Teaching Staff
Dr Julia Cushnir BSc (Hons), PhD, QTS
Dr Cushnir holds a PhD in Chemistry from the Institute of Cancer Research at the University of London and a BSc (Hons) from the University of Birmingham. She undertook research for several years with the Nobel Prize winning scientist Sir James Black and she has published widely in academic journals. She also worked at Imperial Healthcare trust where the main focus of her research was the analysis of compounds in breath as tell-tale markers for certain types of cancer. Dr Cushnir began tutoring science and mathematics after the birth of her first child in 1999 and subsequently obtained Qualified Teaching Status in 2004. She taught in several secondary school prior to joining David Game College in 2012 where she teaches chemistry at GCSE and A-level and was recently appointed Head of Sixth Form. Dr Cushnir delights in seeing her students develop their understanding and appreciation of chemistry, a subject which she has always loved.
Lisa Byrne - Photography
Lisa Byrne graduated with a Masters in Photography from the Royal College of Art in 2007. She has a teaching qualification from the University of Greenwich and a Fine Art degree from Middlesex University. Lisa Byrne has lectured in Fine Art and Photography over the last twelve years, teaching on degree, foundation and photography A level courses. Ms Byrne is dedicated to getting the best out of her students in a structured and enjoyable manner. Maintaining her own art practice, Lisa Byrne has exhibited internationally including a recent exhibition in the Guggenheim museums worldwide for their inaugural "Biennial of Creative Video". Her work is held in a number of collections and has been exhibited at international art fairs. Ms Byrne says: "My art practice informs my teaching and my students benefit greatly from this."
Sarah Leaderman BA, MA & PGCE - Art
Sarah Lederman holds a BA in Fine arts from Chelsea College of Art and an MA in Fine Art from Goldsmiths University. She has exhibited widely both in London and internationally, including in New York, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Los Angeles. Sarah has shown alongside Tracey Emin and Cecily Brown. She Won the Catlin Art Prize and was included in the Griffin Art Prize. Her work is held in numerous Private and Public Collections internationally.
Simon Moore BA, PGCE - English
With a BA in English Literature from Durham University and a PGCE from Oxford, Simon Moore has more than twenty years’ teaching experience, mainly in tutorial colleges. Mr Moore finds that his students learn best in a friendly and relaxed environment and he places great emphasis on group discussion and on essay-writing practice. Simon Moore believes that the study of English Literature is so worthwhile because it involves discussion not only of books, but of ideas. Ultimately, it leads students to engage not only with their set texts but with the wider world.
Dr Daniel Pooley PhD - Physics
Dr Pooley holds undergraduate and doctoral degrees in Physics from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, where his research focused on the spectroscopic and photometric monitoring of star constellations. Prior to joining David Game in 2004, Dr Pooley worked as a private tutor and a visiting lecturer at the Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela. He is a keen astronomer, a Member of the Hampstead Scientific Society and a proficient web developer, skilled in a range of programming languages including C, Java and Fortran. Dr Pooley emphasises the experimental side of physics, which helps reinforce the theoretical side of the subject. His classes are always dynamic and engaging. Dr Pooley advises students on their university choices in physics and related subjects.
Monica Romero BA, MA, PG Dip (Translation) - Modern Foreign Languages
Originally from Barcelona, Monica Romero is a qualified translator and has over fifteen years’ experience of teaching and translation. Fluent in English, Spanish and Catalan, she holds an MA in Applied Linguistics and is a Chartered Linguist and member of both the Institute of Travel and Tourism and the ASELE, the international association of Spanish teachers. Monica has taught at David Game since 2005 and is currently Head of Modern Foreign Languages, specialising in GCSE and A Level teaching. She is an advocate of active learning, using interactive classroom methods such as role-play and debate as well as multimedia teaching materials to ensure that students engage with topics and work consistently to improve their written and spoken command of language. She believes strongly that culture and language are inextricably linked and that complete understanding of a language cannot be achieved without a thorough knowledge of the culture from which it springs. Monica therefore seeks to instil in her students a keen grasp and appreciation of Spanish-speaking nations and cultures.
Matthew Sherman BSc, MSc, PGCE – Economics
Matthew Sherman holds a BSc in Economics from Queen Mary College, University of London, an MSc in Resource and Environmental Economics from University College, London and a PGCE from the Institute of Education. He has been with the College for more than ten years, having previously taught at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet, which is regularly one of the best performing state schools in the country at A level. In addition to his role at David Game, Mr Sherman has provided independent one-to-one tutoring for Oxbridge candidates. A friendly and popular teacher, he believes that academic success in his subject is best achieved through a firm understanding of basic economic principles and of economic and cultural history. Mr Sherman has high expectations of his students, and encourages them to read widely and intelligently on economic topics outside class, an approach which yields outstanding results. Economics students perform consistently well at David Game College and in recent years Mr Sherman’s courses have achieved virtually a 100% pass rate.
Dr Peter Stanley PhD - Chemistry and Biology
Dr Stanley holds a PhD in Biochemistry from University College London, an MSc in Pharmacology from Kings College and a Bachelors degree from Queen Mary, University of London. He lectured for several years at UCL and St George’s Medical School before joining the teaching staff of David Game in 1995 and has published widely in academic journals and the scientific press, with many of his articles written specifically for A Level Chemistry and Biology students. Dr Stanley is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Biochemical Society and the Society of Biology, and has conducted extensive research into coronary heart disease and human metabolism. As a teacher of Biology and Chemistry at David Game, Dr Stanley is keen to help his students draw connections between scientific concepts and to identify patterns between topics and across the scientific curriculum. He provides tailored tuition to students preparing to sit the BMAT and GAMSAT examinations and frequently conducts mock interviews with students applying for Medicine. Dr Stanley also acts as an internal examiner for the College’s University Foundation Programme and continues to pursue research in the field of astrobiology.
Zameer ul-Hassan MSc – Mathematics
A graduate of the prestigious University of the Punjab’s Centre for Advanced Studies in Pure and Applied Mathematics, Zameer ul-Hassan has twenty years of teaching experience. He worked for several years as Head of Papworth House at Karachi Grammar School, Pakistan’s leading independent institution, and has been with David Game since 2005. As a tutor, Mr ul-Hassan teaches his students to understand mathematical concepts and principles rather than simply how to solve equations and “do maths.” Motivated by a deep knowledge of and appreciation for his subject, Mr ul-Hassan inspires his students to perform consistently well in tests and examinations, with many going on to study at Oxbridge, Imperial College and the London School of Economics. Mr ul-Hassan is committed to the refinement of those teaching techniques which most benefit his students. Their success is his, and he is as proud of their academic achievements as he is of his own.
