Senior Leadership Team
Andrew Holman
Headmaster
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Andrew Holman
Headmaster
Most of my secondary education took place at a Lincolnshire Grammar School, before I went on to study Maths at University. Blackadder fans will appreciate that I am a fairly rare person in that I have Masters degrees (in Maths and Education) from the two great universities – Cambridge and Hull. I started my teaching career at King’s School, Chester, before moving on to Nottingham High School where I was Head of Year 7. I took on the role of Head of Maths at QEGS, Blackburn, and then entered Senior Leadership as Deputy Head (Management) at Hymers College, Hull, before moving to Wellingborough School.
Katharine Owen
Head of Prep
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Katharine Owen
Head of Prep
I attended the Alice Ottley School, Worcester before spending three years in sunny South Devon at the University of Exeter where I gained a BSc in Psychology. Following that I spent a year in South Korea teaching English to students and teachers then on my return to this country, I gained a PGCE at University College Worcester. I was fortunate enough to be given a job as a Year 4 teacher at Wellingborough (in the Junior School as it was then known) in 2000 and I have been here ever since, in a number of roles including Club President, Assistant Head, Deputy Head and now Head of Prep.
Nigel Johnson
Bursar
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Nigel Johnson
Bursar
I joined Wellingborough School as Bursar and Clerk to the Governors in January 2020 having previously worked for a financial not-for-profit organisation, and as Bursar at a school in Cambridgeshire. Prior to that I served as an Army officer for 27 years with the Royal Anglian Regiment including operations in Kuwait, Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and staff posts in the Ministry of Defence.
Christine Gamble
Senior School Deputy Head (Academic)
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Christine Gamble
Senior School Deputy Head (Academic)
I studied Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics at A level before studying Mathematics at St John’s College, Cambridge. Following graduation, I worked in computing and communication before re-training to teach Mathematics at Durham University. I worked at Framwellgate School and Durham High School before taking on the role of Head of Mathematics at Epsom College in 2015. Then in January 2020, I joined Wellingborough School as Deputy Head (Academic).
Qin Wiseman
Senior School Deputy Head (Pastoral)
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Qin Wiseman
Senior School Deputy Head (Pastoral)
I attended the King’s School, Canterbury before going onto Newcastle University to read Politics. Following graduation, I worked for three years in an advertising agency in Soho before doing my Geography PGCE at the Institute of Education. In 2004 I started as an Assistant Housemaster and Teacher of Geography at St John’s School, Leatherhead. In 2006 I became the Head of Geography and in 2010 I took over West House as a Boarding Housemaster. During my time at St John’s I ran their DofE programme for five years, coached Rugby, Hockey and Cricket and examined GCSE and A Level Geography for three different boards. In April 2014 I joined Wellingborough School as Deputy Head (Pastoral). I have been a serving Compliance and Education Quality Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate since 2017.
Richard Spiby
Senior School Deputy Head (Operations)
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Richard Spiby
Senior School Deputy Head (Operations)
After secondary school in Staffordshire and playing a lot of rugby, I went on to study History at Exeter University. There followed a career as an Infantry officer with The Staffordshire Regiment and then The Mercian Regiment, including teaching posts at the Infantry Training Centre Brecon, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and in Germany, as well as studying for a Masters Degree at Cranfield University. After finishing as Commanding Officer of 3 MERCIAN it was time to settle down and I left the Army to run a charity as Chief Executive. Prior to coming to Wellingborough, I was the Director of Operations and a tutor at Welbeck Sixth Form College. I continue to have a deep seated passion for history and especially the history of Antarctic exploration. Regrettably, I am now retired from rugby and contenting myself with badminton, fitness and a valiant, if not entirely successful, attempt to regain some flexibility through yoga!
Sam Medley
Director of Teaching & Learning
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Sam Medley
Director of Teaching & Learning
I grew up in Essex, where I attended King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford before moving most of the length of the country to study Geography at the University of Durham. Following graduation, I remained in Durham and spent a very enjoyable year as Collingwood College JCR President, before studying for a PGCE at the University of Oxford. My teaching career has seen me hold a variety of roles in both state and independent schools, most recently Assistant Head at Akeley Wood School in Buckingham, before joining Wellingborough School as Director of Learning and Teaching in 2018.
Claire Petrie
Prep School Deputy Head
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Claire Petrie
Prep School Deputy Head
My educational journey began at Leicester Grammar School where I have very fond memories of my learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Following a gap year in Australia I attended Loughborough University studying Sport and Exercise Science and then going on to gain a PGCE. I joined Wellingborough School in 2007 as a PE teacher and have gained knowledge and experience from a variety of roles I have undertaken including School Council Coordinator, Head of Hockey, Club President, Sixth Form Coordinator, Assistant Head Pastoral, and now Deputy Head of the new Prep School.
Rebecca Girling
Head of Lower Prep
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Rebecca Girling
Head of Lower Prep
I have always been passionate about teaching. I studied Education and Geography at Homerton College, University of Cambridge and since then I have taught throughout the Key Stages from Reception to Upper Sixth. This whole school experience has allowed me to develop a holistic approach, creating educational programmes and environments that allow pupils to thrive throughout their schooling. I have been Deputy Head of Wellingborough School Pre-Prep for 12 years and I am very proud to be the Head of the Lower Prep as the School moves towards exciting changes. I look forward to working closely with colleagues in the Upper Prep to develop the bonds between our Schools.
Governors
Mr P Tyldesley Esq BA MRICS
Chairman of Board of Governors. Ecology Governor.
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Mr P Tyldesley Esq BA MRICS
Chairman of Board of Governors. Ecology Governor.
I attended Wellingborough School as an Entrance Scholar and was in Weymouth House (when it was a boys house). I went on to study at the Universities of Nottingham and Aberdeen. I am a Chartered Surveyor by profession, and have extensive experience of the management and governance of independent schools from a varied career as Estates Bursar at Oundle School and Bursar at Bedford High School. I am currently Chief Executive of the Centre for Alternative Technology, dividing my time between Mid Wales and Northamptonshire. I remain a keen sportsman, continuing to represent the OWs at Shooting and, in the past, having also represented them at Rugby and Cricket.
Mrs D Line BA CA CA(SA)
Deputy Chair of Board of Governors.
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Mrs D Line BA CA CA(SA)
Deputy Chair of Board of Governors.
I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Scotland with one of the biggest global accountancy firms, and later seconded to the Cape in South Africa, reporting on British and US subsidiaries over a wide variety of sectors. I returned to the UK and joined the European division of a US Nasdaq listed children’s wear brand.
I was invited to join the School’s Education Committee as a Council Member in 2006 and was appointed a School Governor in 2008, currently sitting on the Finance Committee and Education Committee. My son attended Wellingborough School from 1994-2008.
Mrs C Bruce MA
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Mrs C Bruce MA
I attended Hutchesons’ Grammar School, Glasgow before gaining an MA in English Language and Literature at St Andrews University. Following graduation, I began working in business before changing career and completing a PGCE at Loughborough University in 1997. In 2004, I was promoted to Director of Studies at Derby Grammar School and then to Head in 2009. In 2013, I was appointed Head of the Infant and Junior School at Nottingham High School. I am a serving Compliance and Education Quality Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate and a member of IAPS, serving on their Board of Directors from 2016-2019.
Mr I M Cantelo BEng (Hons) CEng MIET
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Mr I M Cantelo BEng (Hons) CEng MIET
I attended Wellingborough School from 1977 – 1984. I am a Chartered engineer and have worked in the automotive industry for much of my career. I have a keen interest in a wide range of sports and enjoy travelling with my family, introducing my son to as many new places and as much variety as possible.
My son attends the School and is absolutely thriving here, enjoying the many opportunities it has to offer.
It was a privilege to be elected to join the Governing Body in 2017 and to further strengthen my bonds with the School, being able to give something back in return for what the School has done for me.
Dr C Duncan MBBS DRCOG MRCGP
Child Protection/ Safeguarding Governor
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Dr C Duncan MBBS DRCOG MRCGP
Child Protection/ Safeguarding Governor
After studying medicine at University College London, I then worked as a GP for all of my professional life up to retirement in 2020. I am married with four children, all of whom attended Wellingborough School. I love horse riding and tennis and play for the team at Northampton Lawn Tennis Club. It was in General Practice that I became exposed to the ever escalating problems of Safeguarding and observed how early intervention can greatly improve the outcome. I hope this experience will be invaluable in my role as Designated Safeguarding Governor.
Mr S Marriott Esq
Health and Safety Governor
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Mr S Marriott Esq
Health and Safety Governor
I attended Wellingborough Junior and Senior School and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I still see a lot of the friends I made at School as I played sports for many years with them through the Old Wellingburian Club. My children both went to Wellingborough School and then on to University to complete their education. I have kept close ties with the School over the years and I was delighted to be asked to join the Governing body. I am pleased to be able to give something back to the School that has taught me so much.
Mr J Smith BSc Hons MRICS
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Mr J Smith BSc Hons MRICS
I am a Chartered Surveyor and an equity partner in a commercial property consultancy firm in Northampton. I specialises in Industrial and Business Space agency and investment on behalf of major institutions, property companies, HNW’s and occupiers. Born and bred in Northampton I am an OW (98-05 PS) and joined the Council of Governors in early 2020.
Mr R Thakrar Esq BSc Hons MBCS
Staff Liaison Governor
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Mr R Thakrar Esq BSc Hons MBCS
Staff Liaison Governor
I am a digital entrepreneur who co-founded and runs a successful digital agency in London, with key clients in Central Government, Education, Health, Retail and Banking. I am married to Saryu with whom I co-founded a Boutique online wine store. We have 2 children, one who started at Wellingborough School aged 3 through to 18 and is now studying Composition at the Royal College of Music in London, and the other has just completed Year 8 at Wellingborough School. I am originally from Coventry where I attended Leicester University to study Information Technology.
Miss R Turner BA (Hons)
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Miss R Turner BA (Hons)
I left Wellingborough School in 2014 to study Business Management (with a year in industry) at Nottingham Trent University. I graduated with First Class honours, and completed several roles within Volkswagen Group and Volkswagen Financial Services, most recently in digital transformation. Alongside my role at Volkswagen Financial Services, I am also studying for a part-time Masters in Management and Leadership at Cranfield School of Management.
Mr D Waller Esq MA (Oxon) MA (London)
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Mr D Waller Esq MA (Oxon) MA (London)
I attended Wellingborough School from 1977 to 1981. I am a Senior Lecturer in American Politics at the University of Northampton, where I have taught since 1992. As a specialist in the study of U.S. elections, I am an active member of the UK American Politics Group. Locally, I am also the chairman of the Northampton Branch of The Historical Association and former chairman of the Northamptonshire Archaeological Society.
Mr N Lashbrook BA
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Mr N Lashbrook BA
I was a student at King’s Heath, Grammar School, Birmingham before reading Chemistry at Oxford University. My teaching career began at The Manchester Grammar School before moving into the boarding school world at Tonbridge as Head of Science. I later became a Boarding Housemaster and ultimately Deputy Head. I was appointed as Head of King’s School, Bruton in 2004 and then moved to the headship of Oakham School in 2009. I retired from Oakham in 2019 but I continue to work as an ISI inspector and Educational Advisor to a number of schools.