Head and Senior Leadership Team
Mr Paul Jensen B Ed, Grad Dip (SEBD), NPQH,
Head teacher
Mr Jensen started at Sunnydown in September 2014, having been a deputy at two previous schools – most recently at Clarendon School, a community special school in Richmond. He was drawn to the energy and warmth of Sunnydown and relishes the many challenges in maintaining this while ensuring the school continues to meet the increasing demands of providing quality education in the 21st Century. Mr Jensen enjoys all aspects of teaching and education and in his spare time likes to run. If he was not in education, his alternative career choices would be professional fisherman or wildlife photographer.
Mr Jez Lord BSc Hons, PGCE,
Deputy Head
Mr Lord started his teaching career in Physical Education before becoming a head of sixth form in Middlesex, then moving to Sunnydown. Here, his experience of mainstream education has been invaluable in his role handling the day-to-day running of the school. As a father of boys, an under-8s football team coach, and as one of three boys himself, working with the pupils at Sunnydown comes as second nature.
Mrs Jo Wermig M.Ed, BA (Hons), PGCE, NASENCO,
Assistant Head teacher/SENCO
Mrs Wermig joined Sunnydown in the summer term 2022. She has lived in the area most of her life and has mainly taught in London and Surrey. Having taught in both single-sexed and mixed schools and being a mother to four sons, it has given her a wealth of experience she hopes to bring to life at Sunnydown. She has over 25 years teaching experience both in primary and secondary schools and just over 15 years as a member of SLT, having previously held Headship roles. Her interest and passion in SEN and nuturing the needs of each individual with a variety of learning differences has grown over the years and has eventually led her to Sunnydown. She is so pleased to be part of the vibrant community and to share in the learning journeys of all our students. When she is not busy at school or at home, she likes to relax by spending time with close friends and family.
Mrs Helen Gower,
School Business Manager
Mrs Gower has worked at Sunnydown since 2019 and became the School Business Manager in November 2021. Helen has extensive experience in Finance and Risk Management within the banking and financial institutions sector where she spent 14 years working as an Associate Director of Credit and Senior Analyst. Helen has a passion for films and in her down time enjoys baking, with her speciality being a lemon drizzle.