Our Mental Health Team

Alison Walters

Deputy Headteacher

Ali Walters, Deputy Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead.  Responsibilities include; whole school safeguarding, curriculum and timetabling.  I also line manage the English, Geography and RSHE departments across the school.

After completing my degree in Geography at the University of Hull, I realised that I could combine my love of my subject with an exciting and dynamic career working with young people.  I came to Willingdon in September 2002 after 5 years teaching in Norfolk and after completing my Masters in Educational Leadership and Management at the University of Brighton.  I came as Head of Geography and I am still passionate about my subject and thrive on working with the amazing young people we serve.  I have been fortunate to do a range of roles whilst at Willingdon and have been Deputy Headteacher here for 2 years.

Paul Holt

Deputy Headteacher

Deputy Headteacher for Curriculum and Teaching & Learning. This role includes; responsibility for the teaching across the school as well as whole school timetabling, staffing, GCSE Options process, homework, student grouping, and ensuring a high quality curriculum can be accessed by all. Furthermore, I line manage the staff responsible for leading Science, PE, and Modern Foreign Languages. I also teach Latin across the school and am delighted that Willingdon Community School now has 4 GCSE Latin groups.

I have worked at Willingdon Community School since April of 2022. I was previously an Assistant Headteacher at Priory School Lewes, for 4 years. Before that I had enjoyed my role as a middle leader within the school.

Other roles I have undertaken include the PGCE lead for Classics at Pimlico Future Academies London, as well as being a Peer Reviewer and Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for the South East. I grew up locally in Hove and then Saltdean so studied locally in Brighton. I gained a first class Honours degree in Humanities and Critical Studies, then achieved a PGCE in History the year afterwards. My Masters in Education was focused on making Classics accessible in state schools. More recently I have achieved The National Qualification for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) as well as The National Qualification for Headship (NPQH).

In addition to teaching, my interests include following Brighton and Hove Albion as well as Celtic, and walking my Labrador across the glorious South Downs.

Lesley Naylor

Joint Head of Year 7

Lee Gordon

Head of Year 10

Andrew Webb

Business Manager

Andy is our Business Manager, and has been at the School since September 2000.

As well as being responsible for all finance matters Andy is also the schools Health and Safety Officer, Data Protection Lead and oversees all the Support Staff in school. Andy came to the School having worked at East Sussex County Council having been part of the contracts management team who outsourced the IT and Payroll services on behalf of its stakeholders, including those in Education, so already had experience of working with schools prior to joining us.   

Sam Tomalin

Headteacher's PA

Sam has been at Willingdon for the last 6 years as the Headteacher’s PA and has been the Clerk to Governors for 5 years.

She moved from London to Eastbourne with her 4 children 6 years ago and has worked previously in a large London primary school and with the NHS.

Hannah Powell

Head of Department - Maths

Vanessa Wilson

Head of Department - Music

Eileen McCarthy

Head of Department - Drama

Taryn May

Exams Officer

Aly Burton

Senior Science Lab Technician

Tina Allchorn

Finance Manager

Caroline Alley

Food Technician

Lorraine Lamberton

Welfare Officer & Deputy DSL

Katy Barrow

Science Lab Technician

Joy Barrett

Science Teacher

Rosie Beddows

Student Support/Medical Room

Corrina Durrant

Hearing Support

Sarah Smithers

Science Teacher

Gilly O'Neill

Hearing Support

Lucy Collins

Head of Department - Life Studies, Culture & Geography

Joshua Hay

Learning Support Professional

Davina Taylor

PSL for Year 7