Our Senior Leadership Team
Emily May
Headteacher
Alison Walters
Deputy Headteacher
Nadene Townsend-Smith
Deputy Headteacher
Andrew Webb
Business Manager
Paul Holt
Deputy Headteacher
Sam Rogers
Headteacher's PA
Emily May
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.
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
Deputy Headteacher
Deputy 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.
Paul Holt
Deputy Headteacher
Sam Rogers
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.
Extended Leadership Team
Charly Dryer
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Rebecca Thomas
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Lee Gordon
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Alison Borrell
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Ollie Barber
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Zoe Kemp
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Elle Woodbridge
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Charly Dryer
Associate 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.
Rebecca Thomas
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Lee Gordon
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Alison Borrell
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Ollie Barber
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Zoe Kemp
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Elle Woodbridge
Associate Assistant Headteacher
Directors of Learning
Liz Kelly
Director of Learning - MFL
Simon Bradley
Director of Learning - Mathematics
Elle Woodbridge
Director of Learning - English
Rebecca Thomas
Director of Learning - Science
Olivia Barber
Director of Learning - SENCo
Lucy Collins
Director of Learning - Life Studies, Culture & Geography
Chloe Attrill
Director of Learning - PE, Dance & Child Development
Alison Borrell
Director of Learning - Technology & Enterprise
Charly Dryer
Director of Learning - Performing & Creative Arts
Liz Kelly
Director of Learning - MFL
Simon Bradley
Director of Learning - Mathematics
Elle Woodbridge
Director of Learning - English
Rebecca Thomas
Director of Learning - Science
Olivia Barber
Director of Learning - SENCo
Lucy Collins
Director of Learning - Life Studies, Culture & Geography
Chloe Attrill
Director of Learning - PE, Dance & Child Development
Alison Borrell
Director of Learning - Technology & Enterprise
Charly Dryer
Director of Learning - Performing & Creative Arts
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.
Directors of Student Progress
Catherine Johnson
Director of Student Progress - Year 7
Lesley Naylor
Director of Student Progress - Year 8
Becky Marshall
Director of Student Progress - Year 8
Anthony Roche
Director of Student Progress - Year 9
Tom Cain
Director of Student Progress - Year 10
Lee Gordon
Director of Student Progress - Year 11
Catherine Johnson
Director of Student Progress - Year 7
Lesley Naylor
Director of Student Progress - Year 8
Becky Marshall
Director of Student Progress - Year 8
Anthony Roche
Director of Student Progress - Year 9
Tom Cain
Director of Student Progress - Year 10
Lee Gordon
Director of Student Progress - Year 11
Leaders of Learning
Corrine Philibert-Lockyer
Leader of Learning - Spanish
Laura Hughes
Leader of Learning - History & Sociology
Katie Peck
Leader of Learning - Ethics & Philosophy
Eileen McCarthy
Leader of Learning - Drama
Mia Angella-Foyle
Leader of Learning - Chemistry
Vanessa Wilson
Leader of Learning - Music
Caitlin Morrison
Leader of Learning – Biology
Corrine Philibert-Lockyer
Leader of Learning - Spanish
Laura Hughes
Leader of Learning - History & Sociology
Katie Peck
Leader of Learning - Ethics & Philosophy
Eileen McCarthy
Leader of Learning - Drama
Mia Angella-Foyle
Leader of Learning - Chemistry
Vanessa Wilson
Leader of Learning - Music
Caitlin Morrison
Leader of Learning – Biology
Pastoral Support Leaders
Ellie Todd
PSL for Year 7
Adam Edwards
PSL for Year 8
Natalie Hylands
PSL for Year 9
Taryn May
PSL for Year 10
Lucy Bradley
PSL for Year 11
Ellie Todd
PSL for Year 7
Adam Edwards
PSL for Year 8
Natalie Hylands
PSL for Year 9
Taryn May
PSL for Year 10
Lucy Bradley
PSL for Year 11