ST TERESA'S - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Deborah Whipple - Deputy Chair Senior School
Job Titles:
- DIC, MRSC - Head of Chemistry
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Headmistress
Dr. Claire McShane joined St Teresa's in 2013, initially as Assistant Head, and later as Deputy Headmistress. Over the course of her time at the school, Claire has assisted in implementing a vision of dynamic growth and change, including expanding the roll by 60%, and she has a particular interest in the area of academic development and enrichment. She is also Head of Classics, and continues to teach Latin to GCSE and A Level pupils.
After completing her undergraduate degree in Medieval Literature at University College, Oxford, she undertook an M.Phil in Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Queens' College, Cambridge. She began her teaching career at all-boys Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, where she simultaneously commenced studying for her PhD on Margery Kempe, the boisterous fourteenth century mystic. Over the course of her career, she has taught English Literature, Latin, Ancient Greek, and Classical Civilisation.
During her third year of teaching, Claire was offered the position of Head of English at all-girls Kilgraston School in Perthshire. It was the transition to a female single-sex environment that confirmed her abiding passion for the education and mentoring of young women in particular.
In her free time, she enjoys the theatre, reading, and learning French. She is married to Matthieu.
Job Titles:
- Member of the FOST Committee
Job Titles:
- Boarding Staff Member
- Assistant Boarding Housemistress
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Deputy Head ( Pupil Enrichment )
Claire joined St Teresa's as the Head of Sixth Form in 2014. In 2018 she became a member of the Senior Leadership Team, undertaking the role of Assistant Headteacher (Head of Sixth Form) before becoming Deputy Head (Pupil Enrichment).
After attaining an undergraduate degree specialising in Drama and Dance, Claire completed a PGCE at the University of Cambridge, where she subsequently earned a Masters in Education and became a member of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Claire is a dedicated educationalist who believes that education should be holistic. She has proactively gained valuable experience in both the pastoral and academic spheres of secondary education, including within the specialist area of safeguarding. Claire supports her pupils to be ambitious in nature, motivates them to foster their sense of curiosity and encourages them to grow a resilient spirit of independence. Highly motivated to provide young people with an enriching and challenging education, Claire also volunteers as a Community Governor for a comprehensive secondary school in London.
Claire teaches both Drama and Dance to students up to, and including, A Level. She is a trained Hatha Yoga teacher and enjoys running and attending the theatre in her spare time.
Job Titles:
- PGCE - Director of Performing Arts
Job Titles:
- Digital Marketing Assistant
Job Titles:
- PGCE - Physical Education, Head of Cross Country & Athletics
Job Titles:
- Head of Mathematics, Assessment Co - Ordinator, ECT & ITT Induction Lead
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Head of History and Government & Politics, Curriculum Co - Ordinator - Maternity Leave
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- PGCE - Mathematics, Data Co - Ordinator
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- PGCE - Head of Hockey, Physical Education
Job Titles:
- Head of Swimming, Physical Education
Job Titles:
- PA to the Headmistress, Receptionist
Job Titles:
- PGCE - Co - Head of Art & Design
Job Titles:
- PGCE - Head of Computer Science, ( Business & Economics )
Job Titles:
- Head of Prep
- Prep School Deputy Headteacher
Gareth Tindall (B Ed Hons) comes to us with over 27 years of experience in education including 21 years in the independent sector, 16 years of which were in leadership roles. Most recently he spent 8 years as the Deputy Head of two different schools: an all-girls independent school in the UK and a large international Preparatory School in Abu Dhabi.
Gareth is passionate about pastoral work in schools and has completed training in safeguarding, counselling, motivational coaching and, most recently, as a qualified Mental Health First Aider. He is a firm advocate that education should provide children with the opportunity to try new things and to discover what they are good at.
Gareth is married to Annie, an NHS manager, and they have 3 grown up sons and a 12-year-old daughter. Gareth likes country walks with the dogs, reading, hiking, climbing mountains or sitting by an open fire catching up with friends.
Job Titles:
- Catering Manager, Harrison 's )
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Physical Education, Head of Cricket
Job Titles:
- Area Manager, Harrison 's )
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- PGCE, CCRS - Head of Religious Studies
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Coordinator
- GDip Teaching Secondary - Head of English As an Additional Language, English
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Executive Director
- Head
- Member of the Leadership Team
- Executive Director of the Trust
Mike Farmer joined St Teresa's in September 2012. He began his career teaching Economics and Business at the Godolphin School in Salisbury, taking up the position of Assistant Head at Headington School in Oxford in 1997. In 2003 he was appointed Principal of Kilgraston School in Perthshire. He transformed the school to achieve the highest growth rate within the sector and also topped the Scottish academic league tables. In 2011, Kilgraston gained national recognition by being named the UK Independent School of the Year.
Under Mike's headship, St Teresa's has experienced dramatic growth of 60%, enabling capital investment of over £5m. With a roll of 650 pupils, St. Teresa's is currently the largest Catholic independent girls-only school in the UK.
In addition to Headship, Mike was a member of the governing council for the Girls' Schools Association for many years, and also Chair of the boarding committee. In 2016 he had the honour of chairing the Boarding Schools' Association. He is a Governor of two independent schools and also chairs the advisory board for the Chinese owned company, Achieve Education.
Mike is supported by his wife Mary-Ann who has worked in boarding for many years. They have two grown up children.
Job Titles:
- PGCE - Physical Education, Head of Racquets
Job Titles:
- Peripatetic Music Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Facilities and Estates Manager
Stuart joined St Teresa's as Assistant Head (Director of Studies) in 2021 before taking on the role of Deputy Head (Academic). After earning his degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Central Florida, he relocated back to England to pursue a career in teaching.
Stuart teaches Maths and Further Maths to A level and Computer Science to GCSE. He enjoys sharing his passion for these two subjects with his pupils. In his spare time, Stuart enjoys football and running.
Job Titles:
- Peripatetic Music Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Director of Sixth Form
Job Titles:
- Learning Support Assistant
Job Titles:
- Peripatetic Music Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Supervisor
- Mrs M Biszczanik ( Laundry Assistant ) Transport
Job Titles:
- Head of Prep PE, Netball ( Maternity Leave )
Job Titles:
- Bookkeeping Certification - Finance Assistant
Job Titles:
- MEPAA - Music & Performing Arts Assistant
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Head of History & Politics
Job Titles:
- PGCE - Head of Science, Physics
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Physical Education
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Learning Support
Job Titles:
- PGCE - English, KS3 Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Learning Support
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Language Assistant ( German )
Job Titles:
- Pastoral Assistant and ELSA
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Co - Head of Art & Design
Job Titles:
- Examinations Officer & Cover Manager
Job Titles:
- HR Advisor
- Recruitment Manager
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Head of English
Job Titles:
- Learning Support Assistant
Job Titles:
- PGCE - Head of Food Preparation and Nutrition
Job Titles:
- Dip ( Teacher 's ) - Piano
Job Titles:
- Finance Assistant ( Fees )
Job Titles:
- PGCE ( Barcelona ) - Head of Spanish
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Physical Education
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Coordinator
- Learning Support Assistant
Job Titles:
- Peripatetic Music Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing & Communications / PA to the Executive Director
Job Titles:
- Administration Assistant, PA to Deputy Heads
Job Titles:
- CIMA Cert BA - Management Accountant
Job Titles:
- Boarding Staff Member
- Admissions Officer
Job Titles:
- Deputy Head ( Pastoral )
- PGCE, FTIOB - Deputy Head ( Pastoral )
Rachel started at St Teresa's in September 2023. Prior to that she was the Deputy Head Pastoral and Boarding, DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead) at Heathfield Girls School in Ascot. Rachel has been involved in Pastoral education for many years and her 20 years of experience in Boarding schools has awarded her recognition as a Fellow of the Institute of Boarding. Rachel began teaching as a PE teacher and has had the privilege of working in numerous prestigious state, independent day and boarding schools.
Over the last thirteen years she has specialised in pastoral care, becoming a DSL and well-being lead, and is passionate about the role of promoting the well-being and holistic development of students and staff enabling every member of a school's community to flourish. Her expertise within safeguarding have assisted her to become a safeguarding governor at a Surrey Primary School and sit on the GSA Pastoral and Safeguarding committee; as well as being a part of research projects such as the Self-Harm Workforce
Project with Bracknell Forest Council, Brighter Futures Together and University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry. As an affiliate of IVET, Rachel is passionate about a values-based education, teaching children the skills they need for life and encouraging each pupil to develop their confidence, embrace opportunity, develop a love of learning in and out of the classroom and above all feel supported and listened to as they embark on their journey to adulthood.
In her free time Rachel enjoys open water swimming, walking the Surrey hills with her dogs and spending time with her husband James and son Rory.
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Mathematics
Job Titles:
- Peripatetic Music Staff Member
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Training Co - Ordinator
Job Titles:
- Admin Assistant ( Transport )
Job Titles:
- Boarding Staff Member
- Head of Boarding
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Learning Support
Job Titles:
- FIC BHSI - Equestrian Director
Job Titles:
- Assistant Head of Sixth Form
Job Titles:
- Academic Staff Member
- Head of Geography