Erica Pienaar has had a long career in education and was appointed a Dame for her services to education in the 2014 Queen’s birthday honours list.
Until her retirement in September 2013, she was Executive Head Teacher of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools. The Federation was established in September 2008 in Lewisham and comprises three schools: Prendergast-Hilly Fields College, Prendergast-Ladywell Fields College and Prendergast-Vale College. The federation is led by a single governing body.
She began her career as a Science Teacher in 1973 and taught for 41 years in South East London. She was the Head Teacher of Prendergast School (Hilly Fields) from 1998 to 2008.
She continues to work with schools in Bromley and Southwark as a governor.