Staff biographies

School Management Team

Peter Tait MA (Massey), Dip Ed, Dip Tchg, FRSA - Headmaster

Peter was born in New Zealand and gained his MA in History at Massey University. He has served as Chairman of the Education Committee of IAPS, and as a director of ISEB and a member of the ISC Education Committee, and is also Governor of another prep school. Peter lectures at conferences and is the author of, amongst other writings, the New Zealand Boarding Schools' Handbook, a biography of Sir John Ormond, and, most recently, of Florence: Mistress of Max Gate, a novel centred around the relationship between Thomas Hardy and his second wife, Florence. Peter also writes regularly for education journals, and publishes his own philosophical musings on education and child development in his "Thoughts for the Study" tomes. He is a member of the Powys Society, The Thomas Hardy Society, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a passionate rugby and cricket enthusiast. He and his wife, Sarah, who is also an author and historian, own a bookshop in France.

Daniel Fernley BSc (Kent), PGCE (Oxon) - Deputy Head

After studying Physics at Elliott College Kent, Daniel moved to Trinity College Oxford to train as a teacher. He began his career teaching physics to 'A' level at schools in both London and Milan. Daniel moved back to England in 1991 to become Assistant Housemaster at a boarding school in Berkshire. With the arrival of his first child he moved to Sherborne Prep as Head of Science and Head of Care. Daniel worked as the Director of Studies for several years before being appointed the Deputy Head. He has published books on both Common Entrance and GCSE Physics, besides working as an examiner for the EdExcel examinations board. Daniel is married to Donna and has three children, one dog and a hamster!

Sophie Hammond, BA (Hons) (Durham), PGCE (Worcester College, Oxford) - Director of Studies

Sophie was born in Brazil and spent three of her prep school years living with her family in Venezuela and attending an American school. From age 11 she boarded at Roedean School in East Sussex. At University she ran her own Shakespearean theatre company and discovered her passion for poetry, especially the work of the late Poet Laureate Ted Hughes. Sophie's secondary school teaching began at Alleyn's School, Dulwich and then onto Saltus Grammar School, Bermuda. She then moved to Dorset and joined Canford School in 2004, where she taught English and Drama to A-level. She joins us from Dumpton school where she taught English, was Head of Latin and Head of Learning Support. She has also trained and worked at a school for autistic children and was a volunteer for the National Autistic Society. Sophie is married to Ben, and during her spare time she enjoys spending time with her large extended family of seven nephews, three nieces and six godchildren.

Ed Flute, MBA (Cranfield), MA (King's College), PGCE - Bursar

Ed Flute left the British Army after 19 years of service. He was commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he won the Sword of Honour. After 14 years of military activity around the world, including Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army decided to send him back to school and he completed a Cranfield University MBA and a King's College London MA in Defence studies. As a result of these endeavours, he decided that it was time to try and pass on some of the skills that he had learnt, and transferred to the Army Educational and Training Services. He completed a Post Graduate Certificate of Education with Southampton University. His last five years were spent teaching and running educational institutions in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Tidworth. His last job before leaving was as Commanding Officer of the Liverpool University Officers' Training Corps which involved a great deal of interaction with North West Universities, their students and academics, perhaps one of the hardest jobs of his career! He is currently studying, part time, for a Doctorate of Education. Ed is married with three children and one daft dog, and his interests include running, talking about rugby, keeping chickens, and maintaining a vegetable patch which refuses to allow anything to grow.

Paul Shepherd, MBA, Dip Tchg, TTC - Director of Boarding - Head of Maths

Paul joined Sherborne Prep in September 2009 as Head of Maths, initially as maternity cover for Hanna Crane. When Hanna returned Paul decided to stay and continues to teach in addition to his role as Director of Boarding. He is passing on his enthusiasm for rugby coaching the Under 8 rugby team. He was previously Deputy Head of King's School, Auckland and has two daughters.

Heidi Berry, BA (Hons) Music (Birmingham Conservatoire), PGCE (Notts) - Head of Pre-Prep

Heidi studied Music at Birmingham Conservatoire and trained as a teacher in Nottingham. She has taught at schools including Loughborough and Clayesmore Prep. She joined Sherborne Prep in 2007 as a Year 1 teacher and became Head of Pre-Prep in 2010. Music is close to Heidi's heart. She plays the Violin with Salsibury Sinfonia and Wessex Strings, and her Christmas Musical "Hip Hip Hooray (it's Jesus' Birthday!)" has been performed in schools and churches across the country. As well as teaching Year 1, Heidi conducts the Prep Junior Choir and teaches music through the Pre-Prep. Heidi believes passionately that young children can achieve their best when happy, secure, and stimulated through exciting ways of discovering and learning. She aims to make sure that all children at Sherborne Pre-Prep are given the very best start, and the very best foundation for their future learning. Heidi is married with three children, and enjoys running in her spare time.

Aurora Mercer, LLB, BA(Hons), Dip. Business Management - Director of Marketing & Admissions

Aurora began her career in scientific research, and then read Law, before moving abroad and having a family. She joined the Sherborne Prep staff after several years' experience on the administrative team at Warminster School. The family have now settled in Gillingham and number three children, four ferrets and one mischievous puppy! Her hobbies include fly fishing, game cookery, and mountaineering in Scotland.

Prep School Staff (in alphabetical order)

Jeremy Acton, BD (Hons)(St Andrews), PGCE

Jeremy joined us in September 2010 from Moor Park School where he was Head of RE and coach of the 1st XV. He is passionate about sport and coaches the rugby and cricket teams as well as playing golf, cricket and squash. He read Theology at St Andrews University and follows popular science stories, delighting in the new information it throws up about the universe. Jeremy is fascinated by what the Hubble Space Telescope is revealing about the universe and is following the progress of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland. He is a proud husband to Alice and father of Harry, Sam and Rose.

Lucy Allen, BEng (Bath)

Lucy began teaching in 2001, having before been an Industrial Engineer with various companies. She brings her skills and passion for the subject to the classroom, and also runs several innovative clubs for our Saturday Activities programme, where children can get involved in such projects as Electric Car Club and Build an Orchestra Club. A proactive member of the Dorchester community, Lucy gets involved in such things as prop building for the local theatre company and playing the fiddle/backing vocals in a band!

Christopher Bass, LL.B (Hons) King's College London

Chris was educated at Radley College, where he played first team rugby, hockey, cricket, golf, rackets, fives, squash and tennis. After a brief career in the Law Chris knew that his passion lay in education. He was Director of Sport at first Port Regis, and then Salisbury Cathedral School, where he also became Deputy Head. He referees regularly on the schools' circuit and also runs the Wessex Schools Referees Society, and is also a playing member of the MCC and a single figure handicap golfer. A self-confessed workaholic and perfectionist, writing is one of his main 'hobbies': the author of 'Seven-A-Side Rugby', he is currently researching into his second book, which will examine the pressures on modern day officials in sport. His next aim is to coach another young batsman to reach 1000 runs in a school cricket season which he first achieved back in 1987. Any candidates?

Frank Bridgeman-Sutton, BA(Hons) Dunelm; PGCE Exeter; CertNat Sci (Open), MCIEA, Dean of Years 5 & 6

After graduating in Anthropology and Archaeology, Frank Bridgeman-Sutton put his refined digging talents to use in northern Germany and across Salisbury Plain as an officer in The Green Howards. After a spell as house manager at a top drama school in London, he headed for the North Pennines to restore furniture and antiques, gaining some expertise in Chinese lacquer work and passing his spare time as a member of a mountain rescue team. Having discovered that few mountains needed rescue, he relocated to Dorset in 1998, where he beavered away happily in his shed until vocation called and he re-trained as a teacher. He began his career at a fine prep school in Sherborne where he spent seven years and acquired a slightly geeky interest in assessment data and developing the curriculum. A year working as director of studies in Qatar and another year at Knighton House provided a contrast before he came back here where children are allowed to be children, are allowed to make mistakes, are allowed to think for, and to be, themselves. Somewhere along the way he had the great good fortune to acquire two lovely children of his own.

Caroline Dowdell, BA (Hons) (Bristol), PGCE (Christ Church College)

Caroline joined us in January 2011 having previously been Head of English at Sunninghill, where she taught Years 5-8 and was the school's co-ordinator for LAMDA examinations, ran the Gifted & Talented programme and had been their SENCO. Caroline has a BA (Hons) in English, a PGCE and an advanced diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties. Caroline's son, James, is an Old Prepper and former Head Boy.

Oliver Elliott, BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching (Cardiff), GTP (Reading), CIPD

Oliver studied Sports Coaching at Cardiff University before serving four years in the Royal Navy as a Warfare Officer. Following that he spent time teaching leadership and team building throughout the Middle East before taking up a teaching position at a Prep school in Bucks. He is a qualified rugby and cricket coach and experienced in the major sports, as well as boasting an extensive playing background (various county, regional and Navy representations, as well as a national cup). As well as sports he is a keen outdoor enthusiast and has led expeditions to Belize and Nepal for both student and adult groups. Sports mad, he is active as often as possible, enjoying skiing and kayaking.

Janine Gates, BA (Hons) History

Janine came to us after 5 years at Hooke Court School, where she taught Key Stage 2 and was Head of History. Prior to this she was a Higher Education Lecturer for Bournemouth University, responsible for delivering History modules on a BA (Hons) 'Combined Studies' (History and English) degree course, at a partnership institution. During her spare time she enjoys visiting exhibitions and historical buildings, and reading historical literature. She has travelled extensively in Central and South America. Janine lives in Dorchester with her partner, Ian, who is a forensic scientist for the Metropolitan Police in London, her son Miles, and a cat named Jonah that doesn't actually belong to her but thinks that he does!!

Annie Gent, BA (Hons)(Notts), Teacher Training Cert (Notts SCITT)

Annie is an alumni of Clayesmore and Lord Wandsworth College. She trekked round France working before going to University, graduating with a 2:1 BA joint honours in Classics and English. She spent an enjoyable year working as a Teaching Assistant specialising in working with children with special and behavioural needs. She then trained with Nottingham City Primary SCITT to gain her QTE and worked for two years, culminating as SENCO at Wellow House School in Nottinghamshire before returning home to the family fold of Dorset and Sherborne Prep. Annie is an enthusiastic sportswoman playing hockey and netball, and watching cricket. She loves a good book and has started a book club at The Prep. She enjoys good food and travelling on a shoe string.

Gail Gulston, M.Ed, BSc(Hons), Advanced Dip. in Child Development (OU), Teacher Training Diploma (Durban Teachers' Training College)

Gail commenced her teaching career in South Africa teaching Science at secondary level before immigrating to Vancouver, Canada. She has lived in Sherborne, Dorset for the past twenty years during which time she has taught Science at Port Regis and thereafter was appointed Head of Science at Hanford School, Belmont Preparatory School in Surrey and Sunninghill Preparatory School in Dorchester. During her tenure as a Science specialist teacher, Gail taught Years 3 to 8.

Helen Hayward, BSc (Hons) Newcastle, PGCE (Leeds)

Helen has previously taught at Newland House Prep School in London where she taught Maths to Years 5 - 8. She has a BSc(Hons) in Mathematics and Statistics from Newcastle University and a PGCE from Leeds University in Mathematics and Special Needs. Helen is also a parent at the Prep with her son, Max in Year 4, and has two younger children, Francesca and Zak.

Briony Harris, BA (Hons) (Exeter), PGCE (Kingston), PG Cert Dyslexia & Literacy (York)

Before moving into teaching, Briony enjoyed a life of travelling, working with The Wombles and working in innovative fundraising for 5 years at Comic Relief. Briony is now a trained dyslexia specialist and is much looking forward to helping and enthusing those pupils for whom learning can sometimes feel like an uphill struggle. Briony has three sons, dislikes treading on pieces of upturned lego, loves Cornwall and laughing.

Bongani Mafu T Cert (Zimbabwe), Dip. French (Poitiers), Cert Mgmt (Open), Dip Mgmt (Open)

Bongani is a graduate of Hillside Teachers' College in Zimbabwe, University of Poitiers and the Open University. He has a Professional Certificate in Management, Professional Diploma in Management and is currently studying towards his MBA. Bongani was Head of French at Plumtree High School and Christian Brothers College in Zimbabwe before moving to head up the French and PE Departments at Phakalane Primary School in Botswana and finally joining Sherborne Prep as Head of French. He loves sport and has an international coaching licence in football as well as Level 1 certificates to coach rugby, swimming, hockey and athletics. He was Head Coach for Premier League sides in Zimbabwe and Botswana and has coached the U16 Dorchester Town Football Club. He is currently coaching Sherborne Town U16s. Bongani says The Prep is a liberating workplace that gives room to perform at the highest level whilst helping children to achieve their personal best. The Prep is more of a small family than a workplace and is truly a home away from home.

Kat McGreal, BA (Hons)(Lancaster), PGCE (Exeter)

Kat graduated from Lancaster with an English Literature Honours degree and also completed modules in Philosophy for her own enjoyment. She completed her PGCE at St Lukes, Exeter, specialising in English and Sport. Her first teaching post was at Marwood Primary School with a cross key stage class of Year 2 and 3. She moved to Solihull School whilst her husband was training on jets at Valley in North Wales and taught a range of year groups as well as being English and PSHE Co-ordinator, Head of Girls' Games and Junior Drama. She was a lead supervisor in running the Duke of Edinburgh Award in the sixth form. Kat moved to Somerset in 2007 when her husband was posted to RNAS Yeovilton. She taught at Manor House School in Devon where she was Head of Pre-Prep and part of the Senior Management Team, as well as being a Head of House, Librarian and in charge of Junior Drama. She accepted the post of Year 3 teacher at The Prep in 2008 and continues to enjoy her Year 3 form as well as teaching French to other year groups and her role as Head of House for Greeks.

Melissa Meikle, BA(Hons), Dip. Ed - SENCO

Melissa moved to the area from Bury St Edmunds where she had been a Year 3 teacher at Moreton Hall Prep School. Apart from her teaching qualifications Melissa recently completed a diploma in Special Educational Needs, with distinction, and a Level 3 certificate in Child Psychology. When not at school Melissa loves nothing more than spending time with her 2 year old daughter, and is a keen sportswoman and outdoor enthusiast.

Brenda Ray - Girls' houseparent

Brenda is herself a mother, with considerable experience in the field of education, including qualifications as a Teaching Assistant, teaching English as a foreign language, in "Forest Skills", as a national level swimming coach, and in counselling. Brenda is a wonderfully energetic and caring person, and she brings a great deal of fun and enthusiasm to Netherton.

Fiona Reay, BEd (Hons) (Gloucestershire), MEd (Birmingham) - Head of English

Fiona is a familiar face at The Prep, having attended both Sherborne Prep and Sherborne Girls as a boarder. Fiona has travelled a great deal in her career, including three years at the British School of Paris, and returned to the UK from Dubai in 2009 to teach at Repton school. Fiona has two boys at Sherborne School (Harper House). She is a very keen swimmer and is the Senior Swimming Coach at The Prep, running the weekly swimming lessons, the Elite Squad, and the Saturday swimming club.

Freddie Salisbury, BSc (Hons)(Plymouth), PGCE (Exeter) - Head of Science, Dean of Yrs 7 & 8

Freddie studied Biology at Plymouth University where she specialised in Marine and Fish Biology. She then went on to complete a PGCE in Science at St Luke's College, Exeter. She has previously taught Science to GCSE and Biology to A Level at The Cedars Upper School in Bedfordshire, Milton Abbey and the Gryphon School, before joining The Prep in 2002. She has two daughters, Chloe an Old Prepper and Eloise currently in the Pre-Prep. She enjoys listening to Radio 3, learning about the wonders of the universe by watching Brian Cox documentaries, coastal footpath walks and splashing around in rock pools.

Rosie Suttle, BA (Hons) (London), PGCE (Southampton) RSA Dipl (Sp LD) - Dean of Years 3 & 4

Rosie began her working life in a bookshop and with the National Trust before finding her vocation in teaching. She taught at Keble Prep and Castle Court before joining Sherborne Prep. Rosie has four children, all of whom are Old Preppers. She enjoys dancing, walking her dog, fly fishing with her son and vegetable gardening.

Maria Trkulja, MA (Oxon) - GTP, Head of Drama

Maria attended Dauntsey's School in Wiltshire where she developed a love of all things musical and dramatic. This led her to read Music at Lady Margaret Hall College, Oxford, where she excelled in performance. After a year teaching junior Drama and Music to A-Level at Leweston, Maria trained as a teacher whilst working at Sherborne Prep, achieving an Outstanding in her QTS. In her free time Maria enjoys reading and naming her pets after Greek Gods. Her rabbit, Aphrodite, and her cocker spaniel, Zeus, enjoy the occasional visit to school where they delight in being manhandled by the children.

Philippa Simmonds - Director of Music

Philippa attended Preston Community School and The Gryphon before going to Bristol University to read music. She graduated from Bristol with a BA (Hons) degree in Music before going on to complete her teacher training at Paddington Academy in London where she achieved an 'Outstanding' for her QTS. She has been a Head of Year 7 leading a team of 16 tutors and co-tutors and Teacher of Music at the Academy. Philippa also has an ABRSM on the Flute, Piano and Singing (all Grade 8 with distinction); ATCL Flute distinction and ABRSM Grade 5 Bassoon (Merit).

Fernando Velazquez, BTEC, C&G Teacher Training Cert (Chelsea College of Art & Design) - Head of Art

Fernando is an internationally renowned philosophical artist, painting not just from the heart but from the very soul. He is immensely popular with the children, encouraging confidence to explore and express themselves through the many different media art has to offer. His work has been exhibited in Murcia, Madrid, London, Tate Northern, New York, Paris and Barcelona. He is a graduate of Fine Art Management and Professional Practice (Kensington and Chelsea College), History of Modern Art: Critical Studies (Chelsea College of Art & Design), City & Guilds Teacher Training (Kensington and Chelsea College), New Art: Practice and Theory (Chelsea College of Art), Professional Development Award in Design (Chelsea College of Art) and is undertaking a course in French Painting 1760-1900 (University of Bristol).

Sean Walbank, BEd (Exeter) - Senior Master

Sean is our Senior Master and has been involved in education from a very early age - his mother was Housemistress at Shaftesbury Girls' High School and his godfather founded Millfield School. He has a BEd from Exeter University and joined Sherborne Prep in September 1975. He has the honour of having coached every boys' team for rugby, cricket and hockey from Under 8s to the First Team. He has run a multitude of sporting events at The Prep and is a Level 1 hockey coach and umpire and a Level 1 rugby coach and referee. He has played cricket with Dorset Colts and Sherborne and played hockey for Yeovil and Sherborne. He is an LTA tennis coach and played in the Mens A League for Sherborne. Sean is Head of Geography, Head of the Eco Committee and an Assistant Housemaster. He helped set up the wildlife pond, has directed two school plays and is Head of Norman House. Sean also runs the model making and Warhammer Club as part of our Saturday morning activities. Sean is a keen golfer and has a handicap of 11. He is a lapsed member of the RHS and still has an ambition to make a courtyard garden for The Prep at the Hampton Court Flower Show.

Joanna Vear, BA (Hons) Education and Training (Plymouth), CTLLS

Joanna began her working life at Christie's Auctioneers and the financial services sector before finding her vocation in Education. Familiar with local schools in Dorset she has worked with Learning Support staff across the county and more recently taught at Leweston Preparatory School. Having studied Education and Training at Plymouth University, specialising in PSHCE, Joanna also delivers training and development programmes to adult learners wishing to gain qualifications in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools. She enjoys spending time with her teenage son and Basset Hound, 'Harvey', as well as cooking good wholesome food!

Lucy Wallington, BA (Hons)(York), PGCE Specialising in French (MMU)

Lucy graduated with a BA Hons in English Language and Linguistics from the University of York and a PGCE in Primary Education, specialising in French, from Manchester Metropolitan University. She joined The Prep in 2010, and has been a Form teacher for Year 3 and Year 5, also teaching French to Years 5 and 6. Lucy has a musical family background and enjoys singing as well as playing the violin, 'cello, and piano.

Pre-Prep Staff (in alphabetical order)

Lindsey Arico Cert Ed, Dip LCDD, AISTD - Classroom Assistant

Lindsey is a familiar face in the Pre-Prep and has been a Teaching Assistant here for six years. She is involved in all the Pre-Prep productions, with a background in ballet and modern dance. Lindsey shares her love of Italy by teaching a little taster of Italian in Reception each week.

Amy Goodfellow - Nursery Teacher
Amy joined the Pre-Prep team after several years' experience as a Nursery teacher , and loves nothing more than reading stories to the children and engaging her little charges in role play. She teaches the Nursery children at The Prep.

Becky Horlock , Foundation Degree Early Years - Early Years Co-Ordinator

Becky always knew she wanted to work with children and started out in a nursery where she completed her NVQ2 and NVQ3 in Early Years Childcare. She moved on to become a nanny, which she enjoyed for many years before joining The Prep. She absolutely loves working in the Nursery - the children are so much fun to be around.

Jo Hunt BA (Hons)(Exeter), PGCE Primary & Early Years (Exeter)

Jo teaches Reception which she finds hugely enjoyable and rewarding. She is a keen horse rider and has two horses which she competes on in her spare time. She also does a lot of sailing and motor boating around Poole in the holidays. She studied at Exeter University where she completed her BA in Education and then a primary PGCE. She enjoys art and craft activities and runs the after school Art Club where lots of lovely things are created.

Gemma Illidge, BSc

Gemma graduated with a BSc in Information Systems Management from The Royal Military College of Science and served six years as a Captain in the Royal Engineers where she was deployed operationally in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gemma teaches Year 2. She also has a passion for sports and the outdoors and is a qualified netball, hockey and gymnastics coach and an aerobics instructor.

Elly Martin, NVQ Level 3 in Children's care and Learning

Elly is a member of our Nursery Team, and has been working with children for more than 13 years. She loves to watch the characters of the children in her care grow and develop. When she is not at work, Elly is a keen gymnast, and really enjoys watching national level competitions.

Laura McGinn, BA (Hons) Primary Education

Laura has worked in early years education for over six years and has completed a degree in primary education. She loves the variety and fun that comes from spending a day with the nursery children. In the after-school art club Laura helps the children to make lots of beautiful things, and in the Summer she runs an outdoor club , which has developed from her interest in Forest School. When she is not busy with nursery things, she loves to travel and is a whizz on the sewing machine.

Support Staff

Rowena Ferrier - School Secretary

Rowena has been a School Secretary for over twenty years and works in the heart of The Prep. When not found in the School Office Rowena will be somewhere in the UK volunteering in her capacity as an Athletic International Technical Official, and recently undertook this role in the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. She also enjoys the Countryside and reading.

Dee Lewis - Headmaster's Secretary

Dee is an ex-theatre nurse and the mother of an Old Prepper, Jack. She loves cooking, eating out and walking by the sea on a cold blowy day. She power walks to train for the annual Moonwalk, raising funds for Breast Cancer Care, is a keen gardener and loves walking her dogs and shopping. She is an enthusiastic skier and enjoys spending time in her chalet in Switzerland.

Philippa Jackson BSc (Hons) (Plymouth) - Marketing & Admissions Assistant

Philippa joined the Prep from the University of Exeter where she worked for 12 years in the Sports Office and then Human Resources. Philippa studied at Seale Hayne Agricultural College before going on to run a dairy and arable farm in Kenya and later to manage a Miniature Shetland Pony Stud in Dartmoor. Having recently moved back to the Sherborne area with her two daughters, Philippa now hopes to find time to enjoy the countryside and get back to spending time with family and horses!

Kate Fow - Matron

Kate joined The Prep from Sandroyd School where she was a houseparent in the Junior Boys House. She was a houseparent at Ranby House School in Nottingham for three years prior to that. Kate's passion is the violin, which she studied at Trinity College of Music. She was highly influenced by her grandfather, the late Max Jaffa, who was also a violinist. Kate has played with many of the London Orchestras and performed much of the solo violin repertoire with many orchestras both in England and abroad, as well as being in the backing orchestra accompanying Elton John on tour. Kate has two sons.

Lindsey Shardlow - Matron

Lindsey qualified as a Registered General Nurse at Kings College Hospital in London and worked as a Ward Sister and Senior Nurse for 16 years before having two children, Sophie and Will. Lindsey joined The Prep as Assistant Matron in 2009. Lindsey is a long-standing mother of the Prep, and her two children have now gone on to senior schools. She loves looking after the day pupils and the boarders, and is always calming and reasuring when dealing with the medical requirements of the children.

Mike Nathan - Maintenance Manager

Mike was educated at Dovecliffe Grammar School, Burton and is married with three children and three grandchildren. He moved to Somerset to start his family and became involved in the early Glastonbury Festivals, where he was responsible for pre-production of the two main stages. He is now on the guest list for life and still attends the Festival every year.

Paul Curran - Head Groundsman

Paul studied Countryside and Enviromental Management at Kingston Maurward College, and has also worked at Stourhead for the National Trust. As well as looking after our grounds he has also started training for the Dorset Fire Service and works as a Firefighter at the Sherborne Fire Station.

Neil Hoppe - Groundsman

Neil keeps our grounds looking beautiful all year round, from maintaining the sports pitches to planting a riot of colour throughout the Summer. He is a keen marathon runner and has run the London Marathon to raise funds for charity. He is also a tae kwon do enthusiast.