I am extremely proud to be Headmaster at Cothill House, where I had such fun as a boy. After Cothill, I went on to Eton before studying French at Manchester University and German at the University of Vienna. As well as being a keen linguist, I love all sports, particularly playing tennis, and spending time with my family.

My favourite Cothill event: Our Rock Festival, Rockhill, is a firm favourite but seeing the boys’ faces when we announce their Common Entrance success is unbeatable.

Having taken an MA degree in education at the University of Vienna, I am an English, French and German teacher. Professionally I have taught in Austria, France and England - and then threw myself into the boarding world at Eton when Duncan taught there. We then spent eight years running Sauveterre before coming back to Cothill. I am immersed in all areas of Cothill life, and I am busy giving the boys German lessons, supporting the teams on the games fields, painting the stage sets and hiding behind the school camera!

I am delighted to have joined the Cothill community. I gained a Bachelor of Education degree before completing a Masters in residential education at Buckingham. My career has taken me to locations as diverse as Port Regis in Dorset, Holmewood House in Kent, Sandroyd in Wiltshire, to Brisbane, as well as the midlands of KwaZulu Natal. I am passionate about providing a broad and balanced education for our boys, allowing them to unlock their true potential. 

As an avid sports fan, I enjoy following the fluctuating fortunes of - amongst others - the Springboks, Manchester United, New Orleans Saints, and the Proteas. In the holidays, I love to feed my passion for travel where I am looking to add to the 80 countries I have already explored across the seven continents.

I arrived at Cothill after six years as Head of Science, Scholarship and Athletics at an Oxford Prep School and am thrilled to be continuing teaching all three of those whilst enjoying my mission to push academic matters forward within the school.

I love Cothill’s wonderful site allowing the space and freedom to ride bikes, play in the woods and indulge the boys’ creative instincts whilst maintaining the highest standards with their lessons and sport. 

When away from Cothill, I am involved with an Oxford church and try to spend as much time as possible outside, whether playing sport, running or getting out into the hills for a long walk with family and friends.

I'm hugely excited to be back at Cothill having been here as a pupil a very long time ago. Alongside my role heading up the Junior School I'm also overseeing the introduction of day boys into our school from September 2023. When not at work I'm a failed musician and founding member of what was once called 'Didcot's second best covers band'. 

It is a privilege to take on the role of Head of Boarding at Cothill. With a strong culture and reputation, the opportunity to lead all aspects of Boarding is an exciting prospect. You will see me on the games fields every afternoon, satisfying my passion for sport, as well as in the science labs teaching junior science. Residing in ‘Bowlers’ with my family and supporting the Year 8 boys in their final year at Cothill, our aim is to provide an environment where the boys can escape from the day-to-day challenges of a busy school life and develop the tools to thrive at the next stage of their education. 

I love nothing more than the challenge of restoring a boy's confidence by teaching him how to make learning as enjoyable and memorable as possible. Along with two members of my team, I am the co-author of WordBlaze - a multisensory phonic scheme which brings reading and spelling alive with colourful stories and pictures: once you have drawn a "Thief in Briefs," the 'ie' rule tends to stick for good! As Cothill's literacy and numeracy assessment lead, I meet potential new boys during their assessments and offer insight and guidance prior to their arrival.

Now in my 15th year at Cothill, I look after the school’s policies and the Latin department. Having grown up in the area and now raising my own family nearby, this is familiar territory and I am happy to be here.

Operating best in the wind and rain and the final stages of a marathon, much like the run up to exams and the last few weeks of a school term, I believe that trusting in one’s own preparation is the best way forward.

I landed at Cothill House seven years ago straight out of Cambridge University, where I studied Modern Languages, and I instantly fell in love with the place and the incredibly rich and varied education we offer here. I did escape for one year of work and travel to South America but I could not resist coming back.

Having taught Maths and French before finally settling on English, last year taking on the role of Head of Junior English, it is a great honour to now be leading the Sports Department as Director of Sport. Sport is my deepest-running passion, particularly football, cricket and Eton Fives; I love the buzz when our sensational grounds come alive as boys head out to train and compete. My goal is to make sure that every boy who comes to Cothill finds enjoyment through physical activity, learns lots about themselves and their friends, and develops their talent and passion for sport.

If I'm not on the playing fields, I'll be enjoying time travelling with my fiancée, strumming terribly on the guitar or watching Aston Villa on the TV.

I looked after my first group of Cothillians as a gappie in Sauveterre. What I thought was going to be a year of sun, sea and skiing actually turned out to be months of socks, sick bugs and storming around the woods. I enjoyed it so much that I moved to France after completing my degree and spent another seven years at the Château, before returning to the UK.

I balance my time between teaching French to scholarship level, leading the matron team and my responsibilities as the Designated Safeguarding Lead. It is a privilege to look after your sons and I strive to ensure that they feel healthy, happy, safe and supported when at school.

I spend most of my holidays in the south of France but also make regular trips to Yorkshire for adventures with my nieces and nephews. My family have owned a butcher's shop there for sixty years, so I never return to Cothill without a couple of home-made pork pies to share in the staffroom!