for four years and am also on the Curriculum Committee.

My elderest son Andre aged 16 transferred to Highshore in year 9. He has an Autistic Spectrum Disorder. His youngest brother aged 8 attends a mainstream primary school. I work part time with a Pharmaceutical Company and am also a voluntary member of the Southwark Parent Carers’ Council.

In addition, I network with a handful of parents with children on the spectrum sharing ideas, techniques and generally supporting each other. I thoroughly enjoy my involvement with Highshore and consider it a real pleasure to be involved with the school and its future as well.

Damla is a Manager in Deloitte’s Financial Services Governance Team.

During her seven year-career in corporate governance, she worked with 70+ boards (mainly FTSE 350) and dozens of executive teams on their board and executive governance arrangements. Damla spends her downtime with her dog, cooking, and painting. She holds a BSc in Business from Galatasaray University (French-taught) and an MSc in Management Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Damla is from Istanbul, Turkey.

Damla was appointed a Governor of Highshore school in May 2024.