The Governing Body

Academy Governing Body

 Majeda Clarke (Chair of Governors)

Majeda has worked in Education in various roles including Head of English, Literacy Advisor and Gifted and Talented Consultant for Camden Education Authority in the Inspection and Advisory Department. She lives in Islington and is a Co-opted Governor.

Julius Ajeigbe (Community Relations & Student Welfare Committee and Safeguarding Governor)

Julius is an Organisation Change Consultant. His focus is to help organisations drive higher performance and improve productivity through new ways of working and improved technology tools and processes. He was appointed by the London Diocesan Board for Schools.

David Forrester (Curriculum & Standards and Finance, Premises & Personnel Committees)

David had a long career as a civil servant, mainly in education. Among other responsibilities, he led the development of directly accountable self-governing schools. Now retired, he is also chairman of an arts charity in East London.  He has lived in Islington for over 40 years. David is the Local Authority Governor for Islington Council.

Roderick Jones (Community Relations & Student Welfare Committee)

Rod is an electrician by trade, but has been looking after a multi-trade team, working in the local area of Islington.  He served as a Governor in the original Primary School before the Academy was founded. Rod is a Co-opted Governor.

Guilène Marco Parent Governor (Community Relations and Students Welfare Committee)

Guilene works as a Community Organiser for Islington-based charities. She is also the Chair of a local migrant women's charity and she has 3 children at the Academy.

Jumana Rahman (Finance, Premises & Personnel Committee)

Jumana is a litigation partner in an international law firm. She has long-standing experience in corporate governance, including as a trustee of an East London-based charity. Jumana lives in Islington and is a Co-opted Governor.

Rev John MacKenzie (Community Relations & Student Welfare and Audit Committees. SEN Governor)

John is the Vicar at one of our two linked Church of England parishes, St. Luke’s West Holloway. He has been a Governor at both Primary and Secondary schools, including an all-through Primary/Secondary in Kent, for eighteen years. He was previously a manager with Barclays Bank. He was appointed by the London Diocesan Board of Schools in 2020.

Nicole Williams (Community Relations & Student Welfare Committee)

Nicole has worked in the Academy since it opened and previously worked in the St Mary Magdalene Primary School.  Nicole currently manages the SDC & 9C groups and is committed to engaging pupils with their education and seeing them flourish and reach their potential. She is the elected Support Staff Governor.

Martin Wroe (Community Relations & Student Welfare & Audit Committees)

Martin makes a living as a writer and volunteers as a priest. He lives in Holloway and has been walking to and from SMMA most weeks since the mid-1990’s. He is a Foundation Governor, appointed by the London Diocesan Board for Schools.

Emmanuelle Boisseau (Teacher Governor)

Emmanuelle is the KS5 Maths Coordinator at St Mary Magdalene Academy. She has over 15 years of experience in teaching Mathematics in the Secondary and Further Educational Sectors. Her experience encompasses managing and developing staff, raising achievement, and improving curriculum planning.

Multi Academy Trust (MAT) Board

Rhian Roberts (Chair of the MAT Board)

Rhian is Commissioning Editor for Digital content and podcasts for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 3.  She is also on the board of trustees for Greenbelt Festival and lives in Holloway. 

Harry Tefoglou (Vice-Chair of the MAT Board) 

Harry has been working as a financial professional for over 30 years and is currently managing an investment fund for institutional investors. Harry lives in North London.

Vicky Linsley (CEO and Accounting Officer)

Vicky has worked in comprehensive schools in Oxfordshire and Inner London since 1990. As well as teaching and leading schools, she has worked as a Consultant, bringing change to some of London’s most challenging secondary schools. Vicky joined the Academy in 2008 and has been the Headteacher since 2012. She is also an Inspector for Ofsted.

Kathryn Davies (Chair of Standards Committee)

An economist by trade, Kathryn leads a team of global marketing and communications professionals for a large international company. She lives in Islington and has been involved with the Academy since its founding.

David Holland (Chair of Audit Committee)

David is a barrister and Kings Counsel who also sits as a part-time Judge. He lives in Highbury and is an Arsenal fan.  

Liz Adekunle

Liz was formerly Archdeacon of Hackney and a chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen. She lives in central London.