As a small school with up to 67 pupils, we specialise in creating a friendly, nurturing environment, where each child can grow and progress, not only educationally, but also socially and emotionally. A key part of the school's ethos is the emphasis on small class sizes with classes typically consisting of around 6 pupils, allowing greater interaction between students and teachers, as well as catering for the specific needs of the pupil. Currently the school has around 60 pupils on roll. Most of the pupils have a Statement of Special Needs or an EHCP, but some are privately funded. Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy is provided on site and integrated into the lessons, as well as being offered on a 1:1 basis. We also have a school counsellor.

Although the school is in Surrey, pupils usually come from at least 10 different Local Educational Authorities, for example Kingston upon Thames, West Sussex and Hampshire.

Meet our Governors

Jim Cooke

My name is Jim Cooke.  I have been on the Board of Governors for three years and I am currently the  Chairman of the Board.  My role is to coordinate the activities of the Board and, together with Dr Govender, oversee the smooth running of the school.   I take the lead in recruitment of staff and the interview process.I am in school all day every Friday.  This gives me the opportunity to meet the students, be available for staff to discuss issues and for parents to meet me.  After a long career in education I am always impressed by the dedication of the staff and the calm, polite and purposeful way the students at Knowl Hill conduct themselves.One of the most enjoyable aspects of my role is having the opportunity to be involved in the reading programme and to work one to one as a tutor in Reading and Maths.I attend as many of the fundraising events as I can and am pleased to be able to take part in celebrating all the successes of your children. I feel it is a great privilege to work alongside Dr Govender to support his vision and ambition for all your children.You can contact me at any time with concerns, suggestions and compliments.

Nora Leggett

I am delighted to join the Board.  After graduating with a Combined Arts Degree (English, French & German), I joined Hertz UK's graduate training scheme and settled into a general management career lasting over 40 years in the automotive sector.  As a chartered member of the Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD), I have held various operational roles in my career with HR and learning and development specialisms at their core.   Supporting young people so that they benefit from the tailored education offered at Knowl Hill School is my ambition but also that they see enacted in practice the solid principles of fairness, opportunity, tolerance and respect for difference - important social values that are increasingly important in the world of work.  I have built a sound network throughout my professional life and I look forward to serving on the Board and adding value wherever I can.   

Reading with students on an individual and group basis is one of the highlights of my week and I thoroughly enjoy my Friday morning visits to the school.  Professionally, I have considerable experience in running a not-for-profit organisation and, recently retired, I now take an active role in business accounting for the Knowl Hill Foundation, and particularly the development of the new school campus at Bisley.  I am an active member of the KHS Finance committee where I have responsibility for researching grants from potential funders to help us with our expenditure on buildings and equipment.  To kit-out a single modern classroom with all the latest technology can cost anything up to £20,000 - so it is important that we try and secure funding and donations (monetary and equipment) from as many sources as we can.  So, if there is any parent or carer who would like to make a donation to us or who has contacts in IT and technology companies (e.g. servers, laptops, whiteboards, CCTV and other security applications) - I'd be delighted to hear from you.  You can contact me via the school office.