Staff

Senior Leadership Team

Mrs Rose Hardy, MA (Oxon) MEd - Head

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.

Cdr Gareth Mawdsley, MA (Cantab) - Chief Operating Officer

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.

Mr Andy Sims, MA MEng (Cantab) - Senior Deputy Head

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.

Mrs Sonal Chatrath, MSc (Leicester) - Head of Prep

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.

Mr Tim Lewis, MA MEng (Cantab) - Deputy 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.

Mrs Hina Khan - Deputy Head (Prep)

Image and bio coming soon…

Mr Jonathan Rowe, MA (UEA) - Assistant Head (Wellbeing) and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Jonathan Rowe

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.

Mr Huw Jones, MA (Cantab) FRCO FCA - Assistant Head (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 (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.

Mr Richard Lokier, BA (Cantab) - Assistant Head (Academic)

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.

Dr Florence Weinberg, BSc MSc PhD (Imperial) - Assistant Head (Admissions & Scholars)

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.

The Revd Stephen Mepham, B.Divinity (King’s College, London) AKC MA (London) - Head of Sixth Form

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.

Mrs Tania Dovey, FCCA - Director of Finance

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.

Mr Jesal Suchak, BA (Hertfordshire) MCIM - Director of Marketing and Communications

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 (and eating!) vegan food.

Ms Destiny Belle, 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.

Mrs Candace Bertie, CIPD - Head of HR

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.


Full School staff list

Senior Leadership Team

Head
Mrs R Hardy, MA (Oxon)

Chief Operating Officer
Cdr G R Mawdsley, MA (Cantab)

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)]
Mrs H Khan [Deputy Head (Prep)]

Assistant Heads
Mr J C Rowe, MA (UEA) [Assistant Head (Wellbeing) & Designated Safeguarding Lead]
Mr H R Jones, MA (Cantab) FRCO FCA [Assistant Head (Links)]
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
Rev S Mepham, B.Divinity (King’s College, London) AKC MA (London)

Director of Finance
Mrs T Dovey, FCCA

Director of Marketing & Communications
Mr J Suchak, BA (Hertfordshire) MCIM

Head of HR
Mrs C Bertie, CIPD

Director of Operations
Ms D Belle, MWIF

Academic Staff - Senior School

* Denotes Heads of Department

Art
*Mr N Brown
Miss M M Coleborn, BFS (Oxon) MA (Royal College of Art)

Biology
*Dr R M Kochaj, BSc (Warwick) MRes (Imperial) PhD (King’s)
Mr R Clarke, BSc (Brunel) [Head of Year 8]
Mr G McCastman, BSc (UCL)
Miss A J Moes, BEd (Amsterdam)

Business
*Mr M R Fletcher, BSc (Bath)

Chemistry
*Mr N Arratoon, MChem (Dunelm) MA (Open) [Head of Lower Sixth]
Dr L C Andrews, BSc Hons (Brunel) EngD (Surrey/Brunel)
Mr J Carr, MSci (Imperial) [Head of Digital Learning]
Ms W Chan, BSc (University of Hong Kong), PGDip Education (Secondary)

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 9]

Digital Learning
*Mr J Carr, MSci (Imperial)

Drama
*Mr N Bissessar, BA (Loughborough)
Mr L H Felgate, BA (Goldsmiths, University of London)

Design Technology
*Mr J du Plessis, Higher Education Diploma (Potchefstroom Teacher Training College, SA)

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)
Miss B R Davies, BA (Leicester)
Ms L J Dunn, MA (Oxon) MA Ed (Sussex)
Mr C Napleton, BA (Leeds)
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 11]
Mrs N Shakour, MSc (LSE) PGCE (SHU)

Geography
*Mr J Carrera, BA (Open)
Mr E J Golding, BSc (Birmingham) [Head of Wellbeing]

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 Upper Section]

Learning Support
Mr R G Ellis-Paul, BSc (UCL)

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 H R Jones, MA (Cantab) FRCO FCA [Assistant Head (Links)]
*Mr A J Furniss, MA (Oxon) FRCO [Head of Music (Senior)] [Head of Year 10]

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)
Mr R A Rice, BSc (Hertfordshire) [Head of Year 7]

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)

Psychology
*Mrs E M McMillan, BSc (Birkbeck, London) MSc (London)

Religious Studies
*Dr R S Kanwar, LLB PhD (Warwick) [CCF Contingent Commander]
Rev S Mepham, B.Divinity (King’s College, London) AKC MA (London) [Head of Sixth Form]
Mrs S B Patel, BA (Birmingham) [Head of Lower Section]
Mrs A Grady, BA (Roehampton) MA (Hertfordshire) [Director of Blackwell Enterprise/Head of Sustainability]

Spanish
*Mr P D Berry, BA (Bristol) [Head of Upper Sixth]
Mr R Lokier, BA (Cantab) [Assistant Head (Academic)]

* Denotes Heads of Department

Academic Staff - Prep School

Senior Prep Staff

Mrs S Chatrath — Head of Prep
Mrs H Khan — Deputy Head (Prep)

Ms D Belle — Director of Operations
Ms Z Ahmet — SENCO
Mr A Antoine — Head of Sports (Prep) / Head of Year 6
Mrs J Ivanovic FCCA — Finance Manager
Miss E Sherr — Head of Little Lyons & Pre-Prep [Prep Safeguarding Lead]


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 / Year 4 Form Tutor
Miss K Dernoga — Head of Mathematics / Year 4 Form Tutor
Miss Y Diaz-Ojeda — Nursery Teacher
Mrs S Durg — Head of Art / Year 6 Form Tutor
Mr B Edem —  PE and Games Teacher
Mrs A Halai — ICT Teacher
Mr S Haswell — Head of Music (Prep) / Year 3 Form Tutor
Mrs N Khan — PSCHE Teacher
Dr E Khodamoradi — Head of Science / Head of Year 3
Mrs S Mitchell — Head of French / Year 5 Form Tutor
Ms 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
Mrs F Siddiqui — Trainee Teacher


Head of Year

Year 6 – Mr A Antoine
Year 5 – Mrs A Alwaheidi
Year 3 – Dr E Khodamoradi


Tutors

Year 6 – Mr A Antoine, Mrs S Durg
Year 5 – Mrs A Alwaheidi, Miss J Shah, Mrs S Mitchell
Year 4 – Mrs C Evans, Mrs K Byrne
Year 3 – Dr E Khodamoradi, Miss Z Schaffer, Mr S Haswell

Support Staff

Cdr G R Mawdsley, MA (Cantab) – Chief Operating Officer
Mrs B Bhikha – Executive & Alumni Officer
Mrs A Bari – Executive Assistant to Chief Operating Officer

Director of Operations
Ms D Belle, MWIFM

Head’s Office
Mrs V Patel – PA to the Head
Mrs M Kochhar, BCom (Delhi University) – Head’s Secretary / Executive Assistant

Administration
Ms S Dalby – Business Administration Manager
Miss I Chowdhury – Business Administrator (Cover)
Mrs R Davda – Business Administrator (Prep)
Mrs V Gamadia – Business Administrator (Attendance)
Mrs A Harvey – Business Administrator (Reception)
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
Mr B Dovey – CCF Support

Estates and Cleaning
Mr L Exelby – Head of Estates and Health & Safety
Mr M Fardell – Caretaker
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)
Miss A Calado-Loureiro – Cleaning Supervisor
Mrs M Chowaniec – Cleaning Operative
Mrs N Florek – Cleaning Operative
Mrs M Hantic – 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 J Ivanovic, BA (Belgrade, Serbia)  FCCA – Finance Manager
Mrs N Merai, BA (Hertfordshire) – Accounts Assistant

Grounds
Mr C Lynch – Grounds Manager
Mr S Moore – Groundsperson
Mr J Rosier – Groundsperson

HR 
Mrs C Bertie, CIPD – Head of HR
Mrs H Jandu – HR Administrator

IT, Data and Systems
Mrs N Ansari, BA (Manchester) MSc (SOAS) – Systems and Data Specialist
Mr M Patel – ICT Technician
Mr M Shafaee – ICT Technician
Mrs U Samani – Business Administrator (Exams)

Learning Support (Prep)
Mrs P Nayee – Learning Support Assistant
Mrs K Nessa Alam – Learning Support Assistant
Miss N Sultana – 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 (Canada) – Marketing & Communications Officer
Mr M Wilkinson – Digital Marketing Assistant (OL)
Mrs R J Davies – Senior Registrar
Mrs N Aleksin-Shah – Prep Registrar and Business Administrator
Mrs A Singh, BA, MBA (India) – Registrar

Prep Breakfast, Lunchtime and After School Supervisors
Mrs M Aliaj — Breakfast Club Assistant
Miss K Ayton — Break/Lunchtime Supervisor & Minibus Passenger Escort
Mrs P Chandarana — Wrap Around Care Assistant
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
Miss O Harrison – Sports Graduate Assistant
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 S Alimohamed –  Teaching Assistant
Mrs T Bridge – Teaching Assistant
Mrs M Cam Lo – Nursery Teaching Assistant
Mrs S Cockram – Teaching Assistant
Mrs D Heshmati – Teaching Assistant
Miss C Jones – Teaching Assistant
Mrs B Kavia – Nursery Teaching Assistant
Mrs P Murphy – Teaching Assistant
Mrs K Patel – Teaching Assistant/After School Club Leader
Miss S Young – Teaching Assistant

Technicians and Assistants
Mr S Borkhatria – Graduate Assistant (OL)
Mr A Caedmon – Art Technician
Ms C Catalan – Spanish Language 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 (Hons) Portsmouth – Science Technician

Transport
Flt Lt L Mann – School Staff Instructor and Transport
Mr S Branch-Gilkes – Transport Co-ordinator
Mr M Manning – Minibus Driver
Mr M Pattni – Minibus Driver

Visiting Music Teachers
Miss S Bloor, BMus LRAM – Cello, Double Bass, PianoMr R Bowden, MA (Cantab) BMus LRAM PGDip Vocal Studies – VoiceMr V E Davies, BMus (Cardiff) – French Horn, Euphonium, TubaMrs S Evans – Flute [Senior & Prep]
Mr T Godel, DipHE Popular Music Performance Dip Bass Studies – Bass GuitarMr T Hooper, BMus Performance LRAM – Drums & PercussionMr P Huntington, BA – Drums & PercussionMiss H Isherwood, BMus, MA (University of London) – Oboe, Saxophone, Clarinet [Senior & Prep]
Mrs Victoria MacLachlan – Piano Teacher
Mrs R Molins, DipRAM PGDip LRAM,BA – Trombone, Trumpet, Euphonium
Mr H Nowakowski-Fox – PianoMr S Poole – Acoustic/Electric Guitar
Mr L Rao, BA (LIPA) – Acoustic/Bass/Electric GuitarMiss H Ridgeon, BMus PGDip LRAM – Violin, ViolaMr T D Turner, GTCL LTCL PGCE – Trumpet, Piano

Welfare & Counselling
Mrs B Gurung – School Nurse
Mrs D Thomas – School Nurse
Mrs A Shaw – Welfare Assistant (Prep)