Headmaster
Mr Will Williams
Over the course of my career, I have held teaching, coaching, and managerial roles at Marlborough College, Wellington College, and St Paul's School, where I joined the Senior Management Team as Director of Learning. My most recent post was Senior Deputy Head of Pangbourne College, Reading, where I was also Acting Headmaster during the Summer Term 2019.
Through my time at these schools, I have honed my view that the USP of good schools is the true rounding of the individual, measurable not just by academic success, but by responses to small failures and creative flourishes. It is the role of the school to support, praise, and nudge young people so that they learn to deal with the slings and arrows of life ahead.
I am also an ISI inspector, a published author, and ed-Tech advisor, and am committed to challenging, inspiring, and supporting young learners in preparing them for their future society and work.
Senior Deputy Head (Operations)
Mr James Lowe
Before joining Kew House, I was Head of Upper School at Kew Green Preparatory School for five years. I am secondary-trained and have a degree in Geography and a master's degree in Information Technology. In addition to my curriculum contribution in humanities and computing, I hold responsibility for the pastoral care of the students and the timetable.
I enjoy a range of activities and hobbies which include sailing, cross-country running, squash, photography, and astronomy. My interests include learning Spanish and walking in Spain, Dorset, and Cumbria. I am also learning to play the piano and the trumpet.
Deputy Head (Pastoral) & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Ms Liz Atwell
I joined Kew House from The Heathland School, where I taught for 16 years and spent the last six years as an Assistant Headteacher.
I have a degree in Geography from Liverpool University and trained for my PGCE at the University of Cambridge. As a geographer, I enjoy travelling – recent trips have included hiking in Nepal and Patagonia. Although I love the big outdoors, I also enjoy city living and, before training as a teacher, I spent three years working for an international law firm in Hong Kong. I try to use my own experiences of visits to other parts of the world to bring geography alive in the classroom.
Director of Studies
Ms Jennifer Chambers
jennifer.chambers@kewhouseschool.com
I joined Kew House in 2016 as Head of English and have since become Director of Studies. My role comprises a number of factors including staff development, lesson observation, and ensuring that high standards of teaching and learning are present across the school. I work closely with department heads to monitor, evaluate, and develop the curriculum, as well as design the reporting and assessment practices of the school. I am particularly interested in how students acquire and retain knowledge and seek to grow the dynamic learning environment across the school.
I am an active member of the English department and enjoy contributing to the department’s busy schedule of theatre trips and extra-curricular clubs.
Head of Sixth Form
Mr Richard Lees
richard.lees@kewhouseschool.com
Previously, I was Head of Physics at Thomas Telford School, where I taught for six years and became Head of Science at Kew House when the doors opened in 2013. I became Head of Sixth Form in 2016. I am a physics specialist and completed my degree in Physics at Nottingham University before doing a PGCE at King’s College London. I have enjoyed the experience of building a successful science department with practical investigation at its core and look forward to developing the Sixth Form as it grows.
As Head of Sixth Form, I enjoy working with our young adults, seeing them excel and preparing them for their journey beyond Year 13.
I am a keen sailor and hold Dinghy Instructor and Yachtmaster qualifications from the RYA. I have also played rugby and cricket for local teams. I am very interested in music and play the piano and guitar.
Assistant Head (Key Stage 4 (Years 9, 10 & 11))
Mrs Jillian Mannion
jillian.mannion@kewhouseschool.com
I joined Kew House in 2015, having previously taught at Old Palace of John Whitgift School for seven years, initially teaching English and then becoming Head of Drama as the subject grew in popularity. Before coming to London, I studied Drama and English, receiving my BA and PGCE from Queen’s University, Belfast. I completed my MA at Goldsmiths, University of London. I gained a diploma in Dramatherapy at Roehampton University, to enhance my pastoral work with Years 9 to 11, when appointed Head of Key Stage 4. Pupils in these years can come to me for support and I will monitor their progress both academically and emotionally. I also organise the public examinations, ensuring the process runs smoothly and that all pupils have the best possible environment in which to sit their important qualifications.
Developing the Drama department at Kew House has been very rewarding; seeing the department go from strength to strength as an academic subject and through extra-curricular festivals and competitions, large-scale productions and many theatre trips. We have a wealth of talented performers here, many of whom have gone on to study at prestigious drama schools in London and further afield. I have directed a wide range of productions over the years and will continue to showcase the students' skills in our annual musical theatre productions, house drama competitions, sixth form plays, and summer festivals.
I love going to the theatre, but I also enjoy watching contemporary dance and music events, as well as discovering the fantastic museums and galleries which London has to offer.
Assistant Head, (Key Stage 3 (Years 7 & 8)) in charge of Admissions
Mr Martyn Hale
martyn.hale@kewhouseschool.com
I have been Head of Humanities since joining Kew House in 2014. It has been exciting to oversee a department and be instrumental in its growth. The department includes a team of dedicated, subject in history, geography, politics, economics and business studies. After eight years of teaching at Thomas Telford School, a top-performing state school, I know what it takes to lead a successful department. The department offers an engaging and enriching curriculum which is supported by a range of visits locally, nationally and internationally. In recent years, we have successfully run visits to museums, the Lake District, First and Second World War battlefields, Iceland and Berlin and Krakow. The department also runs an annual visit to the battlefields for Parents and Friends of the School.
At Kew House, we believe that every student is an important individual and we strive to ensure that every student is able to achieve success. It is vital that parents and the school work together to support student learning as we value frequent links with parents. I hope you will feel that you can contact your child's personal tutor or myself as Head of Year 7 if you have any queries regarding your child's education and welfare.
Head of Year 13
Ms Philippa Blandford
philippa.blandford@kewhouseschool.com
Previously, I was a Sports Assistant at Bryanston School and went on to complete my PGCE in Secondary PE at Worcester University. I taught PE & Games at Hereford Cathedral School, an independent day school, before joining the PE department at KHS in 2015.
I have a particular interest in teaching academic PE, hockey and running. I have played club and county hockey and I have completed the Paris marathon.
I was appointed Head of Year 8 in September 2020.
Head of Year 13
Ms Jessica Chisholm
jessica.chisholm@kewhouseschool.com
After spending an inspiring year as a Resident Tutor and Games Coach at Prior Park College, Bath, I graduated from the University of Exeter in 2012 and moved to London to begin my teaching career. I first joined Kew House School in 2014 when it was in its second year of operation. During my time as Head of Girls’ Games, we established girls’ sport and enjoyed many successful opportunities across a range of sports at local, regional, and national level, as well as abroad. In 2018, I relocated to Dubai to broaden my teaching experience and here I was able to further develop my specialism in teaching academic Physical Education to A level in an independent British curriculum school. I was excited to be offered the opportunity to re-join the Kew House family and continue to contribute to the ever-growing success of the school.
Away from school, I enjoy visiting family in Somerset, riding, and keeping active.
Head of Year 12
Mr Alex McCafferty
alexander.mccafferty@kewhouseschool.com
I have been teaching in London since 2014 after completing my studies at the University of Nottingham and Institute of Education. I am passionate about geography and like to engage students in a variety of ways inside and outside the classroom.
I am also heavily involved in sports education and have been coaching rugby at youth level since 2012, first at Bromley RFC and also with my previous school. I look forward to continuing coaching at Kew House School.
Head of Year 11
Ms Rosie Singleton
rosie.singleton@kewhouseschool.com
I joined Kew House in 2018 due to its unique and inspirational ethos. I have continuously worked with young people since graduating from Winchester University with a BA in English and Psychology. This led me to become a teaching assistant at a challenging school in London, where I learnt and became passionate about the vast amount of learning differences and behavioural needs present in society. Following this, I gained my PGCE and became a teacher of English and Psychology and a Head of House.
Since joining Kew House School, I have seen the school develop and watched the students overcome the challenges of adolescence to become wonderful, well-rounded adults. This year, I have taken on the role of Head of Year 11 and thoroughly enjoy spending my time working with the students who started at the school at the same time as me.
In my spare time, I continue to devour any book or film that I can squeeze in between time spent with my wonderful family.
Head of Year 10
Ms Leigh Langan
leigh.langan@kewhouseschool.com
I was delighted to join Kew House School in 2018. Previously, I have studied at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) and received a BA in English Literature and Sociology and Politics. I am a driven and highly dedicated teacher with a vast amount of experience.
Having taught in a variety of schools during my time in Ireland and the UK, I have picked up a plethora of different teaching skills. I have gained experience in creative and innovative teaching which I look forward to sharing with the students at Kew House School.
In my spare time I enjoy reading, sports, baking, going to the theatre and exploring new places.
Head of Year 9
Mr Ryan Gregory
ryan.gregory@kewhouseschool.com
Having qualified as a teacher in the summer of 2010, I have worked in a number of different roles at The Windsor Boys' School. Most recently, I have been tasked with improving the quality and breadth of the school’s extracurricular sport within my role as Director of Sport.
Having studied Sports Science at St Mary's University College between 2004 and 2008, I completed my GTP through the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead whilst working at The Windsor Boys' School. During my time at university, I represented England Universities in Rugby Union and alongside my teaching career, I have spent time playing semi-professional rugby with Ealing Trailfinders. More recently, I have been player coaching at Chobham Rugby Club. I have a genuine passion for all sports and during my time at The Windsor Boys' School have enjoyed success in football, athletics, and cricket, to name but a few.
Head of Year 8
Mr Rory Eves
Having completed my education at Reigate Grammar School and Ancient History degree at University of Reading, I spent 5 years working in a mixture of roles but mainly focused around supply chain in the pharmaceutical industry.
I changed my career to teaching to share my passion for the subject and wanting to have an impact on future generations. I completed my PGCE at UCL (IoE) and continued for 3 years at Prendergast Vale School in Lewisham. At PVS, I had the chance to shape the curriculum very early on and progressed to Head of Year by my third year. My specialist topics are ancient Greeks, Anglo-Saxons, cold war and diverse histories.
Outside of teaching, I am a passionate rugby player and have recently completed my Level 2 rugby coaching award. I also have interests in American football, music, and tabletop RPGs.
Head of Year 7
Ms Perrine Vessayre
perrine.vessayre@kewhouseschool.com
Prior to joining Kew House, I had been second in charge of Modern Foreign Languages at Gunnersbury Catholic School for Boys in Brentford. Having lived in France until my graduation from university, I am a French native speaker. On completing my degree, I moved to England to carry out my teacher training and I have now been working here for 10 years.
At Kew House, I enjoy working with a team of excellent language teachers and sharing my passion for foreign languages with the pupils.
I enjoy travelling to new countries and finding out about foreign cultures and cuisines. I also enjoy going to the cinema and the theatre and going for walks by the river.
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Ms Janine Morgan
janine.morgan@kewhouseschool.com
I joined Kew House as Head of Food and Nutrition when the school first opened in 2013, and I have since become Deputy Safeguarding Lead. My role involves several elements, including overseeing pupil wellbeing, liaising with Heads of Year, initiating training for staff, and teaching our Individuals in Society curriculum. I work closely with Ms Liz Atwell to monitor the wellbeing of our pupils, as well as liaising with relevant agencies outside school.
I continue to teach the GCSE and Sixth Form courses in the Food department, and I regard cooking as a life skill. As well as theory work, pupils participate in a wide range of practical tasks and benefit from three-hour lessons. To date, Kew House pupils have enjoyed visits to the French Christmas markets, Sorrento, Harrods Food Hall, and Borough Market.
As well as cooking, I enjoy trips to the cinema, watching rugby and walking.