Key Information

Morgan was educated at Queen Mary, University of London and Queens’ College, Cambridge before teaching Geography in London for five years, then Head of House at Haydon School, Pinner. Morgan relocated to West Sussex in 2002 where he joined Weald School as Head of Year for four years, before joining the Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Headteacher, and Head of Sixth Form, in 2006. At the Weald, Morgan fulfilled a range of roles including leading on assessment, quality of teaching and learning, performance data, eLearning and departmental monitoring and evaluation. In 2014 Morgan joined The Littlehampton Academy as Vice Principal. Morgan was engaged to raise standards after the school went into Special Measures and he led on achievement and standards, behaviour, pupil progress, and target setting. In 2016 he accepted the post of Principal to continue the school improvement journey; ultimately leading the school out of Special Measures and then to ‘Good’ in all areas. Morgan specialises in strategic planning, leadership development, curriculum design and whole school improvement. We are very fortunate that Morgan has joined us at RAAS in 2022!

Morgan is a keen sportsman having played rugby since childhood at club and college level. Now ‘retired’ due to injury, he has also coached and refereed. Morgan was brought up in England but remains a committed Welshman and a lifelong follower of the Welsh rugby team. He is still keen to remain active and enjoys mountain biking, sea kayaking, and hiking with his two dogs across open countryside. He has a love for travel and has travelled extensively in the UK and Europe, as well as visits to South America, Egypt, Canada, and USA. An avid reader, Morgan has a love for historical fiction and thrillers, as well as non-fiction and travelogues, and is very keen on current affairs and geopolitics. His ambition is to see as much of the world as possible and to never stop learning about it!

Prior to working in education, an accountant by trade, Liz held a number of senior Finance roles within Investment Banking. It was the experience in her penultimate role; leading Finance & collaborating with HR, IT, Property and Operations on an extensive project to exit or dispose of 24 RBS investment bank branches across Europe, Middle East and Africa, that led her to pursue a career as a bursar. Liz has been at RAAS since January 2020 when she joined as Deputy Bursar.

Liz is the wife of a rugby writer and mother of two boys so spends a lot of weekends pitch side. When time allows she loves travel and adventure having bobsleighed down the Lillehammer Olympic track, spent considerable time experiencing Asia, enjoyed a music festival in the Californian desert and has an extensive ‘bucket list’ still to experience.

Jo graduated from Exeter University in 1997 with a 4-year teaching degree and a Masters in Education in 2010. Jo became a Deputy Head in 2013 and joined RAAS in 2017 as Deputy Head of Curriculum, Community and Character. During this time, he implemented outstanding clubs, trips, and visits programmes, and three whole school character education awards. In 2021 he joined the safeguarding team and became Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead which led to his appointment to lead Boarding in May 2022. Jo considers every RAAS student to be a ‘RAAS Boarder’, whether a Flexi or Full Boarding student. In the last three years, Jo has gained his NPQH and Harvard University certificates in School Management and Leadership (CSML) and is currently completing the Boarding Schools’ Association Diploma in Boarding Practice. In addition, Jo is a Fellow of the Institute of Teaching and Learning and a Governor of a primary school in Banstead.

Jo identifies as a ‘twitcher’ and can often be seen observing the RAAS resident kestrel family. However, his biggest passion is sport. He has played various levels of rugby and cricket; currently playing for Merstham Cricket Club. Jo acknowledges he is stuck on an endless rollercoaster due to his lifetime devotion to Leicester City and Leicester Tigers. His ambitions are to follow the Rugby 7’s and F1 circuits worldwide, watch a Lions tour in New Zealand, and enjoy an African safari!

Joe went to the University of Leeds where he obtained a Sports Science & Physiology BSc, and the University of Roehampton for his PGCE and MA Education qualification. Joe’s teaching career started when he worked as a Teaching Assistant in a summer job whilst at university. The experience opened up an avenue that he had not thought about previously.

Joe has worked in a number of state schools in Surrey and Croydon. He has fulfilled a range of roles, most notably leadership roles in three previous schools, Glyn School, Woodcote High School and Cobham Free School. Joe joined RAAS in September 2019 as the Deputy Head of Boarding and Safeguarding, and moved into the role of Deputy Head Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead in April 2022. He currently teaches Science at RAAS, and leads the weekly Running Club at a rather fresh and early time of 7.15am!

Joe enjoyed playing sport in his school years, participating in every team that the school fielded. His main sports were football, boxing and athletics. Lately Joe engages more in trail and mountain running. Joe is father to three children ranging from thirteen to two years old. In his spare time Joe enjoys being outside, taking on big adventures, although as his family has grown he now spends less time on adventures, and more on enjoying quality family time.
Joe has competed in some of the toughest running races in the world such as the 106-mile Ultra Train Mont Blanc and a 7-day self-supported running race through the Amazon Jungle. In 2019 he was awarded a commendation by Cressida Dick for his role in helping a victim and catching a perpetrator of a serious crime. A keen interest in the ‘stoics’ has influenced Joe’s thinking. Amidst many quotes that come to mind one from Seneca is a favourite: ‘it is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult’.

Willem completed secondary and higher education in South Africa, qualifying as a financial accountant. He was employed by Deloitte for a year before deciding to become a teacher and going back to university to gain a PGCE. Willem relocated to the UK in 2002 and worked at Copland Community School in Wembley, as a Maths and Business Studies teacher, before being promoted to Head of Business Studies and Enterprise Coordinator. Following this he was employed as Head of Business and Assistant Housemaster at Bearwood College in Wokingham in 2007. It was here Willem had his first taste of boarding life and the impact of wraparound care on pupils. Willem was appointed as Director of Sixth Form at Bishop Thomas Grant School in 2009 with the responsibility to implement a Sixth Form from scratch. Willem marks this as the most challenging yet rewarding experience of his life up to that point. He was then promoted to Assistant Headteacher leading Sixth Form and NQTs and later to Senior Assistant Headteacher leading SEND, EAL and Pupil Premium. Willem joined RAAS as Deputy Head (Teaching & Learning) in September 2021.

Willem has a young family who have settled into country life in Surrey very comfortably. They can often be seen taking walks around the RAAS lake and using the Junior School playground over weekends for his little one to burn off some steam. Willem has travelled the world extensively, visiting 38 countries, with China and Australia being his favourites, and Egypt and Mongolia a close second. One place that is still on Willem’s list to visit is Machu Pichu in Peru! TV and movies are a real passion and Willem loves true crime, although can also get fully immersed in fantasy programmes. He loves live performances with highlights being The Rolling Stones at the Queen Elizabeth Park and Muse at Wembley Stadium.

Shaun’s teaching career began over 25 years ago in New Zealand where he studied at the University of Auckland. He began teaching as a Primary Teacher at Kings School in Auckland and specialised in PE and games. Shaun then immigrated to the UK and spent 5 years working at The Hawthorns School as a key stage 2 class teacher, PE/games teacher, then becoming Head of Junior Sport. Shaun then progressed to the Head of Junior School where he held the position for twelve years. Shaun joined RAAS in September 2018 as the Head of Junior School. He currently teaches the Year 6 top Maths set, PE, PSHE and Humanities, as well as coaching the RAAS football and athletics teams. Shaun has a passion and burning desire to improve the education of all young children. He enjoys the diversity at RAAS and the opportunities provided all through the school. A phrase/quote that inspires Shaun is ‘embrace the moment’.

Shaun is father to three young children; two boys and a girl. He played age group county cricket and hockey whilst growing up in New Zealand and now enjoys coaching football, cricket and rugby. In his spare time, he enjoys meditation, reading, cooking, travelling and training at the gym.

Bryony studied Chemistry at the University of York and then obtained her Masters in Educational Leadership with distinction from the University of Exeter. Her dissertation subject was ‘the effective use of coaching to drive professional development’. Bryony joined RAAS in 2015 as Head of Science. She has established the Medics Society for students with an interest in studying medical professions. She has been very involved in boarding during her time at the school, predominantly Alexandra House and Gatton Hall. Bryony joined the senior team in 2022 following promotion from Director of Teaching and Learning. She is passionate about developing students and colleagues to be the best they can be.

Bryony enjoys walking, and can often be found in rain or shine, around Gatton Park with her Labrador Finley who is also actively involved with school life as an assistance dog. She loves the theatre and gets up to London when she can, and enjoys books, both fiction and educational literature.

Educated at College of St Mark and St John, Plymouth, Sarah taught the West of England and Episkopi Military base in Cyprus during her training. Following this Sarah taught in the London borough of Bromley for 20 years and held roles such as Deputy Head of House, Head of House, Achievement Co-ordinator for Year 8//9 and then Year 7 for 12 years. After this she fulfilled a range of roles at Charles Darwin School, including leading on primary transition, developing skills-based education, safeguarding and pastoral care. Sarah joined RAAS in 2021 as Head of Year 9 and has transitioned through Head of Middle School in 2022 to her current role as Assistant Headteacher (Director of Standards Key Stage 3) from September 2023. Sarah has been involved in sport all through her life, although now through co-curricular and coaching rather than participant. Sarah was a competitive gymnast, then moved into playing hockey, tennis and cricket, and played county cricket Under 21’s. Sarah’s activity of choice is now based around long distance walking, often for charity fund raising. She has completed half marathons, marathons, 50km and 100km distances, around London and the South of England. Sarah also has a newfound adventure in paddle boarding! Sarah also enjoys stage performances, especially musical theatre and dance, and her favourites include Stomp, Swan Lake, Hamilton and Mamma Mia. In her down time Sarah loves to travel and experience local food, drink and culture, and as well many holidays in Europe, has also experienced trips to Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and the Emirates. Sarah is passionate about continuing to provide the gift of travel to her two children.

After completing her education at Aberystwyth University and Cardiff Met, Ffion taught History and Geography in Pontypool at a Welsh Medium Secondary School (Ysgol Gwynllyw) in 2015. In 2016 Ffion relocated to Surrey to join RAAS as Teacher of History where her duties also included working as a boarding tutor in Cornwall house. Over the past few years Ffion has progressed in roles at RAAS including becoming Head of Year 7 in 2018 and moving up with this year group until the end of Year 9. In 2021 Ffion became Head of Upper School, and most recently was promoted to the Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Headteacher (Director of Standards Key Stage 4). A keen hockey player, Ffion has successfully represented North Wales and also Wales, and has played for Reigate Ladies for the past three years, much to the dismay of our students at the club! She has also played Netball for the county, Powys. In addition to her sporting achievements Ffion also spent many years performing multiple disciplines at the Eisteddfod. She enjoys walking and running, and sets herself challenges in these sports. Ffion has entered and completed many half marathons and is currently completing sprint triathlons with the view of increasing her distance. She is also proud to have completed the Hadrian’s wall walk. A native Welsh Speaker, Ffion likes to keep in touch with her family through many visits to Wales across the year. She has a sense of adventure and loves to travel ever since spending all of her summer holidays as a child in France. Highlights include many European city breaks, as well as backpacking in Thailand and Vietnam, and traveling around Brazil. Winter holidays find Ffion enjoying skiing holidays in Europe and she would love to go to Canada one day! Her ultimate ambitions are to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and visit the Taj Mahal. In what little spare time remains, Ffion particularly enjoys a Saturday or Sunday afternoon visit to National Trust properties and learning about family history or sitting down to enjoy a musical performance or musical theatre in London.

Educated at University of Sussex, David gained a Bachelors in Philosophy with a minor in Social Science, as well as a Masters in Ancient and Modern Literature and his English PGCE. David also spent a year at University College London where he gained a further Masters in Theoretical Psychoanalysis. After graduating, David taught English in Wonju, South Korea, before taking up the post of Teacher of English at The Royal Alexandra and Albert School in 2007. David has a deep working knowledge of RAAS, having been a Head of Department in multiple subjects including, but not exclusively, Sociology and Film. David has also led careers, including UCAS, at Key Stage 5, established a successful Oxbridge Programme and has been Head of Year to both Year 12 and 13 alternately over a number of years. Assuming the post of Director of Sixth Form in 2021, David has worked tirelessly to bring his experience and expertise to the successful development of a modern, inclusive and high achieving Sixth Form at RAAS. David’s personal pursuits include literature – Kafka, Borges and Marquez, in particular, as well as running and cycling (mountain and road), having completed two charity events in recent cycling: London to Brighton and a 50 mile ride through the New Forest. Most of these activities have now been taken over by his one year old daughter! David has an active family who are all always out on their bikes, or walking. David enjoys family trips to London, enjoying museums, good food and mini golf. When not out and about David’s son is regularly schooling him on Fortnite.

Tom completed his education at Northampton University and Roehampton University after which he went on to be a Teacher of English at Therfield School in Surrey from 2008 to 2022, having worked as a Teaching Assistant at the school prior to undertaking teacher training. In his time at Therfield Tom held numerous positions, such as subject leader for PSHE, Literacy Across the Curriculum Coordinator, subject leader for religious studies, subject leader for media studies and also subject leader of English for six years. Tom joined RAAS in September 2022 and feels very proud to be working with colleagues, students and guardians in what he considers to be ‘an exceptionally welcoming and dynamic school’. Tom is a parent to two small children and his life beyond school revolves around them and their pursuits, namely driving them to and from gymnastics or football training! Tom’s family have an allotment where they grow fruit and vegetables as a family. Tom finds it very rewarding to grow his own food and enjoy them fresh on the day they are picked or taken them from the ground and says: ‘Putting the effort in together over time leads to great successes at the end of any journey!’. Tom also enjoys watching football and taking his children to watch teams play. They can often be seen watching the Chelsea Ladies in action and his son and daughter love to watch Sam Kerr play, who also plays as a striker for Australia.

Educated at Leeds University and King’s College, London, Wendy has taught in a few schools within South East London before joining RAAS in 2016. Within her first year of teaching, Wendy was in charge of BTEC Science, then progressed to coordinator of key stage 5 Science as well as overseeing BTEC Science in seven schools across the Harris Federation, when the opportunity came for her to move with the federation to become 2ic of science at a new school, while also continuing my federation BTEC role. Ultimately as the school did not have A level and Wendy missed teaching it, she moved to John Fisher taking charge of key stage 4 science including BTEC. After joining RAAS in 2016 Wendy became Head of physics focusing on her speciality, becoming Head of Science a few years later. In addition, Wendy also started working in the boarding houses as well, which provided her with a wider understanding of the school. One of her biggest personal achievements was when Wendy was very fortunate to have the opportunity to hike up to Everest base camp in 2010. Not being the fittest of people, it was something Wendy had to train for both physically and mentally. She joined a group of sixteen people who flew into to Lukla airport (most dangerous airport in the world, unbeknown to her at the time, then taking approximately ten days to walk up to Everest base camp (5357m) and the peak next to it called Kalapatthar (5545m). This was a once in a lifetime trip that Wendy will never forget, proving that she could do anything she was willing to work for. Wendy’s favourite hobby is baking. It all started with her brother asking her to turn his trainer into a cake for his birthday. Combining her love of baking and art and crafts, she gave it a go and has never looked back. Wendy has been on a few courses and draws inspiration from social media as well as friends and family offering her challenges. Wendy is keen to explore and learn new baking, sweet making, and decorating, skills and tries to fit these activities in to her free time.

Polly attended Wallington High School for Girls followed by a foundation year at Epsom Art College (UCA) before studying three-dimensional design at Loughborough, specialising in jewellery and silversmithing. Finding her way into teaching later in life, Polly worked as a jobbing jeweller before moving to the prestigious jewellers, Theo Fennell, in their buying department. She was then asked to work for the crown jewellers Asprey & Garrard as a product development manager, travelling across Europe to work with suppliers. After having children, it was difficult for Polly to travel and in an attempt to understand her children’s development better, she completed a qualification in early years childcare, working part time in a nursery. Quickly deciding that working with older children would suit her better, Polly joined Woodcote High School in 2010 as a cover supervisor, soon moving to work in the Design and Technology department full time, as an unqualified teacher. In November 2015 Polly moved to RAAS, starting as a teaching assistant, moving to the Design and Technology department in January 2016. By 2018 she completed her QTS via the schools direct program and NQT, becoming Deputy Head of the department in September 2018. After working as Head of Department from 2019, Polly was then promoted to Head of Art and Technology faculty in 2020. Polly has a passion for all types of Art and Design and loves visiting exhibitions and galleries when time permits. She also enjoys the theatre, where she marvels at the costumes and set design! Polly also enjoys crafting, and often make presents for friends and family, saying this also helps hone her practical skills too! Polly adores being by the sea, and has a little chalet on the coast, where her time is spent surfing, swimming, reading and walking her dog.

Katie completed her education at The University of Bristol, The Institute of Education (University of London) and University College London (University of London) Katie worked in Crawley and The Holy Trinity Church of England Secondary School for two years as a History and Sociology teacher and then for three years as Head of History. During this time, Katie was also an active member of the Teaching and Learning Team leading staff training and inset and coaching trios. Katie joined RAAS in September 2016 as Head of History and Sociology teacher. Katie also set up a Politics Department in 2019 and worked in Edinburgh Boarding House. Additionally, Katie became a Cub leader in 2021 When time allows Katie spends her free time mostly with friends and family, and being a carer, which takes up a lot of this time. Happiest outside, especially when walking with their dog and when playing or listening to music. Katie is a classically trained pianist and sings soprano, and says that the highlight of each year is the Eurovision Song Contest.