Meet The Team
Warm relationships are key to our success
The Senior Management Team (SMT) are responsible for the day to day running of the School and to the Governors for the leadership and management of St Margaret’s.
We place great value on direct communication and as such we actively invite pupils and families to be in contact with our SMT and will regularly seek feedback.
The Senior Team is made of the Head, Lara Péchard; the Vice Principal, Julie Chatkiewicz; the Head of Junior School, Emma Gray; the Deputy Head: Academic, Simon Winchester; the Deputy Head: Operations, Stuart Borrill and the Assistant Head: Co-curricular, Kelly Messik.
Lara Péchard
Head
With a passion for US history I started my teaching career at Portsmouth Grammar School where I quickly became involved in the wider life of the School and became the Head of Sixth Form. I developed expertise in supporting students develop and prepare for life at university and beyond. As Principal Deputy Head at Norwich School, the job was broad. Here I oversaw the pastoral life of the School and developed the wellbeing support which was recognised by an award from Mind. Both my previous schools were turning co-educational as I joined and I played an important role in their transition. As Head of St Margaret’s I am immensely proud of our ethos and accomplishments. It is a beautiful school where there is a real warmth in relationships, where individuals and their passions are supported and stretched.
Julie Chatkiewicz
Vice Principal
I began my career teaching history at Blacon High School, Chester, where I saw the impact and difference a teacher could make to a young person’s life. My next post at the Licensed Victuallers’ School gave me the opportunity of joining their girls’ boarding house as a resident tutor whilst still teaching history. Boarding allows you to become more involved in the community of a school and this drew me to St. Margaret’s where I joined as Head of Lower School. 30 years on, I am now proud to be Vice Principal at a school which truly allows young people to develop their potential at their own pace during their journey through education and beyond.
Emma Gray
Head of Junior School
My teaching career started after a Masters in Teaching, completed in Australia. I moved back to London to teach at two independent schools, first at Hornsby House before moving to Knightsbridge School, from its inception in 2006. As Director of Studies, I enjoyed shaping the curriculum, teaching and learning from Nursery - Y8. In 2012, a move to Hertfordshire and a role at York House gave further opportunities, including Head of Pre-Prep and Assistant Head. At York House, I played an integral part as the school moved from a boys’ school to fully co-educational. It is an absolute privilege to be Head of the Junior School at St Margaret’s, providing the foundations and clear pathways for children to flourish.
Simon Winchester
Deputy Head: Academic
After an undergraduate degree in English Literature, running ski camps for children in Switzerland persuaded me of the rewards of working with young people; I trained as a teacher at University College London and initially taught English for several years at two co-educational maintained sector schools in London. In 2012 I became Head of English at Wycombe Abbey School, where I oversaw a large and successful department. I am an A-level examiner in English Literature for a UK examination board. My post as Deputy Head (Academic) gives me the responsibility for ensuring that teaching and learning across the School is the best it can be.
Kelly Messik
Assistant Head: Co-curricular
After reading Law at the University of Birmingham, I initially entered into a career in journalism, quickly becoming Deputy Editor of a local newspaper and then moving on to a large periodical. However, after a few years I had a change of heart and returned to studying in order to complete a PGCE and begin teaching English Language and Literature in London. Since then I have taught in a range of schools, countries and cities and in a range of arenas. Most recently I was Assistant Headteacher at Watford Grammar School for Boys, shaping the personal development programme there and operating as a safeguarding lead supporting the pastoral team. I am excited to work as Assistant Headteacher at St Margaret's and am looking forward to consolidating opportunities for all in our community to experience life beyond the classroom and to offer service to the world around us.
Stuart Borrill
Deputy Head: Operations
After qualifying from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, I started my teaching career in a large co-educational school in Surrey. I have worked as a Head of Department, Head of Faculty, and an Assistant Head. I am passionate about the Arts in schools, especially youth theatre and the opportunities and skills it provides young people. As Deputy Head (Operations) I am responsible for curriculum design and timetabling. At St. Margaret’s we aim to deliver a broad and balanced curriculum with high levels of academic contact time, whilst also providing ample opportunity to engage with a multitude of enrichment activities.
Andy Francombe
Director of Finance and Operations
Following qualification as a Chartered Accountant I pursued a career in commerce, which has taken me all over the world including stints living in Australia and Hungary. I joined my first school, St Paul’s School in Barnes, as Director of Finance and IT. This was followed by Northwood Schools Group in Wandsworth and from there I joined the team at St Margaret’s. I love the breadth of my role, working with teachers and support staff, managing pretty much everything outside education. My and my team’s role is to provide the tools and infrastructure to ensure our teachers are able to provide the best educational experience they can to pupils, plus working with our Leadership Team and Governors to deliver on the School’s long term strategic vision.
