Council of Governors

Chair of Governors

Mr Alex Popplewell MA (Cantab) was educated at Charterhouse and Downing College, Cambridge where he read Economics. He pursued a career in fund management, managing pension funds for a variety of local authority, private sector and religious clients (including the Church of England) before becoming a business consultant in 2012. Currently he specialises in Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) work, and sits on the board of a start-up software business. He has four daughters with keen interests in opera and theatre and in cricket; he is an enthusiastic member of the Garrick Club and the MCC. He was appointed as a governor in May 2023 and as Chair of Governors in August 2023.  Alex is also Chair of the Nominations sub-committee.

Members

Mrs Sarah Collister, BS (New York University), MsT (New Saint Andrews College), QTS, has been a Secondary English teacher in the United States and in the United Kingdom. She has a specialised interest in poetry, advanced composition, and the ad fontes approach to teaching literature. Sarah and her husband live in Oxford, where he is a research associate at Pusey House.  Sarah was appointed as a governor in 2023 and is a member of the Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee.

Lady Colquhoun of Luss BEd Dip T. Katharine, a former parent at Heathfield, has spent her life educating children. She founded Broomwood Hall School in south west London  in 1984, then with her husband Malcolm, Northcote Lodge in 1993, St George’s School in Gondar Ethiopia in 2014 and Northwood Senior in 2020. Until September 2021 she was Principal and Chairman of Northwood Schools. Katharine now works with NAEF, the charity which runs St George’s, of which she is a founding Trustee and in Scotland she is on the Board of Luss Estates Company. Katharine was appointed as a governor in May 2024 and is a member of the Marketing and Admissions 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 was appointed as governor in 2021 and is a member of the Marketing and Admissions 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 was appointed as governor in 2009 and is Chair of the Building sub-committee and a member of the Finance sub-committee.

Miss Charlotte Faber, BA Hons (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 was appointed as governor in 2018 and is Chair of the Marketing  and Admissions sub-committee, a member of the Nominations sub-committee and is the School’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Lead Governor.

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.  Robert was appointed as governor in 2003 and is a member of the Nominations sub-committee.

Mrs Poppy Hughes, BSc Hons (Lincoln) is the Bursar of Prince’s Mead School, a co-educational Prep-School on the outskirts of Winchester. She previously served as a Logistics Officer in the Royal Navy. Her roles were predominately in operational leadership and compliance, and included time spent in Japan, America and Bahrain. Poppy also worked in the Royal Navy’s change management team and concluded her service at the Maritime Logistics School which lead her into the world of educational compliance and financial management. Poppy was appointed as a Governor in 2024 and is a member of the Finance sub-committee.

Mr Tony Leggett, BA Hons, MBA, PGCE, FInstAM, FNASBM, MCGI, trained originally as an architect before deciding on a more exciting life and joined the RAF as a fast jet Navigator. He subsequently served all over the world including tours with NATO and at the European Union. On retirement Tony began a third career as a Bursar, initially in a state academy and then 12 years, before retiring again in 2024, at St Joseph’s College in Reading.  Tony has been an ISI Inspector for 10 years and a Trustee of a charity tackling food poverty for the past 4 years.  Tony was appointed as a governor in 2024 and is a member of the Finance sub-committee and is the School’s Health and Safety Lead Governor.

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 was appointed as governor in 2021 and is Chair of of the Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee and is 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 was appointed as governor in 2020 and is Chair of the Finance sub-committee.

Mrs Annabelle More O’Ferrall, LLB (Hons)(Edin), is a former Heathfield pupil. She is a retired solicitor having spent many years working in the investment funds arena with a key role in multi-advisory teams structuring products for retail and institutional distribution. She has worked both in the City and abroad, mostly with Norton Rose and Jupiter Asset Management. Annabelle was appointed as a governor in 2022 and is a member of the Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee.

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 was appointed as governor in 1999 and is a member of the Marketing and Admissions sub-committee and Educational, Pastoral and Compliance sub-committee.

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

Senior Leadership Team

Headmistress – Sarah Rollings, 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 joining Heathfield in 2021, 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, Chair of the ISC Cross Association Sports Committee and is an ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate) Inspector. Recently, the GSA awarded Sarah their Sheila Cooper Award in recognition of her significant contribution to the work of the Association and her commitment to excellence and innovation.

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 chartered accountants before moving into industry working for the UK head offices of several global corporations in various commercial and financial roles. Rachel is a Trustee of a local multi academy trust and is Chair of their Business and Risk sub-committee, having previously spent 3 years as a governor for a maintained senior school in Guildford, Surrey.

Lou Scott

Deputy Head (Pastoral & Boarding) and DSL – Lou Scott, BA Hons QTS and PGDiPP (Chichester) joined Heathfield in 2023 from her role as Deputy Principal (Pastoral) at the International School of Milan. A keen sportswoman and passionate educator she has a firm belief in the value of girls’ education underpinned by a strong system of pastoral support. Lou spent a decade working in GSA boarding schools. She began her teaching career at The Royal School, Haslemere, followed by 7 years at Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls undertaking a variety of roles; Director of Sport, PE & Dance, Head of Year and DofE Manager. Lou also has extensive experience volunteering in lacrosse governance and leadership with both the Welsh and Italian associations.

Deputy Head (Academic) – Jonny Williams, MTheol Hons (St Andrews), PGCE (Oxford Brookes). Jonny starts his position in September 2024 following a five year Deputy Head Academic position in Kenya. Prior to this Jonny has a wealth of experience across schools in Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire.

Assistant Head (Academic & Operations) – Clare Wells, BSc Hons (Bath), PGCE (Exeter) is a longstanding member of the Heathfield community having arrived in 2006. Clare has held a variety of roles including Head of Science, and most recently Assistant Head (Operations). She strongly believes in valuing the individual and academically, how we can make a real difference in students’ lives, including through the use of data. In her spare time she is a keen golfer, committed churchgoer and avid limnologist.

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.

Assistant Head (Pastoral and Boarding) and Deputy DSL – Andrew Valner, MA (Nottingham), BA (Nottingham), PGCE (London), has been working at Heathfield School since 2011, starting as a Newly Qualified Teacher and becoming Head of Department for Classics. His pastoral experience includes being Head of House for Austen for six years, before taking on his current role as Assistant Head (Pastoral and Boarding) in 2020. Andy is also a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Attendance Lead at Heathfield.  He particularly enjoys playing tennis and golf and watching football and cricket. He lives onsite with his family and can often be found wandering around the school with his young children looking for puddles to jump in.

Director of Marketing & Admissions – Anna Morgan, MCIM, MIDM, joined Heathfield School in 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 multi-million pound projects for numerous blue chip companies.

Staff List

Academic Staff

Art & Textiles
Miss A Farrugia, BA Hons (Reading), PGCE (Reading), Head of Department and Head of House (Seacole)
Miss H Smith, BA Hons (Aberystwyth), PGCE (Bath Spa), Art
Dr J Losq, PhD (UAL / AUB), MA Hons (Courtauld Institute), MA Hons (Cambridge), BA Hons (UAL), PG Dip (Royal Academy of Art), QTS (Reading), MRSS, RI, RWA, Art

Business
Mrs G Kendall, BA Hons (Reading), PGCE (London), D&B Diploma in Credit and Financial Analysis, Head of Department

Classics
Dr D Stobart, PhD (Cambridge), PGCE (Utrecht), Head of Department Classics
Mr A Valner, MA (Nottingham), BA (Nottingham), PGCE (London), Latin & Ancient Greek and Assistant Head (Pastoral and Boarding)
Mrs J Nesbit, BA Hons (Cambridge), PGCE (Cambridge), Classical Civilisation & Latin

Cookery
Mrs M Blackburn, BEd Hons (Cardiff), Head of Department
Ms J Sherrard-Smith, BSc Hons, (London), PGCE (London), Leiths’s Cookery

Drama and Theatre Studies
Mr S Sugarman, Director of Theatre and Drama Studies, MA (London, BA Hons (Lancaster), PGCE (London)
Mrs H Swain, Teacher of Drama

Economics & Sociology
Mrs J Uppal, BA Hons (Manchester), PGCE (London), Head of Department

English
Dr S Wragg, PhD (Oxford), MPhil (Cambridge), BA (Providence USA), PGCE (Buckingham), Head of Department
Miss A Messina, BA Hons (Loughborough), PGCE (Sussex), English
Mrs S Southern, BA Hons (Hull), PGCE (York), English

Geography
Mrs L Worrall, BSc Hons (Kingston), PGCE (Kingston), Head of Department and Head of Year (Form I)
Dr A Hayward, PhD (Leeds), MSc (Reading), BSc Hons (Aberystwyth), PGCE (Sheffield Hallam), Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Fellow of Higher Education Academy

History of Art
Dr L Golden, PhD (East Anglia), MA (East Anglia), Head of Department

History & Politics
Dr C Bradshaw, PhD (St Andrew’s), MA (St Andrew’s), BA Hons (Exeter), PGCE (Gloucester), Head of Department
Mr R Willis, MA Hons (St Andrews), PGCE (Manchester Metropolitan), History & Politics and Head of Sixth Form

Mathematics
Mr R Braganza, MA Hons (Loughborough), PGCE (London), Head of Department
Mr J Doyle, BA (Canberra), Dip. Ed (Canberra), Mathematics
Miss K Johnson, Teaching Cert. (Nottingham), Mathematics
Miss S Obhrai, BSc Hons (Manchester), PGCE (Greenwich), Mathematics

Modern Foreign Languages
Mr F Troublé, MA (Paris), PGCE (London), Bccomm (DUT de Commerce), MFL Co-ordinator
Mrs A Pullen, BA Hons (Cordoba), Head of Department – 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), Music

Photography
Miss K White, BA Hons (Oxford Brookes), ABIPP, Head of Department and Head of Year (Form IV)
Mrs A Richardson, BA Hons, PGCE (Sunderland)

Physical Education
Miss C Baker, BSc Hons (Birmingham), PGCE (Buckingham), Director of Sport
Miss K Boyce, BSc Hons (Oxford Brookes), PGCE (Reading), PE
Miss E Fish, BA Hons (Bournemouth), PGCE (Buckingham), PE and Head of House (Austen)
Miss H Middleton, BA Hons (Oxford Brookes), PE and Head of House (Somerville)
Miss W Reynolds, BEd Hons (Liverpool), PE and Assistant Head (Co-curricular)
Miss J Talbot, BPhysEd (Otago, NZ), PE and Head of Year (Form III)
Mrs A Valner, BA Hons (Ohio), PE Cover
Mrs G Glimmerveen, Equestrian

PSHEE
Mrs A Diaz, BA Hons (Open), Cert Ed (Cambridge), Head of Department

Psychology
Mrs H Manton, BSc Hons (Nottingham), PGCE (Greenwich), Head of Department & Flourishing

Religious Studies
Mr J Choppen, BA Hons (Winchester), PGCE (Winchester), Head of Department

Science
Mrs U Uzo, BSc Hons (Birmingham), Acting Head of Department & EDI Co-Ordinator, Head of House (de Valois)
Mrs A Ellis, BEd (Bedford), Science and Careers Co-ordinator
Dr J Jones, PhD (Nottingham), MSc (Nottingham), BEng (London),
Miss L Jones, BSc Hons (Hull), PGCE (Hull), Head of Year (Form V)
Mrs F Lehocky, MSc (London), BSc Hons (London), PGCE (London) Head of Department (Physics)
Miss C Wells, BSc Hons (Bath), PGCE (Exeter) and Assistant Head (Academic & Operations)

Teaching & Learning Support

Learning Support & EAL
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 and Head of Year (Form II)
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, EAL

Teaching Support & Co-ordinators

Miss Z Camean, MA (C.A.P.) Spain, Spanish Language Assistant
Ms A Essel, BA Hons (De Montfort), Fashion Designer in Residence
Mrs G Glimmerveen, Equestrian Co-ordinator
Mrs N McGarvey, Examinations and Database Officer
Mrs A Milner, HND (Ulster), BSc (Ulster), Senior Science Technician
Mrs R McFadden, Theatre Technician
Mr T de Silva, Photography Technician
Mr I Whitehurst, BA Hons (Surrey), Science Technician
Mrs L Whiting, BA Hons (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama), Art Technician

Pastoral & Boarding

Boarding
Miss A Horton, QTS (Twickenham), Head Houseparent
Miss F Gray, BA Hons (Bath), Head Houseparent
Miss H Bowerman, BA Hons (York), Deputy Houseparent
Miss R Boyd, Deputy Houseparent
Miss S Broomfield, Deputy Houseparent
Miss P Corcoran, BA (Hons), Deputy Houseparent
Mrs J Liepa, BA Hons (London), PGCE (Middlesex), Deputy Houseparent
Miss G Montant, ESOL International (Advanced), Deputy Houseparent
Miss A Grice, Boarding Assistant
Miss J Powell-Davies, Boarding Assistant
Miss M Roberts, Boarding Assistant
Mrs A Valner, Boarding Assistant (Day)

Health Centre
Mrs J Hastings, RGN, Senior Nurse
Mrs L Brazel, BSc Hons (London), RGN, Nurse
Mrs E Delicata, NMC, Nurse
Mrs T Vevericikova, RCN, Nurse

Support Staff

Administration
Ms J Veater, PA to the Headmistress
Mrs N Race, Executive Assistant to SLT

Bursary
Mrs R Frier, BSc Hons (Bristol), BFP, FCA, Bursar and Clerk to the Governors
Mrs W Staplehurst, Finance Manager
Mrs S Disley, Finance Assistant

Drivers
Mr J Bowers, BEd Hons (Reading), NPQH, Driver
Mr S Chell, Driver
Mr T Creedon, Driver
Mr B Fejza, Driver
Mr G Howkins
Mr P Johnston, Driver
Ms S Snow, Driver
Mr N Tribbeck, MA, Driver
Mr A Yexley, Driver

Facilities
Mr P Brown, Facilities & Estates Manager
Mr A Lata, Plumber & Assistant Facilities & Estates Manager
Mr C O’Connor, General Maintenance Assistant
Mr S Gigg, General Maintenance Assistant
Mr J Imms, Head of Grounds
Mr J Di Salvatore, Grounds and Gardens Assistant

Housekeeping
Mrs M Neagu, BA (Cuza, Romania), Domestic Services Manager
Mrs N Vis, Assistant Domestic Services Manager
Mr J Badley, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mrs L Knight-Harper, Housekeeping Cleaner
Ms M Edghill, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mrs T Ghale, Laundry and Housekeeping Assistant
Miss M Gomez Salazar, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mr D Gurung, Housekeeping Cleaner
Miss D Jennings, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mrs I Kwiatkowska, Housekeeping Cleaner
Mr N Metzger, Housekeeping Cleaner

Human Resourses
Mrs G Toomer, BSc Hons Psy, FCIPD, HR Manager
Ms C Deamer, HR Advisor

IT Systems
Mr B Beeharry, BA Hons (London), IT Network and Services Manager
Mr T Gardiner, Senior IT Technician

Library
Mrs H Fernandes, MSc (Sheffield), BA Hons (Brighton), Librarian

Marketing & Admissions
Ms A Morgan, MCIM, MIDM, Director of Marketing & Admissions
Mr J Matthews, Digital Marketing Executive
Mrs I Hutchings, BSc Hons (Open), Head of Admissions
Ms J Woodhams, Admissions Assistant

Summer School
Mr J Endean, DELTM, Director of Summer Courses
Miss N Gassoub, Summer School Executive Assistant

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 S Watt, Ballet

MFL
Mrs M Strain, Diploma – Foreign Languages (Moscow), Russian
Ms S Zhou, BA (Birmingham), BA (Beijing), Mandarin
Mr A Reich, German
Mrs K Baldwin, Cantonese
Mrs Abbagnale, Italian

Music
Mr S Ash, Diploma in Music (New York), Drums
Mrs V Auty, BMus, RNCM, MMus, GSMD (National Opera Studio), Singing
Mr K Bulford, BA Hons (Swansea), Drums
Mrs J Dance, BA Hons (Birmingham), PGCE (Birmingham), LRAM, Singing
Miss S Jubert, BMus Hons (Surrey), PGCE (Oxford Brookes), Piano, Cello, Drums, Saxophone
Mrs L Hannah, BMus Hons (Birmingham Conservatoire), FIL KAND (Sweden) Lulea University, Violin, Viola
Mrs L Head, LTCL, FTCL, Brass
Ms A Hoyland, Clarinet and Saxophone
Mrs K Jackson, MA Hons (Cambridge), Harp
Mrs R Holden, BA Hons (Kingston), PGCE (Middlesex), Guitar
Mrs J Minns, LTCL Flute (Trinity College of Music), ABRSM, Flute
Miss L Rundle, BMus Hons (Royal College of Music), PGdip (Royal College of Music), Double Bass
Mrs T Thompson, ALCM Piano (London College of Music), Piano, Singing
Miss E Windham, BA Hons (London), Singing
Mr M Wong, BA Hons, MMus (Royal Holloway), ATCL, LTCL, Piano
Miss H Woodruff, Piano
Miss T Yunkers, Cello

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

Wellness
Mrs E O’Kelly, Linguistics Dipl. (ANLP), Business & Life Coaching Dipl., Independent Listener & Life Coach
Miss L Snook, BSc (Hons), PGCE,  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