Sian Mainwaring

Sian has taught for over 39 years, including working in a secondary special school. She has also been a SENDCO. Sian is a retired Enfield Headteacher and is delighted to become a Governor at Russet House School, to ensure the best outcomes for pupils, families and the school community.

Ann Goldstein

Ann has been a Community Governor since 2003. She was the Vice Chair for a number of years and stood in as Interim Chair of Governors in February 2024. She is pleased welcome and to hand over to our new Chair this term. Ann is a speech and language therapist with a particular interest in Autism and working with people who have communication needs.

Lorraine White

Lorraine has been a Teaching Assistant in the school since 2009 and a Staff Governor since 2014. Lorraine is on the STAC Committee and is very involved in the school community.  She has a particular interest in creating imaginative displays of the children's work around school. She also enjoys developing active games to play with the pupils in break times.

Lesley McDonnell

Lesley has been a class teacher at Russet House School since September 2017. Prior to this, she worked in a mainstream school for over ten years and also served as a school governor. In addition, she is also a qualified Nursery Nurse, which has given her a strong understanding of child development. Lesley has been a subject leader for PE and Humanities, with a particular interest in History.

Tee Richards

Tee is a mum to two children who attended Russet House School. She runs the Abundant Living with Autism (ALWA) play-scheme from Russet House for children with autism and SEND during the school holidays. Tee states that she believes parents views should be heard, understood and reflected in the governance of Russet. She decided to become a governor as she wanted to be able to make a positive contribution to the school and to play an active role in continuing to support the schools vision and ethos.

Liz Thomas

Liz is a mum to twin boys who attend Russet House School and joined the Governing Body in 2022. Liz works for the NHS as a psychologist and loves reading, gardening and taking long walks. She is very pleased to have been chosen for the Governor role as it allows her to represent parents' insights and concerns to decision makers. Liz looks forward to speaking with parents regularly and contributing to the well-being and education of our children.

Matthias Baltes

Matthias is German by origin but moved to the UK in 2005. He lives with his family in London, has three kids and works in the City as a finance professional for Bank of America. He is a Governor at Russet House since 2024, chairing the Resources/Pay Committee and also being part of the Finance Committee.

Hakan Sokmen

Hakan has been a parent governor at Russet House School since 2024 and currently has a son at the school. Hakan states he is passionate about children and how their needs are addressed in an evolving world. He is looking forward to engaging with parents, children and the community to understand their views. Haken also is involved in running coffee mornings every second Friday from Russet House School. Hakan enjoys spending time with the family, gardening, cooking, walking and watching films in his spare time. 

Alex Holden

Alex is an accountant working in financial services who joined the governing body in 2024, and is part of the finance and resources committee. He decided to become a governor to try to apply his professional qualification in a meaningful and rewarding environment, at a school that provides vital and amazing services.