Staff List

As a Head, Zara is committed not only to the academic success of her pupils, but also to building their wellbeing, resilience and sense of global responsibility, so that they can go on to be a force for good in today’s turbulent times. Zara sits on the Education Committee of the GSA.

Zara qualified as a teacher over twenty years ago and started her career as a Junior School teacher before going on to become Science coordinator, Head of Year, Head of Transition and Junior School Head.

Since joining NWC, six years ago, she has been a proactive member of the leadership team and instrumental in making decisions about the school’s vision, growth and development.

An experienced leader of commercial operations within educational establishments, Tim joined NWC in 2014 and has overall responsibility for the school’s finances and professional services. Tim has been responsible for developing and delivering the school’s Estate Strategy which has seen multi-£m investments in teaching and learning spaces and the sports. Tim is currently overseeing the build of the new School of Science building and development of the sixth form provision.

Prior to joining NWC, Tim spent four years as the Commercial Manager at Harrow School and before that running external events for the University of Greenwich at the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Royal Naval College. A focus in both roles was the management of film and TV shoots, including Pirates of the Caribbean 4, The Theory of Everything and productions for the BBC and Sky.

Jill’s expertise lies in applying the principles of neuroscience, and child and adolescent psychology and behavioural science to provide practical advice, guidance and support to students and parents. Dynamic in the classroom, Jill focuses highly on metacognition, developing students’ application and problem-solving skills; notably and inextricably linked to students’ academic achievement, but as important, developing self-confidence through the delivery of astute feedback. Jill has spent many years working in a range of roles in the pastoral field, including Head of Careers and Head of Upper School, in London Independent Girls’ schools where she has offered families advice and coaching across a range of pastoral situations.

In her five years as Deputy Head at NWC, the pastoral system has undergone a transformation: shifting the emphasis towards developing self-reliance, self-assurance and self-confidence, through her belief that emotional intelligence can be taught, and that it can be underpinned with excellent communication skills. Jill is dedicated to, and passionate about, providing an outstanding pastoral programme that promotes a strong sense of moral judgement; raising awareness of well-being topics and engendering a willingness in the pupils to take part in activities that they will find challenging.

Rebecca has been part of the NWC leadership team since 2014, when she joined the school as Director of Sixth Form. Now Deputy Head Academic, she works with students and staff across the school to ensure that teaching and learning is engaging, rigorous and prepares students for the world beyond A levels.

A historian at heart, Rebecca studied at the University of Oxford, where she undertook both her undergraduate and master’s degrees, specialising in culture, religion and gender in late medieval and early modern Europe. After graduating, she took her subject enthusiasm into education, working at the Museum of London and Tower of London in their education departments, before spending seven years as a teacher, Head of History and Politics and Assistant Head of Middle School at North London Collegiate School.

Rebecca is passionate about the power of knowledge and the impact of enthusiastic, skilful teachers in supporting the development of strong, smart and principled young women.

Born and raised in Indiana, USA, Lindsay graduated with a BA in English from Georgetown College, Kentucky, and a minor in both Spanish and Education.

Whilst an undergraduate, Lindsay completed a study abroad programme at Oxford University and then went on to achieve a Master’s at King’s College, London in Education and Professional Studies.

Lindsay joined NWC in 2014 and thoroughly enjoys supporting the girls pastorally and academically to achieve their fullest potential. Over the past six years she has had experience as Head of Year 10, Head of Year 11 and currently, Head of the Sixth Form.

Responsible for implementing the delivery of the pastoral and academic curriculum in Year 12 and 13, Lindsay also oversees the running of Sixth Form Societies and the strategic Higher Education opportunities across the school.

With over 25 years’ experience in consumer brand marketing and public relations, Claudine, has worked across a wide spectrum of industries with clients ranging from Tesco to Warner Bros.

Instrumental in raising the profile of various household brands, she has changed consumer perception, and behaviour, on behalf of products, services and organisations, such as, Cadbury’s, Max Factor and the BAFTAs.

Claudine has enjoyed the past seven years, passionately promoting the values and strengths of NWC to both current and potential families alike. Last year saw Claudine take on the role of Chair of the NCPTA (Parent/Teachers Association) and she remains heavily involved in the organisation of events for the school community.

James has overall responsibility for the Senior School timetable and the students’ subject choices at GCSE and A Level. He works closely with the Deputy Head (Academic) on all things academic: curriculum, data and assessment, and teaching and learning, to name a few.

Following his graduation from UCL with a degree in Classics, he completed his teacher PGCE qualification at King’s College London, and has gained experience working at several leading schools across London. He has held numerous roles across his career so far, including Head of Scholars, EPQ Coordinator and Charities Coordinator.

James has enjoyed four years at NWC, joining initially as Head of Classics, a role he continues to be excited about and committed to alongside his other numerous responsibilities. Always eager to research and implement the latest pedagogical practices, he is currently undertaking a Master’s degree in Learning and Teaching at the University of Oxford, alongside his role in school.

Gareth attended a leading University in his homeland, Australia, where he achieved three degrees (Science, English and Education).

Having taught for over ten years, Gareth has experience in both state and independent sectors.

Gareth joined NWC seven years ago and now works closely with the Head and Deputy Head in a role that sees him responsible for developing the co-curricular offer of the school and for forging and cultivating relationships with local schools and community groups.

Fully trained in Philosophy for Children, Gareth is also currently Head of Year 11.

Gareth’s background includes coaching and competing at national and international level Ballroom Dancing.

Helen studied History (BA Hons) at Brunel University and completed her PGCE at University of East Anglia.

Having taught in a GDST school since 2007, Helen joined NWC in 2014 as Head of Key Stage Two. Helen’s current role is to oversee the running of the Junior School’s pastoral system and to ensure that each girl thrives in all areas of school life.

Helen believes that it is crucial for the school’s pastoral system to underpin all that the school does and, together with high quality teaching and learning, is key to ensuring the success and personal development of each girl, so that they flourish both academically and socially.

Following a career in television, working with Channel 4, the BBC and a range of indies, Ashmi ‘accidently’ fell into teaching and found a love for Education.

Over the last 12 years, Ashmi has worked across a wide range of senior leadership roles, where she has led a range of curriculum areas, as well as a Leadership Hub. Ashmi is particularly passionate about empowering women into leadership roles and is often found blogging about this.

Starting out from humble beginnings, Ashmi has a deep rooted belief that education creates opportunities and particularly for women and those from other minority groups. It is this belief that makes her so passionate about ensuring the Junior School Curriculum is distinctive, relevant and vigorous.

Geoff has held director-level appointments in various private and public companies. He is currently a non-executive director and investor in a privately-owned marketing services and communications management company.

Geoff lives in Northwood. He became a governor in 1995 and was appointed chairman in 2002. He led the negotiations with the GDST which resulted in NWC becoming a Trust school and merging with Heathfield School in 2014. Geoff’s daughter was a pupil at NWC between 1981 and 1994 and he now has a granddaughter at the school.

Geoff passionately believes that the key to girls fulfilling their academic potential is that they are happy and feel secure and valued. It is that belief that underpins the NWC ethos.

Ken is now retired, having spent most of his career as a partner with one of the big four accounting firms. There he headed up the auditing technical function for the firm, specialising in setting accounting standards. In this role he worked with the UK Treasury in redesigning the way the government prepares its accounts, for which he was awarded an OBE.

He is now involved in various charity work, as well as acting as the Independent Examiner for another charity and also for the accounts of his church.

He became a governor in the early years of the century, and is very proud of his involvement in Northwood College. His daughter was at the school from 1986 to 1997 and he believes it has a genuine ethos of having its girls reach their best in all ways, both academically and as caring, responsible individuals.

Tony is a Chartered Accountant and was a partner at a major UK accounting firm from where he retired in 2007. He is currently a trustee of two company pension schemes. He lives in Northwood, became a governor in 2005 and was part of the team that merged Northwood College with Heathfield in 2014.

Tony’s daughter was a pupil at the school between 1985 and 1999.

Tony believes that Northwood College provides a full and rounded education for girls, which maximises their potential and enables them to go out into the world with confidence and compassion.

Ashley is Deputy Dean of the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences in Brunel University London.  In addition to these roles, he is the Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence.

Ashley has a long association with NWC. His daughter joined in junior school and completed her A levels in 2019. Ashley was a governor prior to NWC becoming a GDST school and has continued to serve NWC as a Trust school.

In an everchanging world, it’s more important than ever that girls have a lifelong passion for learning, an innate resilience and can address new challenges creatively. These values are at the core of NWC.

John is an Architect and has an architectural practice in Harrow involve principally with residential, historic buildings and properties in conservation areas. Prior to establishing the practice he had worked in France and the Middle East.

John lives in Harrow on the Hill and is a committee member of the Harrow Heritage Trust, the Harrow Conservation Area Advisory Committee and Honorary Architect of the Pinner Association. Originally appointed a governor at Heathfield School in 1997 he was appointed a governor at Northwood College in 2014 with the successful merger of the two Trust schools.

John has a keen interest in the school’s development plans and the continued provision of first-class educational facilities for the girls.

Dipesh has a BSC in Computer Studies and Post Graduate Diplomas in Accounting & Finance and Management Studies. He has held senior appointments in the Financial Services, Software Engineering and Oil & Gas Industries. His experience is in IT, Supplier & Contract Management, Transformation and most recently in Risk Management.

Dipesh lives in Northwood and has 2 daughters at the school. He has been a governor at other schools including The Sacred Heart Language College, Heathfield and joined the NWC governing body at merger.

Dipesh passionately believes in giving back to the community and leads a number of charitable initiatives and helps with the Northwood Live at Home Scheme. Dipesh is passionate about education for children and schools helping them to become confident, well rounded and secure minded independent adults.

Kate has over 20 years of experience in the charity and corporate social responsibility sectors. Kate is currently the Director of Philanthropy of CVC Capital Partners having recently left Credit Suisse as the Head of Corporate Citizenship EMEA. At both organisations she has been responsible for directing funding to non-profits supporting education and employability both in the UK and internationally.

Kate lives in Pinner. She became a governor in 2017. She has two daughters currently at the school.

Sarah is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales and is an experienced Finance Director in the not for profit sector, working in local and national charities as well as social housing.

Sarah joined Northwood College as a governor in 2018 after working at The Girls’ Day School Trust. Having attended an all girls’ school herself, Sarah is a strong believer in all girls’ education and the GDST’s ethos of girls learning without limits – exemplified by NWC as a joyful, thriving school community.

Sarah lives in Buckinghamshire and has two sons, both of whom attend independent schools.

Professor Soraya Dhillon is a former Clinical Academic and retired as Dean of School of Life and Medical Sciences at the University of Hertfordshire in November 2016. She is currently Emeritus Professor in Clinical Pharmacology.  Soraya is passionate about education and developing a students journey to success. She has a granddaughter at Northwood College in year 2 and lives in Ickenham.

Soraya has held several senior Non-Executive posts in the NHS since 1991. She is the former Chairman of Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (1999-2010), former Vice Chairman at The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (2014-2020), and a member of the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Professor Dhillon is currently Non-Executive Director on Health Education England and Senior Independent Director NHS Digital. Soraya is a fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) and holds the Charter Gold Medal for Science and Practice.

Tim Calvey is currently Headmaster at Orley Farm School, a coeducational prep school in Harrow that prepares boys and girls for life as well as future steps, one being Northwood College!  He believes in educating the whole child, not simply the academic side, as school years need to help hardwire the outlook of youngsters for a lifetime of learning and opportunity.

In former roles, Tim was a Housemaster, looking after the wellbeing and education of 80 girls and boys in two leading boarding schools in the UK.  He is a specialist Science and Art Teacher but more recently at Orley Farm, he taught ‘ironing’ as part of their Edge Programme, developing life skills!

He was born in Zimbabwe and was lucky enough to have a childhood full of play and barefoot living under African skies.  Outside of professional life, he is an artist who specialises in oil painting and photography and has a dream to run an African Safari Lodge!

Shail grew up in Harrow and attended Merchant Taylors School in Northwood, graduating in 2000. He studied law at Merton College, Oxford and Harvard Law School. He currently practises as a barrister at 4 New Square Chambers, where he specialises in commercial disputes.

He has two daughters of primary school age and lives in North London.

James has overall responsibility for the Senior School timetable and the students’ subject choices at GCSE and A Level. He works closely with the Deputy Head (Academic) on all things academic: curriculum, data and assessment, and teaching and learning, to name a few.

Following his graduation from UCL with degree in Classics, he completed his teacher PGCE qualification at King’s College London, and has gained experience working at several leading schools across London. He has held numerous roles across his career so far, including Head of Scholars, EPQ Coordinator and Charities Coordinator.

James has enjoyed four years at NWC, joining initially as Head of Classics, a role he continues to be excited about and committed to alongside his other numerous responsibilities. Always eager to research and implement the latest pedagogical practices, he is currently undertaking a Master’s degree in Learning and Teaching at the University of Oxford, alongside his role in school.

Born and raised in Indiana, USA, Lindsay graduated with a BA in English from Georgetown College, Kentucky, and a minor in both Spanish and Education.

Whilst an undergraduate, Lindsay completed a study abroad programme at Oxford University and then went on to achieve a Master’s at King’s College, London in Education and Professional Studies.

Lindsay joined NWC in 2014 and thoroughly enjoys supporting the girls pastorally and academically to achieve their fullest potential. Over the past six years she has had experience as Head of Year 10, Head of Year 11 and currently, Head of the Sixth Form.

Responsible for implementing the delivery of the pastoral and academic curriculum in Year 12 and 13, Lindsay also oversees the running of Sixth Form Societies and the strategic Higher Education opportunities across the school.

Gareth attended a leading University in his homeland, Australia, where he achieved three degrees (Science, English and Education).

Having taught for over ten years, Gareth has experience in both state and independent sectors.

Gareth joined NWC seven years ago and now works closely with the Head and Deputy Head in a role that sees him responsible for developing the co-curricular offer of the school and for forging and cultivating relationships with local schools and community groups.

Fully trained in Philosophy for Children, Gareth is also currently Head of Year 11.

Gareth’s background includes coaching and competing at national and international level Ballroom Dancing.

Jill’s expertise lies in applying the principles of neuroscience and child and adolescent psychology and behavioural science to provide practical advice, guidance and support to students and parents. Vibrant in the classroom, Jill focuses highly on metacognition, developing students’ application and problem-solving skills; notably and inextricably linked to students’ academic achievement, but as important, developing self-confidence through the delivery of astute feedback. Jill has spent many years working in the range of roles in the pastoral field, including Head of Careers and Head of Upper School, in London Independent Girls’ schools where she has offered families advice and coaching across a range of pastoral situations.

In her five years as Deputy Head at NWC, the pastoral system has undergone a transformation: shifting the emphasis towards developing self-reliance, self-assurance through her belief that emotional intelligence can be taught, and that can be underpinned with excellent communication skills. Jill is dedicated to, and passionate about, providing an outstanding pastoral programme that promotes a strong sense of moral judgement; raising awareness of well-being topics and engendering a willingness in the pupils to take part in activities that they will find challenging.

Born and raised in Indiana, USA, Lindsay graduated with a BA in English from Georgetown College, Kentucky, and a minor in both Spanish and Education.

Whilst an undergraduate, Lindsay completed a study abroad programme at Oxford University and then went on to achieve a Master’s at King’s College, London in Education and Professional Studies.

Lindsay joined NWC in 2014 and thoroughly enjoys supporting the girls pastorally and academically to achieve their fullest potential. Over the past six years she has had experience as Head of Year 10, Head of Year 11 and currently, Head of the Sixth Form.

Responsible for implementing the delivery of the pastoral and academic curriculum in Year 12 and 13, Lindsay also oversees the running of Sixth Form Societies and the strategic Higher Education opportunities across the school.

James has overall responsibility for the Senior School timetable and the students’ subject choices at GCSE and A Level. He works closely with the Deputy Head (Academic) on all things academic: curriculum, data and assessment, and teaching and learning, to name a few.

Following his graduation from UCL with degree in Classics, he completed his teacher PGCE qualification at King’s College London, and has gained experience working at several leading schools across London. He has held numerous roles across his career so far, including Head of Scholars, EPQ Coordinator and Charities Coordinator.

James has enjoyed four years at NWC, joining initially as Head of Classics, a role he continues to be excited about and committed to alongside his other numerous responsibilities. Always eager to research and implement the latest pedagogical practices, he is currently undertaking a Master’s degree in Learning and Teaching at the University of Oxford, alongside his role in school.

Helen studied History (BA Hons) at Brunel University and completed her PGCE at University of East Anglia.

Having taught in a GDST school since 2007, Helen joined NWC in 2014 as Head of Key Stage Two. Helen’s current role is to oversee the running of the Junior School’s pastoral system and to ensure that each girl thrives in all areas of school life.

Helen believes that it is crucial for the school’s pastoral system to underpin all that the school does and, together with high quality teaching and learning, is key to ensuring the success and personal development of each girl, so that they flourish both academically and socially.

Following a career in television, working with Channel 4, the BBC and a range of indies, Ashmi ‘accidently’ fell into teaching and found a love for Education.

Over the last 12 years, Ashmi has worked across a wide range of senior leadership roles, where she has led a range of curriculum areas, as well as a Leadership Hub. Ashmi is particularly passionate about empowering women into leadership roles and is often found blogging about this.

Starting out from humble beginnings, Ashmi has a deep routed belief that education creates opportunities and particularly for women and those from other minority groups. It is this belief that makes her so passionate about ensuring the Junior School Curriculum is distinctive, relevant and vigorous.

With over 25 years’ experience in consumer brand marketing and public relations, Claudine, has worked across a wide spectrum of industries with clients ranging from Tesco to Warner Bros.

Instrumental in raising the profile of various household brands, she has changed consumer perception, and behaviour, on behalf of products, services and organisations, such as, Cadbury’s, Max Factor and the BAFTAs.

Claudine has enjoyed the past seven years, passionately promoting the values and strengths of NWC to both current and potential families alike. Last year saw Claudine take on the role of Chair of the NCPTA (Parent/Teachers Association) and she remains heavily involved in the organisation of events for the school community.