- All
- Board of Trustees
- Designated Safeguarding Leads
- Inclusion
- Premises
- Reception
- Senior Leadership Team
- Support Staff
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
- Year 5
- Year 6
Helen Graff
Head Teacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead
Helen Graff is an exceptionally effective teacher and school leader of 30 years experience, with a distinctive and positive leadership style.
She joined Eden as Deputy Headteacher in February 2016 and worked alongside our founding Head Teacher for seven years, to develop the school from its early days into the flourishing primary school it is today.
Helen has extensive teaching experience across the complete primary age range and has held leading roles in all aspects of teaching, learning, assessment, and staff development. Helen previously worked at primary schools in Redbridge, Waltham Forest and Camden and was a Deputy Headteacher from 1998 – 2023.
She holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and a degree in English Literature from York University.
Helen’s vision for the next phase of Eden’s development is in line with that of our founding Headteacher and she is firmly committed to the Vision and inclusive Jewish ethos of Eden Primary.
Kate Caplan
Inclusion Lead/SENDCo, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Kate joined Eden in March 2023 as the Inclusion Lead/SENDCo and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. With a decade of teaching experience in both KS1 and KS2, she has served as a key stage lead, as well as leading the subjects of English, Maths, and Science.
She holds a degree in Classical Civilisation from Leeds University, and a PGCE at LSJS.
Kate is dedicated to creating a stimulating learning environment that fosters growth and empowers all students to reach their full potential. Kate is a Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
Deniz Ozturk
School Business Manager, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Deniz joined the school in December 2017 as the School Business Manager and as a member of the Senior Leadership Team. She has experience working in Secondary Schools including Fortismere School, where she had the role of Exams and Data Manager.
She has also worked at Southgate School and Highgate Wood School. Deniz holds a BA Hons in Business Administration and a Level 4 Diploma in School Business Management.
At Eden Deniz has particular responsibility for the organisation of the school to ensure best standards for teaching and learning, including budget management, facility management and administration.
Yifat Johnson
Assistant Head Teacher, Jewish Studies Lead
Yifat graduated from the School Direct programme as a qualified primary school teacher in the UK in July 2015. She is the full time Reception teacher.
Yifat started her work at Eden from the very first year at 2011 as a Teaching Assistant and Hebrew teacher in the Reception class.
She also has a Bachelor of Education from Seminar Hakibbutzim in Tel Aviv. Yifat also leads on Jewish Studies across the school and is the KS1 and EYFS Phase Leader.
Laura Proffitt
Assistant Head Teacher, Year 6 – Tmarim (Date Palms) Teacher
Laura has worked in Years 4, 5 and 6 at Eden Primary. She has a degree in Ancient History, a Masters in Classics, a PhD in Ancient History and Post Graduate Certificate of Education in Primary Education and English.
Previously she has worked as a lecturer and researcher and as a specialist in antiquities working in Auctioneering. She is responsible for the Humanities at Eden.
Martin Lubich
Senior Leader, Year 4 – Nitzanim (Buds) Teacher
Martin is an extremely experienced and successful class teacher who has worked extensively in the Foundation Stage and KS1, and has also taught children up to Year 6.
He has significant experience in School Leadership and Management and has been a Deputy Head and a Headteacher.
Martin has a degree in Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics, a PGCE with specialisation in Maths, and qualifications in School Leadership. He has a strong background in Judaism and Hebrew.
Justyna Krzychowiec
Reception - Garinim (Seeds) Teacher
Justyna has worked at Eden as a Teaching Assistant, SMSA and supporting children with SEN across the school since 2014 and s a Higher Teaching Assistant in Garinim (Reception).
Justyna is was previously training as a Teacher in Garinim (Reception) and is now a full time teacher. She has a BA in teaching English as a Foreign Language, a MA degree in Translation and a MSc in Management and Marketing.
Margaret Gajdamowicz
Year 1 - Shorashim (Roots) Teacher
Monica Cherrie
Year 2 - Shtillim (Seedlings) Teacher
Jess Randall
Year 3 - Anafim (Buds) Teacher
Malcolm Creighton
Year 5 - Prachim (Flowers) Teacher
Malcolm joined Eden as a supply teacher in September 2023 and became a permanent member of staff in January 2024. Prior to being a teacher, he had a variety of jobs primarily in sales and as an optician.
He gained a B.A. (Hons) in Humanities, PGCE with specialism in Science and Religious Education. Malcolm originally taught in Kingston-Upon-Hull, but for the last 20+ years has taught in Tottenham.
He has held a variety of roles within the schools and was a member of the Senior Leadership Teams for 15 years. He was also a representative on Haringey’s SACRE and a school governor for many years.
Malcolm retired from teaching in 2022 and undertook occasional days of supply work. However, the lure of Eden tempted him out of retirement.
Eli Abu
Hebrew Teacher
Eli Abu is Eden Primary’s Hebrew teacher and teaches all children from Reception to Year 6.
He joined Eden Primary in 2017 with a wealth of teaching experience, having worked at Rosh Pinah Primary school for 15 years, and before that at JFS (Formerly known as Jewish Free School).
Michelle Webb
Teacher - Currently on leave
Michelle joined Eden in September 2021. Michelle has a BSc (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies and a PGCE in Primary Education. She has experience of working with children and young people with Special Educational Needs, previously managing a Children’s Service within Norwood.
Michelle has many years of experience teaching across the primary ages and particularly in Early Years and KS1.
She enjoys engaging the children using creativity and active learning. She was a finalist for a PAJES Innovative Teacher Award in 2016. Michelle also gives of her time to a community charity as a trustee.
Ariel Shovavo
Shinshin
Grace Park
SEN Teaching Assistant
Grace joined Eden in 2017 and she supports children with SEN in Year 5.
She has worked as an Early Years professional in both Seoul, South Korea and London for 15 years.
She holds a BA degree in Early Childhood Education. Eden is her third experience of working in Jewish schools, she values the ethos of Jewish school education highly.
Azania Hammond-Dallas
Teaching Assistant, ELSA, After School Provision (ASP)
Azania joined Eden in March 2018, she works 1-1 as a TA and oversees the schools ELSA provision.
Eden is her first school setting, though she has 10 years experience working with children and young people with a range of ages and learning abilities, by using performing arts and media to engage, and express self and ideas.
Azania has always had a passion for working with young people and helping them to reach their highest ability.
She is currently working in Year 6 as a TA and across the whole school in her role as ELSA.
Lucie Chromkova
Higher Level Teaching Assistant, Breakfast Club
Lucie is a Higher Level Teaching Assistant at Eden, having previously worked as a volunteer reading and working with children in KS1. She currently works across the school as a general Teaching Assistant and PPA cover teacher. Lucie also leads Breakfast Club every morning.
Lucie has worked with children since she was 15, first as a summer camp leader in the Czech Republic and then as an au pair when she moved to the UK to study and work.
She is currently studying her final year of Psychology for Education at Birkbeck, University of London. She has also completed an introductory training in Adverse Childhood Experiences.Robert Silva
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Robert joined Eden School in September 2023 after temporarily stepping away from his role in the TV and Film industry, where he provided support to individuals with special needs for leading platforms such as Netflix and the BBC.
With a wealth of experience exceeding 15 years in various settings including SEN schools, colleges, 19+ Provisions, and care homes, Robert has also successfully managed businesses focusing on Respite services and Transitional Support services for students with diverse disabilities.
Presently, he serves as the school’s cover teacher, employing effective behavior management strategies to support our SEN students.
Lina Miteva
Finance and Admin Officer
Lina is our Finance and Administrative Assistant, providing support in school administration and finance, and working across the full range of administrative needs in the school.
She was previously an Admin volunteer at George Spicer Primary School. Lina has worked as a Systems and Operation Analyst at NYSE and as an Administrator at Lombard Risk Management and Gas Strategies Group.
Lina holds a Masters degree in IT and BSc in Economics and Computer Science.
Yeliz Ozturk
School Administrator
Yeliz joined the school in September 2023 as the School Administrator. She has also previous worked at Eden Primary as a volunteer Teaching Assistant in 2018.
She has experience working in Secondary Schools where she was conducting exams as a Exams Administrator. Yeliz holds a BSc in Photography & Digital Imaging, a Level 3 certificate in Forensic Science, and a Level 5 CELTA.
As well as assisting to the smooth running of the school, she also leads the pupil admissions for both In-Year and Reception.
Charlie Gungl
School Premises Manager
Charlie is our Premises Manager, he was previously senior security guard who has been working at Eden since 2011, before the school fully opened.
He comes from Hungary where he qualified as a book-keeper and security guard in 1995.
His wide ranging knowledge and experience is crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of the entire Eden community, children, staff, parents and other visitors.
Caterplus
Catering at Eden
Our lunches are provided by Caterplus, a national company who work with a number of Jewish schools.
They aim to ensure that all children have a healthy, satisfying and enjoyable lunch, served family style. Freshly cooked meals are provided every day, cooked on site and catering to all dietary requirements.
There are meat and vegetarian menus as well as additional bread, salad and fruit.
Steve Miller
Chair of Trustees, Community Trustee
Steve is an educator, social justice activist and community consultant. Founder of several organisations including Tzedek, the overseas development charity, and Restore Community Projects, a large furniture recycling project.
Steve has served as a director on numerous non-profit Boards, and also previously served as a Governor of a Haringey primary school. Steve has been active in the Jewish community over many years including running the Limmud festival in its early days.
He lives locally in Muswell Hill, is excited by the ethos and approach of Eden School and its strong community feel.
Sub-committees and Roles: Chair – Headteacher’s Support & Appraisal; Link for Safeguarding; Link for Jewish Education; other Committees Ex Officio
Dates of Service: 2015 – Present (Chair since October 2021)
Paul Dossett
Vice-Chair of Trustees, Community Trustee
Paul is a Governor of Eden Primary with a particular focus on finance. Paul is a partner at Grant Thornton and specializes in public sector work.
He is the Head of Local Government for the firm and is the partner responsible for the audit of the London Borough of Haringey. He has worked with public sector bodies for 36 years and has a particular focus on ensuring that there is proper governance over public funds.
Paul is keen to ensure the school maintains strong finances and strong financial controls.
Sub-committees and Roles: Audit Finance & Staffing (Chair), Headteacher’s Support & Appraisal
Dates of Service: 2012 – Present
Celia Newman
Elected Parent Trustee
Celia will have had three children journey through Eden Primary by the time she leaves the community. She was chair of the Eden Parent Group for two years, helping to raise much needed funds for the school and building on the strong, vibrant and supportive community that members enjoy.
Professionally she hails from the world of education and, as a Management Consultant, was Project Manager for the government’s student listening body. She has taught at Primary, Secondary and Tertiary level, and currently teaches English part-time at Immanuel College.
Celia has a Masters from Oxford University, which she attended on a full academic scholarship, and a BA Hons from the University of Sydney and University of California, Los Angeles.
Sub-committees and Roles: Achievement; Admissions; Link for English/Literacy
Dates of Service: 2021 – Present
Amelia Lasserson
Co-opted Trustee
Amelia trained at Roehampton Institute and went on to teach in primary schools both in the UK and abroad.
She is now the Head Teacher of an Outstanding nursery school in Hampstead where she is passionate about offering an inspiring Early Years Education. She also enjoys helping parents and other professionals to do the same.
Amelia is a dedicated hispanophile, having made Madrid home for a while and enjoys finding budget ski holidays to indulge another passion.
Sub-Committees: Achievement (Chair)
Dates of Service: 2019 – Present
Simone G Newton
Trustee
Simone is a senior corporate/commercial solicitor currently heading up a Legal & Compliance function for an international insurance organisation in the City of London. She lives in North West London with her husband and two children.
Simone is very keen to support schools which encourage an open-minded approach to multiculturalism and respect of faiths through education, which is an important part of developing a child’s outlook and approach to life going forward.
She thinks this is a great asset here at Eden Primary.
Sub-committees and Roles: Achievement; Link for Mental Wellbeing
Dates of Service: 2022 – Present
Brian Lerner
Trustee
Brian has spent virtually his entire career working in international finance and has lived in Canada, the US and Thailand. He has recently retired as Chairman of the Structured Finance Advisory team at Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, where he led a team responsible advising major international corporations and infrastructure funds on raising finance for energy and infrastructure projects in a wide variety of geographies including Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the Americas and Asia Pacific.
Brian holds an MA from St John’s College Cambridge in Natural Sciences and an MSc (Econ) from the London Graduate School of Business Studies. Brian lectures annually to Master’s degree students at the Cass Business School, London.
Brian has a strong interest in Jewish culture and is engaged with his wife Marlène in restoring a synagogue in Morocco to be used as a museum of Jewish life in and around El Jadida on the Atlantic coast of Morocco.
Sub-committees and Roles: Audit, Finance and Staffing; Link for Premises/Health & Safety; Link for Science
Dates of Service: 2020 – Present
Matt Halfin
Parent Elected Trustee
Matt is a career educator and coach in Higher Education with a significant focus on maximising the social mobility of ethnic minority students. Alongside this he runs leadership and career coaching business Unstoppable! empowering those in midlife to reinvent and re-energise their careers.
He is Secretary of the Creative Industries Task Group for the Association of Career Guidance Professionals and is a member of the Career Development Institute. Prior to transitioning into this work he held senior marketing roles in media, tech and social enterprise specialising in service innovation and strategic partnerships.
Together with wife George he has two larger than life Eden children (one now at Archer) and is passionate about the unique education and community Eden provides.
Sub-committees and Roles: Parent Elected Trustee
Dates of Service: 2024 – Present