BEDE - Key Persons
Amira started dancing at the age of 3 at her local dance school. When she was 16 she left home to further her professional dancing career and trained for 4 years at Performers College in Essex whilst also gaining teaching qualifications with the ISTD.
She then graduated and has been lucky enough to work professionally on TV, theatre and around the world. Alongside performing Amira has taught at many different dance schools around Sussex and is now delighted to be teaching pupils at Bede's.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager
Charles Haywood has 40 years experience as a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager in the Construction industry. He specialises in risk managing construction projects and has regularly acted as an Expert Witness in resolving disputes. For 20 years he was a director of a local Surveying Practice before more recently taking on a consultancy role. He chaired the Sussex Constructing Excellence Club promoting best practice and driving innovation in the sector.
Claire trained with the Royal Ballet School Associates for 8 years and performed with them at many events including MoveIt and various outreach performances. Here she was selected to perform with The Australian Ballet at The London Coliseum in their version of Swan Lake during their 2005 international tour, making her professional debut at age 10. During this time she also trained and toured with The London Russian Ballet School, performing her debut Principal role in Le Spectre de la Rose. Here she also performed Soloist and Corps de Ballet roles in many Russian versions of the traditional classical ballets in locations such as The Hurlingham Club and City Hall for the Mayor of London. She then went on to study at Central School of Ballet for three years in classical ballet, contemporary and jazz and performed with Ballet Central on their UK tour, graduating with a BA(Hons) Degree in Professional Dance and Performance. Claire then moved to Switzerland to perform with the Cinevox Junior Company for two years. Here she performed Principal and Soloist roles in classical, neo-classical and contemporary styles in their national tours, and had the opportunity to have her own choreographic work performed on stage.
Whilst in Switzerland, she not only performed and taught ballet classes in the local area, but was selected be a dancer-model for the fashion brand Tods, where she co-choreographed and performed for their advert campaign. Since returning to London she has immersed herself in teaching for various schools and colleges. She continues her freelance performing, including performances with The London Festival Opera, Classical Spectacular at The Royal Albert Hall with The London Philharmonic Orchestra and performances for members of the Chinese Embassy. She has also performed many roles as a dancer-model for several high profile brands including Apple, Hyundai and Canon and performed at a fashion show with Scuderia Ferrari, having also featured in multiple times in Vogue Italia. She is a passionate and caring teacher and is delighted to be teaching at Bede's.
Dermot Keegan has spent over 35 years working in Asset Management in London for both global and specialist firms. Dermot is a past parent.
Charlotte Lemaigre is a Consultant Psychologist with over 10 years specialist experience of working in mental health within the National Health Service (NHS). She also runs her own private practice in London. She is passionate about pastoral care and promoting emotional and psychological wellbeing across the lifespan.
Emma was Head of Dance for Phoenix Theatre Arts Project which she co-founded and managed.
Gabby started dancing locally when she was just 4 years old and joined Legat when she was 11. She won a scholarship to both Bedes and Stagecoach, the latter leading to the opportunity to perform at the Royal Albert Hall and in a production of the La Traviata Opera. During this time, she was also part of The London Children's Ballet, performing in their production of ‘The Secret Garden' at the Peacock Theatre, London.
Upon leaving Legat, Gabby trained at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance where she performed works by, among others, Mark Baldwin, Robert Cohan and Darren Ellis. After graduating she embarked on a freelance career, working with the likes of Jennifer Irons, Natalie Bell Company (as part of GradLab), Company Wessex, Ballet Soul, and Bernardi Music Group. She has also appeared in fashion films and a music video and performed as part of art installations for the sculptor Tuli Litvak, at both the Central St Martins degree show, and the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
Gabby is currently undertaking an Open University Degree in Natural Sciences and is also a fully qualified Personal Trainer. She discovered her love for teaching through personal training and teaching company class. She is excited to be back in the Legat studios to teach Rambert Grades.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Chairman of the Board of Governors
Geraldine Watkins is a Magistrate and a Presiding Justice in the Family Court and has over 30 years' experience in Construction and Property Development. She has previously worked as an Ofsted lay inspector of schools and is also a past parent of Bede's, having had four children attend the School.
Giles Perrin has over 25 years of experience in UK independent, state and international school settings. He is the son of the Senior School's founding Headmaster Roger Perrin and his family lived at the Senior School from 1978 - 2003. Giles graduated from Edinburgh University with a BA in Religious Studies and Theology and began his teaching career at the Senior School, initially as a teacher and latterly as the Housemaster of Dicker Knights. Following this Giles worked in the state sector in Frome and then as part of a management team, founding a boarding school in India. In 2010 Giles founded Claremont Senior School, where he was based for 13 years.
Gautam has over 25 years of experience in actuarial, financial modelling and risk management in the financial services sector in the UK and Asia.
John Burbidge graduated from the University of York. John has over 30 years' experience in Investment Banking and was CEO of a major international bank in London for 10 years until he retired in 2011. John currently sits on two boards as a Non-Executive Director.
After 30 years teaching experience in the independent sector, 10 as Head of Pre Prep at Marlborough House School, Kate Nash has worked as a Subject Advisor for IAPS and as a freelance educational consultant; this includes delivering teacher training to the independent sector globally. Kate is also a Governor at another Prep School and she works as a volunteer inter-generational mediator.
Kyle is a recent politics graduate from the University of York and is currently studying for a MSt in History. He has previously been a governor of two secondary schools and is also a trustee of a Music Education Hub. Kyle also has a keen interest in music, holding a choral scholarship at university.
Job Titles:
- Visa and Immigration Compliance Manager
Lucy trained at Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance and then completed her RAD Ballet teacher training with the Royal Academy of Dance.
She has worked professionally as a dancer and choreographer with many companies including the Brighton Dance Network, Nu Tempo Dance Company, Ijad Dance Company, Stuart Thomas Dances, Diadon Dance and Moving Visions Dance Theatre.
Lucy has taught ballet and contemporary at Pleasing School of Dance in London, Art of Dance, Dance2Advance training other teachers on the ISTD DDE Programme, Rennie Dance Academy and established her own school Leap and Bound in Brighton.
Lucy will be teaching contemporary on our Legat Programme and inspiring the students with her knowledge and expertise.
Marios Pattihis is a solicitor who has over 40 years experience and he specialises in the commercial property sector.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Head ( Operations )
Job Titles:
- Digital Learning Strategy
Nick Mercer graduated from the University of London. Nick has over 35 years' commercial experience, most recently as a Director of Eurostar International. Nick is a Non-Executive Director of two commercial enterprises and he is also the Chair of the Trustees of a charity Clearlyworld.
Sarah Jelly is solicitor specialising in Family Law. She is also an accredited family mediator. She has previously been a Governor at another school and is a past parent, having had a daughter in the Senior School.
Job Titles:
- Legat 's Director of Dance
Sherrie is Legat's Director of Dance. Sherrie trained at Laine Theatre Arts and graduated with an honours musical theatre diploma as well as gaining ISTD teaching qualifications in modern, ballet, tap and national dance.
Jeremy Sykes is an Anglican priest and has nearly 30 years' experience working in a wide range of independent boarding and day schools both prep and senior. He was Chaplain at Giggleswick School and a housemaster, Headmaster of Great Walstead School and more recently Chaplain of Hurstpierpoint College. He is currently Vicar of the parish of Hellingly and Upper Dicker. He is also a foundation governor at a local federation of maintained primary schools.
Victoria holds a degree in Land Management from Reading University and has been a qualified member of the RICS since 1996. Victoria is a member of the Worshipful Company of Constructors, where she also serves as Almoner to the livery company. She recently completed the Cranfield University School of Management 'Business Growth Programme' and continues to be a member of the BGP Board.
Both of Victoria's children attended Bede's Senior School.
Winifred began her dance career with the Dutch company Galili Dans and then went on to join Russell Maliphant company.