Leadership Team

Head of School, Ms. Mona Taybi

It is a privilege to have been appointed and entrusted with the role of leading the school towards the next phase of the ICS vision from August 2023. It gives me great pleasure to introduce myself as the Head of School of ICS London.

I am a firm believer that education lays the foundations for young people to be able to succeed in the world today. This should be a fine balance between academic excellence and the personal development of the whole student. It is my belief that there should not be a compromise. Students should achieve academic excellence and they should build the skills and the confidence it takes to excel in their areas of interest or natural aptitude.

I have held a number of senior roles in my current school, most recently as the Headteacher. I am confident that further development of the student centred approach will ensure that ICS London continues to build on its many strengths that were highlighted in the recent ISI inspection. I will ensure that the community focus, positive relationships and high standards are maintained and developer further, and with your support and the dedication and commitment of the staff, we will provide an education, which helps every student achieve their future goals.

We will continue to nurture the existing partnerships and establish new partnerships to provide wider opportunities within the curriculum, including the careers programme and extra curricular offer. I look forward to working with a team of talented and committed colleagues to grow ICS London into a school-recognised world wide for excellence. However, most importantly, a community that pupils, staff and parents continue to say they are proud to be apart of.

Deputy Head of School, Mrs. Charlotte Nichol

I firmly believe that education changes lives. At ICS London the community is supportive, positive and determined.  The staff work hard to ensure every student is given a brilliant education filled with opportunity, challenge and personalised care. These are the reasons I am excited to be the first “Deputy Head of School”.

When I was sent to the local German speaking school aged 5 without a word of German I learnt quickly! My parents ensured I learnt lots of music and developed skills that I could use when I moved to boarding school in the UK. I have first hand experience of being an international student and understand the challenges that families face when they navigate a new city, new language and new school system - I want ICS London to be the best at welcoming families and smoothing that transition! 

I studied Physics at UCL and have taught and led for nearly 25 years in London schools. I love being in the classroom and I also love writing curriculum, building systems and communicating so that both young people and colleagues thrive and succeed. 

Outside work I am a mom to two primary aged girls and my husband is Professor of Physics at UCL. I am a musician, enjoy cycling and camping and ran the London Marathon in 2005. 

Early Years & Primary Principal, Mr. Simon Jacobs

Originally from Birmingham, UK, my educational leadership career has seen me taking on roles in China and Argentina, in both UK Curriculum and IB schools. My undergraduate degree in History was at Queen Mary College, University of London, and I completed my PGCEi via the University of Nottingham. Most recently I completed my masters in Educational Leadership in Practice from the University of Manchester in 2023.

My educational philosophy is underpinned by the mantra “happy children make for successful schools”, and this is something I have taken with me and looked to put into practice throughout my career. Happy children - first and foremost - want to come to school, want to engage with their teachers and peers, and are not afraid to challenge themselves in all areas of school life. 

 As well as sports, I enjoy learning languages, and managed to learn Chinese to an intermediate level during my time living and working in China, whilst my time in Argentina allowed me to pick up some basic Spanish. 

Head of Admissions & Marketing, Miss Laura Efford

I was born here in London, but I moved with my family to Atlanta, GA, USA when I was 5 years old and completed all of my education there.  After earning a B.S.Ed in English Education from the University of Georgia, I began teaching middle school English (ages 11-14).  I became AVID programme certified, and I also earned a gifted endorsement to add to my teaching certificate.  I later returned to school and earned my M.S. Ed, also in English Education, from Georgia State University and moved on to teach high school English (ages 15-18) in various different schools. 

I served as the faculty sponsor for many student organisations including  the student council, Yearbook, senior class administration, etc.  I began my PhD in Teaching and Learning with a Language and Literacy concentration in 2017, but after 3 years I realised that though I loved continuing to learn, I enjoyed being around others far too much to become a researcher closeted away with only my books! 

Therefore, I sought out a new environment and a new challenge in 2020.  I decided to repatriate to the UK and switch to a career that allowed me to still work in education and interact with students and their families without the extras that come with being a professor or teacher.  I am grateful to be working at ICS London, in the cultural epicentre of London, and helping prospective families to learn about our wonderful school and get to know our incredible community.

I love reading, going to the gym, and taking long walks at the park.  I enjoy going to the theatre, cheering on my favourite sports teams, and visiting museums/galleries.  I have a cat named Archimedes who came with me from the US.

Bursar, Mr. Prem Guckool

Originally from Mauritius where I trained as an accountant, I was then transferred to London to continue my training. I then joined an accountancy firm where I met my lovely wife, we have been married for almost 20 years and we have one son named Neil who is 10 years old. In my free time I like to spend time with my family and I am an avid supporter of Manchester United.

Whole School SENCO & Whole School DSL, Mr. Mike Neville

My teaching career began 17 years ago. I began to volunteer with a local charity which supported young people with developing their reading skills. I realised that teaching was something I loved and particularly became passionate about supporting young people with disabilities and additional learning needs to learn and achieve their aims. I then moved into learning support roles in schools and colleges before finally moving to London to pursue my PGCE in 2010. Once I finished I applied to ICS London. It was a stroke of luck that I found a school that was as passionate about inclusive education as I was. 

I’ve been here ever since (just over 10 years!). Halfway through my time here I completed my Masters in Special and Inclusive Education and was given the opportunity to also teach Film Studies in the Diploma. As someone whose first degree was in media, I jumped at the chance to engage students creatively in a way that continued my passion for inclusion.

I’m passionate about the arts and culture - whether this is photography, literature, performance, music, exhibitions, museums - and of course, film. I am also interested in space science having been obsessed with space since I was younger. Another passion of mine is gaming. I’m also an advocate for equality and have been involved in numerous equal rights campaigns.

Globeducate Chief Education Officer, Mr. Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones has been Chief Education Officer of Globeducate since 2016. He chairs several Globeducate school boards and with more than 30 years of experience in education, Daniel is responsible for the quality of the educational offering and strategy across the Globeducate network of schools. He has developed the Globeducate Platinum Standard – a bespoke school evaluation framework and development tool – and spends much of his time working closely with school leaders and teachers in our schools and leading professional development initiatives. Prior to his role with Globeducate he was a Head Teacher, Inspector and Lead Inspector of Schools for NABSS (National Association of British Schools in Spain).

Photo of our Secondary Principal

"The environment at ICS London is safe and trusting which enables an open door culture of working together. The size of the school means the impact of staff and student work can be felt more immediately and have greater significance which, I feel, is unique to ICS London." 

 

secondary student in art lesson
Students laughing with teacher

"It is a school that celebrates and supports diversity and inclusivity, and this truly makes it a unique school in the heart of London."