Vanguard School is part of the National Autistic Society Academies Trust. The Trust is responsible for three free schools. More information about NASAT can be found here. NASAT delegates numerous functions to the schools local governing body.

Vanguard School governors (also known as the local governance body or 'LGB') are made up of representatives from the local area and cover a number of governor roles. School governors have a key role in setting the strategic direction of a school, ensuring the accountability of teachers and staff, and thinking critically about the welfare of a school.

Download our Local Governing Bodies Terms of Reference.

Download our Membership of the Local Governing Board and Register of Business Interests 2019/20.

Download our Membership of the Local Governing Board and Register of Business Interests 2020/21.

LGBs provide feedback to the EQD and National Autistic Society board, via the link trustees who chair them. For further information, see our Scheme of delegation.

She is currently a Director of the National Autistic Society Academies Trust and Chair of Governors of the National Autistic Society Vanguard School. She has three sons. Her youngest son is autistic with significant learning difficulties. In the Queen’s 2013 New Years Honours List, she was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of her contribution to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Having worked as Literacy Coordinator, Antonia then became Head of English and Media for three years, during which time she gained valuable experience of the new 9-1 GCSE course, and taught English Literature and Media Studies to A Level, as well as leading on staff professional development.

Keen to influence education more holistically through school leadership, Antonia completed an MA in Leadership at the Institute of Education in 2014, and went on to use these skills as Assistant Principal at Westminster UTC. Here, Antonia has been responsible for both pastoral and academic leadership and working in the role of SENCO, has given particular focus to developing the learning of students with special educational needs and disabilities. Antonia went on to become Principal of the UTC, developing further its focus on educational opportunities for all - in particular through vocational qualifications and work experience with its partner employers.

Antonia is now excited to open and establish the Vanguard School in Lambeth as its founding Headteacher.

I have a degree in Hospitality and Hotel Management and I have completed several specialist training courses for parents including: Hanen training course with the National Autistic Society in the North of England as my child was none verbal, training for parents of autistic children with the National Autistic Society, I have done a short training in Makaton and PECS and I am trained in first aid.

I bring a wealth of experience from the corporate sector. I have worked in the hotel and aviation industry and these jobs have enabled me to work directly with people where I’ve learnt the value of being kind and direct as well as being held accountable for my decision making. I think these skills will help me to become an approachable parent governor who takes into account other parent’s views and wishes. In the past I have also enjoyed getting involved with school trips, fundraising activities and assemblies during my daughter’s primary school years.

Education and good family values are paramount in my whole outlook on life and I feel that these are important to all children. I look forward to playing an active role in helping the school grow from strength to strength.

Alongside Jack's main role within the NHS, he also participates in several professional work streams, including Workforce Race Equality Standards (WRES) and Climate Taskforce. Jack discovered Vanguard on his commute to work and living locally to the school, seeing the project develop over a number of years.

She is passionate about social mobility and has previous work experience as the Director of Communications & HR for a not-for-profit education social enterprise aiming to increase higher education enrolment in Pakistan.

She was an external examiner for Teach First and the University of Northampton ITE department, which included scrutiny of course content and student achievement. Naz has a B.Ed. (Hons) and an M.A. in Education and is a mental health first aider trainer.

Before joining CAFOD, Lorraine worked in both public and private sector organisations and has been a member of the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development for over 20 years.

Lorraine has three boys, who all experience some learning difficulties. Her middle son is also diagnosed with Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity Disorder and Asperger syndrome (ADHD). She works closely with educational professionals to achieve the right learning environment for educational success.