Lyonsdown School is led by an experienced Senior Leadership Team (SLT) who work closely with a proactive team of Governors. Mrs Rittu Hall and Mrs Julia Windsor have worked collaboratively for the last 3 years on both the SLT and as joint Year 6 teachers, as well as in the support of our Year 5 and 6 girls’ preparation for senior school entrance exams.
Mrs Rittu Hall: Head
Mrs Hall leads Lyonsdown’s continued delivery of, and drive for, academic excellence. Mrs Hall has been an integral part of the Lyonsdown community for four years. She began as a class teacher and quickly took on the role of English Subject Head, followed by a promotion to Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning) and most recently to Head.
She brings an array of knowledge and expertise to Lyonsdown from her previous roles at St Mary’s Primary School and Monken Hadley Primary School, with 12 years of teaching experience. Mrs Hall has a degree in Sociology from University of London and a PGCE from Goldsmiths College. Having attended an all girls school herself (City of London School for Girls), she is a huge advocate of the benefits of an all girls education. She is looking to further develop the curriculum, and all aspects of teaching and learning, to be focused on stretching and supporting girls’ specific academic needs.
Mrs Julia Windsor: Senior Deputy Head
Mrs Windsor leads on Lyonsdown’s continued delivery of, and drive for, pastoral excellence. Mrs Windsor is a long-standing member of the school community, having been at Lyonsdown for 20 years. Educated at St Michael’s Catholic Grammar school in Finchley, Mrs Windsor then gained her Bachelor of Teaching Degree at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She has held teaching posts in a number of different UK schools as well as at an international school in The United Arab Emirates.
During her time at Lyonsdown, Mrs Windsor has taught a variety of age groups, from Years 2 to 6. She therefore has a wonderful understanding and vast experience of girls’ pastoral needs at various points during their school journey. Mrs Windsor has been integral in developing key pastoral schemes and is looking to further develop our girls’ ability to thrive emotionally and socially: as happy girls are successful learners.
Miss Zorana Telford: Deputy Head, Pastoral
Miss Telford helps to ensure all our girls enjoy their time at school – because we recognise how important emotional wellbeing is in enabling girls to achieve their own personal success. Her focus is to help ensure a smooth and successful learning journey for each girl as they move up from the Early Years and progress through to Year 6.
Miss Telford is also a long-standing member of the Lyonsdown community, having been at the School for 19 years. She has vast experience of teaching the youngest year groups at Lyonsdown, having taught in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2. Miss Telford has a degree in Theology, Religious Education and Education Studies from University of Roehampton, where she also studied her PGCE.
Mrs Frances Smith: Deputy Head, Academic
Mrs Smith brings 20+ years of teaching experience to our SLT. Her focus is to further drive our academic rigour and standards, as well as continuing in her previous role as SENCo.
She joined Lyonsdown school four year ago, and has enjoyed teaching Year 2 and Year 3, as well as holding the role of SENCo. Prior to joining us, Mrs Smith taught at Salcombe Prep, Grimsdell Pre-Prep, and Buckingham College Prep School.
Educated at Chatham Girls’ Grammar School in Kent, Mrs Smith then took a degree in Home Economics at the University of Surrey. After a career in Market Research, she then studied for a PGCE at St Mary’s Strawberry Hill, Twickenham. As well as being a qualified teacher, Mrs Smith holds the National Award for SEN Coordination (NASENCO).
