About LAE
Our Staff and Governing Body
Our staff
LAE benefits from a highly educated teaching staff with the vast majority having attended the same Russell Group universities that many of our students aspire to study at, including Oxford and Cambridge. More than three quarters of our teachers hold Masters degrees and more than a quarter hold PhDs, meaning that they are well placed not just to deliver challenging A-Level specifications but also to promote deeper and more creative engagement with their chosen academic disciplines.
If you are interested in joining our team, please check our job vacancies page.
If you wish to speak to a particular member of staff or governor, please contact reception.
Senior Leadership Team
Alexander Crossman, Headteacher
Educated in state schools in one of the most deprived communities in the West Midlands, Alex graduated with a double first from the University of Oxford and with distinguished higher degrees from the London School of Economics and Political Science and the UCL Institute of Education. Prior to joining LAE, Alex served as a Deputy Head at a sponsored academy in Brixton, the founding Head of one of London’s most successful secondary free schools and the Chief Executive of an education consulting firm based in the Middle East but operating worldwide. Teaching is Alex’s first calling but his second career. Previously, he was a Managing Director with global responsibility for strategy at one of the world’s leading investment banks. Alex is the author, most recently, with Ian Warwick, of 'Greater Expectations: Enabling Achievement for Disadvantaged Students' (Sage 2024).
Eve Rahman, Deputy Headteacher
Growing up just outside Belfast, Eve attended Methodist College, Belfast before studying International History at the London School of Economics and Political Science, completing a PGCE at the Institute of Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership at the University of Warwick. Eve worked at St Bonaventure’s School for 15 years, teaching History and Politics and was the Deputy Director of the Sixth Form. Having dedicated her career to teaching disadvantaged students in East London schools, Eve is passionate about LAE’s social mobility agenda.
Emma Nelson, School Business Director
Emma started her career in Accounting and Finance and has worked in the Education sector for over 20 years with experience across mainstream funded schools, multi academy trusts and further education. Emma combines the skills and professionalism of a qualified Accountant with a genuine passion for improving the life chances of young people through Education. Having worked at a Senior Leadership Level for over a decade Emma is responsible for all aspects of Finance, HR, Estate & Facilities Management, Catering, IT and Administration at the London Academy of Excellence.
Ray Degiorgi, Assistant Head (Research in Learning)
Raymond Degiorgi joined LAE in 2014 as a teacher of French and Spanish. Before joining LAE, he taught at Calderstones School, Liverpool and completed his PGCE at the faculty of Education, University of Cambridge. He has a degree in MFL from Université Paris Diderot, and an MPhil in History from the same university. He spent a year in the University of Seville for his Erasmus exchange and one year in the National University of Colombia to write his dissertation. At LAE, Raymond has been part of the Professional Learning Team and Head of House team for the past four years. He has also lead the MFL department for seven years. As Assistant Head Ray has a particular interest in pedagogy and evidence-based approach in Teaching & Learning.
Michael Huang, Assistant Head (Pastoral and Safeguarding)
Michael has taught Chemistry at LAE since 2017, when he finished his PhD in the same subject at Imperial College, London. Born in Tottenham, he returned to London after attending state schools in Worcestershire and studying as an undergraduate at the University of Glasgow. He a holds a first class MSci degree in Chemistry with European Work Placement. Michael is LAE's Designated Safeguarding Lead, and has leadership responsibility for pastoral care, including behaviour. Michael is responsible for constructing a one-year curriculum to strengthen student applications to Medicine degrees, in place since 2018, and is interested in developing sixth form-oriented practices for PSHE.
Sarah Macpherson, Assistant Head (Personal Development)
A graduate of the University of Edinburgh, Sarah completed her PGCE at the University of Oxford. Following a successful career teaching at the British School of Brussels and at James Allen's Girls' School, Sarah joined LAE in 2017 where, as department lead in Politics, she has promoted multiple subject and whole school events on civic engagement. As Assistant Head, Sarah leads on the LAE Professional Skills Diploma, working with student leaders as well as external providers to provide a wide range of opportunities for students' personal development. Sarah is also co-ordinator of international university applications.
Oliver Savvides, Assistant Head (Academic)
Oliver joined the London Academy of Excellence in 2015, having read Economics at Royal Holloway and UCL. Throughout his time at LAE, he has enjoyed holding a variety of positions, from Head of House in 2017 to Head of Economics since 2018. Oliver has helped establish a robust super-curricular enrichment programme, which has helped students secure a world-class set of university destinations and career outcomes. He is looking forward to further expand the opportunities on offer to LAE’s student body and alumni network.
Olamide Ariyo, Associate Assistant Headteacher 2023-2024 (Alumni and Scholars)
Olamide, an experienced Psychology teacher, Head of Department and Sixth Form leader joined the London Academy of Excellence in 2022 as Head of House and Teacher of Psychology. She holds a degree in Psychology and Health Sciences from the University of Essex, a PGCE (University of London), and a master's degree from the Institute of Education (UCL) with accreditation from the British Psychological Society. In 2021, Olamide completed her National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership and as Associate Assistant Headteacher aims to expand LAE's scholarship opportunities and further develop our alumni network.
Lead Teachers
| Subject | Lead Teacher |
|---|---|
| Biology | Jennifer Castle-Miller |
| Chemistry | Jonathan Maydom |
| Economics | Michael Healer |
| English Literature | Daniel Ingman |
| Geography | Marina Marouda |
| Government & Politics | Sarah Macpherson |
| History/History of Art | An Pancaldi |
| Mathematics/Further Mathematics | Maiqi Liu |
| Modern Languages | Mandy Bolster |
| Philosophy and Theology | Adrian Mihai |
| Physics | Matthew Densham |
| Psychology | Chanelle Clark |
| SENDCo | Amanda Jones |
Board of Governors
The Board oversees the Headteacher's day-to-day leadership of the school and works with him to plan strategically LAE's future. The governors support and challenge LAE to ensure that it is fulfilling its vision, not only for the sixth formers but also for the wider community. A rich and diverse range of skills, knowledge and interests are represented on the Board of Governors, and this makes it a very effective "critical friend" to the school and the leadership team.
There are also the following committees:
- Compliance
- Development
- Education
- Finance, Audit and Risk
- Nominations
- Remuneration
- Safeguarding
A copy of our Governors' Declarations of Interest can be found here.
Tony Little (Chair of Governors)
Tony Little was educated on a scholarship at Eton and at Cambridge University. He trained as a teacher and served as a head of department and as a boarding housemaster. He became headmaster of Chigwell School in 1989 and subsequently of Oakham School and then Eton College over a period of 26 years. In 2015 he became Chief Academic Officer of one of the largest international school groups. He is currently Chair of the Laurus Trust (a multi-academy trust in the Manchester area) and the World Leading Schools Association which connects schools around the world.
Appointed on: 01/09/2020
If you wish to contact the Chair of Governors, please write to:
Mr Tony Little
C/O London Academy of Excellence
Broadway House
322 High Street
Stratford
E15 1AJ
Richard Cairns (Vice-Chair and Chair of Nominations Committee)
Richard Cairns has been Head Master of Brighton College since 2006. He was previously Usher (Deputy Head) of Magdalen College School, Oxford. He was educated at The Oratory School, Reading, and Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, where he gained a first in Modern History. His time at Brighton College has been marked by innovative changes not least to make Mandarin compulsory for all Year 9 pupils and to introduce a Year 7 entry into the college. Brighton College’s A Level results have risen consistently over the last five years and in 2011 was crowned ‘The Sunday Times Independent School of the Year’.
- Member of the Management, Governance Remuneration and Education committees.
Appointed on: 23/05/2011
Date term of office ends: 23/05/2027
Nick Fraser (Chair of Compliance Committee)
Nick Fraser has been Deputy Headmaster (Innovation and Development) at Brighton College since 2016. He was previously Deputy Head (Academic) at Magdalen College School, Oxford. He was educated at Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen and at the University of Aberdeen (with spells at the universities of Zürich and Grenoble) and gained a first in French and German. His role at Brighton College encompasses areas such as innovative approaches to learning, teaching and classroom design, and links with schools such as the LAE and Brighton’s international schools.
He is a member of the Education and Compliance Committees.
Appointed on: 02/03/2018
Date term of office ends: 02/03/2026
Ceri Jones (Chair of Safeguarding Committee)
Ceri Jones is Headmaster of Caterham School in Surrey, a co-educational day and boarding school. He was educated at a comprehensive school in Bradford and attended Cambridge University.
Before becoming Headmaster at Caterham Ceri was Second Master (Deputy Head) at Tonbridge School in Kent, having run a boarding house at the school for 6 years. He is an historian by training and specialises in Modern American history and early modern literature and religion.
He has worked in education for over twenty years and in 2013 was seconded from his role at Tonbridge to be Principal of the Marsh Academy in New Romney, Kent. In 2013, in collaboration with The Sutton Trust and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, he set up the University Access Programme, working with the 6 independent schools and 6 non-selective maintained schools across Kent. The essence of the programme is to support bright but disadvantaged students from these academies from year 9 through to year 13 with the goal of these students making successful applications to top ranking universities.
- Link governor for Safeguarding
Appointed on: 01/09/2015
Date term of office ends: 31/08/2027
Scott Sheridan (Chair of Development Committee)
Scott graduated from the University of Sussex and has spent the last 14 years in senior roles within the arts and education sectors. He has spent the last ten years leading the international advancement and engagement programmes for Brighton College, where he has raised more than £15 million supporting the school's strategic capital development plans and its provision of life-changing bursaries for disadvantaged young people in East Sussex.
Appointed on: 23/11/2023
Date term of office ends: 22/11/2027
Ian Warwick (Chair of Education Committee)
Originally a teacher in inner city London for 20 years, Ian Warwick set up London Gifted & Talented (www.londongt.org) as part of the groundbreaking London Challenge in 2003. Since then LG&T have directly worked with well over 4,000 schools and 11,000 teachers internationally and more than 150,000 educators worldwide have used our free e resources. Ian has published extensively, with dozens of articles and chapters in academic journals, as well as four books on more able education. He has spoken at over 100 national and world conferences.
Appointed on: 01/09/2018
Date term of office ends: 01/09/2026
Paul Westbrook (Chair of Finance Committee)
Paul Westbrook has been Director of Finance and Deputy Head at Brighton College since July 2009. Prior to that he was a Director at KPMG, leading its Corporate Finance Team on the South Coast and real estate mergers and acquisitions in London. He has a degree in Mathematics from the University of Warwick and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales.
- Chair of the Finance committee and also sits on the Management, Governance and Remuneration committees
Appointed on: 23/05/2011
Date term of office ends: 23/05/2027
Mark Beard
Mark J Beard joined University College School, Hampstead as Headmaster in September 2013 after seven years at Brighton College as Deputy Headmaster, including a period as Acting Head Master. After graduating with a First Class degree in Chemistry from Corpus Christi College, Oxford, he began his teaching career at King Edward's School, Birmingham (1995-99) and then served as Head of Chemistry at St Paul’s School (1999-2006). He also obtained a Master’s Degree in Education Management from King’s College London. Mark is married with two young children, resides in North London and enjoys squash, reading and ancient history.
Appointed on: 01/06/2015
Date term of office ends: 30/05/2027
Marcus Cliff Hodges
Marcus Cliff Hodges is currently Warden of Forest School having previously been Deputy Warden and Head of Boys' School since 2005. Before moving to North East London he was Assistant Head at Latymer Upper School. He has also taught at Bedford School and Gstaad International School. Marcus has degrees in English Literature and Educational Management from Cardiff University and London University respectively.
Appointed on: 22/09/2016
Date term of office ends: 22/09/2024
Joan Deslandes
Joan Deslandes has been Head Teacher of Kingsford Community School since 2001. She has twice been named amongst London’s 1000 most influential people by the Evening Standard. In 2010, she was awarded the SSAT Confucius Institute Excellence Award for her ‘outstanding contribution’ to Chinese learning within the United Kingdom. She currently sits on a number of government forums and together with Richard Cairns established The 100 Group, enabling leading state and independent schools to work together.
- Member of the Management committee
- Link governor for staff and Prevent-related issues
Appointed on: 02/04/2012
Date term of office ends: 07/03/2028
Kate El-Mokadem
On graduating from the University of Birmingham, Kate El-Mokadem trained in retail and human resource management with Marks and Spencer. She then worked as a senior manager in Accenture’s change management practice specialising in financial markets. She subsequently became Head of Human Resources for the firm’s outsourcing operations in London and then took on a central policy role. Kate now supports educational charities with a focus on providing access for all regardless of background or means. She also holds a Diploma in Personnel Management and has been a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development for over twenty years.
Appointed on: 24/01/2018
Date term of office ends: 24/01/2026
Simon Henderson
Simon Henderson is Head Master at Eton College. He took up his post in September 2015 having previously been Head of Bradfield College. Prior to joining Bradfield he was Deputy Head (Academic) at Sherborne School. Simon is a History graduate of Brasenose College, Oxford and has experience as a governor at a range of schools in both the independent and state sectors.
Appointed on: 01/09/2015
Date term of office ends: 31/08/2027
Nahida Karim
Nahida Karim was born in London, spent much of her early childhood years in Africa and maintains strong family ties to Bangladesh. Having graduated with an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College, Nahida's current work in sustainable development projects addressing environmental issues in Greater London showcase her commitment to a better future for all.
As a former science teacher, she brings an understanding of the educational landscape to her role as Parent Governor and as the parent of an LAE student who graduated in 2023 she is committed to LAE's continued journey of success and to helping every student meet their desired goals.
Appointed on: 13/06/2024
Date term of office ends: 12/06/2028
Sophie Lamb
An internationally renowned arbitration lawyer, Sophie Lamb KC has featured on The Lawyer's list of the UK’s most influential and inspirational lawyers for her successes “in billion-dollar, high profile, politically sensitive and often market-shaping arbitration cases and related court trials.”
Appointed on: 23/11/2023
Date term of office ends: 22/11/2027
Rachel Lister
Rachel works in Student Access and Admissions for the University of Cambridge. Her particular focus is on ensuring that Cambridge is accessible to students from all backgrounds. She has been a governor of the London Academy of Excellence since 2017 and is a valued member of both the Education and Development Committees.
Appointed on: 01/09/2017
Date term of office ends: 31/08/27
Adam Pettitt
Adam Pettitt has been Head Master of Highgate School since 2006. He read French and German at New College, Oxford and began his teaching career at Eton College. He was subsequently Head of German at Oundle School and Head of Modern Languages at Abingdon School. In 1998 he was appointed as Second Master (Deputy Head) at Norwich School. Highgate School leads the Chrysalis Programme which has created partnerships with over twenty maintained schools in Haringey, Camden, Brent and Islington, providing a wide range of support.
Appointed on: 02/04/2012
Date term of office ends: 07/03/2028
Simon Smith
Simon Smith was Project Co-ordinator of London Academy of Excellence from inception to opening. He was educated at Dauntsey’s School in Wiltshire, and read English at King’s College London and took a PGCE at Worcester College, Oxford. Apart from a stint at Appleby College, Ontario, he spent his career teaching English at Brighton College, latterly becoming Second Master.
- Simon is the link governor for co-curricular activities at LAE
- Member of the Finance, Management Governance and Remuneration committees
Appointed on: 23/11/2011
Date term of office ends: 23/05/2027
Sana Ullah
After leaving university Sana Ullah started a career in Insurance with HSBC Insurance brokers followed by Lockton Companies where he currently works as their Head of Insurance programmes. He is a passionate believer in local businesses being involved in their communities, especially in education.
Sana started the LAE / Lockton summer internship in 2018 and is part of the development committee at LAE. He is married with two sons, lives in Tooting and loves cycling, kickboxing, making electronic music and Liverpool FC.
Appointed on: 01/09/2021
Date term of office ends: 01/09/2025
