JOHN LYON - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Support Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Gareth joined John Lyon in 2021 as the Bursar and Chief Operating Officer (COO). This followed 25 years as a logistics officer in the Royal Navy, serving ashore and afloat all around the world, including in Afghanistan; the Philippines for disaster relief after Typhoon Haiyan; across the Middle East; and a number of tours in Whitehall working closely with HM Treasury and the Foreign Office. His sea appointments culminated in being the Commander Logistics of the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, leading a team of over 150 logisticians and administrators on board. As a junior officer he read Geography at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and more recently completed a second MA through King's College London in Defence Studies. As COO, Gareth is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school through provision of HR, finance, administration, estates and grounds support.
After completing her PhD in Aeronautical Engineering at Imperial College, London, Florence decided that a teaching career might be most compatible with her family life. Following a maternity cover in her local secondary school as a Science teacher, Florence fell in love with teaching and went on to qualify via the Graduate Teaching Programme. She joined John Lyon in 2015 as a Physics teacher and in 2017 created the STEAM Department. Florence also introduced and designed the Excellence Programme together with Maria Trafford which offers extracurricular academic enrichment to John Lyon pupils. In September 2020 Florence was appointed Head of Scholars and she took on the role of Director of Admissions in September 2021 with wide-ranging responsibility for all matters to do with Admissions and Scholarships across the School.
Job Titles:
- Director of Glia Learning
Dr Martijn van der Spoel, director of Glia Learning, is an Educational Psychologist. Yearly he teaches more than 10,000 students of various levels, as well as parents and teachers. He is passionate about the psychology of studying - explaining not only the ‘how' but also the ‘why' of successful learning.
Jon Robinson will be speaking to boys in Y7-U6 in separate talks about his journey to becoming a published author.
Job Titles:
- Head
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- NPQH - Head
Katherine read Maths at Warwick, followed by MEd and then taught in the Midlands, becoming head of Maths at Edgbaston High School, followed by Warwick School, where she first started out as a school inspector and took the professional training scheme for headship. Her appointment at John Lyon made her the first woman ever to head an HMC boys' day school. Katherine continues to work as a school Reporting Inspector, and, in her limited free time, enjoys gardening and travelling.
Job Titles:
- Sports Graduate Assistant
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technicians and Assistants Team
- Art Technician
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technicians and Assistants Team
- Graduate Assistant ( OL )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Head of Sixth Form
Job Titles:
- Deputy Head
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Andy read Engineering at Churchill College, Cambridge, where he also completed his PGCE. Before teaching, Andy worked in the design and applied research of renewable energy for AECOM, London. He started his teaching career at Whitgift School in 2009 where he was also Assistant Head of Sixth Form and led the Senior STEM programme. In 2012, he was appointed Head of Physics at Blundell's School where he coordinated Oxbridge Science Preparation. An avid sportsman, Andy was Head of Cross Country in both schools, coached various teams and organised outdoor pursuit events and trips. He joined John Lyon in 2015. As Deputy Head, Andy is responsible for implementing the School's Vision and oversees the day-to-day running of the School.
Job Titles:
- Sport Coach & PE Technician
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technicians and Assistants Team
- Physics & STEAM
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Governors
Job Titles:
- FRCO FCA - Assistant Head ( Quainton Hall Links )
Huw read Music at Robinson College, Cambridge, where he was an Organ Scholar, before completing his PGCE at the University of Buckingham. He has been at John Lyon since 2016, principally as Director of Music, though for five years he was also Head of Year 7. In his post of Assistant Head (Quainton Hall Links), Huw oversees the collaboration and integration between Prep and Senior, working to help create an optimal 3-18 educational experience. Before working at John Lyon, Huw was Director of Music at Merchant Taylors' School for four years, following a period at Stowe School as Assistant Director of Music and Deputy Housemaster. Before becoming a teacher, Huw worked for a ‘top ten' accountancy firm and remains a qualified ACA today.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing & Communications
- Head of Sixth Form
Jesal is passionate about promoting education and has worked in the education marketing sector for over a decade. After completing a degree in Marketing and Advertising, Jesal began his career with West Herts College, spending three years at their Watford, Kings Langley and Hemel Hempstead campuses. He moved on to work across both Haberdashers' Boys' and Girls' Schools (Habs) in Elstree for seven years. Latterly at Habs, he headed up the marketing function at both schools and was also Chair of the Communications Group. Jesal was awarded Membership to the Chartered Institute of Marketing (MCIM), and projects he designed and led on have been shortlisted for the Tes ‘Marketing Campaign of the Year Award' and, more recently whilst at John Lyon, for the Independent School of the Year's ‘Marketing Award for Effective Brand Communication'. At John Lyon, Jesal is responsible for all promotional, comms and press activity at both John Lyon (Senior) and Quainton Hall (Prep). In his free time, Jesal enjoys football, golf, Formula 1 and cooking vegan food.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Head ( Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead )
Jonathan has been teaching for 17 years across a range of educational settings, enjoying a number of middle management and senior leadership roles. Jonathan has been a Principal Examiner for A-Level History and is a Fellow of the Chartered institute of Educational Assessors. He is also a Governor, responsible for curriculum and safeguarding, at Roxeth Primary School in Harrow. Jonathan joined John Lyon in September 2018 as Head of Sixth Form, becoming Assistant Head Pastoral in January 2021, and Designated Safeguarding Lead in September 2021. Jonathan has responsibility for pastoral provision and safeguarding, with oversight of the Sixth Form, public benefit and the School's charity work.
Job Titles:
- Head of Estates and Health and Safety
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technicians and Assistants Team
- Drama Technician ( OL )
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Assistant ( OL )
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technicians and Assistants Team
- Art Technician
- Biology
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Facilities Manager
Richard read Modern and Medieval Languages at Downing College, Cambridge, before starting his teaching career at the London Academy of Excellence, where he taught Spanish and French and coordinated the Oxbridge preparation programme. Richard then went on to become Head of Spanish at Tonbridge School, before joining Forest School in 2016, as Head of Modern Languages. In 2021, he joined John Lyon as Director of Studies where he has responsibility for curriculum and academic matters.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Assistant Head ( Academic )
Tim read Engineering at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, and his first teaching role was at Reading Blue Coat School. He joined John Lyon as Head of Mathematics in 2014 before becoming Director of Studies in 2017 and then Assistant Head in 2021. Tim has led expeditions to Ecuador, Mongolia and Morocco as well as coordinating the School's annual ski trip.
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to Chief Operating Officer
Job Titles:
- Business Administrator ( Reception )
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer 's Executive Officer
Candace joined John Lyon in September 2022 and has a genuine passion for people. Her HR career spans two decades, seven years of which have been in the education sector. Candace spent six years at JFS as Head of HR. Before that, she worked in the transport industry as a HR Business Partner, covering the Docklands Light Railway, London Cycle Hire Scheme and Rail Technical Services. Outside of the office, Candace enjoys sport, playing both tennis and cricket. She also enjoys cooking and baking.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technicians and Assistants Team
- Portsmouth - Science Technician
Job Titles:
- Systems and Data Specialist
Job Titles:
- Business Administrator ( Cover )
Tania joined John Lyon in 2018. Previously she had been the Accountant at Wycombe Abbey for 12 years. Tania trained in audit, moving into a variety of roles as a financial accountant before finding her love of school finances. As Director of Finance, Tania is responsible for ensuring the financial strength of the School. Outside of work Tania is the Treasurer for the Aylesbury Deanery and enjoys being a sewing bee when time avails.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technicians and Assistants Team
- Spanish Language Assistant
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations
- Head
- Support Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing & Communications
Job Titles:
- CWIFM - Director of Operations
Destiny joined John Lyon in 2023 as the Director of Operations (DOO). She has worked within the education sector for over a decade, most recently as Head of Estates & Facilities at Kings House School, Richmond. As DOO, Destiny is responsible for leading the provision of Health, Safety & Security; Facilities; Grounds; Catering and Transport across the entire School in conjunction with leading the day-to-day provision of all support activities at the Quainton Hall site. She is a certified member of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWIFM) and Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). Outside of the office, Destiny enjoys cooking and reading.
Job Titles:
- Business Administration Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technicians and Assistants Team
- Foreign Language Assistant ( French )
After completing a degree in Theology at King's College London, Stephen entered the Anglican priesthood. Due to his extensive contact with schools and a voluntary teaching role at an independent school, Stephen stepped away from full time parish ministry and entered the teaching profession first at St Clement Danes School in Chorleywood where he became subject leader of the Religious, Ethical and Philosophical Studies department. Stephen was very also actively involved in the life of the Sixth Form as a Form Tutor and as the Extended Project Qualification Coordinator. It was there that he developed an interest in the process for university applications. In January 2017 he moved to John Lyon as Head of Religious Studies and Philosophy and took on the role of Head of Higher Education. He became Assistant Head of Sixth Form in 2018 and Head of Sixth Form in 2021.