Meet Our Governors

Sarah Couchman - Geography and History Teacher, Copthall Girls' School

Sarah Couchman is a dedicated Geography and History teacher at Copthall Girls' School in Barnet, where she is committed to fostering academic growth and curiosity in her students. In addition to her role in the classroom, Sarah is an external marker for AQA Geography GCSE, where she brings her expertise in assessment and educational standards to support the development of the next generation of learners.

With a solution-oriented approach, Sarah focusses on improving students' adaptability and strategic thinking, equipping them with the skills necessary to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing world. Passionate about creating an environment where young people thrive, she works tirelessly to help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Sarah is dedicated to the professional growth of both her students and her colleagues, always seeking innovative ways to improve the educational experience.

Appointed by Members 13/03/2019
 

I am Afiya. I am a Senior Technical Program Manager at the technology organisation Onfido.  I currently oversee the delivery of change and development. At Onfido we verify identities digitally – we use just a smartphone to validate a picture of an ID card and your Biometrics with a selfie.  Leading program management in one of the top fastest-growing tech companies in the UK requires, agility, scalability, organisation, leadership, empathy as well as both technical and strategic understanding.

I grew up in a neighbouring borough to Copthall in North London and attended a comprehensive secondary school in Barnet. I am very much a proud Londoner! I studied Material Science & Engineering at the University of Manchester graduating with a Masters in Engineering.

Having this background in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (otherwise known as STEM), and having skills in program management, has enabled me to have a vast, diverse and exciting career.  I have worked in areas from research and publishing my scientific discoveries for the MOD, to traveling the world improving advanced materials manufacturing processes, to leading business planning and program management with the UK's largest online retail operations at Tesco. I have also been involved in delivering initiatives for Artificial intelligence to verify identities remotely around the world.

STEM ambassadorship and encouraging young people to consider STEM studies and careers has long been a commitment of mine and I have founded initiatives to drive the connection with industry and education. I work within industries where whole economies and top jobs are often only a few years old but are rapidly making the status quo obsolete. We have new ways of communicating, transacting, shopping, working and learning, and I want to ensure young people are not just impacted by this but equipped for it.

Being a Governor of such an ambitious school like Copthall is such an important honour & responsibility to ensure the best and fair learning & development for all.

After studying for a degree in Engineering I began my working career with British Petroleum in their on-shore exploration division. Whilst I found that enjoyable my decision to change direction a few years later, to train as a Maths teacher, was one I did not regret.

My career in education has been within state comprehensive, mixed and single sex schools in inner and outer London boroughs. I have had experience in both student well-being and curriculum responsibilities at both middle and then senior leadership levels. On retiring from education, I had been a Deputy Headteacher for 14 years. I now work for myself in property management.

Like Copthall, the schools I have worked in have all been committed to an approach that is inclusive and aims to secure the best life chances for young people. In the different roles I had I gained a very broad experience of educational leadership which I feel will enable me to take up the role of governor in an informed and positive way. In work I have been involved in since leaving schools I have been specifically responsible for managing financial and other resources, which I believe will be of particular relevance to the Finance and Resources Committee.

I am incredibly pleased to be involved in the work of a school again and am very much looking forward to supporting, and contributing to, the Copthall community.

Biography to follow.

I have been working in scientific and clinical research for over 20 years and currently work as a Clinical Program Manager, specialising in developing and organising clinical trials in Rare Disease Studies. My work has helped to bring important drugs to the market and providing much needed therapies for both adults and children who suffer from life limiting diseases.

As a female scientist and together with my own personal experiences, I have a keen interest in promoting STEM subject education in girls and particularly in ethnic minority groups. I have obtained a BSc Hons in Biochemistry from Imperial College; a Masters in Immunology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and then went on to achieve my PhD in Immunology from UCL. My A’ Level chemistry teacher, was a significant inspiration and influence to me as a young student. This experience, has taught me how it can take just one teacher or influential adult to shape a young person’s future.

Outside of work, I am a busy mother of three children. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and travelling when time permits.

It’s a privilege to be given this opportunity and to be able to contribute towards Copthall’s goals for educating and inspiring the next generation of young people. My own daughter has just begun her secondary education and journey at Copthall and I am excited to be part of it with her, in the capacity of a parent governor.

Appointed by Members 13/04/2016

I have spent most of my working life in education, starting as a teacher in the primary and secondary sectors. 

I then went into Further Education and started as a teacher moving into management.  My managerial responsibility has been varied and has covered Student support, marketing, HR, Curriculum area management and Strategic Planning. It also included three restructures and a merger. 

I was a senior manager at Barnet College for 19 years, in my final role deputising for the Principal and I am a local resident, so have a good knowledge of the local knowledge of the area and its’ schools.

For the last seven years I have been working for Barnet Council with responsibility for Post 16 Education and Skills working with schools, including Copthall across the borough. 

I have a particular interest in Copthall as my daughter was a pupil at the school and would like pupils now to have the same positive experience she had, although the educational context is very different today.

Appointed by FGB 16/09/2020

Jane is the former Head at Mill Hill School, having worked as the Principal Deputy Head prior to August 2018. She is currently working part-time in the School’s Development Office, supporting the School’s ongoing commitment to raising funds for bursaries and capital projects.  Jane studied Geography at Sheffield University and began her teaching career at Rowlinson School in Sheffield, before taking up a position in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for four years. Upon her return to the UK, she joined The Henrietta Barnet School in North London and then moved to Whitefield, a school facing extra challenging circumstances, in 1999.

Jane joined Mill Hill School as the Deputy Head Pastoral in 2003. She is passionate about education and has a wealth of experience as a senior leader in secondary education. Utilising this experience, she is the link governor for Safeguarding at Copthall.

Biography to follow.

Elena Waters is a dedicated Physical Education teacher who is passionate about empowering young people both inside and outside of the classroom. She is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for girls in sport and leadership, championing excellence, confidence and participation through competitive sport, student leadership programmes and personal development initiatives.

Elena holds a BSc in Sports Science from Brunel University and gained her teaching qualification through the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) in Physical Education. With 17 years of experience in education, she brings a wealth of knowledge in teaching, curriculum design, and student development, alongside a deep commitment to nurturing talent and fostering lifelong engagement in physical activity.

Elena is proud to serve as a Staff Governor at Copthall School, representing the voice of staff while contributing to the strategic direction of the school. As Curriculum Leader of PE and whole-school enrichment, she works to broaden opportunities that enhance student wellbeing, build resilience and inspire ambition beyond the curriculum.

Elena is deeply committed to fostering a positive school culture in which students feel empowered to succeed, participate and challenge themselves. She has a strong focus on curriculum excellence, inclusive practice and developing character through teamwork, sport and enrichment. Her role enables close collaboration with both students and colleagues, strengthening community and engagement across the school.

As Staff Governor, Elena is dedicated to supporting Copthall School’s vision, advocating for staff and students, and contributing to decisions that enhance the educational experience and outcomes for the whole school community.

I was appointed Headteacher at Copthall School in September 2024. It is with great pleasure and a sense of privilege being the Headteacher at Copthall School. This is a wonderful and exceptionally successful girls’ comprehensive school that aims to provide all our students with the very best start in life by providing them with an outstanding education. Before coming to Copthall, I taught at schools in Ealing, Islington and other Barnet Schools, holding a variety of different roles within senior leadership teams that included overseeing the quality of teaching and learning, leading on staff development, having oversight of the curriculum provisional and leading on the improvement of student behaviour. I really value the supportive and harmonious school community we have at Copthall which encourages the very best outcomes for all our students. I am incredibly proud of our diversity and inclusive ethos, and we have incredibly hard-working staff at our school that ensure all our students develop into ambitious, confident and responsible young adults, irrespective of where their futures take them.