Governors

AMANDA WAYGOOD - CHAIR

Amanda Waygood is a governor with a background in the Education sector and notably a staff alumna of Blackheath High; her career as an English teacher has seen her fill posts as Director of English and Head of English at a number of single sex, but also co-educational, schools.

Not only is Amanda a Blackheath High School staff alumna, but she is also a GDST student alumna, attending Howell’s School, Llandaff, before going on to study her English degree at Reading University, PGCE English at King’s College London and a PGCE Education Studies in Action Research at the University of Leicester.

Her interests lie in: architecture, property development and interior & garden design; writing poetry; literature focused on gender bias, gothic writing and Victorian society; and of course Education - curriculum development and post-Covid responses to learning style.

 

PROFESSOR NATASCHA RADCLYFFE-THOMAS EdD FRSA

Professor Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas EdD FRSA is Professor in Marketing and Sustainable Business at the British School of Fashion, GCU London. Natascha attended Blackheath High School and is delighted to still be in touch with many of her former BHS classmates. After studying economics at university Natascha founded a small luxury fashion business and later moved into fashion education teaching in Asia and North America. Natascha returned to London in 2012 and was awarded a prestigious Advance HE National Teaching Fellowship in 2016 in recognition of her innovative intercultural approach to teaching and learning. Natascha is Vice Chair of the UN Principles of Responsible Management Education UK and Ireland chapter with a particular interest in promoting gender equality and responsible consumption and production. Natascha became a Fellow of the RSA in recognition of her work promoting sustainability in fashion education, won the 2020 Case Centre Award for Ethics and Social Responsibility and was Runner Up in the Financial Times Responsible Business Education Awards in 2022. Natascha is a knitter, stitcher and make-do-and-mender!

 

DR IAIN SOULSBY

Dr Iain Soulsby joined the Board of Governors at Blackheath High School at the start of the 2021/22 academic year. Iain has two daughters at the school, one in juniors and one in seniors, and he has played an active roll in the parent-teacher association (BHSA) over the last decade. He is also married to an alumni of Blackheath High.

Iain moved to Blackheath in 2000 on completion of his undergraduate dental training at Guys Hospital. He has worked in a number of dental practices around south east London, now dividing his time between surgeries in Blackheath and Croydon. The Soulsby family live close to the senior school in Blackheath Standard.

Outside of work Iain is a keen runner with a number of half marathons completed and is signed up to run the London Marathon in 2023. He enjoys cooking and wine appreciation, travel and spending time with friends and family.

 

ANJA FUNSTON

Anja Funston is an architect and an advocate of women working in architecture and construction. She is committed to showing our students the many opportunities open to them in currently male-dominated careers and believes our built environment will be a better place when diverse voices design the spaces we all inhabit.

Anja’s path into architecture was unconventional, including degrees in Fine Art, Psychology, and then Architecture. Having worked in large design practices in London, most recently David Chipperfield Architects, Anja is now a Director at Pawlik + Wiedmer focusing on performance and theatre spaces. She is a Blackheath High Alumna, a mother to two young children, and a keen swimmer.

 

MICHELLE DI LEO 

Michelle has over 30 years' experience in strategic communications and has advised a wide range of high-profile businesses and organisations on reputation management and navigating the complex policy and political environments. As a UK adviser to Secretary Hillary Clinton, she established the Hillary Rodham Clinton Global Challenges Scholarship programme as a partnership between the Secretary, Swansea University and Sky. 

She currently works with Corndel, a leading apprenticeship training provider in the AI, data and leadership space.   

Michelle is also a practising artist, having recently taken a sabbatical to complete a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design. She has a first degree in Philosophy with English Literature and a Masters Degree in Government and Politics. She has lived in Blackheath for over 20 years and has a son at Bath University. 

Throughout her career Michelle has been supported and inspired by incredible women and strongly believes in Madeleine Albright's maxim that 'there is a special place in hell for women who do not support other women.' Michelle is delighted therefore to be able to play a role supporting the education and opportunities for girls as a Governor of Blackheath High School. 

 

MELISSA GLEAVE

After an early childhood spent in a variety of countries across the globe, Melissa settled in Blackheath at the age of 9 and has remained in the area since. An alumna of Blackheath High School, Melissa joined the governing board to give back to the school and community that played such a formative role in her life. 

A Physics graduate of the University of Manchester and former investment banker, Melissa is now a director at an expert witness firm. Having thrived in the male-dominated world of financial services – from the trading floor to the boardroom, across multinationals and start-ups – she is passionate about encouraging young women to feel confident in pursuing the full range of educational and career opportunities available to them. 

Melissa brings the same energy and commitment to life beyond work. A former fitness instructor and business owner, she has also been a rugby player, marathon runner, triathlete, scuba diver, cross-fitter and keen skier. She believes strongly in inspiring young women to make the most of themselves in both mind and body. 

 

ELLE SHOBEN

Ms Shoben's governor profile will be added shortly.

 

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In addition to our governors, we are also supported by our wonderful parents' association, The BHSA.