Senior Staff & Governance
Senior Leadership & Governance
Our team of SEN qualified teachers at LVS Hassocks have an excellent understanding of the nature of autism and its impact on effective learning.
Senior Leadership Team
The school is under the leadership of Principal, Rachel Borland and supported by Alice Brennan, Assistant Head, Stefan Amati, Director of Studies & Outcomes and Sarah Sherwood, Director of SEN.
Rachel Borland – Principal
Rachel began her career as a secondary teacher in Hong Kong, having grown up and been schooled there. She quickly rose the leadership scale after working for the British Council in HK and Jordan. Rachel went on to manage a language school, a secretarial college and founded her own training company, alongside writing English textbooks for the Asian market.
After completing a MA in language and communication research Rachel worked at Bath University for a while, before securing her first headship in the independent sector in Leicestershire. Her next appointment was as Principal of a large boarding school in Nigeria, before joining the Alpha Plus group as Principal in Birmingham and then London.
In London Rachel was instrumental in the design and build of a new Boarding college situated over Westminster Bridge. She then worked at a bilingual school in Shanghai, which included the opening of a primary school and SEN unit, the first of its kind in Shanghai.
Rachel is the Vice Chair of Governors of a large secondary school in Brighton as well as a governor of an infant school in Worthing. She has two adult children who both work in the education industry and lives on the south coast where she can be seen cycling on a good day.
Her special professional interests are raising educational standards and staff welfare.
Stefan Amati - Vice Principal
Stefan has taught in primary schools for 12 years, including schools in East London and on the South Coast. He lives in Brighton with his young family and when not at work, spends much of his time on his first love of football; he is chairman and coach for the youth section of local team Montpelier Villa FC.
In his previous role, he was an Assistant Head, where he focused on improving how Maths is taught using a mastery approach.
He recently completed his National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) and is now eager to use his skills to help children with special educational needs make the most of their time at LVS Hassocks.
Alice Brennan - Assistant Headteacher
Following completion of a PGCE in Secondary English, Alice has been teaching English in secondary schools for 9 years.
In her previous role, Alice specialised in teaching small nurture groups GCSE English Language and Literature whilst also leading a year group as Head of Year. Alice has vast experience in safeguarding, pastoral care and supporting secondary age students throughout their entire secondary experience from Year 7 to Year 11.
Alice joined LVS Hassocks as Assistant Head in 2022 and has since completed her Level 6 Careers Lead Training, is currently completing a National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership and is appointed as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Her special professional interests are safeguarding, pastoral care and supporting young people to develop a love of reading and studying English.
Governing Body
Responsibility for the provision of education at the Schools owned by the Licensed Trade Charity is vested in the Trustee Body who will direct the Licensed Trade Charity Chief Executive in the formulation of education policy.
The Licensed Trade Charity Chief Executive’s delegated task is to manage the policy efficiently, to maintain oversight of the Schools and to provide a variety of support services. The Licensed Trade Charity Chief Executive will carry out his/her management responsibilities in partnership with the Executive Director of Education and the Governing Body.
The Chairman of the LVS Hassocks Governing Body is Mr Mike Clist.
If you would like to contact any of the trustees or governing body, please email Clare Clark, Clerk to the Trustees: Clare.Clark@ltcharity.org.uk