Who's who

Mrs Sue Baillie BA (Leicester), PGCE (Cantab), FRSA - Head

Sue Baillie joined Woldingham from Queen Margaret’s School for Girls, a day and boarding school, which, under Mrs Baillie’s leadership, won Small Independent School of the Year in 2023. Before moving to Queen Margaret's in 2019, Sue was Pastoral Director at the Royal Grammar School, Newcastle. Sue attended school in Essex and studied history at the University of Leicester before undertaking teacher training at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

Ms Elizabeth Roche, BSc Leeds, ACA - Director of Finance and Operations

Liz trained as a chartered accountant at EY, spending five years in Audit and Assurance, mainly working on real estate and media clients. Liz then became the UK Finance Director for Liberty Property Trust, where, in addition to heading the finance function, she oversaw HR and IT. She then become Director, Investment for Liberty and was involved in the sale and purchase of various commercial real estate portfolios and assets. Liz joined Woldingham in July 2024 from Marshall of Cambridge, where as Development Director she was responsible for the promotion of the site of Cambridge Airport as a new mixed-use urban quarter for Cambridge. Liz is a keen netballer, having played, umpired and coached at a national level.

Ms Nicole Weatherston BSc (Newcastle) - Deputy Head Academic

Nicole studied physiological sciences at the University of Newcastle before obtaining her PGCE at Durham University. The first ten years of Nicole's career was spent teaching in the state sector before moving to be Head of Sixth Form at The Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth. She joined Woldingham as Deputy Head Academic in September 2016. Away from school, Nicole enjoys foreign travel, cooking and tries to make time for a little running.

Mrs Suzy Woolaway BSc (Open) - Deputy Head Operations & Co-curricular

Suzy joined Woldingham in May 2021. Having studied mathematics and economics at university, she initially followed a career in the banking industry as a financial futures broker before obtaining her PGCE at the Open University. Suzy joined us from Bishop Challoner School where she held the post of Deputy Head (Academic and Pastoral) and previously Head of Mathematics. In her free time she enjoys skiing, running and cooking.

Ms Kate Renshaw BSc (Leeds) - Deputy Head Pastoral

Kate joined Woldingham in September 2023 from Streatham and Clapham High School in London, where she was Assistant Head (Pastoral & Student Wellbeing) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, and previously Head of Year 7, and Head of Biology. Kate has a BSc in Psychology from the University of Leeds and studied for a PGCE at Warwick University. Outside of work, Kate enjoys fitness training, running, walking, yoga and travel and has trekked to Everest base camp.

Mrs Pippa Whitby BA (Reading) - Director of Boarding

Highly experienced in all-girls’ boarding, Pippa joined Woldingham in April 2025 after more than 15 years at Mayfield School, most recently as Director of Boarding. A keen sportswoman and triathlete, Pippa has a degree in Leadership in Sport from the University of Reading and gained her qualified teaching status at Canterbury Christ Church University. She has played a variety of sports to a high level including representing GB for her age group in triathlon.

Mr Terence Nunes MSc (North West University of South Africa) - Director of Safeguarding (Acting)

Terry is Woldingham's Designated Safeguarding Lead. Terry studied Sport and Exercise Science in South Africa before completing a PGCE in teaching at Edge Hill University in the UK. He joined Woldingham in 2011 and has held a range of roles, including Subject Leader for Academic PE, Head of Stuart House and Head of Years 9, 10 and 11 on rotation, before becoming Director of Safeguarding (Acting) in October 2024. Outside of school, Terry is passionate about sport and loves to play and watch football, cricket and tennis, whilst also having a deep appreciation for the arts, including theatre and musicals.

Mrs Camilla Mair BA (London) - Director of External Relations

Camilla is responsible for communication, marketing, admissions, development, fundraising, alumnae relations and venue hire at Woldingham.  She joined in 2017 as Development Manager and became Foundation Director in April 2021. Camilla is a Woldingham alumna (1988) and has a degree in French and classical studies from the University of London. With more than 25 years’ marketing, communications and fundraising experience, Camilla has worked for Express Newspapers, IPC magazines and Mediator Communications Ltd.  Camilla has two teenage children, enjoys keeping fit and is a Cordon Bleu trained cook.

Mr Phil Abbott BSc (Cardiff) - Head of Sixth Form

Phil studied economics and management at Cardiff University. Following a career in journalism, which included a spell as a resident reporter at the Old Bailey, he opted for a change of direction and obtained his PGCE at the Institute of Education (UCL). Phil was previously part of the Sixth Form Management Team at Trinity School, Croydon, where he worked on the development of a new Sixth Form Centre and the transition to co-education. In his very scarce spare time (he has two young children!) he plays guitar and tries to keep relatively fit.

Mrs Gail Haythorne MA (Oxon) - Assistant Head Empowered Learning

Gail studied medieval and modern languages at Oxford, followed by a PGCE at the University of York. She has enjoyed a long career at Woldingham, from Head of French to her current position of Assistant Head, Personal Growth and Professional Development. Outside of school, Gail teaches Zumba classes and plays an active role in her local church.

Upper Sixth

Mr P Abbott BSc (Cardiff) - Head of Sixth Form

Miss B Rayner BA (Durham), MA (Nottingham) - Upper Sixth Housemistress

Mme C Maillot BA equiv (France) - Upper Sixth Assistant Housemistress

Lower Sixth

Mrs A Wiseman - Lower Sixth Housemistress

Mrs R Brown - Lower Sixth Assistant Housemistress

Year 11

Mrs S Lane BSc (Greenwich) - Head of Year (Acting)

Mrs J Philoe BEd (UCL) - Housemistress

Miss M De La Cruz Perera - Assistant Housemistress

Year 10

Mr G Outram BA (South Africa) - Head of Year

Mrs A Witcomb - Housemistress

Miss L Smith-Henry LLB (Roehampton) - Assistant Housemistress

Years 7- 9

Mrs M Emery BA equiv, MA equiv (France) - Head of Year 9

Mrs L Jenkins BSc (Oxford Brookes) - Head of Years 7 & 8

Ms S Kuster BA (York, Canada) - Year 7-9 Housemistress

Miss Niekirk BA (Ridley Hall, Cambridge) - Year 7-9 Assistant Housemistress

Mrs S Hanna - Year 7-9 Flexi Housemistress

Chaplain/Priest in Residence

Rev Father Gerry Devlin STL, MA, PGCE, FHEA

Note * denotes Head of Department,  [ ] Maternity Leave

Art

Miss S Campbell BA (London Metropolitan)*

Mrs L Darby BA (Lancashire)

Miss P Fitzherbert BA (Newcastle)

Miss E Lancaster BA (Birmingham), MA (Birmingham City) Artist in Residence

Classics and Latin

Mrs C Dent BA (Durham)

Dr J Dixon PhD BA (Liverpool), MA (Liverpool), PhD (Manchester*

Mrs A Manktelow BA (Exeter), MA (Exeter)

Computer Science

Mr T Nunes Msc (North West University of South Africa)

Mr D Sääw BA (Cantab), MEng (Cantab)

Design and Technology

Mr O Marsh MEng (Nottingham)

Mr D Wahab BA (Brighton)*

Drama

Mrs C Nasskau BA (Hull)

Mr N O’Gorman BA (Sunderland)

Miss E Williams BA (Middlesex) - Dance

Miss S Williams BA (Italia Conti Academy)*

EAL

Mrs T Carrilero BA (Spain)*

Mrs H Poullaine BA (Sorbonne), MA (Sorbonne)

Economics and Business

Mrs C Abbott BA (Westminster)* Head of Business

Mr P Abbott BSc (Cardiff)

Mr C Johnston BA (Galway), MEd (Middlesex)* Head of Economics

English

Ms M Batka BSc (Leicester)

Miss K Kaaber-Gore BA (Cumbria), MA (Exeter)

Dr M Klinge MA (Royal Holloway), PhD (Royal Holloway)

Mr S Maunder BA (Sheffield)

Miss A McLanaghan BA (Oxon) 

Ms A Owens BA (Loughborough) Librarian

Mr R Stott MA (Edinburgh)*

Extra-Curricular

Mrs S Hanna 

French

Mrs M Emery BA equiv, MA equiv (France)

Mrs G Haythorne MA (Oxon)

Mrs C Maillot BA equiv (France)*

Mrs J Philoe BEd (UCL)

Mrs H Poullain BA (Sorbonne), MA (Sorbonne)

Miss R Sassier BA equiv (France)

Geography

Miss T Bennett BSc (Durham), MSc (Oxon)

Mrs R Bush BSc (Bristol)*

Mrs L Jenkins BSc (Oxford Brookes)

Mr D Lock BA (London)

German

Mr V Ceska BA (Czech), MA (France)*

Mrs G Haythorne MA (Oxon)

Health Education

Ms S Kuster BA (York, Canada)

Higher Education and Careers

Mr D Sääw BA (Cantab), MEng (Cantab)

Mrs J Travis*

History

Mrs A Culhane BA (Exeter)

Mrs A Housden BA (Kent)*

Mrs A Manktelow BA (Exeter), MA (Exeter)

Mrs K Payne BA (Durham)

History of Art

Mr S Mansfield BA (Staffordshire)

Learning Enhancement

Ms R Moorvan BA (S Africa), BEd (S Africa), MEd (OU)*

Mrs E Sebastian BSc (KCL)

Miss S Whittington

Mathematics

Mr E Amponsah MBA (Wales)

Miss V Anderson BA (Winchester), MA (St Mary's)

Mrs R McKenna BSc (Cardiff)*

Mr G Outram BA (South Africa)

Mrs N Padmasiri PGCE (Sussex)

Mrs R Robinson BSc (Reading)

Mrs P Schofield BSc (Liverpool)

Mrs K Turner BSc (Loughborough), BA (Warwick)

Mrs K Waran BSc (Surrey)

Mrs S Woolaway BSc (Open)

Media Studies

Mr S Maunder BA (Sheffield)*

Music

Mr R Hammond-Hall BMus (King's College London/Royal Academy of Music), MMus (Guildhall School of Music and Drama)*

Miss R Wang MA (Royal Birmingham Conservatoire)

Physical Education

Miss C Akintunde BSc (Keele)

Miss F Beaumont BA (Bedfordshire)*

Mr J Birtles BA (Open)

Mrs T Cornelius

Miss K Daley BSc (Liverpool John Moores)

Miss L Hindley BSc (Gloucestershire)

Ms S Kuster BA (York, Canada)

Mr T Nunes Msc (North West University of South Africa)

Mr D Rebbetts BA (Chichester)

Mrs P Whitby BA (Reading)

Mrs R Wratten BA (Brighton)

Politics

Mrs A Culhane BA (Exeter)

Mrs K Payne BA (Durham)*

Psychology

Ms M Batka BSc (Leicester)

Mrs R Deaney BSc (OU), BMus, PGDip (RCM)*

Science Faculty

Head of Science

Mr P Rickard BSc (Bristol), BSc (Liverpool)*

Biology

Miss K Daley BSc (Liverpool John Moores)

Mrs S Lane BSc (Greenwich)

Mrs E Petty BSc (Birmingham)*

Mr R Philbin BSc (Sheffield)

Ms K Renshaw BSc (Leeds)

Ms N Weatherston BSc (Newcastle)

Chemistry

Mrs N Aubeeluck MEng (Oxon)

Dr C Bishop MSci (UCL), PhD (UCL)

Mr P Currie (Graduate RSC, Kingston)*

Mrs S Lane BSc (Greenwich)

Mr P Rickard BSc (Bristol), BSc (Liverpool)

Physics

Mrs N Aubeeluck MEng (Oxon)

Mrs M Clayton BSc (Birmingham)*

Mr R Gupta MSci (Imperial)

Spanish

Miss M Dellarosa-Ratti BA equiv (Spain)

Mr A López BA (Oviedo)*

Mrs H Poullain BA (Sorbonne), MA (Sorbonne)

Theology

Miss L Armstrong BA (Oxon), MSt (Oxon), MPhil (Oxon)

Mrs L Mapstone BA (California)

Mr N McManus BA (KCL), MA (St Mary’s)

Miss B Rayner BA (Durham), MA (Nottingham)

Mr A Ross BA (Lancaster), MA (St Mary’s, Twickenham), AIDTA(B)*

Wellbeing

Ms S Kuster BA (York, Canada)

Mr A Sharkey BSc (Brighton)*

BSc (SocSci) (Southampton)

First appointed as a governor in 2019

Catharine has spent the last 25 years working in healthcare transformational change in the UK and across the world, spending time in Australia, the Middle East, Europe and the US. She started her working life in the NHS, in hospital management, and for the last 14 years was at PA Consulting Group where, as the senior partner in the Healthcare Team, she led over a hundred people delivering large scale healthcare redesign programmes.

“My family connections with Woldingham are very strong, my two sisters and I are all Woldingham alumnae and my father was Chairman of Governors from 1989-1995. I am delighted to be able to give back to the school that gave me such a strong foundation, and to support its development so it can do the same for many generations to come.”

Catharine enjoys time spent with family, and friends around the world, and has a passion for elephants, so Africa is high on her list of favourite places to visit.

Should you wish to contact the Chair of Governors, please write to Catharine Berwick c/o the Bursar, Woldingham School, Marden Park, Woldingham, Surrey CR3 7YA or by email to: governors@woldinghamschool.co.uk

MA (Cantab)

First appointed as a governor in 2015

James qualified as a chartered accountant with Arthur Andersen and worked there for ten years, including a period in Sydney, before joining Deloitte in 2002. He has worked in a client facing role in International Tax for his whole career, but has also held a number of management roles including leading Deloitte’s International Tax team in London, leading the TMT industry team and he is currently a member of the Tax Executive team, with responsibility for clients and markets. James lives locally and his only daughter attended Woldingham.

Chair of the Governance & Compliance Committee

Member of the Resources Committee

Lead governor for health & safety

First appointed as a governor in 2019

Ian commenced his professional career in the London office of international chartered accountants Peat, Marwick, Mitchell in 1982. Ian was a founder shareholder, partner and member of the Executive Committee at Rockspring Property Investment Managers LLP. Additionally, Ian is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Prisoners of Conscience charity. Ian enjoys sport, the theatre, food and wine. Ian and his wife, Mandy, live locally and have two daughters, both of whom are Woldingham alumnae.

BA (American University)

Member of the Safeguarding & Wellbeing Committee and the Teaching & Learning Committee

Lead governor for safeguarding

First appointed as a governor in 2023

Julia is Managing Director of Taylor Osborne, a talent solutions business. She has worked in the executive research, search and recruitment industry since 2009.  A Woldingham alumna, Julia studied anthropology and audio technology at The American University in Washington DC, USA.  She has lived all over the world but now resides in Surrey with her husband and two children.

BA (Brighton), Dip Arch, MBA, Dip Proj Man (RIBA)

Co-Chair of the Resources Committee

First appointed as a governor in 2021

James is an architect and Managing Director of Leslie Jones Architecture. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the commercial property sector and is passionate about urban renewal and the regeneration of towns and cities. He has chaired  the national retail property awards programme for several years. In his younger years James could be seen on the rugby pitch playing at a national level and also sailing both competitively and for recreation. He is a keen cook enjoying hosting friends and family. He also enjoys travel and spending time with his wife and two daughters, one who currently attends Woldingham and one who has recently completed her A Levels at the school. James is keen to contribute his property and commercial skills to the governance of the school and is passionate about the opportunity that a balanced and rounded education can bring to those that attend Woldingham. As Managing Director of a creative studio James is responsible for the personal and professional development of his employees seeing many parallels with his role as a Governor.

MA (Oxon)

Member of the Resources Committee

First appointed as a governor in 2019

Vanessa was educated at Woldingham School and Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, where she read Classics. She started her career in the City in 1981 and progressed to managing funds invested in Asian companies. In 1986 she joined Allied Dunbar, which subsequently became Columbia Threadneedle Investments, where she worked for thirty two years until her retirement in 2018. She was Head of the Group’s Asia Pacific team in London for twenty one years, leading a multicultural team of investment professionals. Vanessa has experience as an independent non-executive director and has served as a Trustee of the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom, which provides financial support to poor parishes, for over thirty years.

Vanessa enjoys overseas travel, the opera, playing bridge and walking the family’s dogs. “Woldingham school gave me a solid foundation on which to build a successful career in investment management, while raising a family of three. As a Governor, I want to support the students so that they are reassured that it is possible to fulfil their career aspirations while maintaining a healthy work/life balance.”

MA (Edinburgh), MSc (Cantab)

Chair of the Safeguarding & Wellbeing Committee and the Teaching & Learning Committee

First appointed as a governor in 2017

Heather was educated at Princess Gardens School, Belfast and Edinburgh University where she read Geography. After a gap year she went on to Wolfson College, Cambridge and gained an MSc in Land Economy. She then worked as a market analyst, moved on to be a senior consultant with Touche Ross and then to VSO as head of corporate fundraising. In 1995 she turned to a career in education after a PGCE at London University. Her first appointment was at Blackheath High School where she progressed to Head of Sixth Form. From there, she moved rapidly via Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls to Deputy Head at Latymer Upper School before taking over as Headmistress at Wimbledon High School in 2008. Heather was Head Mistress of Lady Eleanor Holles School from 2014 to 2023. She was awarded Independent Headteacher of the Year in 2023 at the prestigious TES awards and was the Girls’ Schools Association (GSA) 2022-23 President.

BEd (London) MPsych (East London)

Member of the Safeguarding & Wellbeing Committee

First appointed as a governor in 2024

Jane is a member of the Society of the Sacred Heart and an alumna of Brighton School. Jane worked in primary education for many years and, as a head teacher, enjoyed networking with a variety of groups outside school – colleagues, parents, university, parish workers etc. An increasing interest in inter-generational relationships within families led her to undertake a post-graduate training in child psychoanalysis. Jane subsequently worked in this field, both with individual children and adolescents, and with their families, as well as consulting to professionals supporting families. Following eight years serving in leadership at the international level of the Society, and visiting Sisters on all continents, Jane worked for four years as a consultant to a variety of international and local groups, facilitating meetings, team building sessions etc. She then became the provincial superior of the Society of the Sacred Heart in England/Wales for six years, then of Malta for three years and subsequently of the province of Egypt for three years. Jane is currently Chair of the Medaille Trust, which provides refuge and safety for people who have been freed from modern slavery.

CMGR

Member of the Safeguarding & Wellbeing Committee and the Teaching & Learning Committee

First appointed as a governor in 2024

Michael Matthews is an experienced teacher and educational leader. He is currently Deputy Head Pastoral at Cumnor House Sussex, having previously held this role at Farleigh School in Hampshire. Prior to this, Michael was a senior housemaster at Worth School, where he also taught music and music technology. Michael has a deep understanding of how the values espoused in a Catholic school can be impactful on the formation of young adults and is keen to see this develop and thrive at Woldingham. In recent years, he has achieved a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Buckingham, alongside Chartered Manager status through the Chartered Management Institute. A father of three, Michael loves sport and, as well as watching his children play sport, is an avid follower of Arsenal FC.  Music, which he studied at university, has been a lifelong passion. Michael loves playing piano and sax, as well as composing when time allows.

BA Hons (Queen Mary College, London University), Diploma in Law, Barrister at Law

Member of the Safeguarding & Wellbeing Committee and the Governance & Compliance Committee

Lead governor for diversity, inclusion and anti-racism, and safeguarding

First appointed as a governor in 2019

“I was called to the Bar in 1985 and practised at the Family Bar, dealing with family, matrimonial and childcare cases. I was appointed a First Tier Tribunal Judge in 2001 sitting in the Immigration and Asylum Chair adjudicating on asylum, immigration, deportation, human rights and European law cases. I enjoy traveling, studying gemstones, cooking and retail therapy. My daughter is a Woldingham alumna. I have been a school governor for more than 16 years at various schools and welcome the opportunity to work with the Governing Board to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to reach her true potential educationally, emotionally and socially.”

Member of the Teaching & Learning Committee

First appointed as a governor in 2019

Chris is the Founder of FundamentalSurgery.com and Fundamental VR which creates world-leading surgical simulations and training aids using Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Tech solutions.

“In my work I get to see some of the world’s leading technology, and I’m lucky enough to get a preview of how this may impact on society in five to ten years’ time. I want to support Woldingham School as a Governor to help girls develop their interest in being a part of this next technological revolution, and ensure they have an equal opportunity to participate in this digital future.”

Chris spent the first twelve years of his career with BT, including as Head of Sales and Marketing for BT Showcases, before founding Smartfusion, a brand development and customer experience agency, based in London and New York. A decade later, Chris was CEO and Founder of social experience agency, Beaver Communications, working with Virgin, Sony and Adidas. He is now one of the founders of Fundamental VR, who specialise in creating educational content in VR for training surgeons across the world.

Chris’s interests include classic cars and cooking, as well as the occasional family camping trip.

BSc (Bristol)

Member of the Safeguarding & Wellbeing Committee and the Teaching & Learning Committee

First appointed as a governor in 2023

Nick is Head of Science at Tonbridge School.  He was educated at Nottingham High School and Bristol University, where he read physics. Following a period in the RAF where he served as a pilot officer, Nick became an actuarial consultant.After gaining his PGCE at Nottingham University, Nick began his teaching career in the state sector, spent two years overseas in Kenya, and has since been teaching in boarding schools for more than 25 years. 

Nick is a keen sports fan, having coached football, hockey, and cricket, and is an ardent supporter of co-curricular opportunities.His wife is an English and drama teacher, and Nick recalls many occasions spent building scenery, and assisting with drama productions. Both of their daughters boarded at Woldingham from Year 7, and their youngest is now entering the Upper Sixth.  Nick was Deputy Head at Woldingham School from 2010 to 2015 and comments fondly on his association with Woldingham: “The school has a special atmosphere with a warm and friendly community. As a governor, I want to support its aim in building character and confidence through a stimulating and enriching education for the girls."