THE KING'S SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Appointed Trustee ( Term Ends 13 / 12 / 2026 ) - Link Department
A long time ago I was a pupil at the school and more recently my 2 daughters also had a very positive and happy education at The King's School. I run the business side of Escot Estate along with my husband; this is a multi-facetted rural business which includes a wedding, conference, events and activities venue, and forest schools and outdoor education facilities.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cleaning Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cleaning Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technology Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Canteen Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cleaning Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technology Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technology Committee
Job Titles:
- Parent Trustee ( Term Ends 15 / 12 / 2026 ) - Link Department
I currently have two children at The King's School, one each in Y10 and Y11. I also have another child in Y5 at Ottery Primary. I work for EDF Energy running a team who provide business analysis for the IT systems & processes required on the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset. I also have a strong finance background having worked for Lloyds Banking Group for 16 years before my current role. I believe that trustees hold a key role in supporting and challenging the school to be as good as it possibly can be for the all young people in our community.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Headteacher / Teaching and Learning
After growing up in Cornwall I went on to study Modern History at Oxford University before completing my PGCE at Exeter University in 2008. Since this time, I have remained first and foremost a passionate teacher of History and Politics, determined to continually improve my practice through learning from others. In addition, I have previously been a Teaching Assistant, a Head of Department, an Assistant Headteacher and Director of Teaching School Hub Programmes for the South West Institute for Teaching. I am extremely proud to be part of this brilliant school and serve as Deputy Headteacher with responsibility for teaching and learning. In this role, I firmly believe in the power of professional collaboration so that we can all keep getting better together for the benefit of all our students and the wider school community. Away from school, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, a variety of sports, walking the family dog and exploring this beautiful part of the country that we live in.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Canteen Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technology Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technology Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
- Geography
Job Titles:
- Appointed Trustee ( Term Ends 05 / 02 / 2025 ) - Link Department
My association with the school dates back to 1976 when I joined the teaching staff. In a thirty one year career within the school, until my retirement in 2007, I held a number of posts including Head of Mathematics, Senior Teacher and Assistant Headteacher.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cleaning Team
Job Titles:
- Deputy Headteacher / Student Support & Safeguarding
I was born and bred in Exeter and spent my youth playing sport at any opportunity. After my A levels I took a gap year and worked at a school in Mid Devon. This convinced me that I wanted to be a teacher and I underwent a four year teacher training degree specialising in Physical Education in West London. My first job was in nearby Staines and after two years became Head of PE. After four years at the school I fulfilled an ambition to travel around the world - spending nine months exploring some diverse and beautiful places. On returning home my wife and I moved back to Devon. I started at King's in 1994 (!) as a part-time PE teacher and have had numerous different roles since. I am particularly proud at setting up the PSHE department from scratch and have enjoyed a range of roles on the pastoral side. I currently have the best job in the school as Deputy Head - Student Support.
I am a passionate advocate for young people and am so lucky to have a job which is focussed on the students in the school. The experience of bringing up my own three children has given me considerable insight into the trials and tribulations of teenage life. Being a teenager can be really hard but it can also be incredibly exciting. My job is centred on creating a platform where students are supported to do their best and achieve regardless of their background or ability. My favourite day of the school year is the Year 11 Celebration Day where we get to reflect on the five years the students have had at the school and the wonderful young people they have become. This makes me feel incredibly proud.
Although my competitive days are mostly behind me, sport and physical activity remain a passion and I love to be active either on my bike or through walking the dog. Exeter City FC also take up a lot of my headspace causing me additional stress that I could do without. I also love to travel with my family and we hopefully have lots of exciting adventures ahead.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cleaning Team
Job Titles:
- Deputy Headteacher / Curriculum
Job Titles:
- Assistant Headteacher / Post 16 Learning
Job Titles:
- Headteacher
- Headteacher ( Term Ends N / a )
After growing up in London, I studied Physical Education, Sports Science and Physics at Loughborough University. I had the privilege of undertaking my teacher training at Loughborough before starting my teaching career in Louth, Lincolnshire. In 2006 I moved to The King's School as Deputy Headteacher responsible for the specialist sports college status. After 7 years at King's I was appointed as Headteacher at Robert Blake Science College, Bridgwater. During my time as Headteacher the school saw significant improvement and was successful in securing a ‘good' rating from Ofsted in 2015. I am now delighted to be the Headteacher of The King's School having been appointed to the post in September 2016.
It is a privilege to lead one of the most successful schools in the South West. The King's School's ‘achievement for all' ethos captures my own personal commitment to comprehensive education. I have a deep desire to see students achieve academically and personally and much of what we offer at the school is focused on supporting young people to become thoughtful, compassionate and resilient members of the community with the skills necessary to make a difference. I live in the school's catchment area and my 3 children have all benefitted from the high quality education that this learning community of primary and secondary schools provides. I am a keen sports person and enjoy the challenge of running, swimming and cycling, occasionally putting all 3 together and competing in triathlons! I also love the outdoors and enjoy surfing and walking with my family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Company Secretary
- Director of Finance & Operations
- Member of the Finance Committee
- Company Secretary / Clerk ( Term Ends N / a )
I joined The King's School in 2023 having previously worked in several large organisations, including Exeter University, Debenhams, and South West Water.
After studying Accounting & Finance at University I was desperate to see the world so I travelled and worked for a couple of years living in Italy, Australia and New Zealand. To make ends meet I taught English as Foreign Language. I enjoyed this role and experience so much that I decided to set up an English Language School which I ran for 6 years with my wife before reverting back to my accounting education and becoming a fully qualified Chartered Certified Accountant.
The education sector, in one form or another, has often been present in my career as I have always been passionate about learning and sharing knowledge wherever I have worked.
I feel privileged to be working at one of the best schools in the South West and my ambition and challenge within this role is to positively influence the outcomes of the pupils whilst working in a ‘back-office' function. However, I am positive, with the fantastic team around me, that this is absolutely possible!
I am married and have 3 children, each with their own unique personality and abilities, keeping me busy outside of work.
Job Titles:
- Appointed Trustee ( Term Ends 03 / 03 / 2028 ) - Link Department
My son Jonathan started in Year 7 at Kings in September. My family returned to the south-west in 2018 after 15 years in London - my wife is from Woodbury and I graduated from Exeter University before working locally for a decade. I began my career at global information and news company Reuters, where I spent 16 years managing international data and technology projects. Subsequently, I worked as a consultant specialising in business change and improvement, then most recently as Strategy Manager for a financial planning firm in Exeter. Previous voluntary positions held include Vice-Chairman of the Patient Participation Group at my local surgery and building a change management special interest group for the Project Management Association.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cleaning Team
- Member of the Site Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technology Committee
Job Titles:
- Staff Trustee ( Term Ends 13 / 12 / 2025 )
I've been the Head Science Technician at the King's School since 2012. Since completing my Environmental Protection degree at Bournemouth University I started to work for the Environment Agency. From here I moved to working at the King's School as I felt passionate about sharing my enthusiasm for science with students. I took a sabbatical from my work for a year when I travelled around the world with my now wife and spent time in India, South East Asia, New Zealand, and Mexico.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cleaning Team
Job Titles:
- Opted Trustee ( Term Ends 11 / 07 / 2027 ) - Link Department
I have two children at The King's School; a son in Year 10 and a daughter in Year 8. I joined the school as a Parent Trustee in October 2015. Previously, I was a Foundation Governor at Sidmouth Primary for six years. Outside of school, my business is involved in magazine publishing where I specialise in print and online advertising sales for national organisations. Always on the lookout for good local sales people, in 2013, I launched a local jobs website to help the young people of East Devon find their first part time jobs and since then we've grown to be able to help other local organisations, including The King's School, find staff.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Canteen Team
Job Titles:
- Parent Trustee ( Term Ends 15 / 12 / 2026 ) - Link Department
The King's School has a visibly positive ethos, warm relations between staff and students and a breadth of opportunities that gives students freedom to thrive; I am seeing this through my three daughters fortunate enough to be here. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to support the school in nurturing happy and successful young people. My background -working in the NHS for 25 years- has equipped me with experience and skills that I hope I can put to good use in my role as a Parent Trustee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Finance Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technology Committee
Job Titles:
- Appointed Trustee ( Term Ends 28 / 10 / 2024 ) - Link Department
I first became a Trustee as a parent in the 90's and it has been a privilege to support the school through vast progress and change. Having started a career teaching in Secondary Education, since time out I have taught fitness classes to adults and been involved in various local organisations on a voluntary basis. I was Vice Chair of the governing board for 10 yrs. I am particularly interested in Science Education and value my role as link Trustee to this Department
Job Titles:
- Member of the Canteen Team
Job Titles:
- Deputy Headteacher / Inclusion & SENCO
I grew up in Devon, before attending University in Wolverhampton where I studied biological sciences, and then Lancaster where I completed my PCGE. I began my teaching career as a science teacher in a school near Cardiff, and it was here I developed my passion for working within the field of special needs education, so my next position was as a special needs teacher in Reading.
Nine years into my teaching career I returned to Devon and became the SENCo at The King's School, later becoming a deputy headteacher with responsibility for inclusion and personalisation.
I am passionate about inclusion and feel privileged to work in a school that has achievement for all and inclusion at the heart of its ethos. The Skills for Learning department has been recognised at a national level on two occasions, myself being awarded a Teaching award for the best special needs teacher in 2005 and the whole team receiving a further Teaching Award for the best school team in 2014.
Out of school I enjoy spending time with my 3 children (all of whom have been fortunate enough to attend The King's School), running and walking my dogs.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Cleaning Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Canteen Team
Job Titles:
- Parent Trustee ( Term Ends 17 / 01 / 2028 ) - Link Department
Job Titles:
- Member of the Canteen Team
Job Titles:
- Appointed Trustee ( Term Ends 13 / 12 / 2026 ) - Link Department
Job Titles:
- School Staff Member
- Admin Support
Job Titles:
- Parent Trustee ( Term Ends 28 / 01 / 2026 ) - Link Department
Job Titles:
- Member of the Canteen Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Canteen Team
Job Titles:
- Member of the Technology Committee
Job Titles:
- Staff Trustee ( Term Ends 12 / 07 / 2027 )
I have taught English at The King's School since 2020. Since completing my English Literature & Philosophy degree at the University of Exeter, I completed my PGCE and studied Creative Writing at Oxford University. I am also the co-leader of the Pride@King's, Diversity@King's and Arvon and beyond Creative Writing clubs. I work as the school's union representative and am passionate about promoting inclusivity, diversity and wellbeing within our community.
Job Titles:
- Parent Trustee ( Term Ends 15 / 12 / 2026 ) - Link Department
My son started at Kings in 2021 and thoroughly enjoys his time at school. I have been impressed with how nurturing Kings has been and am very happy to have this opportunity to offer my support to the school as a Trustee.