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Our Staff

We are extremely fortunate to have been able to both recruit and retain a very talented and committed group of teachers and professional support staff. 

Our curriculum is a knowledge rich one and is delivered by subject specialists in every area: this enables all pupils to make strong progress in their learning. Pupils and teachers are supported in their work and learning by a dedicated group of professional support staff.

Information regarding Heads of Year and Form Tutors can be found here
 

Mr Nicholas Dyer
Headmaster

B.A. (Hons) (Nottingham) MA NPQH, NPQEL
(Teacher of Government & Politics)

As Headmaster of the School since April 2015, Nicholas works to ensure an inclusive school ethos and culture exists in which all students can truly flourish in their academic work, in their personal development and in all else that they do. Nicholas remains committed to ensuring that students receive an outstanding academically focussed education, as well as being able to benefit from a wide range of enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities through which they can develop crucial skills and personal qualities, develop friendships, their own sense of who they are and that they can also have fun!  Nicholas is determined to ensure that all students continue to be educated within a supportive, inclusive and caring school community and it is that sense of community and belonging, as well as care, that lies at the very heart of a Crypt education.

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Mr Phil Stanlake
Senior Deputy Head & Day-to-day behaviour 

B.Ed. (Hons) (St. Paul and St. Mary)
(Teacher of Sports Studies, Games)

Phil, as Senior Deputy Headmaster, is responsible for the day to day running of the school. This includes routine activities in and out of the classroom as well as the school’s public events such as Founders Day, prize giving and open days. Phil works with both the staff and students when setting the academic standards and behavioural expectations for all involved at the Crypt. Phil works closely with the Headmaster and the staff in making sure that the vision for the school is delivered. Phil continues to teach sports studies at A level and supports the PE department with their extra-curricular activities.

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Mr Rob Biggs
Deputy Head - Director of Post 16 Education and Personal Development

B.Sc (Hons) (Wolverhampton)
(Teacher of Geography)

As Director of Post 16 Education and Personal Development, Rob’s role is to lead and manage both the academic and pastoral life in the Sixth Form. Rob is committed to ensuring that students receive a high quality education from staff who genuinely know, care and support them. Rob is also responsible for the personal development of students from Years 7-13. He is determined to ensure that students receive a holistic approach to education through a wide range of experiences both inside and outside of the classroom. Rob is determined that all students progress from us with a real sense of direction and purpose, with a responsibility to society and strong academic qualifications to realise their ambitions and dreams beyond life at the Crypt.

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Ms Susan Glock
Deputy Head – Academic

BSc (Hons), MSc (Hull), NPQH
(Teacher of Biology)

As Deputy Head (Academic), Susan is responsible for the academic success of the school and she ensures we continue to drive for excellence in all areas. Susan leads our Heads of Department to deliver a curriculum that supports all our pupils achieve their academic potential at The Crypt. She provides detailed analysis of how our students are progressing, and then works with Heads of Department and Heads of Year to support those that need some extra support. Susan completes the annual timetable, ensuring that we continue to maintain a broad and balanced curriculum that suits the needs of our pupils.

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Mrs Gemma Hargraves
Deputy Head – Pastoral & Designated Safeguarding Lead 

B.Sc. (Hons) (Cardiff)
(Teacher of History)

Gemma oversees the pastoral life of the school to promote positive wellbeing and a sense of belonging for all students. The Crypt School prides itself on being a happy and inclusive community and Gemma leads a strong and approachable team of Heads of Year and Pastoral Support Workers to ensure all students are recognised as individuals. Additionally, Gemma oversees SEND, Pupil Premium provision and attendance to ensure all students feel supported, safe and fulfilled at school. Pastoral and academic elements of a student’s life are intertwined and Gemma works closely with other members of the Senior Leadership Team to ensure students develop resilience, integrity and gratitude and make excellent progress both personally and academically. Importantly, Gemma is also Designated Safeguarding Lead, Designated Teacher for Looked After Children and Senior Mental Health Lead.

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Mr Matthew Bevan
Assistant Headteacher - Pastoral

BEng (Hons), (Birmingham)
(Teacher of Chemistry)

Matthew leads on all matters related to student behaviour and attendance as part of his broader role in promoting the pastoral life of the school. He has responsibility for leading the work of the heads of year (7 - 11) to ensure high standards of behaviour and attendance. He provides strategic leadership in creating and promoting a culture of high expectations for behaviour, conduct and attendance, and his work is strongly rooted in the school’s core values of pride, kindness and responsibility. He promotes a positive, purposeful and inclusive school culture, leading on our student voice work to enable students to flourish and grow as well-rounded young people. Matthew is one of the school’s Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSLs), is the Attendance Champion, and coordinates the student anti-bullying ambassadors.

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Mrs Claire Gee
Assistant Headteacher - Academic 


BSc (Hons) (Warwick)
(Teacher of Chemistry)

Claire is responsible for the development and advancement of outstanding teaching practice across the school. She ensures that all teaching staff engage with evidence-based best practice and professional dialogue to support and inform their ongoing professional development. Claire also collaborates with department, year group, SEND, digital and literacy leads to ensure the effective implementation of strategies that support learning and assessment. Together, this creates a fully inclusive classroom environment, where every student is supported and challenged in their learning, enabling outstanding progress and strong examination outcomes.

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Associate SLT Members

  • Mrs Clare Medcroft
    BA (Hons) CGCHE
    Student Development (Head of Art and DT & Personal Development-PD)
  • Ms Katrina Plummer
    BA (Hons) Sheffield, MSc Wrexham
    Training Manager, (Head of Psychology/Sociology)

Teaching Staff  
Ms Samantha Akamine, Guildhall School London Drama
Mrs Sophie Banda, BMus (Hons) Queens Belfast   Music
Miss Jessica Barnett, BSc (Hons) Cardiff Geography
Miss Hannah Bartlett, BA (Hons) Cardiff History & Politics 
Mr Julian Boon, BA (Hons) Oxon  Physics, Science, Games 
Mr Alexander Borley, BSc (Hons) Keele Chemistry, Science
Mr Henry Bowen, MChem (Hons) Warwick Chemistry, Science, Head of Year 12
Mrs Nicola Bowes, BSc (Hons) Bristol Head of Chemistry
Mrs Catherine Brooks BSc (Hons) Birmingham Head of Geography
Mrs Lizzie Dale, BA (Hons) Birmingham English
Mr Christopher Cobb, BA (Hons) Cardiff English
Mr Ashley Croft, BSc (Hons) Warwick Physics, Science
Mrs Alex Crozier, BA (Hons) Brunel Head of Drama
Mrs Lizzie Dale, BA (Hons) Birmingham 2nd in English/ Editor Old Cryptian
Mrs Diane Duxbury, BA (Hons) Aberystwyth Mathematics, Head of Year 8
Mr Tom Farmer, BSc (Hons) Cardiff Head of Boys’ PE
Mr Daniel Foster, BSc (Hons) Bath Mathematics, Mathematics Enrichment Co-ordinator
Mrs Eleanor Gasan, BA (Hons) Gloucestershire Second in English and EPQ Coordinator
Mr Christopher Germaine, BA (Hons) Huddersfield Business Studies, HoY 9 & Careers Leader
Miss Annie Hall, MPhys (Hons) Kent Physics, Deputy SENDCo 
Mrs Martha Hardaker, BA (Hons) Cardiff Head of English
Mr Andy Hart, BEd (Hons) Gloucestershire PE, PD
Mrs Meghan Hayes, BA (Hons) Cardiff  History, Politics, Inclusion Lead
Miss Keisha Henry, BSc (Hons) Cardiff Girls' PE, Teaching Assistant
Mr James Higgs, BA (Hons) Newcastle MA Bristol Head of History/Politics
Mr Christopher Hooper, BA (Hons) Bath MFL
Mr John Hopkins, BSc (Hons) Durham Head of Business & Economics, CALL team member
Mr Cory Howell, BA (Hons) Aberystwyth, MSc University of Oxford History, Politics, DofE Manager
Mrs Jessica Humphreys, BSc (Hons) Plymouth Second in Mathematics (maternity leave)
Mrs Juliette Jacob-Reilly, BA (Hons) Gloucestershire MFL
Mrs Sarah John, BSc (Hons) Bath Head of Physics
Mrs Marina Johnson, BSc (Hons) Sunderland Mathematics
Mr Philip Jones, MMath (Hons) Warwick  Mathematics
Mrs Elizabeth Kitonga, (BEd) Kenyetta University Food
Mrs Elizabeth Lapham, BA (Hons) Bath Spa Design Technology
Miss Amy Leask, BSc (Hons) Gloucestershire Director of Sport
Dr Rachel Lintott, MA (Hons) Edinburgh MSc Heriot Watt PhD Stirling Second in Mathematics
Mr Alex Lipscombe, BSc (Hons) Cardiff Biology
Miss Kathryn Marrs, BA (Hons) Gloucester Graphic Communication (DART)
Mrs Georgette Marshall, BSc (Hons) UWE Maths (maternity cover)
Mrs Natalie McAvoy, MA University of Worcester BA (Hons) Goldsmiths  English/Drama & Literacy Coordinator, CALL team member
Mr Matthew Nicholl, BSc (Hons) Leicester Science, Physics
Ms Sarah Parkin, BA (Hons) Oxford French/Spanish, Oxbridge Coordinator & Head of Year 13
Mr Tom Passmore, BSc (Hons) Leeds Head of Biology
Mr Ben Pennington, BA (Hons) Exeter Acting Head of MFL
Mr Mathew Pinless, BTh (Hons) Chester   Philosophy & Ethics
Mrs Natasha Prout, LLB (Hons) UWE Business, School SENDCo
Mrs Hannah Quinn, BA (Hons) Bristol Second in MFL (Temporary)
Mr Zander Rausch, BSc MSc Bangor Biology, Head of Year 7
Mr James Rice, BSc (Hons) UWCN MEd Head of Computing, Director of Digital Strategy
Ms Deborah Robertson BSc (Hons) Coventry Computer Science
Miss Kimberley Scott-Johnson BSc (Hons)  Psychology
Miss Hannah Searle BA (Hons) Lancaster Geography, Head of Year 10
Miss Laura Shaw MA (Hons) Aberdeen Business, Assistant DofE Manager
Mrs Nikola Stoneman, BA (Hons) Wales English (Diversity Lead, maternity cover), CALL team member
Mrs Joanne Thompson, BA (Hons) Oxford Brookes German
Mrs Karen Whiting, MA (Bristol)  Art & TA
Mr Julian Whittaker, BA (Hons) BEd MA ALCM LTCL Director of Music
Miss Elizabeth Wife, BSc (Hons) Durham Mathematics
Miss Kate Williams, BEng (Hons) Cardiff BSc (Hons) OU MSc OU Director of Mathematics
Mr Harry Windsor, BSc (Hons) Birmingham PE, Head of Year 11
Dr Mark Young, BA (Hons) Cardiff MA Bristol PhD Reading Head of RE, Philosophy & Ethics

Miss Keisha Henry Teaching Assistant
Mrs Emma McGeoch

Teaching Assistant

Mr Kevin Swankie Teaching Assistant
Mrs Susie Watts Deputy SENDCo - Administration & Community
Mrs Karen Whiting, MA (Bristol) Teaching Assistant & Teacher of Art

Professional Support Staff    
Administration  
Mrs Jo Hitchings, MA (Hons) Cantab Finance Director
Mrs Lesley Smith, BEng (Hons) UWE Operations Manager
Mr Harry Atkinson Cover Supervisor, PE Support
Mrs Hannah Attwood 6th Form Pastoral Support Worker & Administrator (KS5)
Mrs Sharon Bailey HR Support
Mrs Toni Bayliss Finance Assistant
Mrs Susanne Capell Data Administrator/Timetabling
Mrs Louise Coughlin Exams/Data Officer
Mrs Nicola Donlon Clerk to The Governors, Compliance Officer
Miss Marlene Gordon Data & Cover Administrator
Mrs Lynn Green Receptionist / Administrator
Mrs Allison Hall BSc (Hons) Loughborough Finance Officer
Mrs Deborah Jordan 6th Form Cover Supervisor & Librarian & Marketing Administrator/Assistant Editor of Old Cryptian
Mrs Sophie Lowe KS3 Pastoral Support Worker
Mrs Helen Michaluk Careers Advisor
Mrs Karen Newman Exams and Admissions Assistant
Mrs Claire Perkins Attendance Officer
Mrs Eileen Price 6th Form Pastoral Support Worker & Administrator (KS5)
Miss Louise Price School Secretary, 6th Form Scholarship Administrator
Mr Christopher Slemensek Graduate Musician
Mrs Kirsty Szekeres Receptionist, Administrator
Mrs Sandra Stonyte Cover Supervisor & Pupil Premium Lead
Mrs Sarah Veal Development Manager
Mrs Hazel Wasley, BA (Hons) Warwick Head’s PA & Admissions Officer
Mrs Karen Whiting, MA (Bristol) Teaching Assistant, Art
Mrs Stephanie Williams KS4 Pastoral Support Worker
Ms Hayley Wood School Administrative Assistant

Mr Joseph Ash-Young IT Technician
Mr Scott Baldwin, BSc (Hons) Gloucestershire Senior IT Technician
Mr Hamzah Ginwalla Technician (Science)
Mr Harrison Green Technician (Design & Technology)
Mrs Suzanne Massey Technician (Science)
Mrs Katherine Mountford Senior Technician (Science)
Mr Gordon Taylor, BSc (Hons) Nottingham Trent  IT Manager
Mrs Natasha Workman  Technician (DART)

Mr. Andrew Bayliss Estates Manager
Mr. Peter Cresswell (City and Guilds)

Assistant Caretaker

Mr Mark Halliday 

Site Assistant

Mrs Brenda Adams Cleaning Assistant
Ms Susan Adkins Cleaning Assistant
Mr Roger Beale Cleaning Assistant/MDS
Mrs Barbara Daniell Cleaning Assistant
Mrs Jade Johnson-Cook Cleaning Assistant/MDS
Mr Jamie Mace Cleaning Assistant
Mrs Elizabeth McGeough Cleaning Assistant
Miss Tracey Powell Cleaning Assistant
Mrs Lisa Sandford Cleaning Assistant/MDS
Mrs Georgetta Stan MDS/Litter Duty
Mr Lee Weaver  Cleaning Assistant/MDS
Ms Hayley Wood Cleaning Assistant/MDS

"The school motto is, ‘flourish Cryptians,’ and pupils do."

Ofsted Report March 2024 - ‘Outstanding’