STAFF & GOVERNORS

Antonia read English Literature at Trinity College, Cambridge University, graduating with an MA, and later a PGCE in English and Drama. After early years spent working as a television journalist, in factual programmes, she joined Alleyn’s School, in Dulwich, as an English and Drama teacher and was quickly promoted to a range of roles including Housemaster and Head of English. In 2017, Antonia moved to Trinity School, Croydon, to take up the role of Head of Sixth Form, overseeing academic and pastoral care, and in 2019 she was promoted to Deputy Head.

Antonia is passionate about educating bright and ambitious women of the future and has been Head of Sydenham High School since September 2022, where girls are inspired to be creators, independent thinkers and trailblazers, empowered to discover and nurture their unique talents and forge their own future. With 25 years of experience in high achieving co-educational and single-sex schools, alongside parenting two teenagers in South London, Antonia brings invaluable insight into the London schools’ market. She has a wealth of experience in academic and pastoral matters, holding responsibilities over the course of her career in Sixth Form, enrichment, EPQ, school admissions and marketing, university admissions and careers as well as holding the position of Deputy Safeguarding Lead for many years. She also has experience as a primary school governor.

Educated at King Edward VI High School in Birmingham, Elyse went on to study Genetics with French at the University of Liverpool, spending a year at University in Poitiers gaining a Maitrise in Biochime whilst there. Elyse went on to achieve a PhD in Cancer Studies from the University of Birmingham, specialising in transcriptional regulation of viruses in cancer cells. Feeling that there was still yet more studying to be done, she then came to London to complete her PGCE at King’s College London. Elyse then spent eight years at Wimbledon High School GDST where she completed her science teacher training and quickly progressed to Head of Year and Head of PSHE while also having her first two daughters.

Elyse took up the role of Head of Biology at Sydenham High School in 2015 and progressed to Director of Teaching and Learning 3 years later, having had her third (and final) daughter. Elyse took on the role of Deputy Head Pastoral just before the first COVID lockdown in 2020.

Rebecca graduated from the University of Southampton with a BA (Hons) in History before beginning her career in the technology sector, where she managed large-scale corporate hardware and software solutions. Her passion for education led her back to study, completing a PGCE in Secondary Education. She began her teaching career at Ashcroft Technology Academy as a History teacher, where she played a key role in introducing the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme to the Sixth Form and served as a mentor for trainee teachers. Rebecca then joined Harris Academy South Norwood as Head of History, later becoming Sixth Form Coordinator. In addition to her school-based roles, she held federation-wide responsibilities, including History Consultant – leading the development and standardisation of the Key Stage 3 History curriculum – and Federation Examination Supervisor for A Level History. With a strong foundation in both curriculum leadership and Sixth Form education, Rebecca was appointed Assistant Head at Sydenham High School, where she currently leads the Sixth Form, drawing on her broad experience to support students’ academic and personal development.

Lorna Dodds graduated from The University of Nottingham with a First-class BA honours degree in English Literature and German. She continued to nurture her love of books in a range of editorial roles in Publishing, as well as working in the Literary department of the WME talent agency. Realising that she is most inspired by the words and ideas of young minds, Lorna retrained to become an English teacher, earning her stripes in a range of inner-city London comprehensive schools, before becoming Head of A Level English, Head of Year 7 and then Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning at a London girls’ grammar school. Lorna joined the Senior Leadership Team at Sydenham High School in 2021 as Assistant Head: Enrichment & Partnerships.

Zoe graduated from Cambridge University in 2003 with a First-Class Honours degree in Mathematics with Education. She has since enjoyed a rich and varied career as an excellent teacher across a wide range of settings including primary schools, special educational needs provision and secondary schools. Zoe led Mathematics at Notting Hill Prep School and also worked as a specialist Mathematics teacher at Sydenham High, where she inspired a love of the subject through her engaging teaching and strong relationships with pupils.

In her leadership roles, Zoe has been committed to building meaningful partnerships between staff, pupils and parents to ensure every child feels supported to thrive. Appointed Assistant Head Pupil Development and Enrichment in 2022, she enhanced the school’s clubs provision, House system and rewards structure. In 2023, she was promoted to Deputy Head Pastoral, reflecting her deep commitment to the wellbeing of every pupil, recognising it as central to academic and personal success.

Zoe is passionate about the power of girls’ education to give young women the confidence to be bold, brave and ambitious. She brings warmth, experience and vision to her role, championing opportunities for girls to grow as individuals, discover their voices and shape their own future.

Jane graduated with a Bachelor of Education, specialising in Science and Mathematics, from the University of Hertfordshire. With a career spanning 24 years as an outstanding practitioner across maintained, independent and international schools, she has led curriculum design and Mathematics development both at school and trust level. Jane’s leadership experience includes serving as Senior Leader at a large maintained primary school before moving to the British International School of Chicago – Lincoln Park, where she was Assistant Head Academic.

In 2022, Jane joined Sydenham High School as Assistant Head Teaching and Learning and, in recognition of her expertise and impact, was promoted to Deputy Head Academic in 2024. Alongside her school leadership roles, Jane has worked extensively with the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), training as both a Primary Mastery Specialist and Professional Development Lead. She has led teacher research groups, contributed to the Department for Education’s China–England exchange, and worked as an international Mathematics consultant.

Jane is passionate about academic excellence underpinned by research and thoughtful pedagogy. She is committed to building confidence in learners through secure foundations, enabling all pupils to be stretched, challenged and inspired to achieve their very best. At Sydenham High, she believes in the importance of education that adds value to every child, whatever their starting point, ensuring that each pupil flourishes and fulfils her potential.

After attending Reigate Grammar School, Adam studied Modern History and Politics at Nottingham Trent University. He then completed officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment. Adam saw active service in Northern Ireland and the Balkans and left the Army after ten years to start a new career in Finance. He worked for two large international banks in both corporate and wealth management roles and then, looking to return to a leadership and management role, moved to the City of London Corporation. Adam firstly oversaw the operational management of the Mansion House, the Lord Mayor of London’s official residence, and then moved location to become Director of Operations at the Central Criminal Court – the Old Bailey as it is more widely known. After fourteen years with the Corporation, Adam made the move into education

Following her education at James Allen’s Girls’ School in Dulwich, Laura achieved a First-class honours degree in Economics & Social Sciences from the University of Manchester, specialising in Politics and Social Policy, with an academic prize for work of distinction in Social Policy. Her interest in education saw her career begin running the Independent Schools Council’s Information & Advisory Service, before joining the Development team at JAGS to support its work on philanthropy and donor cultivation for its Community Music Centre. Laura moved into commercial events at the Periodical Publishers’ Association and then headed up the marketing and events for Landmark Chambers on Fleet Street.

Drawn back to education, she spent six years managing communications, marketing, admissions, and parental engagement at The Petchey Academy in Hackney. Following a period as Interim Director of Finance & Operations, Laura completed a Postgraduate Diploma in School Business Management before taking up her post at Sydenham High to lead on Marketing, Communications, Admissions, Alumnae and Philanthropy.