Local Governance

Lorne Stefanini

Chair Of Governors

Lorne Stefanini is Chair of the Academy Council, bringing expertise from 20 years experience in teaching. Lorne currently works in a senior independent school with responsibility for pupil learning and progression following many years teaching in London. Lorne holds Chartered Teacher (leadership) Status, and is committed to ensuring excellence for all learners, of all abilities through development excellent classroom practitioners. Lorne is focused on the importance of balancing high expectations with expert support, encouragement and recognition of potential in all teachers who in turn can bring out the best in our young people.

Anne Sturman

Governor

Anne worked in education from 1988 until her retirement in 2023. She spent 23 years working in AP -19 years as Headteacher during which Anne led the team through 4 successful Ofsted inspections. She has extensive experience of supporting pupils, families, colleagues and primary schools in the area of SEMH and for 18 years was also part of a behaviour support advisory team –which also included delivering CPD to schools, SENDCos and newly qualified teachers. For the last 2 years of her service, Anne was part of the PLT Central Team -leading on Primary Education, Safeguarding and Literacy.

Jonathan Sandling

Governor

Jonathan is a senior leader with almost twenty years' experience in the further and higher education sectors. Currently working for Coventry University, he oversees the academic provision across two London campuses. His specific areas of knowledge and experience are associated with teacher development, curriculum design, quality assurance and learning analytics. Jonathan is a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, a member of the Chartered Management Institute, a member of the International Society of Humour Studies and a reviewer for the European Journal of Humour Research. In addition, Jonathan is currently undertaking a Doctorate in Education (EdD) at the University of Cambridge. Jonathan is proud to be working with the Senior Leaders and Governors at Victory Park and Sutton House Academies.

Liam Forde

Governor

Liam is an experienced HR professional having worked in both private sector and government organisations. He specialises in the straight forward design and implementation of change management that improves organisational effectiveness. Liam is passionate about developing people capability and helping organisations achieve better HR practice - with experience in all HR specialisms. Having graduated from Leeds Beckett University with a bachelors degree in Human Resources Management, whilst he will always consider himself a ‘Northerner’, Liam is now a Southend resident and enjoys living by the coast.

Daniel Emmerson

Governor

Daniel has worked in education for over a decade, with experience in curriculum development, professional learning, and educational technology. After initially leaving school with one GCSE, he later returned to education and has since focused on supporting schools and teachers in adapting to new challenges. He spent five years at Millfield School in Somerset before moving to Felsted School in Essex, where he spent nine years developing and delivering global curricula. He is now the Executive Director of the Good Future Foundation, a non-profit organisation that provides free professional development to non-fee-paying schools, with a particular focus on AI in education, safeguarding, and teacher productivity. Alongside this, Daniel researches AI in education for Goodnotes and serves as Treasurer and Board Director at the Global Education Benchmark Group, supporting over 370 schools worldwide. He holds a First-Class Bachelor’s degree in Media Arts, a Master’s degree in International Relations, a Level 7 Diploma in Teaching English, and an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University

Marc Nuttall

Governor