Our Senior Leadership Team

Emily Beer

Headteacher

Fionnuala Rodgers

Deputy Headteacher

Alison Walters

Deputy Headteacher

Nadene Townsend-Smith

Assistant Headteacher

Andrew Webb

Business Manager

Sam Rogers

Headteachers PA

Charly Dryer

Acting Assistant Headteacher

Emily Beer

Headteacher

I achieved a History Degree from Roehampton Institute, University of Surrey and completed my PGCE in History at Christchurch University.

I have worked in a number of Kent and London schools from a top performing outstanding grammar school to schools in special measures and requiring improvement. I enjoyed being a Head of History and Director of Key Stage Five for many years followed by a Deputy Headteacher.

I believe that we are all life long learners and I embrace CPD at all levels to ensure that we are providing the very best for each and every child. I really enjoy having the chance to teach a History Year Nine group this year.

Finally, I believe in talent managing my staff to provide them with similar opportunities that I was afforded throughout my career by fantastic colleagues who invested in my personal development. I hope I can pay that forward to my staff and students.

Fionnuala Rodgers

Deputy Headteacher

My responsibilities as a Deputy Headteacher include teaching and learning, overseeing Initial Teacher Training, quality assurance and line management of arts subjects, science and history, sociology and child care.

Prior to training as a teacher, I completed a Foundation course in art and design and a degree in fine art. Early in my career I completed a Masters degree in Art and Design in Education at London University which convinced me that art is an essential subject for young people to learn. I have taught both GCSE and A level and have experience of working in different schools in London, the south east and in the midlands. I joined Willingdon as Head of art and went on to enjoy many roles since then such as arts co ordinator and head of the school`s specialist media and visual arts status. Whatever my roles, I have never stopped learning!

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.

Nadene Townsend-Smith

Assistant Headteacher

Assistant Headteacher for Pastoral Leadership and Inclusion. This role includes; responsibility for whole school behaviour and attendance strategy, admissions and transition, pastoral leadership of all 5 year groups and Inclusion, including Special Educational Needs. Furthermore, I line manage the staff responsible for managing cover, organising the school calendar and overseeing trips and activities.

I have worked at Willingdon for 20 years and initially came here as a full time science teacher. I enjoyed the role of tutoring for 5 years which led to me becoming a Director of Students Progress for Year 7 and Transition. I was appointed to join the senior leadership team 4 years ago.

Teaching is my second career having spent enjoyable years in Forest Management, Conservation and Recreation; this was a natural progression from studying for a Batchelor of Science (Hons) degree at Trinity College. I was privileged to work as a ranger in the beautiful South Wales Valleys Forest and South East England Forest District. I enjoyed working and developing Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest before leaving to pursue my teaching career, studying for a PGCE, Science at Sussex University as an adult student.

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 Rogers

Headteachers 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.

Charly Dryer

Acting Assistant Headteacher

I completed a Fine Art degree at Southampton and then went onto complete a Master’s degree in History of Art at Sussex university. I spent a few years running a nightclub and bar before completing my PGCE, where my second teaching placement was here at Willingdon, 16 years ago. I have been very lucky to have been mentored by Mrs Rodgers who has encouraged me to challenge myself and go from teacher of art to Leader of Learning to Director of the arts faculty, Associate Assistant Headteacher and now to Assistant Headteacher. I love this school, the staff and students are fantastic and I believe that we promote a real love of learning.