Tell us about yourself and what you’re doing now?
Since 1995, I have been teaching at Bradfield College, a co-educational public boarding school (13-18yrs) situated in the midst of the West Berkshire countryside. I was a member of the Bradfield English Department and taught pupils right across the age ranges. My passion is to inspire young people with a love of literature, teaching them texts from across the centuries and across the genres.

Before becoming a Housemaster, I was Head of Drama, co-ordinating academic and extra-curricular Drama as well as directing plays by Peter Shaffer, Shakespeare and Euripides in our Open Air Greek Theatre, a unique venue in which Greek plays have been performed in the original language since 1881.

In 2000, I was asked to run The Close boarding house (Boys 14 – 18) and to shape its community, which I have done to the present day. In 2003, I was tasked to relocate the entire house community, boys and staff, to a brand new state-of-the-art boarding house on another site in the school grounds. After three years of planning, design and building, we moved (half a term early!) to our new premises. The design of the new building has enabled our community to make great progress; academically, in its extra-curricular aims and most importantly in its pastoral focus. I have so enjoyed being a part of this environment.

What appealed to you about the role at Northbourne Park?
My energies come from my interactions with others. I enjoy shaping community life and see the triangular relationship between pupils, teachers and parents as being critical to successful education.  I enjoy helping young people to work either independently or collaboratively to achieve their potentials. Northbourne Park is a unique community, with a refreshing approach to the broad education of the young. It allows children to develop their skills and abilities through an individual approach to each child and through building confidence. Its inclusive cultural approach and its rounded education are already celebrated widely by the senior schools that the boys and girls move on to, throughout East Kent and beyond.

I feel that the values of Northbourne Park dovetail very well with my own. I feel very privileged to be asked to be a part of the next stage of the school’s life and am hugely looking forward to taking on the role.  


What qualities do you think you will bring to the job?
Energy, enthusiasm and compassion, I hope.
(With a little bit of competition for good measure!)

What are you most looking forward to?
Working with younger pupils, working with an energetic and inspirational staff and taking the school forward decisively.

Anything you are not looking forward to?
Moving house.

Will the transition from senior school to prep be difficult?
It will undoubtedly bring challenges and be very different but many of the same issues exist in Senior Schools as they do in Preparatory Schools and so there will I am sure be plenty of transferable skills and good practice. Having worked in Senior Schools, and having built up close working relationships with them, it is clear that Preparatory Schools play a huge role in the development of the child in preparation for the next stage and good Prep Schools, like Northbourne Park, provide firm foundations on which the young can be confident to explore, harness and direct their curiosity.

Is your family looking forward to the move?
…hugely. My family has always been very much part of the communities in which we have been involved. We are all looking forward to getting to know the wider community of Northbourne Park.

What do you do when you are not working?
Strange for an English teacher, but I read. I also enjoy tennis, cooking, gardening and precious time with the family. Perhaps the school’s proximity to the coast might allow me to sail again? I am not envisaging a huge amount of free time, I have to say! 

How well do you know Kent and the surrounding area?
Not very well, but I am a quick learner and Emma’s family originally hails from Kent.   

How would you describe yourself in 3 words!
Energetic, focused and determined.