Senior LEADERSHIP Team
We have an experienced and dynamic senior leadership team, with strategic direction provided by our Interim Managing Director, Dr James Waite.
David Beezadhur
HeadTeacher
David joined FBS in 2025, bringing extensive teaching and leadership experience in both mainstream and special schools. A qualified teacher with two postgraduate degrees, David has previously served as a member of the leadership team in a special school, where he led on the development of high-quality provision for pupils with autism and especially complex communication needs.
Cassie Thomas
Admission & Partnership Manager
Cassie leads on referrals, admissions and partnerships. She is a qualified teacher with extensive experience in SEND. She previously worked for a Local Authority, writing EHCPs and securing placements.
Mikaela Green
Director OF THERAPY
Mikaela is a founding member of FBS, and has worked at First Bridge Group since 2021. She is a highly-experienced BCBA®, having served for four years on the Board of the UK Society for Behaviour Analysis (UK-SBA). Mikaela has extensive experience in multi and interdisciplinary working, and supporting families with all aspects of Education, Health and Care Plan acquisition and maintenance.
Bash Nawaz
People Strategy Manager
Bash leads on recruitment, retention and workforce strategy. He partners closely with the school’s leaders to translate organisational goals into effective people strategy, ensuring we have, and keep, a productive, effective and happy team.
Andreea Istrate
HEAD OF THERAPY
Andreea is a founding member of FBS, having worked at First Bridge Group since 2021. She is a BCBA®. Andreea trained at another special school for pupils with autism in London and has worked in the field since 2014 in various settings and with differently able children.
DR Sigmund Eldevik
External research director
Dr Eldevik is First Bridge School’s external research director. He is a clinical psychologist, a BCBA-D®, and an Associate Professor at Oslo Metropolitan University. Dr Eldevik leads worldwide research in the field of behaviour analysis.
MIDDLE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Sharon Chung
THERAPY PROGRAMME Supervisor
Sharon joined First Bridge in 2020 and currently leads Battersea Bridge class. She holds a Master’s degree in Child Development from UCL, along with a postgraduate qualification in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Florida Tech.
Jocanne Nichols
THERAPY PROGRAMME Supervisor
Jocanne joined First Bridge in 2020 and leads Chelsea Bridge class. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Bangor University.
Georgia Hooker
THERAPY PROGRAMME Supervisor
Georgia joined First Bridge in 2022 and leads Albert Bridge class. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a postgraduate qualification in Applied Behaviour Analysis from the University of Kent.
Shriya Phatak
THERAPY PROGRAMME Supervisor
Shriya joined First Bridge in 2022 and leads Hammersmith Bridge class. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Applications of Psychology from Kingston University, as well as a Postgraduate qualification in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Florida Tech.
James munro
THERAPY PROGRAMME Supervisor
James joined First Bridge in 2022 and supports the Hammersmith Bridge team. He holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis from Bangor University.
proprietor body
First Bridge School’s proprietor body is First Bridge Group Limited which is chaired by Aleksandra (Sasha) Zerkalova who is contactable in writing at First Bridge School, Station Court, Imperial Wharf, London SW6 2PY; or by phone on 020 3301 3985.
“We support each other in the same way that we support our children. There’s a real element of working together as a team to make sure that we get the best outcomes for the children.”