Leadership Team

Nick Butler - Principal (Sabbatical)

Nick Butler has been Principal of Saint Gabriel’s since September 2014. 

Prior to this, he had a series of senior leadership roles in London schools including Interim head teacher of Battersea Park School; Interim head teacher of Quintin Kynaston School, acting head teacher of St Michael and All Angels Academy and assistant head teacher at Chestnut Grove school, which his own three children attended. 

In October 2018, Nick was delighted to be leading Saint Gabriel’s when we moved into our new school building on Langton Road.  A short time after this, SGC was inspected by Ofsted and found to be good in all areas and outstanding for the personal development and welfare of its students.

Josephine Okokon - Interim Principal 

Ms Okokon is an experienced Principal with a successful track record as a Head Teacher over the last 8 years in 3 Schools within 3 local boroughs. Most recently she was Headteacher at St Martin- in- the- Fields, which she successfully led until it closed at the end of the Summer Term 2024.

Ms Okokon has 5 years’ experience at Executive level dealing with Government Ministers, Local Authority Directors, Diocesan Directors, and strategic leaders in DFE and FSFA. For the last 4 years she has been a Trustee of a Multi Academy Trust.

Ms Okokon adopts a creative approach to problem solving and has been involved in a number of different strategic projects to deliver significant change programmes to bring about changes needed, including cultural change and to introduce stability.  She has also been involved in Finance projects to address critical challenges within the schools that she has worked.

She has a reputation as a strong leader, who proactively promotes positive, effective, and collaborative working relationships within schools. Her personal Leadership Style is built on the coaching and empowerment of those within teams to lead effectively. She has proven herself as an inspirational leader.

Also known for her infectious positivity, she builds constructive relationships with students, staff, parents, carers, and Governors. She is excited about joining St Gabriel’s College and contributing to our future. Her own personal values align with our values and our Christian ethos. She is passionate about creating opportunity for all of our students and to ensuring that “We will all fulfil our unique God given potential".

Kathryn Almond - Vice Principal, Achievement

Kathy Almond is the Vice Principal for Achievement. She leads the work of the Senior Leadership Achievement Team, responsible for the outcomes of students in all year groups. This includes curriculum, exams, enrichment and teaching and learning across the school.

Kathy joined Saint Gabriel's College (as Charles Edward Brooke School) in 1999 as a modern languages teacher, and still thoroughly enjoys teaching French and finds working in such a linguistically rich community very rewarding.

Bradley Cornish - Vice Principal , Behaviour and Inclusion

Bradley Cornish started his employment at Saint Gabriel's College in September 2002. Before joining the leadership team in 2016 as Assistant Principal for KS3 achievement, he was the head of the English Faculty.

Bradley has always been passionate about improving the outcomes of our students and a key aspect of his role is to provide KS3 students with the skills necessary to make outstanding progress so that they are well prepared for KS4.

He is also responsible for ensuring that students have a smooth transition from primary to secondary school so that they have a successful start at SGC. 

Bethan Tanner - Assistant Principal, Inclusion

Bethan Tanner is the Assistant Principal for Inclusion and serves as the strategic lead for promoting an inclusive and supportive educational environment. In her role, she oversees the development and implementation of policies and practices that ensure all students have equal access to learning opportunities, support, and enrichment programs tailored to their needs.

Bethan joined Saint Gabriel's College in September 2012 and brings extensive experience from her previous role as Head of Science, a position she held until 2018. She is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community where every student can thrive and succeed.

Nikhil Shah - Assistant Principal, KS4 Achievement

Nikhil Shah is the Assistant Principal for KS4 Achievement. He joined the school as a Mathematics teacher in September 2020. Since, he has led the Humanities Faculty and the Challenge Ambassadors programme focussing on raising the profile of Humanities subjects and encouraging aspiration, ambition and scholarship in the school's highest attaining students. Now, he focusses on ensuring our KS4 students leave the school with the grades that they deserve and which they will be able to carry forward with pride when they apply for competitive Sixth Forms and Colleges and indeed universities and jobs in their futures. He also leads on the SGC Way, through which he is hoping to ensure that our students have the very highest behavioural expectations for themselves so that they are able to flourish into happy and successful adults. Outside of school, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the theatre, learning languages, and travelling!

Samantha Bowden - Assistant Principal, KS3 Achievement

Samantha Bowden is the Assistant Principal for KS3 Achievement. She joined the school as the PSHCE and Religious Studies Lead in September 2023. With a deep commitment to helping all students succeed, she is dedicated to supporting and guiding them as they develop strong habits to achieve their academic and God-given potential in Years 7 to 9.  Samantha cares about the well-being of each student and works tirelessly to help them thrive. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising, walking her dog, and exploring new countries.

Hazel Rzeznik - Assistant Principal, Teaching & Learning

 Hazel Rzeznik serves as the Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning at Saint Gabriel's College and joined the school back in 2017 as a science teacher. With a background in classroom teaching and a range of leadership roles, she is passionate about enhancing student achievement through innovative teaching practices and curriculum development.

David Toyloco - Assistant Principal, Curriculum 

David Toyloco started his employment at Saint Gabriel's College in September 2015. Previously, David has worked in two other London schools as well as a school in Skipton, North Yorkshire.  Before joining the leadership team in February 2023 as Assistant Principal for Curriculum (maternity cover for Ms Tanner), he was the head of the Science Faculty from April 2018.

David also holds responsibility for overseeing whole school timetabling. Outside of school, David enjoys spending time with his family. 

Ms King - Assistant Principal, SEND

Ms King is the Assistant Principal for SEND and our external provision EBEC. Miss King joined Saint Gabriel’s College in 2014. Since joining, she has held a number of positions of responsibility including Head of Blue Learning Community and Behaviour and Improvement Coordinator. 

She is a keen believer in lifelong learning and has continued to pursue such achieving an MA in Education. Ms King creates and maintains an environment which promotes and secures good teaching, effective learning, high standards of achievement, good behaviour and discipline to ensure that all students achieve their best. 

Natasha Fox - Assistant Principal, Careers and Literacy

Natasha has taught at a number of schools in London, and was part of the leadership team at ATS, where she led on teaching and learning, reading, literacy, transition, teacher training and careers. 

Natasha also works with Kings College London supporting the lecture programme for PGCE students. Natasha is also a qualified swim coach and coaches swimming outside of school.   

Vinay Gupta - School Business Manager

Vinay Gupta is the School Business Manager. He is responsible for finance, premises, catering, IT, HR and website for the school.  He also runs the Student Council.  Vinay has worked with Saint Gabriel's College since Jan 2015 and previously worked as a corporate banker in the City of London.

Outside of work, Vinay passionately follows the exploits of the Indian cricket team and mentors for a charity which supports refugees.

Fr Alan - School Chaplain

Fr Alan moved to London in May 2024 to become the full-time chaplain of SGC after being a parish priest in Newcastle for 14 years. Before this he spent over twenty years living and working on housing estates in Glasgow and Birmingham where he set up and ran youth projects for local young people.

Fr Alan’s main role at the school is ministering to both students and staff by caring for their spiritual and pastoral needs. Another role is to develop community links with others schools and community groups. He believes strongly in the vision of the school: that every child should be valued and encouraged to fulfil their God-given potential. 

Despite leaving Newcastle he remains an ardent Toon fan (Newcastle United)!