John Cape
John has been Chair of Governors since November 2019 and is a member of both the Achievement and Wellbeing and Finance, Premises and HR Committees.
For 30 years John was a clinical psychologist and professional head of psychology and psychotherapy in the NHS in Camden and Islington.
Then for 8 years he organised and taught on courses in psychology at University College London. John enjoys spending time with family and friends, swimming and walks in the country and films. He has lived in the Borough of Islington since 1980 and loves the diversity of London having grown up in different countries as a child and young person.
Jaime Smith
Jaime joined the school in July 2021 as a Curriculum Link Governor. Jaime has over 20 years of experience in the education sector starting her career as a secondary school teacher in London. Under Jaime’s direction the Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools programme was established at the Anna Freud Centre and the Schools in Mind network set up, which now has over 32,000 education professional members.
Jaime has overseen the delivery of three national DfE funded programmes including the Link Programme, Education for Wellbeing and Peer Support for children and young people’s mental health. In June 2021 Jaime was awarded an MBE for services to education in the Queens birthday honours. Jaime has two children so most of her free time is spent with them. Jaime also enjoys travelling, going to the theatre, and is trying to be a better cook!
Brenda McHugh
Brenda McHugh trained and worked as both a teacher and consultant family and systemic psychotherapist. She created the first multi-family classroom in London and innovated the practice of running multi-family groups in schools in the UK and across Scandinavian countries and Germany. She has trained extensively and created an online training programme in the model while working as a consultant in the NHS CAMHS service.
Brenda is now a trainer and consultant at the Anna Freud Centre, focusing on vulnerable children and families. She is a Co-founder of The Pears Family School, a school for vulnerable children excluded as a result of significant behavioural or mental health problems. It provides a fully integrated education and mental health curriculum for children and their parents, twice been rated ‘outstanding’.
Michael Annan
Michael was first appointed in September 2021 as a Governor on the Achievement and Wellbeing Committee and is the link Governor for Behaviour and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). Michael is also very keen to support work in the school on equality, diversity and inclusion. Michael is a qualified Primary School Teacher, Educational Psychologist and Family Therapist and currently works at King’s College London leading on the Post Graduate Certificate in Supervision. Michael was keen to be a Governor after receiving training in Multi-Family Therapy and having witnessed first-hand the impact the approach can have on children and families.
Michael is also keen to share his experience and expertise to support the ongoing development of the School and the Community it serves. Outside of work, he enjoys most sports including cycling, swimming and basketball and supports a local football team.
Ros Bismead
Ros has been a Governor since the 2014 and supported the setting-up of Pears Family School. She is a member of the HR, Finance and Premises Committee. She is Chief Operating Officer of the Anna Freud Centre and has over thirty years experience in the voluntary sector in fundraising and management roles. Ros is proud to be involved with the School and to help support its vision and values. Ros enjoys reading, running, film, family and friends and grand-parenthood.
Pierre Gosselin
Pierre has been a Governor since 2014 and chairs the Finance Premises and HR Committee. He is also the Health and Safety link Governor. Pierre is a School Business Manager and before that role he used to be Senior Accountant for school in a local authority education department.
Pierre enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, reading, music, motorcycling and sailing.
Peggy Ray
Peggy has been a Governor at the school since 2014 and is the link Governor for safeguarding as well as being a member of the Achievement and Welfare Committee. Peggy has been a family solicitor specialising in child protection cases since 1985. From Peggy’s involvement with many children in her work who have not been afforded the best opportunities, she was excited and motivated to become a Governor at the Pears Family School since it was founded.
Peggy is proud to be associated and involved with the school, noting the innovative approach taken at the school has led to many children being able to make the most of their potential. Peggy also enjoys travel, reading, gardening and walking her energetic dog!
Rose White
Rose was appointed a governor in September 2023 and is the link governor for RSHE. Rose also has a keen interest in Equality, diversity and inclusion with a specific interest in pupils who have English as an Additional Language (EAL). Rose is proud to be involved with the School and hopes to be able to support its vision and ethos.
Rose has worked in Education for nearly 40 years and has enjoyed the opportunities it has given her to work with children and adults with a diverse range of ages, backgrounds and cultures. Since qualifying as a Primary school teacher in the 80s she has also been employed as a local authority Senior Consultant for English EAL and the EYFS. She has also worked in three London Universities teaching undergraduates and on the postgraduate teacher training course.
Rose enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, dancing and the theatre.
Jon Whitehouse
Jon joined as a governor in March 2025. He has had a 25 year career in financial services, covering government and regulatory policy, sustainability and corporate affairs. He is currently a Managing Director at Barclays plc.
Jon is passionate about socioeconomic inclusion. He is a Trustee of the Fair Education Alliance and was a member of a Government appointed Task Force on socioeconomic inclusion in financial services.
Jon is an adoptive father and lives with his husband and son in Hackney.