Antony Faccinello gained his MA in English Literature at Pembroke College, Oxford University before completing a PGCE. Since then he has gained over 25 years’ teaching and leadership experience in a range of secondary educational settings, most recently as Vice Principal at a Harris Academy in Croydon.
He believes that the best kind of academic education develops a broad range of character virtues from intellectual curiosity to resilience and respect for others. Hackney New School’s distinctive values embody the kind of high expectations that he and his staff are committed to instilling in every pupil.
Headteacher
Antony Faccinello
Deputy Headteacher and Head of MFL
Ian Patterson
Ian Patterson is a graduate of the University of Nottingham where he studied French and Politics.
Having completed the Teach First programme in 2009, Ian was involved in setting up a successful new academy in London. He served there as Head of MFL for six years, playing a role in the development of the school from inception to full capacity.
Ian takes a keen interest in the development of innovative new schools and has served as a governor at two start-up academies in London. He has also worked as a School Director in Argentina and Mexico under the auspices of the Teach for All network.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Ian is Deputy Headteacher with responsibility for Teaching and Learning.
Assistant Headteacher and Head of History
Brian McGowan
Brian McGowan is a graduate of the University of Manchester where he gained an Honours degree in Modern Languages & Literature (Italian & French) after which he completed a PGCE programme at the University of Bristol.
A teacher of over 22 years experience, Brian has worked in large Sixth Form Colleges (Winchester, Hampshire), Schools with consortium arrangements (Camden, London) and stand-alone school sixth forms (Southwark, London).
In addition to Modern Languages, Brian has also taught AS/A2 level History and Government & Politics and has developed an extensive network of contacts with Higher Education providers and UCAS. He is originally from Derry in Northern Ireland and lives with his family in Islington.
Brian is Director of Sixth Form at Hackney New School.
Assistant Headteacher and Head of Mathematics
Mary Li
Mary read Economics and Management at Pembroke College, University of Oxford. She then completed a Teach First PGCE Programme and was graded as ‘outstanding’. Her interest in Economics resulted in her working as an Associate in Management Consulting at Price Waterhouse Cooper as well as completing a three week internship at Goldman Sachs in their Global Investment Research team.
Mary started her teaching at Parkwood Academy in Sheffield, quickly rising to Director of Mathematics. Mary had overall responsibility for whole school quality assurance leading to raising standards across the whole Academy.
Mary has a working knowledge of three additional languages and enjoys a range of sports including skiing, cycling and swimming.
SENCo
Jayne Voice
Jayne previously worked as second in Inclusion and a Music teacher at an Academy in Hertfordshire. She has taught Music up to A Level, the Princes Trust XL programme, the City and Guilds Employability and Personal Development Course, as well as teaching small intervention groups including the Penn Resilience Programme and directing the school’s production of ‘Our House’. Prior to specialising in SEN, Jayne was a Head of Learning for Year 7 and 8.
Jayne completed her PGCE in Secondary Music at the London Metropolitan University following her Music performance degree at the London College of Music and Media, Thames Valley University. In addition to this Jayne has completed a Masters in Education and more recently a National Award in Special Education Needs Coordination.
Jayne is also a Grade 8 vocalist (both with ABRSM and Rock School) and a Grade 6 Flautist.
Director of Music
Rachel Barnes
Rachel Barnes has been a Head of Music for seven years and has taught secondary music (at key stages 3, 4 and 5) for nine years in mixed ability state schools in outer London. She is passionate about developing literacy and PLTS (personal, learning, and thinking skills) through music, as well as enthusing students about creative composition, performance, and improvisation. She is a mentor on the Music Mark Peer-to-Peer scheme, supporting other London music teachers in planning and delivering KS3 Music.
Rachel is a professional recorder player who has specialised in the performance of contemporary music: she has commissioned and premiered new works by young British composers. After reading Music at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Rachel studied the recorder at Utrechts Conservatorium, and then completed a Masters in Music (in Performance and Related Studies) at Goldsmiths College, University of London.
Head of English
Minu Joshi
Minu was the former Deputy Head of English and Key Stage 4 Coordinator at an inner city state school in London. She was educated at Soar Valley Community College and Queen Elizabeth I College in Leicester. As an undergraduate, she studied English at Brunel University West London where she also trained as a teacher.
Minu led on promoting literacy and arousing a passion for reading by organising and implementing the Readathon across Key Stage 3, whereby students were sponsored money for the amount of pages they read. She helped to raise £1500 for the CLIC Sargent, Readwell and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charities.
She very much enjoys painting and has auctioned canvases to raise money for charity.
Head of Science
Claire McNally
Claire achieved a First Class Honours degree in Natural Sciences from Trinity College Dublin. She trained as a teacher through the Teach First programme and worked in an Outstanding Academy in Essex.
Claire is passionate about promoting STEM subjects and careers. She previously volunteered for the Ulster Wildlife Trust, running workshops for children in the Ulster museum in Belfast. Claire is an avid traveller and has spent time working and living abroad; she spent a year working with street children in Bolivia and has taught English and Science in Thailand.
Head of PE
Steve Darragh
Steve gained a Bachelor of Education, majoring in Secondary Health and Physical Education at the University of Canberra, Australia. He also studied additional units in Science and Psychology. He has been teaching in a wide variety of schools and colleges for the last 10 years most recently South Thames College, Merton.
Steve is also a qualified and experienced Science teacher, spending much of his teaching career as both a PE and Science teacher.
Steve’s sporting philosophy is about experiencing a wide range of activities, and this is reflected in his own sporting background which includes rugby, cricket, basketball, tennis, athletics, swimming, triathlon and handball amongst many other sports.
Head of Art Department
Amy Birchard
Amy Birchard is thrilled to be working with a truly creative team at Hackney New School. The Art and Design staff have skills in Graphic Design, Visual Communication,Textiles and Photography. Her own specialism is in Fine Art, Painting and Printmaking. Amy graduated with a First Class Honours with Distinction in Fine Art from Glasgow School of Art and gained her Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Glasgow.Amy has taught in various European cities, including Madrid, Rome and Milan. Experiencing different cultures and meeting other creative individuals has inspired her work and prompted her to oversee community projects and exhibitions. Problem solving, lateral thinking, empathy, collaborative working and innovation are all fostered in the Art projects and courses. The Art Department strive to prepare HNS students to lead diverse and interesting lives in the future.
Subject Leader of Core Studies
Amy Capelo
Amy gained a joint honours Bachelors degree in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Nottingham. Before embarking on the TeachFirst program in London. Amy is driven to ensure that every student is equipped with the social and academic skills to engage fully with modern society. She is keen to help students develop responsibility, resilience and independence. She also uses her links within the charity sector to provide engaging extracurricular provision.
More Staff
For a full list of all staff, please click on the link below.