Spa Education Trust

Joseph Wood

Chair of Members

Joseph became a Member of the Trust as part of the Spa School Conversion. Joseph had previously been a Governor at Spa School and at an Academy Trust in the London Borough of Bexley. In his professional capacity as a Lead Associate at the Financial Conduct Authority, and prior experience in auditing and investigations, Joseph is well positioned to perform the oversight role that is expected of members.

Lynsey McAlpine

Member

Bridget Gilchrist

Member

Bridget has been a parent governor for over 15 years at 3 different schools in 2 London local authorities. These include both mainstream and special schools. Bridget has 3 children, 2 of whom have a diagnosis of autism. In 2012 Bridget received her MEd in Special Education (Autism) from Birmingham University. Since 2005 Bridget has worked at a community primary school in Southwark as Assistant Inclusion Manager and Autism lead. She is very proud to be Chair of the newly formed Spa Education Trust and is excited to be able to work alongside the outstanding leadership team at Spa, to make the school a happy experience for young people with autism and to provide support for their families and carers. Bridget was the Chair of Governors at Spa School for several years before the creation of the Trust in 2018.

Holly McAlpine

Chair of Trustees

Holly joined the Spa Trust in 2018 as a Co-opted Trustee. Holly is a Head of HR who has a particular interest in diversity and inclusion, particularly in the tech industry. Holly holds a Masters in Human Resource Management and postgraduate qualifications in both Management and Employment Law, and is a member of the Australian Human Resources Institute and the CIPD. Holly is a volunteer facilitator with Diversity Role Models, a charity committed to ending homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying in schools, and is also a volunteer mentor with CIPD Steps Ahead, working with young jobseekers to improve their confidence and employability.

Krys McInnis

Co - Vice Chair

Krys McInnis MBA is an educator with extensive experience in both the public and private sector. Having been a member before the creation of the Trust, Krys has brought with him his previous HR and Legal expertise to the governing board. As an ex-Chair of Governors, as well as various other board positions, Krys brings with him a wealth of experience in governance, compliance and policy which he extends further as the inaugural Chair of Governor for Spa Camberwell.

Rachel Landau

Member

Rachel is a lawyer currently working at the Department for Education. Rachel has significant expertise in educational matters and was a member of the governing body at Spa School for several years before the creation of the Trust.

David May

Co - Vice Chair

David became a Trustee of Spa Education Trust in July 2023. He is an audit manager at a Big 4 firm and specialises in evaluating the systems and controls implemented by investment firms to safeguard and protect their clients’ assets. He is an Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. David is deeply committed to using his skills to improve the lives of young people. Having previously served as a volunteer mentor for The Kids Network, he understands the distinct challenges of supporting children with additional needs. David is the Chair of Governors for Spa Bermondsey.

Steph Lea - Executive Headteacher

Trustee

Steph has worked in special needs education for more than 25 years and has extensive leadership experience. Steph was the Headteacher at Spa Camberwell which she opened in September 2020. She was the Deputy Headteacher at Spa Bermondsey from 2011 to 2018 and the Deputy Head at the Bethlem and Maudsley Hospital School before that. She previously worked as a link advisor for the General Teaching Council, as an Inclusion Manager in a Lambeth community primary school and as a learning support leader at The United Nations International School. Steph has Bachelor of Education degree in Primary Teaching, the National Professional Qualification for Headship and an MA degree in the Psychology and Education of Children with Special Needs.

Nicola Beaumont

Trustee

Nicola Beaumont is a Business Consultant with extensive experience of guiding organisations and teams through programmes of change from strategy to design and implementation. Nicola brings experience from across the private sector, working with leadership teams to work collaboratively through effective governance. Nicola has a BSc in Economics, a MSC in Organisational Psychology and is passionate about the power of education.

Soulaf Rizki

Trustee

Soulaf has a son in KS1 at Spa Camberwell. She is looking forward to supporting other families and the school in her role as Trustee for Spa Education Trust.

William Page

Trustee

Bill is a retired postal worker and is married with two grown up children. Bill’s son has Asperger’s Syndrome who is coming up to 29 years old. Bill’s son was a student at Spa from September 2001 until July 2009. He really loved his time there where the education and life skills teaching, he received were absolutely first class. He still has very fond memories of this period in his life. In July 2008 Bill became a Parent Governor at Spa. He then became a Community Governor and is now a Trustee of the academy. Along with the excellent, hardworking teaching staff and teaching assistants that the academy has and also a superb group of trustees and members involved Bill looks forward to helping the academy in continuing excellent work in the education it provides for youngsters with varying levels of A.S.D.

Tom Bryan

Trustee

Tom became a trustee of Spa Education Trust in February 2024. He is a trainee auditor working towards his Chartered Accountancy qualification (ACA). Tom holds a Master's Degree in Chemistry from the University of Oxford, where he was involved in outreach and access work. Tom is looking forward to supporting the trust in its goal of providing excellent SEND provision.