John joined Kingsmead in January 2023. He is a school leader with over 25 years in education working in a range of secondary schools in Berkshire, Hampshire and the South West. A curriculum specialist, he has worked to improve school outcomes for students as part of senior leadership teams for the last 19 years including as Headteacher. A Historian by subject and award-winning teacher, he still enjoys being in the classroom and feels it is vital to maintain an understanding of the challenges facing the profession today.
He believes that academic and pastoral excellence can be best achieved by building positive and trusting relationships with students, staff and parents.
Jenny was appointed Deputy headteacher for Culture and Ethos at Kingsmead in Spring 2023.
Jenny began her working career in Fashion and running her own clothing business in the mid 1990’s, she changed direction and completed her teacher training in 2000. Jenny began her teaching career in Bristol and was responsible for the Textile department for two years before moving to Somerset to take up a promotion of Second in the department of Design Technology. Subsequently Jenny was appointed Head of Design Technology two years later on. Over the course of 20 years at this school, Jenny had a variety of roles as an Excellent teacher and Coach/Mentor before moving up to be Head of faculty in 2016 that included all the Performing and Creative Arts subjects as well as Physical Education. In 2020 Jenny began the process of moving from the curriculum side of schools to pastoral, she was appointed as Associate Assistant Head Designated safeguarding lead. In 2021 she was appointed Assistant Head with strategic oversight for Pupil Premium, Attendance and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Over the years Jenny has led many trips and visits including a Food trip abroad.
Her proudest achievements have always been student successes such as students becoming fashion designers and top chefs in London.
Charlie was appointed as Deputy Headteacher in 2020. Prior to this he was Assistant Headteacher at Kingsmead School. He has held a number of positions since joining in 2010 including Head of the Applied Learning Faculty, Head of House and Head of Year. Before Kingsmead, Charlie managed a transition course to support foundation learners in making a successful college transition at a large secondary school in Devon.
Charlie’s core responsibility is for developing the curriculum model, which defines the breadth and quality of the student experience at Kingsmead. In addition to this, he oversees the recruitment and deployment of staff to ensure the curriculum is delivered through experienced and competent teachers.
Karen has over 15 years as a strategic leader for Special Educational Needs and Disability working in a range of secondary schools across the Southwest where she has led outstanding provision. As well as having a passion for securing the best outcomes for students with SEND, she also believes in life-long learning.
Karen is currently studying for a PhD at the University of Exeter where she is conducting research into the possible links between behaviour and wellbeing in students with moderate learning difficulties. She is part of a DfE/Anna Freud advisory group that is developing a new mental health and wellbeing toolkit for practitioners and has been a senior leader for SEMH achieving all 3 of Somerset’s Wellbeing Framework Awards.
Justine first worked as a news journalist after attending college to do her A levels. She returned to education to study for her degree in Sussex and then her PGCE at the Institute of Education in London.
Justine then worked as a teacher in London and Bristol before returning to Somerset. During this time, she worked in both primary and secondary education where she taught children from Reception age through to A level.
While raising her three children, Justine worked as a part-time teacher. She returned to work full-time at Kingsmead in 2019.
Since joining Kingsmead, Justine has taught Religious Studies, Philosophy and Belief and Geography. After being a tutor, she then became Head of Year and now is Assistant Headteacher – Formative Years while Mrs Newmarch is on Maternity Leave.
Jo began her teaching career as a PE teacher in Plymouth. This was followed by a move back to her home city of Bristol where she held a variety of posts from Head of PE, Head of Year to Director sport and Assistant Head Teacher before relocating to Somerset in 2009.
Jo has been at Kingsmead for over eight years, arriving in 2014 as Second in PE before becoming Head of year and more recently Assistant headteacher in charge of the Lower school.
Outside of the classroom Jo is heavily involved in Athletics competing herself at a high level as a junior. She has been Somerset County schools team manager since 2009 and in 2019 was England schools cross country Team Manager.
