Discover the talented individuals behind St Helen and St Katharine’s success. Our dedicated staff and leadership team are committed to providing a quality education for every student – find out more about the people working at St Helen’s and their commitment to excellence.
Rebecca Dougall studied English Literature at Bristol University and then took a Masters in Nineteenth Century literature at King’s College, London. She spent ten years as an English teacher at both boarding and day girls’ schools, accruing various pastoral responsibilities along the way. She became a Deputy Head in 2003 and began her first Headship at The Royal High School Bath GDST in 2010. She became Head of St Helen and St Katharine in 2015. Outside of school she reads, gardens, walks with her husband, attempts to control her West Highland Terrier and spends too long watching and discussing football and cricket.
Nicola McAvoy studied Aeronautical Engineering at The City University and is a Chartered Manager with the CMI. She spent 17 years as an Army Officer in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers including operational tours to Macedonia and Kosovo before taking up the role as Bursar at Pinewood School, a coeducational boarding and day prep school near Swindon. She joined St Helen’s as the Director of Finance and Operations in January 2022. Outside of school she enjoys mountain walking, swimming and orienteering.
John Hunt studied Mediaeval History at St Andrews, worked for Procter & Gamble for five years before a career change to teaching. Spent ten years at Loughborough Grammar School in a variety of pastoral roles. Joined St Helen’s as Director of Staff in 2012, subsequently took on responsibility for IT before becoming Deputy Head in September 2021 with responsibilities including curriculum, assessment and teaching and learning. Father of three; fascinated by Russian history, the Normans and the East India Company; technophile; dinghy sailor and inveterate player of board games.
Pastoral Deputy Head, MA Oxford Brookes, BA Durham
Liz Bedford studied Geography at Durham university. She joined St Helen’s in 2015 having spent 20 years in three schools as Head of Department and Faculty before becoming Head of Lower School. She has a Masters in Educational Management. As Pastoral Deputy Head Liz has responsibility for safeguarding, welfare and day to day activities of the students. She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Outside the classroom she is usually to be found up an Alpine mountain, running or reading.
Director of Communications and Marketing, MA Southern Denmark
Lea Askgaard has a Masters in International Business and Modern Languages from the University of Southern Denmark, which has been put into use in various marketing, communication and advertising roles on both client and agency sides, including Ogilvy & Mather and Havas. She joined St Helen’s in 2017 from a role at the University of Oxford to oversee the School’s communications, marketing, admissions and alumnae functions. Originally from Denmark, she enjoys travelling with her family, exploring other cultures, cycling, practising yoga and playing WordFeud.
Abbie Pringle studied psychology at Oxford Brookes followed by an MSc in Neuroscience and DPhil in Psychology both from University of Oxford. After a career as a Research and Teaching Fellow at University of Oxford, she was keen to devote even more of her time to sharing her love of psychology and neuroscience and has enjoyed teaching in schools ever since. She joined St Helen’s in 2021 with responsibilities for promoting scholarship and developing academic enrichment, as well as our work with partner schools. Enjoys reading, (slow) running and as much travel as she can squeeze in.
Assistant Head, Futures and Partnerships, MA Warwick, BSc London
Heather Darcy studied anthropology at University College London, then worked as a researcher for the photographer Steve Bloom before completing research for VSO in Mongolia for four months. On her return, she completed the Teach First Leadership Development Programme (English, 2010) in the West Midlands, whilst achieving a Masters in Educational Leadership and the NPQSL in 2015. She has been a Head of Sixth Form and Higher Education since 2014 in both the independent and maintained sector with teaching and learning, curriculum and pastoral responsibilities.
Joe Bettle studied Mathematical Sciences and then took a Masters in Computer Science, both at the University of Birmingham. He worked for two years in software development before a career change to teaching. Prior to joining St Helen’s as Director of Studies in September 2023, Joe spent 18 years working in secondary education as a teacher of mathematics, Head of Department, Assistant Head and Deputy Head. Outside of school, Joe enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, running, trips to the theatre and watching football.
Staff list
Chaplain
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
The Revd Dr Karen Hyde
PhD Oxon, BSc Cardiff
School Chaplain
Art and ceramics
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Miss K Devine
MA London, BA Bristol
Head of Art
Mr B Drew
BA London
Teacher of Art
Mr W Cotterill
BA Central Saint Martins
Teacher of Art
Mrs S Drew
MA Cardiff, BA London
Teacher of Art
Mrs C Langston
BA Middlesex
Teacher of Art and Ceramics
Teacher of Design and Technology
Careers and professional guidance
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs E Cartwright
BSc Portsmouth, CIM PgDip
Head of Careers and Professional Guidance
Classics
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Miss D Spain
MA Oxon
Head of Classics
Mrs H Packford
BA Cantab
Teacher of Latin
and Greek
Mr C Spain
BA Cambridge
Teacher of Classics
Computer Science
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mr P Count
MSc York
Head of Computer Science and eLearning Lead
Mrs R Green
MA Oxon
Teacher of Computer Science
Joint Head of Junior Department
Dr J Murray
PhD, BSc Belfast
Teacher of Computer Science
Design and Technology
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mr C Webb
B.Ed Bristol
Head of Design and Technology
Mrs C Langston
BA Middlesex
Teacher of Design and Technology
Teacher of Art and Ceramics
Mr T Titchener
BSc Lancaster
Teacher of Design and Technology
Drama
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Miss K Grandi
MA London, BA Bristol
Head of Drama
Mrs A Channer
BA Durham
Teacher of Drama
Mrs E Jewitt
BA London
Teacher of Drama
Head of Benedict House
Ms J McNally-Cross
BA London
Theatre Technician
Mrs C Walker
BA Bishop Grosseteste
Drama Assistant
Miss B Rawsthorn
BA Warwick
Teacher of Drama
(mat leave cover)
Mis E Day
BA Salford
Drama Assistant
(mat leave cover)
Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs G Wilson
BEd Lancaster
Head of Outdoor Learning
Mrs M Dalton
BA Exeter
Outdoor Activities & D of E Award Leader
Economics
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mr T Gray
Head of Economics, Abingdon School
English
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mr J Muir
MLitt, MA St Andrews
Head of English
Ms R Chapman
MSc, BA London
Teacher of English
Head of Learning Skills
Mrs H Darcy
MA Warwick, BSc London
Teacher of English
Assistant Head, Futures and Partnerships
Mrs E Haines
BA Oxon
Teacher of English
Mrs H Nash
BA Southampton
Teacher of English
Head of Middle School
Ms T Nixon
MA London, BA Birmingham
Teacher of English
Charities Coordinator
Ms H Stacey
BA Nottingham
Teacher of English
Mrs L Everling
MA Glasgow
Teacher of English
Examinations office
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs C Lawrence
Examinations Officer
Food and Nutrition
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs B Alpers
ANutr, MSc Oxford Brookes, BCApSc New Zealand
Head of Food and Nutrition
Deputy Head of Lower School
Geography
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs H Finch Noyes
MEd, MA Cantab
Head of Geography
Ms L Snowdon
BA London
Teacher of Geography
Mrs E Bedford
MA Oxford Brookes, BA Durham
Teacher of Geography
Pastoral Deputy Head
Miss L Maltby
BA Southampton
Teacher of Geography
Head of Personal Development
History
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Miss L Nye
BA Cambridge
LLM LSE
Head of History
Mrs H Benfold
BA Oxon
Teacher of History
EPQ Supervisor
Mrs S Nohre
BSc Bristol
Teacher of History
Teacher of Politics
Mr J Hunt
MA St Andrews
Teacher of History
Senior Deputy Head
Mrs S Scott-Malden
BA London
Teacher of History
Head of Sixth Form
Mr J Smart
BA Exeter
Teacher of History
Head of Politics
Junior Department
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs N Bass
BSc Nottingham
Joint Head of Junior Department
Mrs R Green
MA Oxon
Joint Head of Junior Department
Teacher of Computer Science
Mrs D Garas
MA Cantab
Teacher of Years 5-6
Teacher of Physics
Mrs L Lindsay
BSc Bristol
Joint Head of Junior Department
Teacher of Year 7 Science
Learning Support
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs O McPhee
BA Bournemouth, PGCert SEMH Needs and Literacy Difficulties Oxford Brookes
Head of Learning Support
Mrs G Chapman
BA Durham
Teacher of Learning Support (EAL and Literacy)
Mrs P Wilkins
BSc Birmingham
Teacher of Learning Support (Maths)
Mrs L Jacobs
Specialist Teaching Assistant
Library
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs D Pocock-Bell
BA Wales, MA London
Librarian
Miss M Chriti
MA Roehampton, BA Greece
Library Assistant
Mrs C Hilliar
Library Assistant - Prep
Mathematics
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Dr R Strong
PhD Cantab, MPhys Bath
Head of Mathematics
Mr J Bettle
MSc Birmingham
Teacher of Mathematics
Director of Studies
Mrs A Everett
BSc London
Teacher of Mathematics
Charities representative
Mrs C Foster
MSc, BA Exeter
Teacher of Mathematics
Mr N Jamieson
MA Cambridge,
Teacher of Mathematics
Mrs C Lomax
MChem Oxon
Teacher of Mathematics
Mrs E Matthews
BSc Galway
Teacher of Mathematics
Miss E Maw
MMath Bath
Teacher of Mathematics
Mrs D Moule
MA Oxon
Teacher of Mathematics
Dr P Secker
PhD, MSc, BSc Birmingham
Teacher of Mathematics
Mrs E Thompson
BSc Queensland,
Teacher of Mathematics
Medical and school counsellors
Nurses
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs E Smith
DPS Plymouth
Senior Nurse
Mrs A Crosbie
DipHE Luton
Nurse
Counsellors
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs H Perkins
MSc Oxford
School Counsellor
Mrs S Shuckburgh
MSt Oxford
School Counsellor
Mrs A White
MSt Oxford, BSc Hull
School Counsellor
Modern Languages
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs F Burrows
MA Universite de Tolouse Le Mirail
Head of French
Teacher of Spanish
Mrs K Clark
MA Edinburgh
Head of Spanish
Teacher of French
Mrs K Norman
BA Lancaster
Head of German
Teacher of French
Mrs M Cimas Hernando
MA Universidad de Leon
Teacher of French and Spanish
Mrs C Fisher
BA Milan
Teacher of Spanish
Mrs I Hichens
BA, Paris La Sorbonne
Teacher of French and Spanish
Ms Lina Li
BA Guangxi China
Teacher of Mandarin
Ms J Li
BA Nanjing China
Teacher of Mandarin
Mrs F Shannon
DPhil Oxon, MA St Andrews
Teacher of Arabic
Head of EPQ
Mrs K Taylor
BA Wales
Teacher of French
Head of Middle School
Music
Music staff
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Miss H Rakowski
BA, MA Oxon
Director of Music
Miss H Coad
MSc Edinburgh
Teacher of Music
Miss P Grant
BA, MA Oxon
Head of Singing
Ms E Hargreaves
MMus Cantab, MA Oxon
Head of Choirs
Assistant Director of Music
Mr C Greene
MA Oxon, BA Oxon, MMus Perf,
Head of Keyboard
Assistant Director of Music
Miss C Scott
MA Oxon, MMus Perf, PPRNCM
Head of Wind and Brass
Miss J Thomas
BMus Birmingham
Head of Popular Music
Mrs M Walton
BA York, PGDip, LGSM
Head of Strings
Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) and/or Ensemble Teachers
Name
Qualifications
Subject
Other responsibilities
Mrs E Bains
BMus, Dip ABRSM, LRSM
Flute
Mrs C Bartlett
BA Sydney
Cello
Teacher of Ensemble
Mrs K Biles
MSt Oxon, ARSM, Dip ABRSM
Piano
Ms E Bradley
GRNCM, MMus
Double Bass
Mrs R Celebuski
MA RCM
Drums and Percussion
Mr M Cooke
PPRNCM, GRNCM
Brass
Mr S Currie
Saxophone
Mrs J Dallosso
MA Cantab, LGSM
Cello
Mr C Greene
MA Oxon, MPerf, Dip ABRSM
Piano
Ms J Hill
BA Durham, ARCM, PGDip
Harp
Ms E Hodson
BA, DPhil Oxon, PGDip
Violin and viola
Ms M Holding
GRSM, ARCM
Piano
Mr M Kilford
Guitar
Ms J Lunn
BMus RCM, PGDip RCM
Singing
Dr R Manasse
BSc London, DPhil Cantab
Flute
Miss C Mathews
BA London
Classical guitar
Mr D McNaughton
BA Oxon
Brass
Mrs S Mears
MA Oxon, LRAM, PGCE, Dip HSW (O.U.)
Piano
Mr S Mitchell
BMus, MPhil, Queensland
Piano
Revd Dr E Pitkethly
BA Hons CNAA, MMus, DPhil King's London, MSt/MLitt Oxon, PGCE London, BPhil (Ed) Warwick, AKC King's London
