CURIOSITY • CREATIVITY • COMPASSION

Miss Sasha Jones

Curriculum and Staffing Committee, EYFS Governor

Sasha Jones joined the Governing Body in September 2024. She is currently the Head of Early Years Foundation Stage at Finton House School, an inclusive independent prep school in Wandsworth. Sasha’s teaching journey began at Skinners’ Kent Primary School, a newly established school in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, where she gained invaluable experience. Since then, she has worked across all year groups in the Lower School. Her dedication for education continued in her move to London, leading her to join Finton House in 2019. Sasha is excited to bring her wealth of Early Years expertise to Donhead.

Mrs Sara Mason

Curriculum and Staffing Committee, SEND governor

Mrs Jane Mann

Safeguarding, Pastoral and Chaplaincy Committee

Mrs Ciara Jackson

Finance & Operations Committee

Mrs Karen Keeton

Curriculum and Staffing Committee

Karen Keeton joined the governing body in January 2024. She is the Headteacher at Barlborough Hall School, a co-educational independent Jesuit day school. Karen began working at Barlborough as a class teacher in 2001 and became headteacher in 2017. Karen has led her school through many changes and inspections and has a wealth of experience in the field of Education. Her joy for working with young children shines through in everything she does, and she is proud to be a part of the life journey of our young children.

Karen is married with one daughter who is now in the secondary stage of her Jesuit schooling.

Dr Gareth Moore

Chair of Curriculum and Staffing Committee

Dr Moore was elected as a parent governor in 2021, and is proud to help represent the interests of parents to the governing body. He is a bestselling author who has written hundreds of books to help both children and adults develop their maths, reasoning and creative skills in fun ways via puzzles and activities, with his ‘Clever Kids’ series alone selling over a million copies. He has a strong technology background, with three degrees that include a Ph.D in artificial intelligence from Cambridge University.

Mr Philip Gilbertson

Deputy Chair of Governors, Chair of Finance & Operations Committee

Philip joined the governing body in 2022 as a Parent Governor, with two boys at Donhead. A Chartered Accountant in the Big Four, Philip has spent many years as an auditor and is currently in the General Counsel team, managing responses to regulatory and legal enquiries. Philip is passionate about developing people, has held a number of significant people management roles and became an accredited Executive Coach in 2020. He brings all this experience to the Finance and General Purposes Committee and is grateful to support and develop the Donhead community in this way.

Mr Jan Quant

Chair of Governing Body

Jan Quant has been a Governor at Donhead since 2013. He first joined the Donhead community as a parent back in 2006. Professionally, he is a co-founder of an enterprise software business after an early career in the music industry. He is married with two sons (both Donhead alumni) & two daughters and enjoys tennis, travel and walking the dog.

To contact the Chair of Governors please email Jan.Quant@donhead.org.uk or by post via the school: Donhead Preparatory School 33 Edge Hill, Wimbledon SW19 4NP.

Fr M Barnes SJ

Staffing, Pastoral and Chaplaincy Committee

Michael Barnes SJ was Head Boy at Donhead in the year of the school’s silver jubilee. Many years later, after teaching theology at Heythrop College in the University of London and working in interreligious relations in various settings, he has found a new and exciting niche as a very part-time addition to Donhead’s excellent chaplaincy team.

Mr David Doran

Chair of Safeguarding, Pastoral and Chaplaincy Committee

David has been an RS Teacher at Wimbledon College for 30 years and is currently Head of Figures (Year 7). He has been in Jesuit Education since he started at Stonyhurst as a 13 year old in 1982! He is married with 2 sons who both attended Donhead. He enjoys reading, cycling and is the President of Old Wimbledonians RFC.

Ms Catherine Hitchcock

Headteacher

Catherine has a strong vision for Donhead and has held various leadership and management roles for over 20 years in schools across London. She is committed to Catholic Education and her son attended Donhead. Catherine holds an MA and PGCE from Oxford University, as well as a Diploma in Education and a National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership from the Institute of Education. Catherine sits on the Surbiton High Local Governing Body as an EYFS Governor, has qualified as a Practitioner Coach with Leadership Edge and is training to be an ISI Team Inspector.

Ms Kate Donaghy

Deputy Head, DSL, Head of EYFS

Kate is an experienced Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Since studying at St Mary’s University, Kate has taught in a variety of educational settings, including teaching abroad for a number of years. Kate is a Catholic Schools Inspector and an Early Careers Teacher Facilitator for The Wandle Teaching Hub and University College London; she leads training in the Merton Borough for teachers new to the profession.

Miss Niamh Canavan

Assistant Headteacher Wellbeing and LP2C Form Teacher

Niamh studied a Bachelor of Education with a specialism in Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy at Dublin City University. She has spent a number of years teaching across primary school year groups, both in mainstream and in SEND roles in England, Ireland and New Zealand. She strives for the inclusion and appreciation of every type of learner in her class and is currently studying for an MA Education (Innovation and Change) with St Mary's University.

Mrs Amelia Murtagh

Bursar

Amelia holds BSc and MSc in Business, Finance, Management & Statistics alongside professional Accountancy qualifications. Amelia spent 10 years working internationally for leading investment banks and consultancy firms. A Donhead parent since 2008, and a member of staff since 2010 Amelia has dedicated herself to the school. She combines her high-level expertise in Finance with her interest in the Education in her role as Bursar.

Mr Shaun Anglim

Assistant Head Operations & Assessment, DDSL

Shaun graduated with a BSc and MA Education from St Mary's University. He came to Donhead after working in secondary education at The London Oratory School. Shaun has a vast experience of rugby playing and coaching, having contributed at County, Divisional and International level in the UK and abroad. He is a member of the Chartered College of Teaching.

Miss Magdalena Plech-Blair

Assistant Headteacher Management, SENDCo

Magdelana comes from Poland where she gained her BA Education. She has worked across primary and secondary at both independent and state schools in a variety of different roles. Magdalena graduated with an MA Education (Special Educational Needs) at the University of Birmingham and holds the National Award for SEN Co-ordination from Institute of Education (University College London). She also holds the Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing and The British Psychological Society Test User.

Mrs Olivia Rodrigues

Assistant Head Technology and Innovation, Head of Computing

Olivia has teaching experience at a range of day and boarding schools, both secondary and primary. She is passionate about developing an innovative, creative and fun Computing curriculum. She holds The British Computer Society Certificate in Computer Science Teaching, is a Microsoft Certified Educator Expert, a Minecraft Certified Educator, a Google Certified Educator and is a member of The British Computer Society and The Chartered College of Teaching. Olivia was appointed as a teacher ambassador for The iDEA (Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award) Award, one of only ten people in the world. She is also a Technical Reviewer for No Starch Press in California and a member of the Teacher Panel for Purple Mash. Olivia enjoys being part of The Oxford University Press Educational Research Forum and The CAS (Computing at School) Physical Computing Working Group.

Mrs Jane Robison

Reception Teacher

Mrs Greta Green

Pre-School Teacher

Mr Jonathan Krug

Specialist SEN Support Teacher, Form Teacher

Ms Felicity Justice

Form Teacher

Mrs Melanie Metherell

Head of Music

Mrs Ashlea Scheepbouwer

Form Teacher (Maternity Leave)

Miss Lisa Hodgson

Reception H Form Teacher

Mr Luke Smith

Head of Pre-Prep Maths, Form Teacher

Mr Luke Smith obtained his Bachelor of Education degree at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa . He has four years of teaching experience at a primary school in East London, but the South African East London. He has recently moved to the UK and is very excited about his new chapter, here at Donhead Preparatory school.

He is a keen sportsman and enjoys playing cricket, rugby, golf, and hockey, but loves watching all sports and the outdoors. He is looking forward to traveling and getting to sightseeing in the United Kingdom.

Miss Jessica Martin

Form Teacher

Ms Kalliopi Kanellopoulou

Pre-Prep Music Teacher

Miss Chris Macleod

Head of Art/DT

Miss Becky Jackson

PP2J Form Teacher

Mrs Katy Brady

LP1B Form Teacher

Mrs Nathalie Maillard

Form Teacher

Mr Philip Amos

Elements A Form Teacher & 11+ Co-ordinator

Mrs Gaynor Beecher

Elements B Form Teacher

Mrs Jennifer Bendall

PP1B Form Teacher

Mrs Jessica Clark

Head of PSHEE/RHE, Form Teacher

Mr Duncan Kester

Director of Sport & Games Teacher

Ms Samantha Mellows

Form Teacher & Head of Pre-Prep Mathematics (currently on maternity leave)

Mrs Jenny Nealon

Head of Mathematics, SpLD Teacher, Form Teacher

Miss Maria Negkaki

Head of MFL & Religious Education, Form Teacher

Mr Harry Tabb

Head of PE, Form Teacher, Cocurricular Coordinator

Mrs Hayley Winship

Head of English, Form Teacher

Miss Leanda Tunnicliffe

Lead Teaching Assistant in Elements, Prep & LP2

Mrs Rhian Martis-Jones

Lead Teaching Assistant in Rec H

Mrs Siobhan Finn

Lead Teaching Assistant in PP1S

Mrs Alison Chamberlain

Lead Teaching Assistant in Elements & Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

Mrs Gill Hughes

Art Assistant

Ms Inessa Mayevska

Art Assistant

Mr Thomas Elks

GAP Assistant

Miss Marilena Spina

1:1 Teaching Support Assistant

Mrs Katarzyna Nosowska

1:1 Teaching Support Assistant

Ms Susana Delgado

LP1 & LP2 Teaching Assistant

Mr Jerry Wong

1:1 Teaching Support Assistant

Mrs Ciara Elks

Rec H Teaching Assistant

Mrs Tracey Epstein

Elements Teaching Assistant & Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

Mrs Manisha Fernandes

PP2J Teaching Assistant

Mrs Sue Hunt

Prep Teaching Assistant

Mrs Lisa Kellett

Rec M & PP1B Teaching Assistant

Mrs Nicki Mahoney

PP1B Teaching Assistant

Mrs Naveed Malik

PP2M Teaching Assistant

Miss Irina Mihailuka

SEN Teaching Assistant

Mrs Makayla Rowan

Rec M Teaching Assistant

Mr Simon Tekle

PP1S, LP1 Teaching Assistant

Mrs Emma Van Ristell

PP1S, PP2M & Art Teaching Assistant

Mrs Amanda Vaughan-Barratt

Prep Teaching Assistant

Mr Barry Frost

Site Assistant

Mr Alex Blanco

GAP Assistant

Ms Elodie Dunne

GAP Assistant

Mrs Celeste Franklin

PA to Headteacher

Mrs Franklin is from Argentina and was educated in Buenos Aires, before moving to London for a career in investment banking. She has two children, one of whom is a former Donhead pupil. Her fond memories of the Donhead community made it the ideal place when she returned to the workforce in her role as PA to the Headteacher. She is fluent in Spanish, Italian and English.

Mrs Jodie Cosh

Registrar

Miss Sophia Bailis

Kitchen Assistant

Mrs E Milhomem

Cleaner & Kitchen Assistant

Mrs Olivia Butler

Catering Manager

Mrs EJ Kang

Finance Assistant

Ms Monika Konieczna

Catering Assistant

Mrs Martina Megarry

After-School Club Leader

Miss Karolina Mielcarek

Catering Assistant

Mrs Eliza Milhomem

Cleaner & Kitchen Assistant

Mr Eric Reid

Site Manager

Mrs Tracey Ruddock

After-School Club Assistant

Mr Simon Savyell

Network Manager

Mrs Marcia Straw

Cleaner

Mrs Fatima Tavares

Senior Administrator

Miss Lorraine Thompson

Receptionist, Admin Assistant

Mrs Angelica Carroll

Lay Chaplain