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Council of Governors

Chair of Governors

Mr Tom Cross Brown, MA (Oxon), MBA (Insead), retired after a career in the City mostly with Lazard Brothers. He has sat on several public and private company Boards, and is currently non-executive Chairman of XPS Pensions Group plc.

Members

Rt. Rev. Dr Jonathan Baker, Bishop of Fulham, MA, MPhil (Oxon), Dip Theology, was Curate of All Saints, Ascot and Vicar of Holy Trinity Reading. He was Principal of Pusey House, Oxford and a Fellow of St Cross College from 2003-13. In 2013, he became Bishop of Fulham in the Diocese of London, and is also the Vicar of the Guild Church of St Andrew, Holborn. He is responsible for the provision of Higher Education chaplaincy in the London diocese.  Jonathan is a member of the Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee.

Mrs Suzie Cullen, BA (Southampton), is a former Heathfield pupil. Suzie has over 25 years experience in PR for luxury lifestyle brands. She was Deputy MD at leading London PR agency Halpern, working with the agency for 20 years before going freelance. Suzie is a member of the Marketing, Admissions and Development sub-committee.

Mr Guy Egerton-Smith, FRICS, (Chartered Surveyor), is married to a former Heathfield pupil and is a former Heathfiled parent. Guy is a retired former Director of international property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle, having previously been a Partner then Director of DTZ.  He was a Governor of his daughters’ primary school.  He is a keen Real Tennis player, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) member, and spent a number of years on an MCC Sub-committee.  Guy is Chair of the Building sub-committee and a member of the Finance sub-committee.

Miss Charlotte Faber, BA (Newcastle), PGCE, is a former Heathfield pupil.  She was Headmistress of Garden House Girls’ School in London until 2017, where she worked for 12 years.  She now works as an IAPS mentor to new Heads, and is an educational consultant, offering both regulatory and schools advice in the independent sector.  She currently also works for RS Academics, on headship appointments.  Charlotte is Chair of the Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee.

Mr Robert Gregory, BSc Hons (Sussex), is a former Heathfield parent. He was HR Director at Grants of St James’s, Mirror Group Newspapers, Maxwell Communications Group and 3i Group plc. Following which he formed his own consultancy and purchased the former P&O national haulage business as equity partner and director.  Robert is Chairman of an Educational charity in India.

Mrs Karen Hurt is a former Heathfield pupil and present Chair of The Heathfield Fellowship.  Karen is a specialist events manager and customer liaison expert; she currently manages Customer Relations for the UK’s largest perfume distributor.  Karen has lived and worked in many countries around the world and speaks four languages fluently.

Mrs Anne Lynch, BA Hons (Exeter), PGCE, FRSA, is a modern and classical linguist, who has worked in UK Independent Schools as a teacher and senior leader for over 30 years. She has recently retired as Principal of The Royal School, Haslemere, Surrey, having been Deputy Head (Academic) at Worth School in West Sussex. She has lived abroad in both France and the USA, where she volunteered at the French Institute/Alliance Française in New York City. She is a Director of a French educational charity based in the Auvergne. Anne is a member of the Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee and the School’s Safeguarding Lead Governor.

Mr Steve Melcher, BA (Wesleyan University, Middletown Connecticut), has worked in the banking and insurance industry for 50 years and retired after being CEO of Eagle Star Insurance and Sun life of Canada. He currently is a non-executive on the boards of Allianz Reinsurance Dublin and Just Group PLC. He also currently acts as a coach and mentor for various senior executives in the London area as well as runs a mixed farm business in Surrey.  Steve is Chair of the Finance sub-committee.

The Hon Mrs Peter (Frances) Stanley DL is a former Heathfield pupil, former Heathfield parent and a current member of The Heathfield Fellowship committee as well as Chair of the Marketing, Admissions & Development sub-committee. Frances is also Director of Newmarket Racecourses. She and her husband breed thoroughbred horses on their stud farm.  Frances has been involved and led several fundraising and community projects raising funds for organisations including the National Horseracing Museum where she is a Trustee, the East Anglia Children’s Hospice and Breast Cancer Haven Trust.  Francis is also a Patron of VIVA (a local arts and community group) and Ambassador of the Children’s Hospital in Cambridge. Frances was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire in 2019.

Mrs Sally Tulk-Hart is a former Heathfield pupil, former Heathfield parent and current member of The Heathfield Fellowship committee. She was Chairman of the Heathfield Council between 1999 and 2005, Chairman of the Heathfield Parents’ Association and Chairman of the Heathfield Fundraising Board for the Swimming Pool.  Sally is a member of the Marketing, Admissions and Development sub-committee and Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee.

Rev. Canon Dr Philip Ursell, BA (Wales), MA (Oxon), is a former Fellow, Director of Studies and Chaplain of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and was until 2003 Principal of Pusey House, Oxford. He is now retired and previously held the post of Warden of Ascot Priory.

Address for correspondence:
The Chair of Governors
Heathfield School
London Road
Ascot
Berks
SL5 8BQ

Senior Leadership Team

Headmistress – Sarah Wilson, BSc Hons (Brunel), MA (Open), has a first-class degree in Secondary Education with Geography and Physical Education. Sarah was awarded the Bergman Osterberg award, a national award in recognition of her dissertation, as well as the Prydderch Williams Prize for Education by her university. Sarah has an MA in Educational Leadership and Management and has completed the University of Oxford Executive Leadership Programme at the Saïd Business School. She has a wealth of leadership experience in girls’ schools: prior to Heathfield, Sarah was Senior Deputy Head at a leading all through school in Oxfordshire, and was previously Director of Sport and Head of Year (Sixth Form) at St Helen and St Katharine, Abingdon. Sarah is also Chair of the GSA Sports and Wellness Committee.

Bursar and Clerk to the Governors – Rachel Frier, BSc Hons (Bristol), BFP, FCA, was appointed Bursar of Heathfield School in August 2015. Prior to this she was the Bursar at The Marist School in Sunninghill. Rachel started her career as an auditor for a Top 10 firm of accountants before moving into industry working for the UK head offices of several global corporations in various commercial and financial roles. Rachel volunteers as a Governor at a maintained secondary school in Guildford, Surrey.

Deputy Head (Academic) – David Mitchell, MEd (Buckingham), MA (Hull), MSc (York), BA Hons (Warwick), PGCE (UWE), has taught extensively in the state sector prior to moving to Heathfield School. Formerly an Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form at an outstanding school, David is very experienced in developing teaching, learning and pastoral care.

Deputy Head (Pastoral, Boarding & Wellbeing) and DSL – Rachel Whitton, BSc Hons & PGCE (Liverpool), started her career in Manchester and has since gained a wealth of experience working in numerous prestigious Independent Day and Boarding Schools prior to moving to Heathfield. Rachel is passionate about pastoral care and spent nine years as Head of Year 10 and 11 at Woldingham, monitoring pupils’ academic and holistic development. Rachel is an enthusiastic PE teacher, specialising in Lacrosse, Netball and Rounders whilst having considerable experience as an Academic PE teacher and moderator. Rachel volunteers as a Governor at a primary school in Surrey and takes the lead in Mental Health and Well Being.

Assistant Head (Sixth Form) – Jeremy Hart, MA (London), BA Hons (London), joined Heathfield School from Queen Margaret’s School near York, where he was Housemaster and Head of Year to the Lower Sixth girls. He is very familiar with the highs and lows of boarding school life, having started as a boarder at the age of 10 and having worked in boarding schools since 1990.

Director of Marketing & Admissions – Anna Morgan, MCIM, MIDM, joined Heathfield School in November 2015 from Notre Dame School in Cobham, Surrey where she was Director of Marketing & Admissions for 2 years. Prior to this Anna ran her own design, marketing and events company in London for 25 years working on a wide variety of projects for numerous blue chip companies.

Assistant Head (Co-curricular) – Wendy Reynolds, BEd Hons (Liverpool), attended a boarding school herself. After 9 years at Benenden she became Head of PE at St. Swithun’s School, Winchester, before moving on to Queen Anne’s to become Head of PE and Assistant Head Co-Curricular. She represented her country for 13 years as England goalkeeper and has also been awarded an Emeritus by the International Lacrosse governing body for her all-round contribution to lacrosse as a player, coach and umpire.

Director of Development – Emma Boryer, BSc Hons (Bristol), has the responsibility of securing philanthropic support for Heathfield School’s core priorities. Emma joined Heathfield from St Swithun’s where she managed the fundraising, alumnae relations and leadership programmes. Prior to working in educational fundraising she spent seventeen years in the British Army where she witnessed the transformational effect of education and realised her true calling.

Staff List

Academic Staff

Art & Textiles
* Mrs E Feilen, MA (Goldsmiths), BA Hons (ECA), PGCE (Cambridge), FCCT (Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching), Director of Creative Development
Miss H Smith, BA Hons (Aberystwyth), PGCE (Bath Spa), Art
Miss J Losq, MA (Courtauld Institute), BA Hons (Cambridge), BA Hons (UAL), PG Dip (Royal Academy of Art), RI, RWA, Art

Business
* Mrs G Kendall, BA Hons (Reading), PGCE (London), D&B Diploma in Credit and Financial Analysis, Teacher in Charge

Cookery
* Mrs M Blackburn, BEd Hons (Cardiff), Subject Leader
Mrs J Cottrell, Leiths School of Food & Wine Diploma, Leiths Cookery

Drama and Theatre Studies
* Mrs L Halcrow, BA Hons (London), PGCE (Central Sch of Speech & Drama), Director of Drama
Mrs M Powell, BA Hons (Oxford), Dip of Licentiate in Speech & Drama (London), Drama

Economics
Mrs J Uppal, BA Hons (Manchester), PGCE (London), Teacher in Charge

English
* Dr S Wragg, PhD (Oxford), MPhil (Cambridge), BA (Providence USA), PGCE (Buckingham) Subject Leader
Mrs S Southern, BA Hons (Hull), PGCE (York), English
Miss E Penner, BA Hons (Southampton), PGCE (Portsmouth), English
Mrs A Lewington, MA (USA), BA (USA), English

Geography
* Mrs L Worrall, BSc Hons (Kingston), PGCE (Kingston), Subject Leader
Miss C McSwiggan, MA (Dublin), BA Hons (Dublin), PGCE (Canterbury), Geography

History & Politics
* Dr C Bradshaw, PhD (St Andrew’s), MA (St Andrew’s), BA Hons (Exeter), PGCE (Gloucester), Subject Leader
Mr D Mitchell, MEd (Buckingham), MA (Hull), MSc (York), BA Hons (Warwick), PGCE (UWE), History & Politics
Mr J Hart, MA (London), BA Hons (London), History & Politics
Miss C McSwiggan, MA (Dublin), BA Hons (Dublin), PGCE (Canterbury), History

ICT
* Mrs R Millns, BA Joint Hons (Wales), Postgraduate Management Certificate (Wales), GTP (RBWM), Teacher of ICT, Careers & Outreach

Latin & Classical Civilisation
* Mr A Valner, MA (Nottingham), BA (Nottingham), PGCE (London), Subject Leader
*# Dr D Stobart, PhD (Cambridge), PGCE (Utrecht), Latin & Classical Civilisation, Teacher in Charge, Highly Able & Scholarship Coordinator

Mathematics
* Mr R Braganza, MA Hons (Loughborough), PGCE (London), Subject Leader
Mrs Z Benjamin, BSc Hons (Reading), PGCE (Bath), Mathematics
Mr J Doyle, BA (Canberra), Dip. Ed (Canberra), Mathematics
Miss K Johnson, Teaching Cert (Nottingham), Mathematics
Miss S Obhrai, BSc Hons (Manchester), PGCE (Greenwich)

Modern Foreign Languages
* Mr F Troublé, MA (Paris), PGCE (London), Bccomm (DUT de Commerce), MFL Co-ordinator
* Mrs A Pullen, BA Hons (Cordoba), Teacher in Charge – Spanish
Mrs F Rayner, MA (Strasbourg), PGCE (Oxford Brookes), French & Spanish

Music
* Mrs J Dance, BA Hons (Birmingham), PGCE (Birmingham), LRAM, Director of Music
Mrs K Jackson, MA Hons (Cambridge)

Photography
* Miss K White, BA Hons (Oxford Brookes), ABIPP, Subject Leader
Mr T Ridgway, BA Hons (Farnham), Photography

Physical Education
* Mrs C Ratcliffe, BA Hons (Southampton), PGCE (Hertfordshire), Director of Sport
Miss W Reynolds, BEd Hons (Liverpool), PE
Miss J Talbot, BPhysEd (Otago, NZ), PE
Mrs R Whitton, BSc Hons & PGCE (Liverpool), PE
Miss R Millard, BSc Hons & PGCE (Bucks), PE
Mrs G Glimmerveen, Equestrian
Mrs A Valner, BA (USA), Lacrosse

PSHE
* Mrs A Diaz, BA Hons (Open), Cert Ed (Cambridge), Teacher in Charge

Psychology
* Mrs R Oakley, MSc & BA Hons (Swansea), PGCE (Bristol), Teacher in Charge – Psychology, Co-ordinator of Positive Education

Religious Studies
* Ms K Oster, Fil. Mag. (Linkoping), PGCE (Cambridge), Subject Leader
Fr D Clues, BD Hons (London), Cert. Theol. (Oxon), PGCE (London), Religious Studies

Science
* Ms L Johnson, Head of Science, Teacher in Charge – Biology
* Mrs B Clench, BSc (USA), Secondary Education Certification (USA), Teacher in
Charge – Chemistry, Highly Able & Scholarship Coordinator – Maternity Leave
* Miss L Jones, BSc Hons (Hull), PGCE (Hull), Science
Miss C Wells, BSc Hons (Bath), PGCE (Exeter), Science
Mrs A Ellis, BEd (Bedford), Science
Dr P Spear, MBA (Durham), PhD (London), BSc Hons (Manchester), Physics
Dr J Jones, PhD (Nottingham), MSc (Nottingham), BEng (London), Science – Maternity Cover

ACADEMIC KEY
* Subject Leader / Teacher in Charge
# Highly Able Co-ordinator

Teaching & Learning Support

Spectrum (Learning Support & EFL)
* Mrs R Colley, BA Hons (Oxford Brookes), PGCE (Roehampton), SpLD Level 5, CPT3A, TEFL (London), SENCo
Mrs M Battleday, HLTA Maths, NOCN Speech and Language, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, SEN
Mrs A Jones, HLTA Maths, Diplome de Langues (Paris), SEN
Dr M Snow, PhD (London), MA Hons (Aberdeen), MSc (Robert Gordon), PGDip (Aberdeen), CELTA, FHEA, EFL

Teaching Support & Co-ordinators
Mrs M Butler, BA Hons (TVU), Photography Technician
Mrs G Glimmerveen, Equestrian Co-ordinator
Miss L Holloway, BA Hons (LCF), Designer in Residence
Mr N Lobo, BA Hons (UCL), Librarian & Careers Administrator
Mrs Nicki McGarvey, Examinations Database Officer
Mrs A Milner, HND (Ulster), BSc (Ulster), Senior Science Technician
Miss G Montant, ESOL International (Advanced) French Language Assistant
Miss P Pérez Domínguez, MA Hons (Granada), Spanish Language Assistant
Miss L Peryer, BA Hons (de Montfort), Art Technician
Mr T Ridgway, BA Hons (Farnham), Photography Technician
Mr I Whitehurst, BA (Surrey), Science Technician
Mr C Wyles, BA Hons (RCSSD), Theatre Technician

ACADEMIC KEY
* Subject Leader

Pastoral & Boarding

Pastoral
* Mrs R Whitton, BSc Hons & PGCE (Liverpool), Deputy Head (Pastoral & Boarding)
* Mr J Hart, MA (London), BA Hons (London), Assistant Head (Sixth Form)
Mrs A Ellis, Deputy Director of Sixth Form
Mr A Valner, MA (Nottingham), BA (Nottingham), PGCE (London), Assistant Head (Pastoral & Boarding)
Mrs L Worrall, BSc Hons (Kingston), PGCE (Kingston), Head of Year (Form I)
Mrs M Battleday, HLTA Maths, NOCN Speech and Language, ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Head of Year (Form II)
Miss J Talbot, BPhys Ed (Otago, NZ), Head of Year (Form III)
Miss K White, BA Hons (Oxford Brookes), ABIPP, Head of Year (Form IV)
Mr J Doyle, BA (Canberra), Dip. Ed (Canberra), Head of Year (Form V)
Miss L Jones, BSc Hons (Hull), PGCE (Hull), Head of House – Somerville
Miss C McSwiggan, MA (Dublin), BA Hons (Dublin), PGCE (Canterbury), Head of House – Seacole
Miss R Millard, BSc Hons & PGCE (Bucks), Head of House – de Valois
Mrs C Ratcliffe, BA Hons (Southampton), PGCE (Hertfordshire), Head of House – Austen

Boarding
* Mrs R Whitton, BSc Hons & PGCE (Liverpool), Deputy Head (Pastoral & Boarding)
* Mr J Hart, MA (London), BA Hons (London), Sixth Form Teaching Housemaster
* Mrs G Wakeford, MA (USC Australia), BA Hons (UWA Australia), Housemistress
* Miss F Gray, BA (Bath), Housemistress
Mrs J Liepa, BA Hons (London), PGCE (Middlesex), Deputy Housemistress
Miss S Broomfield, Deputy Housemistress
Mrs P Kerley, Deputy Housemistress
Miss S Crafer, NNEB, RSH, Day Girl Co-ordinator and Boarding Administrator
Miss P Corcoran, BA (Warwick), Deputy Housemistress
Miss E Cumming, BA (Exeter), Resident Graduate
Miss S Hoad, BA Hons (Manchester), Deputy Housemistress
Miss R Bristow, BSc Hons (Pretoria SA), Resident Graduate
Miss S Tebbs, BSc Hons (Swansea), Resident Sports Graduate
Miss C Brailsford, Conservatory Cert. (AMDA College of Performing Arts, USA) Resident Graduate
Miss C Hunter, BA Sports Management (NZ), Resident Graduate
Miss J Spooner, BA Sport & Exercise Management (Bath), Resident Graduate

Surgery
* Sister T Al-Rabee, RGN, Senior Nurse
Sister L Brazel, RGN, BSc Hons (London), Nurse
Sister B Gill, RGN, BSc Hons (London), Nurse

PASTORAL KEY
* Manager

Chaplain

Fr D Clues, BD Hons (London), Cert.Theol. (Oxon), PGCE (London), Chaplain

Support Staff

Administration
Mrs A Hoo, PA to the Headmistress
* Mrs C Bradberry, Administration Supervisor & PA to the Deputy Head (Academic)
Mrs D Emms, BA Hons (Derby), Administrator for Senior Team
Mrs D Chapman, School Administrator
Mrs S Bray, Receptionist & School Administrator

Bursary
* Mrs R Frier, BSc Hons (Bristol), BFP, FCA, Bursar and Clerk to the Governors
Mrs L Farrin, Deputy Bursar
Mrs D Davies, Accounts Administrator
Mrs V Boxhall, Accounts Administrator

Marketing & Admissions
* Ms A Morgan, MCIM, MIDM, Director of Marketing & Admissions
* Mrs I Hutchings, BSc Hons (Open), Head of Admissions
Ms E Massey, Marketing & Events Assistant
Ms J Woodhams, Admissions Assistant

Development
Mrs E Boryer, BSc Hons (Bristol), AMAC (Manchester), Cert SDL CMI (Manchester), Director of Development

IT Systems
Mr T Gardiner, Senior IT Technician
Mr C David, BSc Hons (Sussex),  IT Assistant

Facilities
*Mr P Brown, Facilities & Estates Manager
Mr J Elvin, General Maintenance
Mr S Gigg, General Maintenance
Mr A Lata, Plumber & Assistant Facilities & Estates Manager
Mr C Lynch, Grounds Supervisor
Mr J Imms, Groundsman and Gardener
Mr S Beaver, Grounds Assistant

Housekeeping
* Mrs M Neagu, BA (Cuza, Romania), Domestic Services Manager
Mrs N Vis, Assistant Domestic Services Manager
Miss E Brzozka, Senior Housekeeping Cleaner
Mr J Badley, Housekeeping Cleaner
Miss N Balas, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mrs D Calin, Housekeeping Cleaner – Maternity Leave
Miss L Conway, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mrs J Gaddour, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mrs T Ghale, Housekeeping Cleaner
Miss M Gomez Salazar, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mrs T Gurung, Housekeeping Cleaner
Miss D Jennings, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mrs I Kwiatkowska, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mrs C Ledwich, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mrs A Szymczak, Housekeeping Cleaner
Ms H Terpilowska, Housekeeping Cleaner

Drivers
Mr K Baldwin, Driver
Mr J Bowers, BEd Hons (Reading), NPQH, Driver
Mr B Fejza, Driver
Mr P Johnston, Driver
Mr S Luckhurst, Driver
Mr P Walton, Driver

SUPPORT KEY
* Manager/Supervisor

Visiting Staff List

Dance & Drama
Mrs N Shaw, BA Hons (West Sussex), ALAM, RAD.TC, AISTD, Dance & Drama
Miss A Elwood, Ballet
Miss R Findlay, Zumba & Aerobics
Mrs K Keeling, Pilates
Miss E Bingham, Dance
Mrs S Gurney, Dance
Miss R Herszenhorn, LAMDA
Mrs L Judd, LAMDA & Musical Theatre
Ms S Keogh, LAMDA
Miss Z Pembroke, Dance
Mrs H Swain, LAMDA

MFL
Mrs M Strain, Diploma – Foreign Languages (Moscow), Russian
Ms S Zhou, BA (Birmingham), BA (Beijing), Chinese
Mrs A Farnum-Ford, PhD (Manchester), BA Hons & MA Hons (Cambridge), MA Hons (Courtauld Inst. of Art), Italian

Music
Mr S Ash, Diploma in Music (New York), Drums
Mrs V Auty, BMUS, RNCM, MMUS, GSMD (National Opera Studio), Singing
Mrs K Brown, GMusRNCM, PPRNCM, Clarinet and Saxophone
Mr K Bulford, BA Hons (Swansea), Drums
Mrs L Elliott, BA Mus (RSAMD Glasgow), Harp
Mrs M Gabriah, BA Hons (Brunel), Piano
Mrs L Hannah, BMUS Hons (Birmingham Conservatoire), Violin
Ms L Head, LTCL, FTCL, Brass
Mrs R Holden, BA Hons (Kingston), PGCE (Middlesex), Guitar
Miss S Jubert, BMus Hons, PGCE (Oxford Brookes), Piano
Mrs J Minns, LTCL Flute (Trinity College of Music), ABRSM, Flute/Piano
Miss E Windham, BA Hons (London), Singing

Physical Education
Mr A Moir, LTA Registered, Registered Professional BTCA, Tennis Coach
Mr M Clark, Personal Trainer
Mr J Beardmore, Fencing Coach
Mr A Brade, Trampoline Coach

Surgery
Mrs E O’Kelly, Linguistics Dipl. (ANLP), Business & Life Coaching Dipl., Independent Listener & Life Coach
Miss L Snook, Therapist

Swimming Pool
Mr D O’Toole, Swimming Pool Manager

What parents are saying about Heathfield

“Our Daughter has surpassed her own and our expectations in her grades.
A huge thank you to Heathfield for the wonderful education she has received on so many levels.”

AG PARENT

“There is no other school like Heathfield. Heathfield is so different to any other school I looked at for my daughter. Their naturally caring nature is second to none.”

CB PARENT

“Heathfield gave our daughter the confidence in herself to pursue her dream.”

SF PARENT