LAB Members (ID 1117)

• Julie Foster
  Chair
  Julie Foster

  Julie believes that all children should be given the opportunity to thrive, succeed and achieve their maximum potential to create a better and inclusive society. Her role is to guide the members in their governance of the school. Now retired, Julie was Headteacher of Russet House School (for nursery and primary-aged children with autism). During her time there, the school was rated as ‘outstanding’ in three successive Ofsted inspections. She has also taught in mainstream primary schools. Julie has lived locally for over 40 years so has a strong knowledge of and appreciation for local issues, changes and initiatives. Both her (now adult) children attended local primary and secondary schools. She has a particular remit on the local board for special educational needs and safeguarding.

• Catherine Noah
  Vice Chair
  Catherine Noah

  Catherine brings invaluable experience as a director (retired) in the public sector, with a focus on human resources and commercial finance in the transport industry. She is well versed in scrutinising staffing levels and organisation along with training, apprenticeships, employee relations and the subsequent financial management. Her role on the board as a community member is with a special interest in reading and writing. She knows the area very well having lived in Islington for more than 25 years. She is currently the director and chair of a residents management company.

• Rachael Jones
  Community Member
  Rachael Jones

  Rachael’s two children went to Whitehall Park School and her family was part of the first intake in 2014. She was an active member of the Parent Teacher Community Association and loved being involved as the school grew. She lives locally and is passionate about nurturing WPS’s place in the local community. Rachael works as a chief marketing officer so brings a wealth of marketing experience to her role on the Local Governing Board. In addition, she was a keen footballer and loves keeping fit and holds a strong belief in the role exercise and sport can play in helping children feel good about themselves. She has a specific remit which is to support the school’s PE curriculum.

• Liz Fay
  Parent Member
  Liz Fay

  Liz’s son is a pupil at the school and she has been part of the Parent Teacher Community Association since 2015. Her daughter completed Year 6 in 2021 and is now at the local secondary school. Liz lives with her family in Crouch End and works in travel PR with many years’ experience in professional communications, both in the public and private sector. Her role on the local board is as a parent member, whilst also supporting on communications where needed. She is an avid fan of art and the creative arts so has a brief to support its curriculum implementation around the school.

• Clare Costello
  Parent Member
  Clare Costello

  Clare is a parent member with a daughter in Year 4. Clare has been working in schools for over 15 years holding roles in SEND, inclusion, post-16 provision and senior leadership in three settings. She is a History and Politics teacher by trade and holds a keen interest in developing positive behaviour and relationships which she is passionate about. She has recently been awarded her NPQH and has been nominated for the Senior Leadership Team of the year award. Clare supports Whitehall Park School in promoting positive relationships and behaviour. She lives locally with her family and two cats.

• Joanna Dirmikis
  Parent Member
  Joanna Dirmikis

  Joanna has two children at the school. She particularly loves the multicultural environment of Whitehall Park which reflects the rich and cultural diversity of London. In her view, no other local school nurtures this aspect in the way that WPS does, celebrating diversity and inclusion with events such as the international evening with its incredible mix of cuisines, costumes and multicultural history. Joanna and her family live locally. She is a barrister with nearly 20 years’ experience and, as a local governor, has a special focus on maths in her role.

• Eve Naftalin
  Parent Member
  Eve Naftalin

  Eve is mum to four children, all of whom have been at Whitehall Park School for the entirety of their primary school adventures. She is very invested in the school having been part of the WPS community since 2016 and, as a member of the Local Governing Board, is pleased to be able to amplify the voice of the parent body to the school and to the trust. She has a special interest in music education and personal development in her role as a parent member. Away from family life, she works as a lawyer and in her spare time she loves meeting friends, reading and doing Pilates.