THE CROFT PREPARATORY SCHOOL - Key Persons


Charlotte Tyler

Job Titles:
  • GOVERNOR
  • Member of the Governing Committee
Charlotte Tyler lives in Stratford-upon-Avon and all three of her children are former pupils at the Croft, spanning a continuous period of 16 years, the last of whom left the school in 2022. With a career in Public Relations, Events and Brand Development and an avid interest in children and their education, she joins the committee with a long term affinity and affection for the school, having been a heavily involved parent spanning almost 2 decades!

Chris Curtis

Job Titles:
  • GOVERNOR
  • Member of the Governing Committee
Chris brings 10 years+ working on technical construction projects in the education sector, across primary, junior, secondary, and higher education. Chris has successfully designed and implemented curriculum analyses, gap analyses, master planning, funding applications, and the practicalities of managing projects within a live school environment. As a company director, Chris brings much experience in staff management and health and safety procedures.

David Hann

Job Titles:
  • GOVERNOR
  • Member of the Governing Committee
David is a parent of two former Croft pupils. His working life has included starting and growing a business, general management and marketing within the computer systems sector. He is also a qualified teacher and has experience across the Key Stage 2 curriculum.

Gemma Marchington

Job Titles:
  • GOVERNOR
  • Member of the Governing Committee
Gemma Marchington worked at The Croft School for 12 years, in teaching and management positions, specialising in Early Years. She has a passion for teaching, contributing to each child's development, with the aim of them reaching their full potential. Gemma played a big part in setting up our successful Forest School and becoming a fully qualified Forest School teacher. She has three young children, two of whom attend The Croft School.

Jenny Thornton

Job Titles:
  • GOVERNOR
  • Member of the Governing Committee
  • Proprietor
Jenny is a children's Occupational Therapist, with an independent practice based in the Midlands. She has over 25 years experience of working with and supporting children within mainstream education. Jenny is the proprietor representative on the governing committee. Jenny's four children are all former Croft students.

Jessica May

Job Titles:
  • GOVERNOR
  • Member of the Governing Committee
  • Head of Learning at Longborough Festival Opera
Jessica May is Head of Learning at Longborough Festival Opera and Head of Education at Campden Music Festival, as well as a regular performer, adjudicator and teacher. She is a Trustee of the charity, Music and Theatre for All. Her two sons are former pupils of the Croft.

Karen Powell

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Governing Committee
  • GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONAL
Karen Powell has over 25 years' experience in supporting and developing school governance, leadership and working in school improvement. She worked in a Local Authority for 7 years as the Governor Development Officer and set up her own consultancy in 2013 allowing her to work with schools and academies across the country. She is a regular conference speaker and trainer, whilst also supporting governors in headteacher recruitment. She is an accredited Safer Recruitment and CEOP trainer. Karen specialises in safeguarding and has a portfolio of courses related to safeguarding and governance. She is passionate about governance, and how the work of governors, proprietors and Trustees can impact the life chances of our young people.

Miss Angela Thompson

Job Titles:
  • RT Class Teacher

Miss Caroline Beale

Job Titles:
  • Key Group Leader

Miss Edina Szanto

Job Titles:
  • Croft Assistant

Miss Evie Lowe

Job Titles:
  • RL Class Teacher

Miss Felicity Hopkins

Job Titles:
  • 1DB Learning Assistant

Miss Holly Simmonds

Job Titles:
  • 2B Learning Assistant

Miss Katie Lake

Job Titles:
  • Learning Assistant
  • RL Learning Assistant

Miss Laura Barton

Job Titles:
  • 1B Class Teacher

Miss Laura Holland

Job Titles:
  • Learning Support Assistant

Miss Melissa Maclean

Job Titles:
  • 6M Form Teacher

Miss Ruby Clarke

Job Titles:
  • Croft Assistant / Reception

Mr Barney Thornton

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Senior Leadership and Senior Management Team
  • Director & School Business Manager
  • Jenny Thornton and Lyndall Thornton, Chair of the Board
Barney Thornton, Jenny Thornton and Lyndall Thornton, Chair of the Board

Mr David Coggins

Job Titles:
  • 2C Class Teacher / Head of Humanities Faculty

Mr David Suffling

Job Titles:
  • Maintenance Assistant
  • Member of the Maintenance Team

Mr Ed Bolderston

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Senior Leadership and Senior Management Team
  • Deputy Headmaster
  • Deputy Headmaster and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Mr Jack Chatwin

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Maintenance Team
  • Cleaner

Mr Jacob Burrows

Job Titles:
  • Head
  • Head of Emotional & Physical Development

Mr James Ferris

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Senior Leadership and Senior Management Team
  • Assistant Head ( Pastoral )

Mr John Reynolds

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Maintenance Team
  • Groundsman

Mr Liam Mills

Job Titles:
  • Head of STEM Faculty / Head of Technology

Mr Marcus Cook

Job Titles:
  • Headmaster
  • Member of the Senior Leadership and Senior Management Team

Mr Nicholas Harper

Job Titles:
  • Head of PE and Boys Games
  • Head of PE and Games ( Boys )

Mr Oliver Harrison

Job Titles:
  • Key Group Leader

Mr Steven Henderson

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Maintenance Team
  • Estates Manager

Mr Stuart Morris

Job Titles:
  • Facilities Manager
  • Member of the Maintenance Team

Mr Tom Genders

Job Titles:
  • Head of Art & Design

Mrs Alison Hickman

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Member of the School Administration Team

Mrs Alison Webber

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Senior Leadership and Senior Management Team
  • Early Years Manager

Mrs Angela Mills

Job Titles:
  • 4PM Class Teacher

Mrs Antonietta Caruso

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Catering Team
  • Food Service Assistant

Mrs Caroline Hudson

Job Titles:
  • 3U Learning Assistant

Mrs Caroline Stirling

Job Titles:
  • Key Group Leader

Mrs Charlotte Garne

Job Titles:
  • RGA Class Teacher

Mrs Clare Caines

Job Titles:
  • Learning Assistant

Mrs Colina Guest

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Maintenance Team
  • Cleaner

Mrs Daniella Malik

Job Titles:
  • Learning Assistant

Mrs Denise Austin

Job Titles:
  • RGA Class Teacher

Mrs Denise O'Shea

Job Titles:
  • Member of the School Nursing Team
  • School Nurse

Mrs Emily Allen

Job Titles:
  • Learning Assistant

Mrs Emily Dawber

Job Titles:
  • Teacher

Mrs Emma Miles

Job Titles:
  • Learning Support Assistant
  • Member of the School Administration Team

Mrs Gemma Cook

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Senior Leadership and Senior Management Team
  • Assistant Head ( Academic )

Mrs Ginny Bell

Job Titles:
  • RGA Learning Assistant

Mrs Hannah Harris

Job Titles:
  • Year 4 Learning Assistant

Mrs Helen Foster

Job Titles:
  • Learning Support Assistant
  • Member of the School Administration Team

Mrs Jane Martin

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Member of the School Administration Team

Mrs Jenna Powell

Job Titles:
  • Member of the School Administration Team
  • 3TP Class Teacher
  • Leader of Teacher Development / Learning Support

Mrs Jo Grant

Job Titles:
  • Croft Assistant

Mrs Joanna McKenna

Job Titles:
  • Finance Manager
  • Member of the School Administration Team

Mrs Jude Cranmer

Job Titles:
  • 1B Learning Assistant

Mrs Kate Bull

Job Titles:
  • Member of the School Administration Team
  • Learning Support

Mrs Kathryn Blatcher

Job Titles:
  • Head of History / Head of RE

Mrs Laura Collet-Wilby

Job Titles:
  • Director of Music

Mrs Laura Fines-Allin

Job Titles:
  • 3U Learning Assistant

Mrs Leesa Brennan

Job Titles:
  • Head of PE and Games ( Girls )
  • Head of PE and Girls Games

Mrs Leigh Hands

Job Titles:
  • Learning Assistant

Mrs Linda Harris

Job Titles:
  • 1B Learning Assistant

Mrs Louise Anstey

Job Titles:
  • Member of the School Administration Team
  • Member of the Senior Leadership and Senior Management Team

Mrs Lucy Bolderston

Job Titles:
  • 2B Class Teacher

Mrs Lucy Boyes

Job Titles:
  • Member of the School Administration Team
  • Digital Marketing

Mrs Lyn Walter

Job Titles:
  • 2C Learning Assistant

Mrs Lynn Chatwin

Job Titles:
  • 1L Learning Assistant

Mrs Lynne Hinson

Job Titles:
  • Catering Assistant
  • Member of the Catering Team
  • Food Service Assistant

Mrs Nicki Connell

Job Titles:
  • Learning Assistant

Mrs Nicola Dove

Job Titles:
  • 1DB Class Teacher

Mrs Nicola Hale

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Catering Team
  • Food Service Assistant

Mrs Nita Rouse

Job Titles:
  • Learning Support Assistant
  • Member of the School Administration Team

Mrs Olivia Davies

Job Titles:
  • Early Years Assistant

Mrs Paula Lawrence

Job Titles:
  • Year 5 Learning Assistant

Mrs Paula McGill

Job Titles:
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Member of the School Administration Team

Mrs Philippa Paddock

Job Titles:
  • Modern Foreign Languages Teacher

Mrs Rachael Seamer

Job Titles:
  • Member of the School Administration Team
  • Learning Support

Mrs Rachel Macrae

Job Titles:
  • Head of Science

Mrs Rachel Tedds

Job Titles:
  • 3TP Class Teacher

Mrs Rebecca Harris

Job Titles:
  • 3TP Learning Assistant
  • Learning Assistant

Mrs Rebecca Slatter

Job Titles:
  • 3S Class Teacher

Mrs Sally Jeffcoate

Job Titles:
  • Member of the School Administration Team
  • Head of Admissions
  • Head of Admissions and Administration

Mrs Sara Barrett

Job Titles:
  • Head of Creative Arts Faculty / Head of Drama

Mrs Sarah Spurling

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Member of the School Administration Team

Mrs Serena Mitchinson

Job Titles:
  • Catering Manager
  • Member of the Catering Team

Mrs Sharon Allen

Job Titles:
  • Year 3 Learning Assistant

Mrs Shirley Anne Lilley

Job Titles:
  • 1L Learning Assistant

Mrs Shirley Leigh

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Catering Team

Mrs Stella Blue

Job Titles:
  • Learning Assistant
  • Year 4 Learning Assistant

Mrs Sue Robinson

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Catering Team

Mrs Tina Rose

Job Titles:
  • Member of the School Nursing Team
  • School Nurse

Mrs Victoria Bond

Job Titles:
  • 1DB Class Teacher

Ms Katie Scott

Job Titles:
  • 4S Class Teacher

Ms Laura Urquhart

Job Titles:
  • 3U Class Teacher

Ms Liz O'Shea

Job Titles:
  • Member of the School Administration Team
  • Executive Assistant to Headmaster

Nicholas Berry

Job Titles:
  • GOVERNOR
  • Member of the Governing Committee
Nicholas Berry is a senior criminal barrister who prosecutes and defends in Crown Courts throughout the Midlands area. He is head of the recruitment and training of pupil barristers for his Chambers based in Birmingham. Nicholas lives in Stratford-upon-Avon and has a daughter who attends The Croft School.

Sarah Pilbeam

Job Titles:
  • GOVERNOR
  • Member of the Governing Committee
Sarah is a teaching professional with a specialism in working with special needs students, in particular; Autism and children with complex learning difficulties. Sarah has over 20 years experience in SEND practice. Sarah lives in Stratford-upon-Avon and works locally at a Special needs school.

Tim Kenny

Job Titles:
  • GOVERNOR
  • Member of the Governing Committee
  • Head of Marketing at SCC
Tim Kenny is Head of Marketing at SCC, Europe's largest privately owned technology provider based in Birmingham and owned by the Rigby Group, based in Stratford-upon-Avon. He also supports a number of Corporate Social Responsibility activities within SCC as part of its philanthropic approach to helping unleash the potential in our communities.

Vanessa Aris

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Board of Directors
  • Member of the Governing Committee
  • CHAIRMAN of CROFT GOVERNING COMMITTEE
Vanessa Aris is a former Science Teacher with over 40 years' experience, she still tutors students for GCSE and A'Levels and beyond. Vanessa has been a Governor for nearly 20 years and has governed in 14 schools (repeatedly as Chair or Vice-Chair) and has worked with Local Authorities on issues of Governance and as advisor to Headteachers. She was awarded the MBE in 2000 for services to Education.