Mrs jane Valner
chair of governors, Foundation Governor and Trustee

Jane took a degree in Jurisprudence at the University of Oxford and trained as a company lawyer in the city, working in the private company department on qualification. Subsequently she stayed at home to raise three sons and support her late husband’s career as a city litigation lawyer. She has lived in West End for more than 25 years and plays an active part in church life, currently as a churchwarden of Holy Trinity Church and leader of the Sunday school.

Mrs Lynn Bannister
vice-chair, Foundation Governor and Trustee

A parent of two former Gordon’s students and Chair of the Gordon’s School Parents’ Association 2011-2014. Lynn worked for British Airways for many years within different business areas of BA’s IT department and was an active ambassador for BA within schools, encouraging girls into a career in IT. She was a London 2012 Games Maker as a chaperone in the Aquatics Anti-Doping team. Lynn now works for Lloyds Banking Group as a Senior Cyber Security Manager with responsibility for protecting internet banking for Lloyds, Bank of Scotland and Halifax. Lynn is Vice Chair of Foundation Governors, Chair of the Curriculum and Pastoral Committee, as well as being a member of the Admissions Committee, Appeals Board and the school's Health & Safety governor.

Mrs SHENILA Rawal
Foundation Governor 

Dr Shenila Rawal is an applied economist with extensive experience in leading large-scale research projects for a range of organisations, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office and the World Bank, working to ensure robust, evidence-based policy and practice in education. Since completing her PhD at UCL she has authored several papers and lectured at Masters’ and PhD level on a range of topics in the field of Economics of Education. She is Managing Partner at the Oxford Partnership for Education Research and Analysis and is a Trustee at the British Asian Trust.  She is a Foundation Governor and a member of the Curriculum and Pastoral Committee. 

Mrs SALLY hounsham
Foundation Governor and trustee

Sally was elected trustee in June 2020 and appointed a Foundation Governor in November 2020. The parent of two Gordonians, Sally is a strong advocate for the value of a Gordon’s education beyond the classroom. Sally’s recent work is in strategy and procurement, particularly for corporate travel and expense management. Sally is a member of the Development and Enterprise Committee.

Mrs SANDRA carr
Foundation Governor 

Appointed in November 2020, Sandra is a Foundation appointed Governor and has had two children attend Gordon’s School. Sandra has 17 years experience of working as a School Business Manager in an alternative provision setting. Sandra also sits as a Schools' Admission Appeals Panel member for Surrey County Council. 

MRS jane Abbott
Community Governor

After graduating from London University with a BA (Hons) and MA in History, Jane qualified as a teacher from the IoE.  She has since spent 38 years in the secondary education sector, both teaching and in senior leadership roles.  Her teaching career culminating in serving as Head of Woking High School for 13 successful years and in 2017 she was recognised as a National Leader of Education.  Jane was appointed as a Community Governor of Gordon’s School in September 2019.  She is also currently supporting and advising several Surrey Headteachers through her Educational Consultancy.

Mrs vICTORIA bailey
parent Governor

Victoria has a degree in Broadcast Engineering, has worked in broadcasting technology for 23 years and currently is head of an operational department that delivers live content. A supporter of initiatives such as Apprenticeships, Women in Tech and Return to Work, creating the schemes, driving recruitment and visiting schools to encourage interest in technology. Victoria has two children who are currently at the school.

Dr DANIEL Horton
parent Governor

After qualifying as a Vet from Cambridge, Dr Horton worked in private mixed practice for several years before gaining a PhD and specialising in infectious diseases. He has since worked in Government and Higher Education, and is currently at the University of Surrey in Guildford, sitting on the Executive Board of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, contributing to the strategic and operational management of an expanding and ambitious faculty.  He is a founding member of the new vet school at Surrey and teaches at undergraduate and postgraduate level whilst running a research group. He has two sons, one in Year 9 at Gordon's. He is committed to all children being prepared for the challenges that they will face when they leave school.

Mrs SAF Ismail
parent Governor

Saf is a parent of two children at Gordon’s school and is an experienced Trustee and Senior Civil Servant.  She has a broad range of experience in leadership, strategy, risk, change, and project and programme management. She has over 8 years’ experience in school governance, 6 of which was as Chair of Governors.

mr mark eaden
Teacher Governor 

Mark joined Gordon’s School in September 2019 and was elected Teacher Governor in June 2020. Mark is currently Head of the Mathematics Department, having previously been a Lead Practitioner and Acting Head of Maths at Woking High School. He holds a Masters degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Southampton, and prior to teaching worked as a site engineer on major projects for the contractor Balfour Beatty. Mark is a keen sportsman and a member of Woking Lawn Tennis Club and Hartley Wintney Golf Club.

MR JONATHAN GRIFFITHS
support staff GOVERNOR

Jonathan joined Gordon’s as a photography technician in 2018. Prior to this he had a successful career in Forex in London before becoming a professional photographer. He is now Head of Khartoum House and believes in providing pastoral care and empowering students to be the best they can, by building meaningful relationships and fostering a passionate culture of belonging. Jonathan is a parent of two boys in the school and has a range of hobbies including Peloton and keeping Koi carp.

Mr PAUL ROSEveare
FOUNDATION Governor

Paul is Chief Operating Officer for ABMA Education, an Ofqual recognised Awarding Organisation offering qualifications to study in many different and exciting industry sectors, UK and international.  Paul has worked in several different roles within ABMA Education including Business Development & Strategy and Regional Development, and now oversees varying departments from compliance to business creation, all of which has involved travelling and experience in education overseas. Paul has previously lived in China and has a degree in English Literature from Portsmouth University and an MBA from the Open University Business School. Paul, his wife and young son and daughter live in Surrey where Paul enjoys a wide range of interests including sports, food and history; he has previously been a business mentor for disadvantaged learners and is passionate about learner development. Paul is also a member of the Curriculum & Pastoral Committee.

Mr jamie sinclair
staff Governor

Jamie joined Gordon’s as Head of Chemistry in 2009. Now Head of Buckingham House, Jamie is also Senior Head of Houses as well as continuing to teach some Chemistry. Jamie is an experienced long-distance runner and involved in a range of Period 7 activities including cross-country, Park Run, Cycling and board games. Jamie’s daughters are current Gordon’s students.

brigadier jonathan mullin mbe
FOUNDATION Governor, boarding governor

Jon enjoyed a full military career in the Royal Engineers retiring as a director of the European Defence Agency in Brussels.  During his service across the world he deployed on operations to Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands and the Balkans.  He subsequently worked for Bechtel.  Jon lives close to Gordon’s School; in addition to helping support the development of Gordon’s he also looks forward to supporting the Gordon’s CCF as well as through his role as Boarding Governor.

DR SHENILA RAWAL
FOUNDATION GOVERNOR AND TRUSTEE

Dr Shenila Rawal is an applied education economist. She has extensive experience in leading and conducting large-scale evaluations and research projects working to ensure robust, equitable and evidence-based policy and practice in education. She has authored several academic papers and lectures at Masters’ and PhD level on a range of topics in the field of economics of education such as student learning, non-cognitive outcomes, teachers and teaching, labour markets, non-state education, political economy of education systems and issues of equity and marginalisation. She holds several governance positions at philanthropic organisations that support beneficiaries in the UK and internationally.