Week A

Executive Headteacher

  • Ms R Cave

    Executive Headteacher

    Rachel joined the academy as Headteacher in 2013. She joined Highdown having worked as a Deputy Headteacher in a large secondary school in West London. Rachel is a teacher of Science, specialising in Chemistry. Away from Highdown, Rachel enjoys visiting her ‘second home’ of Wigmore Hall to listen to chamber music such as Bach

Head of School

  • Mr M Grantham

    Head of School

    Matthew joined the academy as Deputy Headteacher in 2013, having been an Assistant Headteacher in a large secondary school in West London. From September 2022, Matthew will be Head of School at Highdown School. Matthew is a teacher of Geography.  Whenever possible, Matthew enjoys escaping to the countryside to hike up and down some mountains.

Deputy Headteacher

  • Mr J Reid

    Deputy Headteacher

    John was appointed as Deputy Headteacher in 2015, having worked at Highdown School since 2002 as Head of History, Head of Humanities and an Assistant Headteacher prior to his current post. John is a teacher of History and Politics. John is also Designated Safeguarding Lead. Away from Highdown, John manages a youth football team – AFC Reading Red Arrows.

  • Dr S Capaldi

    Deputy Headteacher

    Sara has worked at Highdown School since 2002 and was Curriculum Leader for Science prior to being appointed as Assistant Headteacher in 2016 and Associate Deputy Head from September 2022. Sara is responsible for culture and attitude and promoted student leadership through re-introducing our House System. In and out of Highdown, Sara is a keen choral singer.

Assistant Headteacher

  • Mrs S Flynn

    Assistant Headteacher

    Sarah has worked at Highdown School since 2005 as Head of Mathematics and was appointed as Assistant Headteacher in 2014. Sarah is responsible for learning and teaching. Sarah enjoys singing in the Senior Choir whenever possible.

  • Mr A Franks

    Assistant Headteacher

    Andy joined Highdown in 2009, coming to the school as a Newly Qualified Teacher. Andy has also worked as a Head of Achievement before joining the Senior Leadership team in 2018. Andy is a History teacher but has also taught Politics and Sociology. Outside of school Andy enjoys reading, spending time with his family and friends, and enjoying using his newly acquired National Trust membership.

  • Mrs M Grantham

    Assistant Headteacher

    Mary has worked at Highdown since 2016 when she joined as an English teacher. In her previous roles, Mary has been Head of English and Learning and Teaching Lead, although now she is responsible for raising standards within the curriculum. Away from school, Mary enjoys running in the great outdoors, combined with a good audiobook. 

  • Mr D Clawson

    Assistant Headteacher

    Daniel joined Highdown as an Assistant Headteacher in June 2022, following several years in senior leadership in Slough and Maidenhead. In previous roles Daniel has led on Behaviour & Culture as Deputy Headteacher, and enjoyed a number of years as Assistant Headteacher responsible for Sixth Form. Daniel is a Business Studies teacher, and enjoys travelling and reading.

  • Mr J Lester

    Assistant Headteacher

    Joe joined Highdown in 2014 as a Newly Qualified Teacher. Joe has worked as an Assistant Head of Achievement and a Learning Coach and is currently Head of Achievement for Year 10. Joe joined the Senior Leadership team in the Summer Term of 2023. Joe is a History teacher but has also taught Geography. Outside of school Joe enjoys spending time with his young family and friends, reading and exploring the countryside.

Sixth Form

  • Mr K Prior

    Sixth Form

    Head of Sixth Form

  • Mr M Flynn

    Sixth Form

    Head of Achievement Year 12 & 13

  • Ms E Beale

    Sixth Form

    Assistant Head of Achievement - Years 12/13

  • Mrs J Kaminska

    Sixth Form

    Sixth Form Learning Mentor

  • Mrs C Sawdon-Smith

    Sixth Form

    Sixth Form Welfare Lead/Safeguarding Officer

  • Mrs V Hamer

    Sixth Form

    Sixth Form Administrative Assistant

Curriculum Leader

  • Mrs J Arnold

    Curriculum Leader

    SENDCO

  • Mr W Dineley

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for Maths

  • Mrs R Eaton

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for Geography

  • Ms M Elliot

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for Science

  • Miss E Garner

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for Art

  • Ms A Duncan

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for History

  • Mr M Hampson

    Curriculum Leader

    Subject Leader for RE, Ethics and Citizenship

  • Mrs W Huang

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for Modern Foreign Languages

  • Mrs S Lake

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for Performing Arts

  • Miss C Lobo

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for Design Technology

  • Dr T Browne

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for PE

  • Miss N Salmon

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for English

  • Mr H Santer

    Curriculum Leader

    Subject Leader for Music

  • Mr D Stephenson

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for Computing and ICT

  • Mr M Hodges

    Curriculum Leader

    Curriculum Leader for Business Studies

Head of Achievement

  • Mrs S Bonnett

    Head of Achievement

    Head of Achievement - Year 7

  • Miss N Lovelock

    Head of Achievement

    Assistant Head of Achievement - Year 7

  • Mrs T Taylor

    Head of Achievement

    Head of Achievement - Year 8

  • Mr P Arnold

    Head of Achievement

    Assistant Head of Achievement - Year 8

  • Mrs S Pearce

    Head of Achievement

    Head of Achievement - Year 9

  • Miss B Robinson

    Head of Achievement

    Assistant Head of Achievement - Year 9

  • Mr J Lester

    Head of Achievement

    Head of Achievement - Year 10, Associate Senior Leader

  • Mr A Gordon

    Head of Achievement

    Assistant Head of Achievement - Year 10

  • Miss V Clark

    Head of Achievement

    Head of Achievement - Year 11

  • Miss O Holmes

    Head of Achievement

    Assistant Head of Achievement - Year 11