Staff & Governors

At Sevenoaks Prep, our pupils are supported by a dedicated Senior Leadership Team, talented teaching staff, support staff and a committed Governing Body who work closely together to help every child thrive and ensure The Prep remains a happy, nurturing and ambitious place to learn.

Senior Leadership Team

Mr Luke Harrison

Headmaster
Qualification: BA (Hons) Drama/English, Surrey; PGCE, Exeter (Secondary)

Mrs Helen Cook

Head of Pre-Prep and Acting Deputy Head
Qualification: BSc Sports Technology, Staffordshire. PGCE Primary and Early Years, Manchester Metropolitan. NPQH

Mrs Louisa Rowland

Head of Early Years
Qualification: BA Ed Primary with QTS and Specialisms in Early Years, Maths and PE, Goldsmiths, London

Mr Robin Collings

Deputy Head Pastoral (Years 3-8)
Qualification: BA (Hons) English, Reading; QTS, Canterbury Christ Church

Mrs Shannon Wake

Assistant Head of Pre-Prep
Qualification: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Teaching (Primary), Master of Education

Mr Andrew Hodgkin

Bursar
Qualification: BA (Hons) Accountancy Studies, Exeter. ACA

Clare Harrison

Director of Admissions
Qualification: BA (Hons) History/Politics, Keele; PGCE, Keele (Secondary)

Staff

 

Last Name First Name Department Qualifications
Bailey Aaron Head of Boys Games, Y6 – 8 Geography BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching, UWIC, Cardiff. QTS
Baker Lorna Games Teacher BEd (Hons) Movement Studies, Greenwich
Beharrell Alex Music Teacher BA (Hons) Music, Sussex, PGCE Leeds Beckett university
Bruce Beth Teaching Assistant BA (Hons) Performance (Acting), Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Burke Eloise Teaching Assistant BA (Hons) Spanish and Italian, University of Cardiff
Butler Danielle Games Teacher BSc Sport, Physical Education and Coaching Science, University of Birmingham
Buswell Breanne Teaching Assistant Early Years Educator Level 3, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
Butt Sophie Year 3 Teacher BEd (Hons) Primary Education with QTS, Bedford
Clark Karen KS1 Teaching Assistant, Games Teacher BA (Hons) Ed, Warwick
Coates Kerena Outdoor Adventures
AIM Qualification Level 3 Forest School Leader
CACHE Level 3 Supporting Teaching and learning in School
Foundation Drawing & Talking Therapy
Croft Alison Marketing Officer BSc (Hons) Geography, Southampton, MA Marketing, University of West of England
Dickinson Eileen Art Teacher Fine Art Foundation Degree
Doherty Chloe Year 4 Teacher (Maternity Leave) BA (Hons) Childhood Studies
Flint Michelle Early Years Practitioner, Reception CACHE Level 3 Diploma
Fox Robanna Year 1 Teacher Foundation degree in Childhood Studies, Early Years Care levels 2 and 3
German Anna Art Teacher BA (Hons) Art History, PGCE Art and design, MA Communication Design
Granger Helen Year 3 Teacher BMus (hons) in Music, Sheffield, PGCE University of Sunderland
Hicks Camilla Head of Maths BA (Hons) Key Stage 2/3 Mathematics Education with QTS (Brighton University)
Holden Chloe Kindergarten Teaching Assistant
Holmes Sarah Teaching Assistant
Hosford Lauren Medical Officer Bsc Paramedic Science
Hougham Katherine Year 4 Teacher, Drama (Years 5 & 6), Head of Creative Arts, Wellbeing Coordinator BA Early Childhood Studies w/Psychology, Roehampton; PGCE, Brighton
Howe Sarah Pre-Prep Office and Marketing BA (Hons) Public Relations and Communications, Leeds
James Julia Teaching Assistant Year 4
Jarman Deborah Year 2 Teacher BA (Hons) Primary Education, Canterbury Christ Church University
Jenkins Tracey Teaching Assistant HLTA
Johnson Sophie Teaching Assistant BA (Hons) English Literature, Swansea University International Journalism MA, University of Leeds
Jones Jodie Early Years Practitioner CACHE level 3 Diploma in childcare and education
Lane Isabel Teaching Assistant Year 4 BA Ed (Hons) Primary Education & QTS, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Lapham Elise Nursery Practitioner Dip Pre-School Practice, CACHE 3
Laubach Sophie Teacher BA (Hons) French and Francophone Studies, PGCE, Goldsmiths
Lavender Sophie Year 4 Teacher  BA English Language and Literature. University of Leicester PGCE, University of Sussex
Lazur Zoe Year 1 Teaching Assistant
BA (Hons), Geography, University of Kent.
Chartered Institute of Public Relations Advanced Certificate & Diploma in Public Relations, Birkbeck University of London
Lemmon Merrhis  Forest School Leader of Outdoor Adventures, Teaching Assistant and Charities Co-Ordinator BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Education. Level 3 Forest School Qualification
Lemmon Stephen Maths and English Teacher, Games BSc (Hons) Sports Studies, De Montfort, GTP/QTS Ed & PE, Canterbury Christ Church
MacNeil Charley PE Teacher,  & Pre-Prep Sport Lead BA Hons in Physical Education and Physical Activity
Madderson Louise Headmaster’s PA
Mansfield Caroline Head of Learning Support and EAL (Prep) MA, Edinburgh University. PGCE (Primary) London Southbank University. Level 5 Dip.SpLD, Helen Arkell Dyslexia Association. Level 3 Dip. Dyscalculia Association.
Miles Hannah Reception Teacher BA (Hons) Early Years Education, Greenwich
Milne Sophie Head of MFL BA (Hons) Spanish and French, University of Exeter Secondary PGCE in Spanish and French, University of Cambridge
Morris Vanessa Year 2 Teacher BCom in Business and French, Birmingham University; PGCE Primary, Roehampton University
Mott Keely Head of Learning Support and EAL (Pre-Prep) BA Hons Kent University; Primary PGCE Greenwich, Level 3 Early Years SENDCo
Oldroyd Thomas Spanish Teacher, Year 6 Form Tutor, Games BA Spanish and Italian, Reading, PGCE Buckingham
Owen Katie  Year 2 Teacher BA Early Primary Education, Northumbria
Palmer Wendy Year 5 Teaching Assistant, Games Assistant, Charities Co-ordinator BA (Hons), British Dyslexia Asso L3 Accreditation; QTS, Canterbury Christ Church (Primary)
Pearce Beverley Early Years Practitioner, Nursery and Kindergarten
Cache Level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development
Perks Sally Classroom Assistant Social Care Course
Pulham Amy Kindergarten Teacher BA in Primary Education
Rae Kate Bursary LLB (Hons), University of Glasgow DipLP, University of Strathclyde
Reeve Rhondda Head of IT Bachelor of Science and Diploma in Information Technology, The OpenUniversity
Richards TJ Admissions BA (Hons), Durham
Rolls Dr Joanna Head of Science, Years 6-8 Science BSc (Hons) Biology, Nottingham. PhD., UCL. PGCE, Canterbury Christ Church (Secondary)
Roubicek Joanna Reception Teaching Assistant AMI Montessori Diploma
Schilling Nicola  Kindergarten Teacher Montessori Early Childhood Teaching diploma
Sharmin Natasha Early Years Practitioner, Nursery BA (Hons) in Social Science
(Public Administration)
University of Dhaka
BIIAB Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care of Children And Young People’s Services.
CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Pre-School Practice
Sobrany Nicki Teaching Assistant
Sullivan Laura Teacher
LLB Law from Queen Mary College, University of London
Legal Practice Course – BPP, Leeds
PGCE Primary, Institute of London
Terry Christopher Year 4 Teacher BA Primary Education and QTS, University of Roehampton
Vashchuk Nina Teaching Assistant BA in Ukrainian Language and Literature Lesya Ukrainka Volyn State University, PGCE in Psychology Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University
Viney Eleanor Early Years Assistant
Wallis Lydia Year 5 Teacher, Head of Humanities, Games B.ED (Hons) Primary Education, Leeds
White Juliet Year 1 Teacher BSc Psychology, Reading PGCE Sussex
Wilkins Elliott Games Teacher BA (Hons) Sports Coaching & Development, University of Brighton QTS, KCC
Young Laura Reception Teacher, Maths Co-ordinator BA Drama, PGCE in Primary Education, Ulster University

Governors

Jan Berry

Jan joined the governing body in September 2009.  Jan is the former Chairman of the Police Federation of England & Wales, having joined Kent County Constabulary as a Cadet in 1971, retiring 37 years later as a Chief Inspector. Jan’s work in policing was recognised in 2006 when she received the Queens Police Medal. In 2008 she took up an independent government appointment to reduce bureaucracy in policing.  Both Jan’s children (Matthew & Hannah) benefitted from the uniqueness of The Prep during the 1990’s and she is delighted to have the opportunity to repay the debt by ensuring future pupils have the same opportunities.

Kevin Rush

Originally from Vancouver, Canada, Kevin and his family moved to Sevenoaks in 1995. He credits the decision by his wife Jane, a former teacher, for finding and enrolling their 3 children (Andrew, Sean and Kelsey) at The Prep. He believes that being welcomed by the Prep family is one of the prime reasons that his family integrated so quickly and happily in a new environment. Today, many of their closest friends are those that they met while their children were at The Prep.

He was pleased to help with the establishment of the Prep’s Development Committee and to act as its chair for 3 years.

Kevin worked in Finance for over 30 years, including 10 years in New York and at the time of his retirement in 2013 was Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer for Global Distribution at Barclays. He is a keen sailor, skier, scuba diver and traveller.

Simon Bailey

Simon was educated at Exeter School and Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals in London. After training in the South East and Wessex, he has been a Consultant General, Colorectal and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Maidstone/Tunbridge Wells Trust for the past seventeen years. He and his wife Lucy, previously had three children (Rosie, Polly and Jemima) at the Prep and they cherish the fifteen years of extra-ordinary memories and friends made during that time.

When not at work Simon still tries to play league cricket locally, enjoys hill walking (knees allowing) and tinkering with his cars. He is a member of the Reform club and the MCC and is a senior examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Alexander Durtnell

Alexander was educated at Tonbridge School,  the Royal Agricultural College and Reading University. Following his education he worked for a number of multi-national Construction companies, including Balfour Beatty, before joining the local family businesses, which are involved with construction and property. He is now a Director of those four companies, which are based in Brasted, Kent.

He lives in Rolvenden with his wife Harriet and his children Alice and William. His spare time is spent walking his beloved cocker spaniel Loopy on the beach, playing hockey for Marden and driving his children between endless sporting events.

Tiffany Hornshaw

Tiffany was born and brought up close to Sevenoaks before studying law at Clare College, Cambridge.  She spent the first part of her career as a senior corporate lawyer at a leading City law firm and is now a freelance legal consultant (specialising in projects related to future training of entrants to the legal profession), and a law lecturer at BPP University in London.  Tiffany is a keen traveller and has lived in France and Asia. Tiffany’s three children, Olly, Rosie and Tom, started at the Prep in 2013.  Olly and Rosie have now moved on to Sevenoaks School whilst Tom has gone on to Tonbridge School.

Ceri Jones

Ceri was educated at a comprehensive in Bradford and read History at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge (as well as representing the University at football). Ceri began his teaching career in 1992 at Bancroft’s School before moving to Caterham in 1996. In 2004 he moved to Tonbridge School where he ran a boarding house and was then Second Master. In 2013 was seconded from his role at Tonbridge to be Principal of the Marsh Academy a non-selective academy in New Romney, Kent. In 2015 Ceri became Headmaster of Caterham School.

He is a leader in innovation in education and in 2013 he set up a collaboration between the Sutton Trust, Cambridge University and 12 schools in Kent to promote access to higher education for disadvantaged pupils, and he is also a trustee of an educational charity working in the same area.

Edward Oatley

Edward was educated at Aldenham School and became Assistant Head of Winchester House Prep School in 1968 where he gained his teaching qualification through the IAPS.  He became Head of Sevenoaks Prep in 1977 and founded Sackville School, Hildenborough in 1987.  Edward and his wife Janet retired from Sevenoaks Prep in 2005 and he has been on the board of Governors since  2006. He was a member of Seal Parish Council for over 20 years.  He was awarded the MBE in 2006 for services to education and to the community in Kent and the Sevenoaks District Council Lifetime Achievement Award for ‘Making It Happen In the Voluntary Community 2017’.  Edward has also been Chairman of Governors of Steephill School, Fawkham since 1989, and is Chairman of Sevenoaks Sports Council and Vice Chairman of the Sevenoaks Three Arts Festival.  He has been a Governor at St John’s Primary School since 2005 and St Nicholas House Prep School, North Walsham, since 2017.   He is a member of Sevenoaks Amherst Rotary Club.  Edward has been on many charity cycle rides throughout the world raising a considerable amount of money for national and local charities and is a Watford FC season ticket holder.

Arabella Stuart

Arabella has lived in the Sevenoaks area since 1987 when she joined Sevenoaks School as a Biology teacher. She also taught hockey, netball and athletics, German and the Theory of Knowledge and was a pastoral tutor throughout her time at the school. Her husband Tony taught at Sevenoaks, and her two children, Emily and Alec, are Old Sennockians. During her 35 years with the school she ran a girls’ boarding house and, for the past 14 years, she was the Director of Admissions. She has worked closely with Luke Harrison for many years, and she oversaw the transition of many children from The Prep to Sevenoaks. Arabella retired from Sevenoaks School in 2022 and now runs an Education Consultancy, and she is the Concert Manager for a Central London choir.

Admissions

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