Steering External Advisors 2025

Hong Zhou Deputy Head of Maths, Gifted & Talented Coordinator and Inspire Teacher Lead at the Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls

Originally born in China, Hong graduated with a degree in Environment Management from the University of Manchester. Her undergraduate dissertation was researching the the possible environmental impact of the largest hydroelectric dam in the world – the Three Gorges Dam in China.

After graduation, Hong was trained for a Secondary PGCE in Mathematics. Since then she has taught in both private and state secondary schools, including some in the most deprived areas outside London. She deeply believes that every individual, regardless of their background, ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic status, deserves access to high-quality education. Hong is a firm supporter for the St John's Inspire Programme, and she devotes her time promoting the programme to staff, students and parents within the school, as well as in the local communities.

Hong is also an advocator for promoting girls in chess. She has run numerous free chess tournaments to encourage primary and secondary girls to play chess.

Katherine Ryan, MBE Former Headteacher Matthew Arnold School, Oxford and CEO Acer Trust

Katherine brings a lifelong commitment to improving the quality of education for all learners and has a particular interest in successful progression and continued leaning for learners of all ages and backgrounds. She was Headteacher of Matthew Arnold School, Oxford from 2006 to 2021 during which times she worked to ensure that all learners had high levels of aspiration leading to success and progression to positive destinations when they left the school. From 2015 to 2022 she led the development of a Multi Academy Trust, the Acer Trust, consisting of primary and secondary schools across Oxfordshire, with a core aim of ‘Achieving Excellence for All’. Prior to taking up the Headship of Matthew Arnold School, she was the Principal Adviser for Secondary School Improvement at Birmingham City Council. Her career includes advisory work in science education and education leadership in three Local Authorities, as well as teaching in a range of comprehensive schools across Oxfordshire and the West Midlands. She has also worked in Higher Education as Science Education Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham.

Rachel Kruger Head Teacher, The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, Ealing

Rachel has taught in comprehensive schools both in the UK and in South Africa, twice in girls’ only schools, and is currently the head of The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing. She is passionate about girls’ only education. As a third generation university qualified female in her family, she works very hard to inspire girls to go to university and specifically into STEM careers. Her school has been part of the Inspire program for some time. At EWS, 90% of the Year 13 pupils go on to University, 25% to Russell Group universities and 40 % to follow STEM related courses. A significant number of the pupils are the first in their families to go to University. Rachel is a life-long learner with a very broad field of interests – she has degrees in Music, Maths, law and an MBA.

Susan Hammond Former Head Teacher, Whitmore High School, Harrow

After studying Natural Sciences and Chemical Engineering at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, Sue joined BP and worked in various engineering and commercial roles in the UK, Europe and the USA. Sue then moved into teaching and was headteacher of Whitmore High School in Harrow, an inclusive community school with 1800 pupils, for 19 years. Sue was also Chair of Harrow’s High School Headteachers Group and Schools Forum and is committed to ensuring all young people have fair and equal access to a high-quality education.

Shamim Tong - Solicitor St John’s Alumni

Shamim graduated with a degree in Jurisprudence from St. John's College, Oxford in 1997. She then qualified as a solicitor, worked at two of the largest law firms in London for over a decade, and then moved to California.

When Shamim was considering universities, there was no Inspire programme. The journey from inner-city Birmingham to Oxford was one that seemed inconceivable. However, Shamim’s teachers encouraged her to visit St. John's College on an open day. That visit was a turning point and she realised that Oxford University was a possibility for her. Shamim became the first person in her family to attend university. It is a privilege for Shamim to work with the Inspire Team to encourage the next generation to fulfil their potential.