Academic Year 2024/2025
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 |
| Beth Cheverton | Assistant Head; DDSL; Teacher of Spanish | BA (Hons) French/Spanish; 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 |
| Lowri Chwieseni | Head of Science | BSc (Hons) Genetics; PGCE |
| 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 |
| Matthew Cole | Teacher of Chemistry | BSc Chemistry; PGCE in Secondary Science |
| Jamie Corsi | Teacher of PE | BSC (Hons) Sports Coaching; PGCE |
| Grant Jones | Teacher of Physics | BEng (Hons), QTS |
| Sophie Griffiths | ALN Co-ordinator; Pastoral Support Lead; DDSL | BA Hons Drama and Dance; PGCE |
| 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 |
| Michael Gatt | Cover Teacher | BSc (Hons) Geology; PGCE Geology and Secondary Science |
| Kristian Harris | Teacher of Maths | BSc (Hons) Mathematics; PGCE |
| Alan Jenkins | Teacher of Chemistry | Applied Chemistry BSc; PGCE |
| Craig Evans | Teacher of Maths | BSc (Hons) Mathematics, PGCE Mathematics (11-18); HNC Construction Management |
| 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 |
Preparatory School
Name | Role | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Layland | Head of Prep School; Deputy Head Academic | BSc (Hons) Biology; PGCE |
| Christopher Emanuel | Assistant Head of Prep School; Prep School Teacher (Year 6) | BEd (Hons); PG Diploma in Educational Management |
| Carmen Vanderbrink | Nursery & KS1 Co-ordinator; Numeracy Co-ordinator & EYSDSL: Prep School Teacher (Infants) | BA (Hons) Education & Early Years; PGCE |
| Lucy Edy | Prep School Teacher (Nursery) | BSC Education Studies & Sociology; PGCE in Primary and Early Years |
| Kate Schofield | Prep School Teacher (Reception); Foundation Subjects Co-ordinator | BSc (Hons) Psychology; PGCE |
| Kirstie Phillips | Prep School Teacher; Literacy Co-ordinator | Bed Hons Primary Education |
| Laura Bowen | Prep School Teacher (Year 3) | BSc (Hons; QTS) Sports & Exercise Science |
| Gareth Llewelyn | Prep School Teacher (Year 3 Maternity Cover) | BSc Sports Coaching; QTS |
| Thomas Lewis | Prep School Teacher (Year 4) | BA (Hons) Geography; PGCE |
| Lucy Harris | Prep School Teacher (Year 5) | BSc Genetics; PGCE; QTS |
| Loraine Ledwell | Teaching Assistant; Digital Champion | (QCF) Level 3 Diploma in specialist support for teaching and learning |
| Josie Morgan | Nursery Teaching Assistant | Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Children's Care, Learning & Development |
| Anne Davidson | Nursery Teaching Assistant | Level 2 Award in Playwork Practice |
| Susan Clark | Nursery Teaching Assistant | CACHE Level 3: Childcare and Education |
| Sarah Runnalls | Lunch Break Supervisor ; Prep Teaching Assistant; After School Club Coordinator | NNEB |
| Beth Simons | Lunch Break Supervisor; Prep Teaching Assistant; After School Club Co-ordinator | CACHE Level 3 Supporting teaching and learning in school |
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 |
| Adam Matthews | Facilities Manager | Managing Health & Safety |
| Lisa Brown | Finance & Admin Officer; Educational Visits Coordinator; Transport Co-ordinator | BTEC Business Studies; IOSH |
| Fran Domachowski | School Secretary | |
| Amy Stephens | Head's PA; SCR Champion | BA (Hons) Education, PGCE Primary |
| Chloe McKay | Admissions and Marketing Manager | BSc (Hons) Business Management; PGCE Primary |
| Fiona Smith | School Administrator; First Aid Coordinator | |
| 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 |