About St George's school governors:

Fr Guy Pope

I am a retired parish Priest and Prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral. I have been a Governor for 45 years in 13 different schools. I was also Vice Chair of the LDBS for 18 years and chaired the finance committee. I am currently a Director of the LDBS Academies Trust. My interest in education springs from the desire to see all the children of our city get the best possible start in life regardless of their background or heritage. 

Fr Roderick Leece

Fr Roddy arrived as Rector of the Parish of Mayfair in 2005 based at St George’s Hanover Square church, and is an ex-officio (permanent because of being the parish priest) governor of our church school. His favourite subjects at school were History and English, and he went on to study for a degree in Music and then Theology at two different universities prior to ordination as a priest in 1986. St George’s Church has a fascinating history and is well known for its weddings over the centuries of well-known as well as humble local people. Indeed, the song in ‘My Fair Lady’ is all about St George’s – I’m getting married in the morning...Ding dong the bells are going to chime’. The relationship between our churches and our school has always been very close, and we place great importance on passing on what is best in our traditions to future generations.

He enjoys cooking, swimming, and going to concerts and to the opera when I have the opportunity to enjoy such treats.

“One of my responsibilities as a school governor is to focus on the RE curriculum, but there is also a pastoral element in my role as a priest should any staff, children or parents wish to see me.”

Alistair Milward

Alistair has been involved with St George's for over thirty years; initially as a parent and then as a governor. His career was originally in financial services and specifically the world of global reinsurance. He took time to help raise his family in West London and latterly has been engaged in some consultancy and helping develop alternative training practices.  

Sarah Jackson-Stevens

Sarah is the deputy Head of Initial Teacher Education at London South Bank University. With a degree in music, specialising in piano and violin she enjoyed the privilege of performing in the UK and across Europe before training as a primary teacher.  Her interests lie in high quality music and mathematics education in primary schools as well as promoting well-being and mindfulness for teachers and children. Currently studying for a Doctorate in Education, she also has a love of outdoor sport: regularly attending London running events to raise money for the school and is a regular at the Serpentine Swimming Club. It is her wish to share these passions as well as her skills and expertise in these areas to secure and maintain an outstanding educational establishment for all pupils of St George’s Hanover Square School.

Vanessa Cassidy

Vanessa was elected as a Parent Governor in December 2021.  She chose to put herself forward as she was keen to learn about the school and help contribute to its future. 

“I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to develop the future of the School and am passionate about ensuring our children are provided with the best possible level of education so that each child is able to reach their true potential.”

Judy Powell

Judy is a licensed lay minister at St Paul’s Church, Camden Square. She is chair of governors at St Luke’s CE Primary School in Queen’s Park. Previously, she was chair of governors at St. Michael’s CE Primary School, Camden, until the school was closed on March 31 this year (due to falling pupil numbers). St Michael’s was, and St Luke’s still is, a member of the Partnership that St George’s has recently joined. Judy has seen at first hand some of the ways in which the partnership staff support and learn from one another, and she has experienced the sometimes difficult, but in the end rewarding, process of change that staff and governors undertake to address issues and raise standards, while honouring the school’s heritage. 

Judy worked in various managerial posts at Ford Motor Company after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and gaining an MBA from London Business School. Her first degree is in Literature, and she enjoys reading novels and poetry and attending live theatre. She also likes going to the cinema, concerts and football, most often to watch Arsenal.