Our Trustees
Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (formerly Lancaster Steiner School) is a charitable company limited by guarantee. It is governed by the Board of Trustees who work closely with the Educational Co-ordinator and the School Manager to enable delivery of a high quality education to the pupils of our school.
You can contact the Board of Trustees in the following ways:
Email the Chair of Trustees: gabi@lisal.school
Tel: 01524 381876
By post: Chair of the Board of Trustees, Lancaster Independent School for Alternative Learning (formerly Lancaster Steiner School), Lune Road, Lancaster LA1 5QU
Gabriella Cani
Finance, Strategy and Business Planning, Marketing
As a Chartered Accountant with two decades of of experience in finance she is highly qualified for this role. She brings with her extensive experience in commercial and business partnering, operational finance and accounting within large organisations. She has worked in a procurement and financial transactional services outsourcing environment across a portfolio of 6 blue chip customers (including the aerospace, banking, retail and manufacturing sectors). Since 2009 Gabi has held the post of Director and Company Secretary in CHEK Institute. She also contributes her experience in strategic development, leadership, team management and performance monitoring to the Board.
Gabi joined the Board of Trustees in 2019.
Shabnam Cadwallender
Management Team, Quality of Education, Inclusion and Complaints
Shabnam is an experienced leader in the Primary and Early Years sectors. She recently set up Dewdrop Education and offers educational consultancy across the UK. Previously, she held the post of Head Teacher at Caton Community Primary School for 10 years, building on a further 10 years experience in the North East as a Deputy Head Teacher and SENCo. She graduated from the University of Sunderland with a BA(Hons) in Primary Education and holds a NPQH in Educational Leadership and Administration from the National College of School Leadership. She is also currently studying for a degree in Interior Design. Her son has been at LSS for 18 months and is in our T1 class.
Shabnam joined the Board of Trustees in 2018.
Maialen Galarraga Gallastegui
Safeguarding, Equality
After many years in academia studying Philosophy, the enrolment of her children at school led her to take an interest in Early Years and Primary education. Maialen set up a childminding service in 2019 in which she focuses on Montessori education and has recently partnered with a fellow Montessorian to extend her provision. She is currently completing her studies in Early Years and Primary Montessori education. Maialen is excited to give her third child the opportunity of a gentle and child-led style of education at the Steiner school after a very positive experience in Kindergarten. Her role as a Safeguarding trustee at the school is part of this same journey on which Maialen is helping to provide children with the conditions to flourish in a safe and kind environment.
Maialen joined the Board of Trustees in 2021.
Dave Barton
Health & Safety, Premises, Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship
Dave has completed a 26 year career as an occupational therapist, mainly in the NHS with adults with learning disabilities. This included activity for learning as well as for therapy, some managerial roles, service development, and linking with schools for transition out of the school environment. Dave also spent many years on building sites, in factories and is a trained electrician.Forty-seven years ago he developed a deep interest Rudolf Steiner’s understanding of human nature and this continues with a weekly study group and other activities. For 47 years Dave maintained a deep interest in Steiner’s understanding of human nature. Learning is life-long for Dave as he is now completing a PhD in health research. Dave’s two sons are grown up, one training to be a teacher the other working in employment for people with disabilities.
Dave joined the Board of Trustees in 2018.