Academic Year 2025/2026
All teaching and support staff may be contacted by email address.
Please address emails to forename.surname@cognita.com
Cognita CEO: Frank Maassen
Cognita European Director of Education: Nicola Lambros
Cognita European CEO: Michael Drake
Chair of Governors: Nicola Lambros
Senior Leadership team
Name | Role | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Helen Hier | Headteacher | MEd; BA (Hons) Spanish/Italians; PGCE |
| Mary Layland | Head of Prep School; Deputy Head - Academic; Head of Science | Bsc (Hons) Biology; PGCE |
| Rachel Smart | Deputy Head - Pastoral & Wellbeing; Designated Safeguarding Lead | BA (Hons) French/Spanish; PGCE |
| Nicola McGinley | Operations Manager; Data Protection Coordinator; Health & Safety Coordinator; Safer Recruitment Lead | Bsc (Hons) Sport Science, PGCE; Post Compulsory Education, CIPD Advanced Diploma |
| Chloe McKay | Admissions and Marketing Manager | BSc (Hons) Business Management; PGCE Primary |
| Nicola Lambros | Chair of Governors |
Senior School
Name | Role | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Helen Hier | Headteacher | MEd; BA (Hons) Spanish/Italian; PGCE |
| Rachel Smart | Deputy Head - Pastoral & Wellbeing; Designated Safeguarding Lead; Educational Visitors Coordinator; Prevent & LAC Lead; Digital Lead; Teacher of Spanish and French | BA (Hons) French/Spanish; PGCE |
| Mary Layland | Deputy Head - Academic; Head of Science; Head of Prep School | BSc (Hons) Biology; PGCE |
| Leon Yemm | Assistant Head - Curriculum & Planning; Teacher of Computer Science; SIMs Champion | BSc (Hons) Computing; PGCE |
| Kelly Burns | Teacher of English | BA (Hons) English Literature; PGCE Secondary English |
| Louise Williams | Head of Art; Teacher of Art and Textiles | BA (Hons) Art, Fashion, Textiles; PGCE |
| Diane Trenoweth | Head of Sixth Form; Teacher of Fine Art & Graphics | BA (Hons) Art & Graphic Design; PGCE |
| Laurie Burgess | Teacher of PE | BSC Sports Science; PGCE |
| Grant Jones | Teacher of Physics | BEng (Hons), QTS |
| Huw Davies | Teacher of History | BA Hons Hist; PGCE |
| Jane Evans | Teacher of Business | BA (Hons) Business Education |
| Anna Farrow | Head of Humanities, MFL & Business Studies; Teacher of Geography | BSc Physical Geography; MSc Environmental Conservation Management; PGCE |
| Kristian Harris | Teacher of Maths | BSc (Hons) Mathematics; PGCE |
| Alan Jenkins | Teacher of Chemistry | Applied Chemistry BSc; PGCE |
| Laure Parsons | Teacher of Modern Foreign Languages | BA (Hons) MFL; PGCE |
| Jason Staddon | Teacher of Music; Perpipatetic Guitar Teacher | BMus Guitar Studies; Masters degree in Music Composition; PGCE |
| James Watson | Head of Maths; Teacher of Maths; Data Champion | BSc Hons Computer Science and Mathematics; PGCE |
| Jessica Webb | Head of English; Teacher of English; MAT Co-ordinator | BA English Literature; MA English Literature; Doctor of Philosophy |
| Paula Williams | Teacher of English, Drama and Art | BEd Drama |
| Karen Bessell | Teaching Assistant | Advanced Apprenticeship in Early Years Care and Education |
Support staff
Name | Role | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Nicola McGinley | Operations Manager; Data Protection Officer; Health & Safety Coordinator; Safer Recruitment Lead | BSc (Hons) Sport Science, PGCE; Post Compulsory Education, CIPD Advanced Diploma |
| Lisa Brown | Finance & Admin Officer; Educational Visits Coordinator; Transport Co-ordinator | BTEC Business Studies; IOSH |
| Amy Stephens | Head's PA; SCR Champion | BA (Hons) Education, PGCE Primary |
| Chloe McKay | Admissions and Marketing Manager | BSc (Hons) Business Management; PGCE Primary |
| Timothy Snook | Network Manager | |
| Christopher Coupland | Site Manager | |
| Christina Farmer | Examinations Officer | CACHE Level 3 Supporting teaching and learning in schools |
Domestic Support
Name |
|---|
| Tina Cuss |
| Julie Jones |
| Amanda Russell |
| Christopher Russell |