Introducing....

They say that when one door closes, another one opens. Earlier this year, we bid a fond farewell to several members of our teaching staff who have ventured elsewhere to pursue their goals and ambitions. Now we're in September and we are welcoming nine new ambitious members of the brilliant team here at Shiplake. So, we can gladly introduce you to...

Mr Kevin Dickey
Teacher of Politics

BSc in Politics from the University of Southampton, MA in Philosophy and Art from York University. Taught at Royal Latin Grammar School, Buckinghamshire, as Lead Teacher of Politics and Teacher of History.

Mr Dickey will be involved in the Year 9 sports rotation sessions on Mondays, is part of the staff leading CCF on Tuesday afternoons and is also involved in the Model United Nations club on Friday afternoons.

Miss Jessica Hearn
Teacher of English

BA in English from the University of Plymouth. PGCE in English from UWE. Teacher of English and Secondary Head of Houses at The English School Bogota.

Miss Hearn spent five weeks of the summer holiday travelling around France, during which she went to see the Tour de France in the Pyrenees and had a go at climbing some mountains. She’s a keen runner, and is hoping that next year is the year she attempts a marathon.

Miss Hearn will be helping the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award pupils on Mondays, involved in CCF on Tuesdays and will be leading the Harriers (cross-country) club on Wednesdays.

Mr Jonathan Ralph
Teacher of English

BA in English Literature from UCW Aberystwyth. PGCE in English from the University of North London. Teacher of English at Bradfield College.

Mr Ralph is an avid supporter of Liverpool FC and Sussex County Cricket Club. He loves reading and writing about sport, has performed in five ballets, and once beat Kevin from the 'Eggheads' in a quiz.

Mr Ralph will be involved in the Lower School music and drama carousel on Mondays and will also coach the U12B rugby team.

Mr Sam Shaw
Head of Psychology

BA in Psychology from the University of Leicester. PGCE in Social Science from the University of Leicester. Head of Psychology, Sociology and EPQ at The Royal Alexandra and Albert School in Surrey.

Mr Shaw will be running one of the very popular co-curricular cookery classes.

Mr Chris Lee
Head of Mathematics

BSc and PGCE in Maths from Durham University. Teacher of Mathematics and Housemaster at Radley College.

Mr Lee will be coaching the senior rowers this term and also be involved in the CCF sessions on Tuesdays.

Mr Mark Griffiths
Director of Sport

BA in Education PE and History from the University of Exeter. Director of Sport at Moulsford Prep.

In addition to overseeing all sports fixtures and coaching, Mr Griffiths will be coaching the U14A rugby team this term.

Mr Frank Hardee
Head of Politics and Economics

BA and MA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University. PGCE from University of Buckingham. Director of Oxford Summer Academy at Oxford International College. In previous roles, Mr Hardee has been Assistant Head of Sixth Form (Pastoral) and Head of University Guidance and Careers. He has travelled to more than 70 different countries and is a keen lover of the Eurovision Song Contest and quiz nights.

Mr Hardee will be running the Debating clubs during the Tuesday and Friday co-curricular sessions, and also assist with the racquets club on Wednesday afternoons.

Mr Grant Woolner
Head of Religious Studies and Philosophy

MA Divinity from University of Edinburgh. PGCE in RE from York University. Teacher of Religion and Philosophy at the City of London School.

Mr Woolner has recently moved to the area from London. Married last summer, he and his wife Clemency enjoy travelling, food, and tackling flat-pack furniture.

Mr Woolner will be coaching the U14B rugby team this term.

Mr Jonty Slade
Graduate Music Assistant

BA from Durham University, MA from Royal Academy of Music, Artist Diploma from Yale, Graduate Diploma from Juilliard.

Mr Slade is a flute and baroque flute specialist. When not teaching or performing, he also works as a photographer. Mr Slade also has a surprisingly encyclopaedic knowledge of commercial aircraft.

In addition to teaching Lower School music, Mr Slade will be arranging the weekly timetable of individual music lessons for pupils learning instruments.

Reintroducing

Mr Paul Jones has been appointed Deputy Head (Academic), Mr Richard Ebbage is the new Assistant Head (Years 7-11). Mrs Louise Adamson has become ICT Co-ordinator while Mr Adam Dimmick has become Head of Computer Studies and Digital Literacy. Mrs Vanessa Hine is the Acting Head of Drama, while Mrs Jenny Nunes is on Maternity Leave, and her daughter, Tamara Hine is the new Drama Technician. Mr Luke Wilson has stepped up to the role of Boarding Activities Co-ordinator and Mr Paul Green is now Master of Scholars. Mrs Louise Rapple Moore has also become full-time Head of Higher Education and Careers.

In houses, we also welcome Mr Yona Diez-Urkidi as Housemaster of Orchard, and Mr Tom Walter as his Deputy. Mr Tiki Ebun-Cole has moved to become the Deputy Housemaster of College House, Mr Marcus Milburn has become the Deputy in Skipwith House and Mrs Keli Thomas is the new Deputy Head of Lower School. Mr Paul McCraw has also become Assistant Housemaster of Everett House.