The Council Of Management – providing Expert Overview 

The Children’s House School is a registered charity, governed by an elected body called the Council of Management. Members of the Council of Management represent a range of backgrounds and skills, which they bring to the school in order to support it and advance its aims. The Chair can be contacted anytime through the school office - 77 Elmore Street, London, N1 3AQ.

Chair

Danielle Dufey 

Danielle Dufey. Danielle joined the Council of Management as parent governor in 2013. Her professional background is in structured finance/ investment banking, and she is currently COO of a fintech start-up. Passionate about ensuring that The Children's House community will continue to thrive, she is focused on building a strong governance team to support school leaders facing today's challenges in the independent education sector. She holds a MA equivalent ("Diplomkauffrau") from WHU (Otto Beisheim School of Management) in Koblenz, Germany.

Governors

Emma Kingstone - BA (Hons) Geography, Oxford; PgDL (Law Conversion) and Legal Practice Course, BPP Law School, London

Tom Levine - Tom has been a member of the COM since 2020. As well as being thrown into the 'deep end' of the School's response to Covid at the start of his time as a governor, he was involved in the detailed execution of the School's expansion beyond Year 2. Tom is a contract lawyer in the London office of an international law firm, and moved to London for Australia over 25 years ago. All 4 of Tom's children have attended the Children's House, so their house is full of Children's House mugs and tea towels.

Joanna Thorton

Ms. Joanna Thornton, a former parent, joined The Children’s House Council of Management in 2023. As a seasoned management consultant, she specializes in organisational transformation, guiding strategic change and technology integration. At the school, she chairs the Health and Safety committee and advises on financial viability, focusing on operational efficiency and sustainable growth.

Sarah Pitcher 

Sarah is a qualified social worker and has worked in several areas of social work, working with both children & their families. She has completed post graduate study in both Specialist Social Work and Additional Learning Needs. Sarah currently works in an Islington Primary School within their inclusion team and is deputy designated safeguarding lead. Sarah is a past parent of the Children's House. 

Viola Fort

After an early career as a literary journalist and editor, Viola has spent fifteen years working in education as a private tutor and academic mentor.  She is an 11+ specialist, preparing students for entrance to top London day schools and national boarding schools.  She has an in-depth knowledge of the assessment process and the specific requirements for successful admission, developing comprehensive educational plans that arm children with the skills and confidence they need to flourish.

Olivia Macfarlane

Olivia, a former Children's House parent from 2014-2021, became a member of the Council of Management in 2024. As a strategic communications specialist with experience spanning Business Development, PR, Marketing Partnerships and Events, Olivia advises on Marketing and Admissions best practice. 

Adam Zivanic - MA Cantab (Natural Sciences), PGCE Buckingham

Sarah Mook - Ms Sarah Mook joined the Childrens House Council of Management in 2024. Sarah has 30+ years of experience as a lawyer and investment banker providing strategic and commercial advice to boards and companies. At the school, Sarah focuses on strategic advice and risk assessment.