Our governors come from a wide range of professional fields.

The Full Board meet 8 or 9 times a year to ensure the strategic vision and direction of St Margaret’s creates opportunity and the best offer for its pupils. They are involved in the wider school life too, attending concerts, plays and sport fixtures; they are passionate supporters of the School.

The Finance & Risk Committee meet 4 times a year and have delegated responsibility for providing financial oversight for the School.

Should you wish to contact the Chair of Governors, please do so through via the Clerk to the Governing Board’s email: n.mitchell@stmargarets-school.org.uk

Laurence Miller

Chair

Laurence Miller graduated from the University of Reading having studied Film and Drama and is now the Commercial Director for Nimax Theatres where he oversees the programming for six West End theatres. Laurence has worked extensively at the Edinburgh Festival since 1992 and has run the prestigious Dave Edinburgh Comedy Awards, (previously The Perrier Award) since then. Laurence lives in North London with his wife and two daughters, both of whom are current pupils at St Margaret’s. In his spare time, he loves nothing better than watching cricket at Lords, going to the theatre, watching classic old movies and building Lego projects. Laurence is a member of the Finance & Risk Committee and is the SEND Link Governor for the Board.

Katherine Bluck

Katherine was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire and returned in 2022 to take up the position of Head of Prep and Nursery at Abbot’s Hill School. Katherine studied for an MA in Geography and Education Studies and then a PGCE at Cambridge University. Beginning her career in primary schools, Katherine moved into the Independent sector as a senior leader in 2012, Katherine then became Head of the Junior School at Frensham Heights and led the younger learners through lockdown before choosing to move back closer to home. Having been part of safeguarding teams for almost ten years and a trained and experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead, Katherine brings a wealth of knowledge to the Board. Katherine is the School's Designated Safeguarding Governor with responsibility for overseeing IT filtering and monitoring protocols. 

Tim Calvey

Education is in Tim’s DNA. He was brought up in a boarding house run by his parents in Zimbabwe and graduated from Christ Church College where he decided to follow the family tradition in education. He has held various roles including Head of Boarding at Wellington College Prep and Northbourne Park School. He is now Headteacher at Orley Farm School in Harrow, where he is passionate about finding the right future school for his pupils. He favours a holistic approach to education, promoting sport, the arts, a deep love of learning and ensuring that every child learns the power and impact of opportunity – something never to be wasted!

Kaya Jeyarajah

 Kaya attended St Margaret’s School from 1993-1998. She studied Medicine at the University of Leicester and also holds a degree in Psychology from Goldsmiths. As an anaesthetist at St George’s, she is passionate about learning and education and is heavily involved in training the doctors of tomorrow as well as nurses, paramedics, and midwives. Kaya has keen interests in wellbeing and is a qualified Hatha and Vinyasa yoga and meditation teacher and she teaches professionally in a south London yoga studio. 

Leigh Keating

Leigh was educated at Richmond Lodge and Campbell College in Belfast before reading Law at Nottingham. Her career has covered all aspects of HR in senior roles in two major UK retail companies, and her specialism has been in developing talented leaders and future successors from across these businesses. As an executive coach currently, Leigh works with leaders looking to transform their skills and impact through their career trajectory. Leigh has been a Governor in the independent sector previously, is married, lives locally and has two adult sons.

Morven Longton

Morven attended St Margaret's between 2002 and 2004. She graduated from Durham University with a first class degree in Education Studies and Psychology and completed her PGCE through the Teach First programme, where she also gained her Masters in Transformational Leadership. Following time spent teaching various age groups in primary schools in London and Kent, Morven took on the role as Assistant Head (Academic) at Garden House School in Sloane Square and later moving to become Head of The Village Prep School in Belsize Park.  Morven now lives in Northamptonshire with her husband and 2 young children and teaches Year 6 in a local primary school. Morven is the EYFS Link Governor.

Stephen Moore

Stephen trained as an engineer, graduating from Trinity College, Cambridge. He started work in product design with Ford Motor Company, before moving onto Mars Confectionery, continuing to work in engineering and manufacturing. Becoming involved with coaching young people and developing their skills in judo, enabling a number to become national medallists and GB squad members, motivated Stephen to retrain as a teacher, whilst continuing to work at Mars. Stephen started teaching in 2007 at St Alban’s High School for Girls and later at Immanuel College, Bushey. Joining St Margaret’s in 2013 as a Head of Department, Stephen progressed to Director of Studies. Since 2018, Stephen has been tutoring state, independent and boarding school students full time in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics up to Oxbridge entrance level. Stephen is married to Michelle with three adult children, plus an increasing number of grandchildren.

Malcolm Spooner

Vice Chair

 Malcolm was born in Maidenhead. After leaving school he joined Southern Electricity Board in 1972 as a Tariff Analyst and remained with them for 35 years. In 2007 he formed his own Utility Consultancy and contracted his services to LSI Utility Brokers, near St Albans where he was appointed Head of Markets, Energy Management & Legislation. With the recent sale of LSI, Malcolm has returned to being an independent Utility Consultant again. Living in Hertfordshire since 2002 with his wife and stepdaughter who is a former pupil of St Margaret’s, he enjoys travel, theatre and sports; especially horse racing, Malcolm chairs the Finance & Risk Committee.

Raakhee Thakrar

Raakhee is a parent at St Margaret’s with a child in Senior School. With experience of also having an older child who has now finished secondary school, she would  like to use this experience to give back to the St Margaret’s community. Raakhee is born and bred in London and has over 25 years’ experience working as a qualified accountant having been employed in both the charitable/not for profit and commerce sectors. As such she sits on the Finance & Risk Committee. In her spare time Raakhee like to practise yoga, read and walk her dog.

Matthew Woolf

Matthew is a parent with three children in the school. Having attended Highgate School and Manchester Metropolitan University, he subsequently moved into the consumer products industry. His career includes tenures at Tom Tom, Lego, Harry's Grooming and currently as Sales Director for The GelBottle. With previous primary school governor experience, Matthew is a staunch advocate for community service. In addition to his position on the St Margaret’s Board of Governors, he is also an active member of the Community Security Trust. Matthew is the Health & Safety and Estates Link Governor and sits on the Finance & Risk Committee.