Staff & 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.

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. 

Mr Guy Egerton-Smith, FRICS, (Chartered Surveyor), is married to Deidre, a former Head of Fellowship. Their two daughters are Old Girls. 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 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.

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 and Chair of the ISC Cross Association Sports Committee. 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.

Deputy Head (Academic) – Jonathan Williams, MTheol Hons (St Andrews), PGCE (Oxford Brookes), joined Heathfield School in 2024, following five years as Deputy Head Academic at a prestigious British Curriculum School in Kenya. Prior to this, Jonathan’s experience of teaching and academic leadership was borne in the context of various schools across Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire, including four years at a top GSA school. Jonathan’s educational pursuits and involvements have led to his being awarded a National Professional Qualification for Headship with full marks; a Farmington Fellowship following studies at Harris Manchester College; and further collaboration and contracts with the University of Oxford and organisations such as PiXL. Jonathan’s spare time is invariably spent with family (including his three daughters), though despite the best efforts of various students, his love of sport has yet to be translated into significant progress on the lacrosse pitch!

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.

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  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