Senior Leadership Team
Rose read History at Somerville College, University of Oxford, then studied for a PGCE at London University. More recently, she completed an MEd in Educational Leadership. She is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Governor of The British School of Paris. Rose has a wide range of leadership and educational experience. Prior to joining John Lyon, she was previously Headmistress at Haberdashers’ Girls’ School (Habs) in Elstree. Before that, Rose spent five years as Head of St Margaret’s School in Bushey, a 4-18 independent girls’ school. She also served as the first female Head of the co-educational Sixth Form at St Albans School, before moving on to the post of Second Master, again the first female to hold this pivotal position.
Rose sees the move to John Lyon as the natural culmination of her commitment to the highest standards of academic, pastoral and co-curricular education for all children and young people.
Nigel joined John Lyon in 2024 as the Bursar. He read Economics and Politics at Birmingham University and is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Management Consultant. Nigel’s entire career and significant leadership roles focus on the strategic and operational aspects of organisations underpinned by financial and commercial understanding of day-to-day operations and improvement opportunities. Most recently, he led the UK Consulting business at KPMG and previously the EMEA Strategy and Operations business at Deloitte. Beyond work Nigel acts as a NED for a CIC focused on developing diverse talent pools in schools and the community for the technology sector and is a mentor for Hope in Haringey for children and young adults who have talent and potential despite historic disadvantage.
As Bursar, Nigel is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the school through provision of finance, HR, IT, catering, transport, administration, estates and grounds support services.
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 Senior Deputy Head, Andy is responsible for implementing the School’s Vision and oversees the day-to-day running of the School.
Sonal completed her initial teacher training in Kenya before emigrating to the UK. She went onto complete an MSc in Educational Leadership alongside a diploma in teaching children with specific learning difficulties. Having owned and run her own nursery, Sonal has an Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) and is passionate about the provision of Early Years. Sonal joined the Prep School in January 2024, from Danes Hill School in Oxshott, Surrey. She has broad experience of leadership including being Director of Learning Support, Assistant Head Academic and more recently Deputy Head Academic. Sonal works closely with Rose Hardy, Head of John Lyon, to enhance the through-school education at John Lyon.
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.
Jillian studied Drama and English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, where she also completed her PGCE. She later completed an MA in Culture, Language and Identity in Education at Goldsmiths, University of London. After teaching for a year in her native Northern Ireland, Jillian moved to London and taught English and Drama, as well as being a Head of Year at Old Palace of John Whitgift School until 2008. She then moved to Kew House School to set up and lead the Drama department and went on to become the Assistant Head (Key Stage 4) taking a lead in the pastoral life of the school. Becoming Deputy Head (Pastoral) at John Lyon is the realisation of Jillian’s passion for educating the whole child, helping them develop into the best people they can be through nurture and challenge.
Jonathan has been teaching for 19 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. Jonathan joined John Lyon in September 2018 as Head of Sixth Form, becoming Assistant Head in January 2021, and Designated Safeguarding Lead in September 2021. Jonathan has responsibility for safeguarding across the whole school, and pupil and staff wellbeing in the senior school.
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.
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.
Jay completed an MA in History at UCL before completing a PGCE at the Institute of Education. She has over 20 years of experience in academic and pastoral leadership roles. Jay was Head of History and Politics and Assistant Head of Sixth Form at a state school in Barnet. She was subsequently Head of History, Politics, and History of Art at St Helen’s, Northwood, and Head of Humanities at Maidavale School, a co-educational independent school in the capital, prior to joining John Lyon.
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.
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 all three campuses: Prep, Senior and Sudbury Fields. In his free time, Jesal enjoys football, golf, Formula 1 and cooking (and eating!) vegan food.
Full School staff list
Head
Mrs R Hardy, MA (Oxon) MEd
Bursar
Mr N Slater, BSOcSc (Birmingham) ACA ChMC
Senior Deputy Head
Mr A J Sims, MA MEng (Cantab)
Head of Prep
Mrs S Chatrath, MSc (Leicester)
Deputy Heads
Mr T J Lewis, MA M Eng (Cantab) [Deputy Head (Academic)]
Ms J E Mannion, MA (London) [Deputy Head (Pastoral)]
Assistant Heads
Mr J C Rowe, MA (UEA) NPQH FCIEA [Assistant Head (Wellbeing) & Designated Safeguarding Lead]
Mr R C Lokier, BA (Cantab) [Assistant Head (Academic)]
Dr F R Weinberg, BSc MSc PhD (Imperial) [Assistant Head (Admissions & Scholars)]
Head of Sixth Form
Ms J Livesey, MA (UCL)
Director of Finance
Mrs T Dovey, FCCA
Director of Marketing & Communications
Mr J Suchak, BA (Hertfordshire) MCIM
Interim Head of HR
Mrs S Shah, BSC (Westminster)
Art
*Miss G Holland, BA (Loughborough)
Mr N Brown
Biology
*Dr R M Kochaj, BSc (Warwick) MRes (Imperial) PhD (King’s)
Mr R Clarke, BSc (Brunel) [Head of Year 9]
Miss G Hirst, BSc (Durham)
Mr G McCastman, BSc (UCL)
Business
*Mr M R Fletcher, BSc (Bath)
Chemistry
*Mr N Arratoon, MChem (Dunelm) MA (Open)
Dr L C Andrews, BSc Hons (Brunel) EngD (Surrey/Brunel)
Mr J Carr, MSci (Imperial) [Head of Digital Learning]
Mr D Simons, BSc Hons (Nottingham)
Classics
*Dr B Gatto, BA MA (University of Padua), PhD (UCL)
Ms M Crawford, BA (Hunter College), MA (UCL)
Computer Science
*Miss S N Aboagye, BA (Wolverhampton) [Head of Year 7]
Design and Technology
*Ms K Coplee, BEng (University of Birmingham), MA (University of Middlesex)
Digital Learning
*Mr J Carr, MSci (Imperial)
Drama
*Mr N Bissessar, BA (Loughborough)
Mr L H Felgate, BA (Goldsmiths, University of London)
Economics
*Dr M E White, BA (Econ) MA (Econ) PhD (Manchester) FRSA
Mr S Hughes, BSc Hons (Aston)
English
*Ms S Alexander, BA (Queen Mary) MA (UCL)
Mr Q Carruthers, MA (Cantab)
Mrs M Wilkinson Lofstedt, LLB (Kings College)
Mr P Treherne, MSt (Oxon) MA Hons (St Andrews)
Miss D Waller, BA (Royal Holloway)
French
*Mrs R Sallet, BA (Keele)
Mr A K Ferguson, BA (Reading) (OL) [Head of Year 10]
Mrs N Shakour, MSc (LSE) PGCE (SHU)
Geography
*Mr J Carrera, BA (Open)
Mr A Ku, BA (LSE)
Mr J Ramsden, BA (Durham)
History
*Mr C K Longhurst, BA (Hull)
Mr A D Hartrup, BA (Southampton)
Mr J C Rowe, MA (UEA) [Assistant Head (Wellbeing) & Designated Safeguarding Lead]
Mr T W Yardley, BA MA (Cardiff) [Head of Senior Section Pastoral Care]
Learning Support
*Mrs J Gillard, MSc (Reading) NASENCO (Hertfordshire)
Mr R G Ellis-Paul, BSc (UCL)
Mrs I Soyinka
Mathematics
*Mr P W Muhley, BSc (Loughborough)
Mr W Ahmed, BSc (Kent) (OL)
Mr S J Andon, MSc (UCL)
Mr R V Illankovan, BSc (LSE)
Mr T Lewis, MA MEng (Cantab) [Deputy Head (Academic)]
Dr K Sudhakar, BSc PhD (London)
Mr M W Vickery, BEng (Exeter)
Dr H Wong, BSc MASt (Cantab)
Music
*Mr A J Furniss, MA (Oxon) FRCO [Director of Music (Senior)] [Head of Year 11]
Mr R Bowden, MA (Cantab), PGDip Vocal Studies – Voice
Music Technology
*Mr R E Marshall, BND (Stanmore Music College)
Physical Education
*Mr A S Ling, BSc (Brunel) [Director of Sport]
Miss M Limrick, BA Hons (Brighton) [Head of Year 8]
Mr R A Rice, BSc (Hertfordshire)
Physics
*Dr T A Choudhury-Fieret, BSc PhD (Aston)
Mr J L Kay, BSc (Durham)
Mr T J Mahon, BSc (UCL) BA (Surrey) MA (London Institute of Education)
Mr A J Sims, MA MEng (Cantab) [Senior Deputy Head]
Dr F R Weinberg, BSc MSc PhD (Imperial College) [Assistant Head (Admissions & Scholars)]
Politics
*Dr C J Clews, BA MA PhD (London)
Religious Studies
*Dr R S Kanwar, LLB PhD (Warwick) [CCF Contingent Commander]
Mrs S B Patel, BA (Birmingham) [Head of Lower & Middle Section Pastoral Care]
Mrs A Grady, BA (Roehampton) MA (Hertfordshire) [Director of Blackwell Enterprise/Head of Sustainability]
Spanish
*Mr P D Berry, BA (Bristol)
Mr R Lokier, BA (Cantab) [Assistant Head (Academic)]
* Denotes Heads of Department
Senior Prep Staff
Mrs S Chatrath — Head of Prep
Miss H Thamia —Deputy Head Academic (Prep)
Miss E Sherr — Deputy Head Pastoral (Prep) and Designated Safeguarding Lead (Prep)
Mr A Antoine — Head of Sports (Prep) / Head of Year 6
Miss M Stanworth— SENDCo
Prep Teaching Staff
Mrs A Alwaheidi — Class Teacher / Head of Year 5
Mr F Ahmad Baig — Year 2 Teacher
Mrs P Baka — Maths Teacher
Mrs K Byrne — Swimming Teacher
Miss K Dernoga — Head of Mathematics / Head of Year 4
Miss Y Diaz-Ojeda — Nursery Teacher
Mrs S Durg — Head of Art / Year 6 Form Tutor
Mr B Edem — PE and Games Teacher
Mrs J Gent — Head of English / Year 5 Form Tutor
Mrs A Halai — ICT Teacher
Mr S Haswell — Head of Music (Prep) / Year 4 Form Tutor
Miss H Ingram — Reception Teacher
Dr E Khodamoradi — Head of Science / Year 6 Form Tutor
Mrs S Mitchell — Head of French / Year 5 Form Tutor
Mrs S Mukhtar — Head of PSHCE / Year 4 Form Tutor
Miss N Thuairisg — Year 2 Teacher
Mrs S Rana — Year 1 Teacher
Miss Z Saudagar — Year 1 Teacher / Librarian
Miss Z Schaffer — EAL Coordinator / Year 3 Form Tutor
Miss J Shah — Head of Drama / Year 6 Form Tutor
Mrs S Shah — Reception Teacher / Head of Little Lyons
Mrs F Siddiqui — Year 3 Form Tutor
Miss M Stanworth — Head of Learning Support
Mr N Slater, BSOcSc (Birmingham) ACA ChMC – Bursar
Mrs B Bhikha – Head of Alumni, Administration and Commercial Relations
Mrs A Bari, MA (Westminster) – Executive Assistant to Bursar
Head’s Office
Mrs V Patel – PA to the Head
Mrs M Kochhar, BCom (Delhi University) – Head’s Secretary / Executive Assistant
Administration
Miss I Chowdhury – Business Administrator (Cover)
Mrs R Davda – Business Administrator (Prep)
Mrs V Gamadia – Business Administrator (Attendance)
Miss K Gogic – Business Administrator (Receptionist) (Prep)
Mrs A Harvey – Business Administrator (Reception)
Mrs K Patel – Senior Business Administrator
Mrs S Patel – Business Administrator (Prep)
Mrs A Rasool – Business Administrator (Prep)
Mrs W Scarlett – Music Administrator
Careers
Mrs C Bamrah, BA (Strathclyde) – Careers Advisor
Combined Cadet Force
Flt Lt L Mann – School Staff Instructor
Estates and Cleaning
Mr L Exelby – Head of Estates and Health & Safety
Mrs A Forika – Health & Safety Compliance Officer
Mr P Roberts – Assistant Facilities Manager
Mr F Jaramillo Serna – Estates Officer
Mr J Meydanci-Lofting – Estates Officer
Mr S Qureshi – Estates Officer
Mr S Muscalu – Day Janitor/Cleaning Operative
Mr H Desai – Estates & Letting Caretaker (out of hours)
Mrs M Chowaniec – Cleaning Operative
Mrs N Florek – Cleaning Operative
Mrs D Haridas – Cleaning Operative
Ms D Kerai – Cleaning Operative
Mrs C Naguindra – Cleaning Operative
Miss P O’Connor – Cleaner Operative
Mrs A Talaba – Cleaning Operative
Mr C Vidal – Cleaning Operative
Finance
Mrs T Dovey, FCCA – Director of Finance
Ms Z Hussain, BA (Westminster) FCCA – Financial Controller
Mrs N Merai, BA (Hertfordshire) -Finance Officer
Mrs T Vakharia – Accounts Assistant
Grounds
Mr C Lynch – Grounds Manager
Mr J Rosier – Groundsperson
Mr T Gurney – Groundsperson
HR
Mrs S Shah, BSc (Westminster) – Interim Head of HR
Mrs H Jandu – HR Officer
Mrs M Powell – HR Officer
IT, Data and Systems
Mr D Nanton, MCSE, PgDip (Middlesex) – Head of IT
Mrs N Ansari, BA (Manchester) MSc (SOAS) – Systems and Data Specialist
Mrs F Bouda – ICT Support Technician
Mrs U Samani – Business Administrator (Exams)
Mr M Shafaee – ICT Technician
Learning Support (Prep)
Mrs P Nayee – Learning Support Assistant
Miss U Schweitzer – Learning Support Assistant
Library
Mrs R Halsey, BA (Strathclyde) MCLIP – Librarian
Marketing & Communications, Admissions
Mr J Suchak, BA (Hertfordshire), MCIM – Director of Marketing & Communications
Miss M Freeman, BA (Westminster) – Marketing, Digital and Events Assistant
Mrs M Shah, BA (Simon Fraser University, Canada) – Marketing & Communications Officer
Mrs R J Davies – Senior Registrar
Mrs A Singh, BA, MBA (India) – Registrar
Prep Breakfast, Lunchtime and After School Supervisors
Mrs M Aliaj – Breakfast Club Assistant / Wrap Around Care Assistant
Mrs K Ayton – Break/Lunchtime Supervisor
Mrs J Drubra – Break/Lunchtime Supervisor
Mrs R Siddiq – Break/Lunchtime Supervisor
Mrs N Surani – Wrap Around Care Assistant
Sports Centre
Mr E Churn – Swimming Coach
Mr J Nikolovski – Swimming Coach
Mrs T O’Connell – Sports Technician & Sports Coach
Mr L Parry – Head of Hockey
Mr C Peploe – Cricket Professional & Sports Coach
Teaching Assistants (Prep)
Mrs T Bridge – Teaching Assistant
Mrs M Cam Lo – Nursery Teaching Assistant
Mrs P Chandarana – Teaching Assistant
Mrs S Cockram – Teaching Assistant
Mrs D Heshmati – Teaching Assistant
Mrs L Ho — Nursery Teaching Assistant
Mrs C Jones – Teaching Assistant
Mrs B Kavia – Teaching Assistant
Mrs P Murphy – Teaching Assistant
Mrs K Patel – Teaching Assistant/After School Club Leader
Miss S Young – Teaching Assistant
Technicians and Assistants
Miss Z Acton – Graduate Assistant
Mrs I Baquero-Alum, BA (Middlesex) – Foreign Language Assistant (Spanish)
Mr R Amin – Graduate Assistant
Mr A Caedmon – Art Technician
Miss I Denson – Graduate Assistant
Mrs L M Godfrey – DT Technician
Mr D Livingstone – Physics & STEAM Technician
Ms V Menchon – Foreign Language Assistant (French)
Mr L Rao, BA (LIPA) – Drama Technician (OL)
Mrs K Vosper, BSc, Portsmouth – Science Technician
Transport
Flt Lt L Mann – School Staff Instructor and Transport
Mr S Branch-Gilkes – Transport Co-ordinator
Mr P Mavadia – Minibus Driver
Mr M Pattni – Minibus Driver
Visiting Music Teachers
Miss S Bloor, BMus LRAM – Cello, Double Bass, Piano [Senior]
Mr S J Davies – Drums & Percussion [Prep]
Mr V E Davies, BMus (Cardiff) – French Horn [Senior]
Mr G Eacope, BSc Electronic Music Composition – Classical/Electric Guitar [Prep]
Mrs S Evans – Flute [Senior & Prep]
Mr T Godel, DipHE Popular Music Performance Dip Bass Studies – Bass Guitar [Senior]
Mr W Hyland, MA (Oxon) ARCM (PG) – Piano [Prep]
Mr T Hooper, BMus Performance LRAM – Drums & Percussion [Senior]
Mr P Huntington, BA – Drums & Percussion [Senior]
Mr M Jarvis, Dip TCL – Trumpet [Prep]
Mrs V MacLachlan, MMus BMus – Piano, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe [Senior & Prep]
Miss S C Mariano, BMus MA (RAM) DipRAM – Violin [Prep]
Miss A Morrison, BMus PGDip LRAM – Cello [Prep]
Mr S Poole – Acoustic/Electric Guitar [Senior]
Mr L Rao, BA (LIPA) – Acoustic/Bass/Electric Guitar [Senior]
Miss H Ridgeon, BMus PGDip LRAM – Violin, Viola [Senior]
Miss C Todd – Singing [Senior]
Mr T D Turner, GTCL LTCL PGCE – Trumpet, Piano [Senior]
Welfare & Counselling
Mrs B Gurung – School Nurse
Mrs D Thomas – School Nurse
Mrs A Shaw – Welfare Officer (Prep)
We provide a wide range of sporting activities and opportunities for all pupils.
At our Prep School we concur with educational theorists who emphasise the importance of the creative mind and ‘emotional intelligence’ and ‘wellbeing’ – the need to develop the whole personality and our pupil’s imaginations especially. Drama has the power to liberate the mind.
We encourage our pupils to become healthy, independent and responsible members of society. 
At our Prep School, Computing covers the use of electronic technology in all its forms, including computers and other communication devices.
• What is religion?
Art is an integral part of our Prep School’s curriculum, providing our pupils with a unique means of expressing their ideas by allowing them to explore new thoughts and give life to their creative minds.
History is taught throughout the School and pupils are encouraged to find out about events and peoples.
Planet Earth is our only home. It is an mind-blowing, diverse and constantly changing place of awesome beauty and power. 
French is the language of our nearest neighbours, probably the easiest foreign language for English speakers to learn and, after English, one of the most widely-learned languages worldwide.
The core of every science lesson at our Prep School is about developing every pupil’s curiosity in the world around them. 
Mathematics is a key subject for children of all ages at our Prep School.
English is taught using lively and creative methods through a variety of texts and resources incorporating ICT from Pre-Prep onwards.