Staff

Julie Fox – Senior Administrator and Office Manager

Although officially joining the KWS team at the beginning of September, Julie initially began working freelance on the recruitment for KWS staff at the beginning of this year.

Julie comes to KWS with over 30 years’ experience, both inside and outside of the education sector. Having started her working career in education (at the University of London) she has come full circle, during which time she has enjoyed successful careers with the Financial Times Business Publishing Division as a Production Manager and then in banking with Nomura International as a Legal Executive. As her children reached secondary school age Julie secured a role with Roundwood Park School where she spent 13 years in various roles, the last five of which were as HR Manager.

Julie has a vested interest in KWS; one of her previous roles at Roundwood incorporated the responsibility of Project Manager, working alongside the team that established the Harpenden Secondary Schools Trust.

Karen Peters – Chief Financial Officer

Karen has a BSc Accountancy degree from City of London and went on to join Price Waterhouse London, gaining her Chartered Accountancy qualification in 1993.
She remained at Price Waterhouse for two years post qualification, transferring from Audit to the tax department.

During her time at Price Waterhouse Karen specialised in large retail clients including House of Fraser, Harrods and went on to work at both Mothercare Plc and Marks and Spencer upon leaving practice.

Following a four year work placement in Bermuda, she returned to the UK and worked for both Cross Pens and Threshers before deciding to join a local accountancy practice for a work life balance with her four children.

In 2013 Karen joined Roundwood Park as Bursar and has spent the last six years overseeing the department in all aspects of school finance, reporting to Governors, liaising with external auditors, preparing financial information for government bodies and running the functions of a finance office.

Karen brings her expertise and knowledge in school finance to Katherine Warington and become an integral member of the school staff, assisting parents, Governors and staff in navigating the financial aspects of a secondary school.

Michelle Phillips – Head of Key Stage 

Michelle has been a PE teacher for twenty years, working in schools in Sheffield, Milton Keynes and Luton. In addition to this, she has been Head of Department for two years in a brand new school and Head of Year for nine additional years in the same school.

In addition to this pastoral role, she had the responsibility of Deputy Assistant Head of KS4 Intervention, Designated Child Protection Officer, SMSC co-ordinator (with particular focus on British Values) and SLE for behaviour. More recently, she has undertaken the leadership roles of Lead Practitioner for Inclusion and also Culture Lead (which included the responsibility of Careers Lead), as well as being the Designated Teacher for Looked After Children.

Zoe Anderson – Maths and P.E. Teacher, Deputy Head of KS3

Teaching has always been the only career option for Zoe.  She gained her undergraduate degree in Education and Mathematics at Keele University, Staffordshire; completing two school placements during her time there. Zoe wrote her dissertation on the gender differences within Mathematics at GCSE level and through this research Zoe has found a passion for helping children from all student groups achieve within the subject. Zoe is completing her PGCE with the University of Hertfordshire in Mathematics and following on from her interest in Gender and Mathematics, Zoe wrote her formative PGCE assignment on Pupil Premium students and their achievement in Mathematics.  Zoe started the girls football team whilst she was still at school and was then entered onto the FA Coaching Course and she has continued coaching both children and adults throughout university and whilst completing her PGCE placements. Taking on the position of Mathematics and P.E. teacher at Katherine Warington is a huge step in Zoe’s development and is very excited to be part of the founding staff to develop this new school.

Holly Robinson – Art Design, D&T and PSHCE Teacher

Holly graduated from the University of Hertfordshire with a BA honours in Graphic design and illustration before undertaking the Graduate teacher program in 2009. She has taught Art and design, Photography and Graphics courses across several Hertfordshire schools before undertaking her first head of department role in Luton. Holly is currently undertaking her Master’s in education and leadership as well as building her knowledge of whole school leadership through the Ambition institute and is a moderator for AQA. Holly strongly believes that all students should have access to the Arts and that creativity and visual literacy is vital in developing well rounded students. She is an advocate for all art forms and is passionate about building a vibrant, creative and knowledge led curriculum at Katherine Warington School.

Alice Bailey – Music, Philosophy and Religious Education Teacher

Alice is delighted to be part the KWS team as Teacher of Music and brings with her a breadth musical skills and experience. A graduate of both the University of Sheffield (First Class Honours) and University of London; Goldsmiths College, she is passionate about engaging young people in music, whatever their starting point. Alice’s teaching career includes Mill Hill County High School, Barnet, and more recently The Knights Templar School, Baldock.   At both schools Alice has enjoyed working with young people across the age ranges, both inside and outside of the classroom.  She has also worked as a GCSE and A Level Examiner for both AQA and Pearson Edexcel over many years.  Alice plays piano and flugel horn and is a keen brass bander.  In 2009 she established the Hitchin Youth Band which she continues to lead. Throughout her work Alice is driven by the essential role which music plays in our lives and through which young people thrive; developing creativity, confidence, discipline and imagination.  Alice lives in Hitchin where she is also a Parent Governor at her youngest son’s primary school.

Jacob Church – Drama and History Teacher, Deputy Head of KS3

Jacob-John is a graduate from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Before stepping into the joyous world of education, for several years he trod the boards bringing Theatre, Shakespeare and language to a wide range of audiences including writing and directing 2 national theatre-in-education tours in Italy. Up until 2018, Jacob-John worked as the Head of English and Theatre for an Italian education company teaching English through the pedagogy of Drama. It was there that Jacob-John was fortunate enough to create his own curriculum that would be rolled out to students all over the country, led training seminars for Italian English teachers, and trained and headed up a team of over 200 English tutors and actors. Upon his return to the UK Jacob-John embarked on the journey to obtain his PGCE from the University of Bedfordshire. Jacob-John is delighted to be part of KWS and together with the founding staff, build a safe, creative and expressive learning environment.

Amanda McPartlin – English and Geography Teacher

Amanda holds a Joint Honours degree in English and Geography from the University of Swansea  – a combination of creative and analytical skills which stood her in good stead in her former publishing career commissioning university-level textbooks, and which she now looks forwards to utilising in her role as an English and Geography teacher at KWS.

Having worked across both primary and secondary education, Amanda has six years experience as a Teaching Assistant and has recently completed her teacher training at Sandringham School in St Albans. She is thrilled to be involved in Katherine Warington School right from the start and is passionate about helping your young people to develop the knowledge and skills that they need to achieve their potential in whatever walks of life they ultimately choose.

Amanda is a lover of books of all sorts and an avid netball player, coach and umpire.

Samantha Malone – Science and PE Teacher

Samantha’s teaching journey started in 2005. She gained a Sport Science degree at Middlesex University and went on to gain her post graduate degree in teaching. Samantha began her teaching career at an outstanding inner city London school teaching Physical Education. In her second year of teaching Samantha was promoted to Head of PE and Deputy Head of Performing Arts where she led the department for six years.

Feeling she had achieved all she could as a middle leader Samantha turned to the international scene where she was offered the opportunity to teach PE and Science at a very prestigious international school. She taught for four successful years in Malaysia before returning to the UK to study Biology at university. With a love for science, Samantha studied modules part time in biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology and human physiology achieving 1st class grades in all.  She has since taken a break from teaching and studying to raise her daughter but is now ready to return.

Samantha is very active, she enjoys competitive sport and plays netball in her spare time. She has competed at an international level for Gaelic football and has recently completed her first triathlon. Samantha loves helping students achieve their full potential, emotionally, academically and socially. Samantha is looking forward to creating a positive learning environment that will fuel her students to become lifelong learners.

Clare Kelly – Spanish Teacher

Clare is excited to have joined KWS as teacher of Spanish. Clare graduated in Applied Languages (Spanish and French) from the University of Ulster and started her career working as a Spanish analyst at Thompson Financial in Dublin and then London.

Realising her desire to teach, she completed her PGCE at the University of Glasgow and has been teaching now for 20 years. Her most recent posts have been as Head of Spanish at St Albans Girls’ School and at Princess Helena College, before taking time out to focus on her three young children.

Clare is passionate about the Spanish language and culture alike and it is her firm belief that one can truly engage with a country’s people when one has the appropriate language skills, and it is precisely for this reason that she places great emphasis on equipping students with key language structures in order to encourage independent learning from a very young age. She will share her enthusiasm and passion for Spanish through engaging and fun lessons at KWS.

Hannah Brookfield – Spanish and Mandarin Teacher

With a clear passion for languages, Hannah studied French, Spanish and Mandarin at The University of Newcastle before completing her year abroad in Beijing, China. After enjoying a diverse year of study in Beijing, Hannah decided to continue her studies at Beijing Language and Culture University where she graduated after spending five years studying Mandarin, alongside working as an English teacher in China.

Upon her return to the UK, Hannah first worked in London as a Mandarin investigation specialist, helping protect different companies’ intellectual property. Hannah then worked as a Mandarin document reviewer for a government agency investigating fraud cases.

Hannah has recently completed her PGDE in Mandarin and Spanish at The University of Sheffield and is starting her master’s degree in education alongside teaching. Hannah is excited to be part of KWS and is thrilled to be able to share her passion for languages with the students.

Liwei Chen – Spanish and Mandarin Teacher

Liwei speaks six languages and is passionate about sharing his love of languages with students, which stems from many years studying and working aboard (in Syria, the U.S., El Salvador, Spain and Iran). He aims to inspire students to feel and do the same.

Liwei has been teaching Mandarin and Spanish in the U.K. since 2017. Having taught in three inner London schools, he developed a strong belief that every student can succeed through hard work and can achieve great things in life with languages. He is an active teacher researcher who has been involved in the IOE Chinese Character Project.

Outside the classroom, Liwei is a Latin dancer. He enjoys dancing salsa, bachata and cha-cha. Liwei is also a meditator. He finds the loving-kindness meditation, in particular, life transforming.

Liwei holds a BA in Arabic from National Chengchi University (Taipei, Taiwan), a MA in Muslim Cultures from Aga Khan University, a PGCert in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language from SOAS, and a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages from the UCL Institute of Education.

Jamie Alexander – PE, Geography & PSHCE Teacher

After completing a Masters degree in Educational Psychology, Jamie qualified as a teacher. He has taught for over 12 years in a range of educational  contexts, including in America, Sweden and inner London. He is currently completing a Masters Degree in PE, with a particular focus on Sports Psychology and how teachers, coaches and parents/carers can create the optimum environment to support youth development.

Jamie is very passionate about all sports and has played cricket and football to a high level himself, as well as having considerable experience in coaching, particularly football coaching. Jamie’s motivation as a teacher is to inspire students to share his love of sport whilst educating them about the physical and psychological benefits of physical exercise, developing their confidence and ensuring all students make progress in their learning.

Bryony Stockwell – History and Geography Teacher

Bryony has always wanted to teach, and from her teens she was involved in coaching sports. However, she knew it would be History that she would teach as it was her passion. After completing her degree at the University of Hertfordshire, she moved to Canterbury to complete her PGCE and this is where she began a career.

After a few years she moved back to Hertfordshire and over the last 10 years she has been working in two secondary schools in the Borough of Broxbourne. During this time, as well as working in the classroom, she has supported the school’s gifted students and worked with Local primary schools to help support the transition from Primary to Secondary. For the last five years she has worked as a Head of Year.  This included supporting students throughout their transition journey in year 7, overseeing careers including work experience and working with them to ensure they get the best possible outcomes in year 11.

This year Bryony is excited to start at KWS leading the History and Geography departments. She feels it is important that students gain a good grasp of Britain today and how we got here.

Outside of school Bryony is a keen Hockey player and enjoys travelling. 

Samiha Hassan – English, Philosophy and Religious Education Teacher

English Linguistics has always been a subject Samiha has felt passionate about. This drove her to study and explore it further at the University of Hertfordshire where she pursued her undergraduate degree in English Language and Linguistics BA (Hons). Samiha studied a variety of innovative modules, ranging from, Language Processing, Child Language, Grammar and Phonology, Corpus studies, Clinical/Forensic Linguistics and Language in Species.

The comprehensive study of English from all of these different perspectives, enabled Samiha to understand and appreciate the language from a more objective and scientific lens.

In addition to Samiha’s major in English Language and Linguistics, she complemented her studies with a minor in English Language Teaching where Samiha gained both theoretical and practical knowledge in teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL).

Samiha completed her PGCE with the University of Hertfordshire. She trained with one of our partnership schools, Sir John Lawes, and experienced many opportunities to work with a variety of professional learning teams of the highest calibre.

Samiha firmly believes that every student has the potential to learn, grow and become a successful member of society regardless of how and where they started. Samiha is thrilled to be a part of the KWS Team as Teacher of English, she looks forward to embracing everything that comes with the role.

Sonia Wall – Maths and Computing Teacher

Sonia originally studied law at Manchester University and, after completing the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Chester, worked in London and Frankfurt as a solicitor in the project finance department of Allen & Overy.  Having taken a career break to start a family, Sonia decided to retrain as a teacher and has been doing a mathematics degree part time at The Open University.  She studied for the PGCE with The University of Hertfordshire and passed with distinction in 2020.  

Sonia is thrilled to be starting her teaching career with KWS and is looking forward to supporting her students to enjoy maths and approach the subject with confidence.

In her spare time, Sonia enjoys hiking, swimming and basketball and is a volunteer coach at Harpenden Swimming Club.

Jim Scivyer – Design and Technology Teacher

Jim began his career as a time served light motor vehicle apprentice, servicing and repairing Rolls Royce and Bentley motor cars. Following a long and successful career in the motor industry he joined Robert Bosch as a technical trainer; there he delivered a wide range of vehicle systems and electronics courses to the Bosch service network. Jim also enjoyed his time as technical training manager for Renault UK which preceded joining the College of North West London (CNWL) as a lecturer for Higher National Qualifications. During his time at the CNWL, Jim completed his Certificate of Education (CertEd).

Jo Reid – Finance Assistant

After graduating from Durham University with a BSc in Psychology, Jo qualified as a Chartered Accountant. She started her career as a specialist in charity audit, before moving in-house to work as a Finance Manager and Financial Controller for national charities including the Down’s Syndrome Association and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity. After taking time out to raise her two boys, Jo has worked more recently at Roundwood Park School here in Harpenden before joining the founding finance team at Katherine Warington School. Spending her spare time running and in exercise classes, (when not accompanying her children to their various sports and activities), Jo brings to the school’s finance department the benefits of her professional background coupled with her experience of working in a local secondary school.

Amelia Jones – Secretary / Finance Assistant

Chrissy Dicks – School Administrator

Chrissy has spent the majority of her career working within the civil service, initially undertaking general admin, then continuing to a customer service reception based role. She progressed to work in press and publicity and then in internal communications.

For the last five years she has worked at a local school for deaf children as Assistant to the Senior Leadership Team and School Secretary.

In recent years she has obtained further qualifications in British Sign Language, GCSE Spanish and Floristry.

She enjoys swimming and flower arranging and is a committee member of her local flower group.

Sarah Parish – Front Desk Administrator

Sarah qualified with an NNEB certificate and worked for 17 years in childcare, mainly as a nanny in private homes but also in nurseries and schools. During this time she gained further childcare qualifications and a Certificate of Higher Education in Psychology.

She then moved into elderly care and gained several qualifications including QCF level 5 in management in health and social care.

Following several years of administrative work, Sarah is looking forward to being part of the founding team at Katherine Warington School. Drawing on her varied experiences, Sarah works with both staff and children throughout the school providing support

Shani Brandon – Science Technician

Shani’s first love of science started in secondary school in Ireland where she decided that she wanted to work in a laboratory environment. She studied Applied Biology in London when she left school and went on to work for the National Rivers Authority.

She then graduated from the University of Sunderland with a BSc Hons in Environmental Biology and went on to work in industry, spanning a career over 10 years.

After a maternity break and because of her love of plants, Shani later went on to run her own gardening business and small Garden Centre.

She is now really excited to be back to the laboratory as Science Technician and supporting the Science department at Katherine Warington School and make a real difference to the education of the students.

Chris Burke – Learning Support

After graduating from the University of Westminster with an Honours degree in Photographic and Electronic Imaging Science, Chris spent the subsequent fifteen years in publishing, working on a variety of books, monthly and weekly magazines.

A move out of London led to a change in career direction. Chris worked for a start-up company that provided Maths-based P.E. sessions in primary schools around Hertfordshire and North London.

Chris’ passion for helping children led to a move working for a forest school and qualifying as a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner. After seven years Chris decided it was time to come indoors and the exciting new challenge that KWS offered.

Chris is a keen sportsman and qualified FA football coach.

Alison Head  – Learning Support

Alison graduated from a prestigious performing arts college having studied Dance and Musical Theatre, alongside diplomas in teaching dance. Before beginning to take the first steps into the education sector, Alison spent 4 years performing professionally around the world whilst experiencing a wealth of different cultures. 

As teaching was always a passion, she decided to retire from performing and pursue her teaching career within the Performing Arts sector. This experience opened Alison’s eyes to the joys and challenges of teaching, and she knew that she wanted to continue. Alison is thrilled to be able to embark on this opportunity offered by KWS to support teachers within an academic setting.  

Alison is enthusiastic and passionate about supporting teachers to help students achieve their full potential. She brings with her a positive mentality, enabling her to work with students to overcome individual challenges and to find positive ways to learn and achieve. Her goal is to help students discover a passion for learning as she did as a child.  

Vikki Eyley – Learning Support

Vikki graduated from Keele University with a first class honours degree in biology and forensic science before starting work in science publishing – she worked for BioMed Central in London and then the Royal Society of Chemistry in Cambridge, rising to the Deputy Editor of the Bio journal portfolio.

During an extended maternity leave, she started volunteering with HomeStart (the children’s charity), supporting families in Luton. Returning to work saw a change in focus to the education sector, working with a number of Luton schools in various roles including governance administration.

She enjoys working with pupils, parents and staff to help pupils reach their potential and enjoy their school experience.   

Abigail Grainger – Learning Support

Abigail read Environmental Sciences at the University of York before gaining an MSc in Environmental Technology from Imperial College, London.  After a short time working for an environmental consultancy firm in London, it was clear that Abigail’s true passion lay outside of the office and she qualified as a teacher in 2012 through the Teach First scheme. 

Following a four year period teaching science at an inner city school in London, Abigail took a break from her career to look after her young family, before returning to teaching at Sandringham School in St. Albans.  Abigail firmly believes that all children, whatever their circumstances, have the right to succeed and is committed to supporting all students in reaching their full potential.  She is a Harpenden parent with three young sons who keep her busy, but also enjoys being active and playing netball.

Jean Kench  – Literacy Support

Jean obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and History of Art from the University of Cape Town and an Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Grahamstown.  Jean has always been drawn to teaching and worked in various educational settings in South Africa and England before gaining her PGCE from Middlesex University.  

During her career she became interested in SpLD (dyslexia) and studied further, gaining her Level 5 and Level 7 diplomas, allowing her to both teach and assess students with and for dyslexia. 

Jean’s career includes teaching in the Speech and Language Base at Cowley Hill Primary School, leading the SpLD Base at Windermere Primary School and more recently supporting students with literacy difficulties at Wheatfields Infants’ School.  

Jean loves to see students’ self-esteem and confidence grow as she helps them to overcome their barriers to learning.

Tom Hutchins – Caretaker

Tom was born and lives in Harpenden. After his formal education he entered into the world of work as an apprentice carpenter and studied for 3 years at the Luton College of Further Education. After successfully completing his apprenticeship he packed his tool bag and lived and worked in both South Africa and Australia.

Upon his return to the UK, he was employed in the construction business in London working mainly in refurbishment. He later took on the role of stay at home dad and carpenter to support his wife’s career in Social Services. For the last three years he was employed as a caretaker at Sir John Lawes School.

He enjoys spending time with his wife and family and their two dogs.  He likes watching rugby, playing the guitar and eating out with friends.

Bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience with him, Tom plays a key role in the maintenance and upkeep of the school.

James Vaughan – Caretaker

James was born and educated in Essex.  He has always had a love of animals and studied animal science at Writtle College before getting his first job working with parrots and reptiles.  

As well as animals, James has a keen interest in the natural world and has travelled to many different places including the South Pacific islands, Australia, Asia and South America;  it was during this time he decided he wanted to learn more adventurous outdoor skills and upon returning to the UK became an outdoor activities instructor, training in climbing, abseiling and caving which he thoroughly enjoys.

After years of living out of a backpack James has recently bought a house in the local area and plans to enjoy his free time with friends and family, climbing and sitting in the garden amongst his menagerie of animals.