Our Team

We have a team of dedicated and highly inspirational staff here at Gateway School.

Head

Mrs Cath Bufton Green Head Teacher

Qualifications: BA (Hons) in Music, PGCE

Cath has twenty-eight years’ experience in education and began teaching in maintained schools. In 2001, she moved into the independent sector to teach at Bute House School for Girls as Head of ICT and a Year 4 teacher. During her...

Mrs Samantha Woods Deputy Head teacher and Head of Early Years , Designated Safeguarding Lead

Qualifications: BA (Hons) in English Literature, University of Cambridge

Samantha brings eighteen years of teaching experience to our school, having joined us in 2020. Initially serving as Head of Lower Prep and EYFS, she advanced to the role of Deputy Headteacher in 2022. Samantha is also our Designated Safeguarding...

Mrs Rebecca Izard Head of Community and Operations

Qualifications: MA, GGSM

Rebecca studied singing and piano at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. With a love for the performing arts, she has dedicated over 30 years to teaching and nurturing young talents. She completed a Masters in Music Education at the...

Mrs Harbi Sahota Head of Upper Prep

Qualifications: BEd. (Hons) with a speciality in Mathematics,University of Reading.

Harbi has three decades of teaching experience, of which twenty years have been in the Independent Sector. Having joined Gateway School in 2018 as Head of Mathematics, she was also specialist Maths teacher across Years 5 and 6, overseeing the...

Mr Tim Miles Head of Lower School, Senior Leader, Digital Strategist, Class Teacher

Qualifications: BSc - Biology (Birmingham), PGCE (Birmingham City University)

Timothy started teaching at St Francis Primary School, Birmingham in a Year 1 classroom close to the Cadbury’s factory. He taught there until starting to set up his own business, LitFilmFest, which focused on developing literacy across all primary years...

PRESCHOOL

Abbie Smith, Preschool Manager. Degree of Diploma of HE in Early Years
Joanne Starkey, Early Years Teacher. BA Early Years
Paul Barber, Early Years Teacher. BA, PGCE
Emma Tucker, Preschool Practitioner. Childcare and Young Peoples workforce Level 3
Tegan Van Der Merwe, Preschool Practitioner

EARLY YEARS

Kathryn Rivalland, Reception Class Teacher. B.Ed
Bee Risbridger, Reception Class Teacher. BSc PGCE

LOWER PREP

Amy Topping, Year 1 Class Teacher. B.Ed
Emma Morrison, Year 1 Class Teacher. BA (Hons)
Lauren Gray, Year 2 Class Teacher. BA (Hons), PGCE
Tim Miles, Year 2 Class Teacher. BSc (Hons), PGCE
Rachel Grosse, Year 3 Class Teacher. B.Ed (Hons)
Lizzie Allen, Year 3 Class Teacher, BA (Hons)
David Mitchener, Early Years and Lower Prep Music Teacher, BA (Hons) PGCE

UPPER PREP

Emma Folker, Year 4 Class Teacher. BA (Hons) Primary Education
Laura Ward, Year 4 Class Teacher. M.Ed PGCE
Hina Schroff, Year 4 Class Teacher, MSc (Hons)
Patricia Hitchin, Year 5 Tutor, Art Teacher, SENCO. MA PGCE
Hilary Knight, Year 5 Tutor, Art/DT Teacher. BEng Hons
Jessica Blacher, Year 5 Tutor, BSc
Lauren Ashmore, Year 5 Tutor, Head of English. BA PGCE. (Maternity Leave)
Amy Stocks, Head of English, Year 5 Tutor, BA (Hons) PGCE
Philippa Kemp, Assistant Tutor Year 5, Subject Leader Humanities. BA (Hons) MSc PGCE
Neil Dyson, Year 5 Form Tutor, Science Teacher, Farm School Lead. BSc (Hons) PGCE
Naomi Ward, Assistant Tutor Year 5, Maths/Humanities Specialist. BA (Hons), PGCE (Maternity Leave)
David Lloyd, Year 6 Form Tutor, Head of MFL. BSc PGCE
Adam Blakeley, Year 6 Tutor, Head of Maths. MSc PGCE
Wendy O’Hare, Year 6 Tutor, English/Drama Teacher. B.Ed Hons
Susie Mock, Year 6 Tutor, Art Teacher. BA.Ed (Hons)

SPORT STAFF

Daniel Chaplen, Director of Sports and Activities. BTEC Diploma
Frankie Gallop, Head of Girls’ Sports. BA (Hons) PGCE
Angie Sturgeon, PE Teacher. B.Ed (Hons)
Luke Roberts, PE Teacher (Trainee). Level 3 diploma in Sports BTEC

LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANTS

Liz Atkins-O’Neill, Learning Support Assistant
Melanie Dunford, Learning Support Assistant
Sophie Ellam, Learning Support Assistant
Chia Gonsalves-Chaves, Learning Support Assistant. BA
Satvinder Jutla, Learning Support Assistant. CACHE Level 3 Dip in Specialist Support for Teaching & Learning
Wendy Kemp, Learning Support Assistant. BA (Hons), PGCE
Caroline Mastrorilli, Learning Support Assistant
Sarah Mullens, Learning Support Assistant. BSc (Hons)
Emily Rose, Learning Support Assistant
Anita Thakker, Learning Support Assistant
Ella Whalley, Learning Support Assistant. BA (Hons) PGCE
Ted O’Hare, Learning Support Assistant
Heidi Swift, Learning Support Assistant
Biljana Puljic, Learning Support Assistant

SUPPORT STAFF

Admin

Helen Brown, PA to Head/Personnel. BA (Hons)
Vanessa Collett, School Office Administrator. BEd (Hons)
Kristy McQuarrie, School Office Administrator. BA
Claire Hadley, Finance and Operations Manager, BA (Hons)
Natalie Hartley, Marketing and Admissions Officer. BA (Hons), PGCE, MA Journalism
Roisin Clark, School Nurse. RGN
Steve Nash, Groundsman

Playground

Tara Shah, Lead Playground Supervisor
Kelly Harman, Playground Supervisor. CACHE TA L2
Claire Tighe, Playground Supervisor
Lindsay Soward, Playground Supervisor. BA

Kitchen

Clifford Taylor, Chef Manager. NVQ Level 1 & 2 Hospitality & Catering
Daisy Dunn, Senior Kitchen Assistant
Kirsty Wood, Kitchen Assistant
Lucy Wilson, Kitchen Assistant

Peripatetic Teachers

Julie Reading, Piano Teacher
Linda Miller, Violin
Gill Ware, Woodwind Teacher
Ian Lynch, Brass Teacher
Nick Tillyer, Guitar Teacher
Paul Mallyon, Drum Teacher
Emma Morrison, Piano Teacher
Tom Smith, Tennis Coach
Rob Hill, Rugby Coach
Nigel Kerry, Cricket Coach
Jo Rhyll, Netball Coach

Special Educational Needs

Julie Evans, School Councillor
Claire Beever, Dyslexia Specialist
Mary Ann-Morton, Speech and Language Therapist
Connie Nxumalo, Occupational Therapist