T.P.S. Staff and Volunteers
Ross - Director
Ross is the founder and headteacher of TPS. Throughout his 20years of teachingand training he has taught English. Maths, History, Religious Studies and Philosophy.
Ross specialises in History and Pilosophy and teaches both at KS3 and GCSE. He lives in Totnes with his wife, two lovely daughters and a puppy.
Dale - Director
Dale is the school’s Director of Well-Being, and teaches Happiness & Well-Being across the whole school. He is a certified master-level life coach, who has coached clients across the globe over the last 10 years. Working with a diverse range of people and cultures has allowed him to deepen his appreciation for how our unique talents and skills become available to us, and how people connect to their passion and purpose in order to step into the world with power and confidence. He is passionate about connecting young people to their potential, and Dale’s continuous training and experience in the field of Integral development is used extensively throughout the school, with students and staff utilising one-to-one life coaching as a core element of their growth and development. When living in Finland Dale was a lecturer in Well-Being, with a focus on Coaching and Motivation, at Haaga Helia University of Helsinki. Prior to moving to Finland, he was a Business Development Executive at the Welsh Assembly Government. He has three children and has lived in Totnes since 2011. He has a degree in Business Studies, and loves reading, music and cooking.
Anna - Music
I'm Anna. I teach music from Foundation to Year 11. We currently run both BTEC and GCSE Music. In the lower school we study music from all over the world and from all periods in history up to the present day. Higher up the school we start to focus more on composition, using inspiration from different genres of music.
One of the highlights of the music calendar is the TPS Christmas Concert. It is held every year on the first Tuesday of the Totnes Christmas market evenings in the beautiful St, Mary's Church on the High Street. Our talented students from all year groups are invited to perform solos in this magical event, as well as many small and large ensembles, including the Lower School Orchestra and our Choir (which is made up of parents and staff as well as students).
At the end of the Summer Term, we have a big barbecue celebration in our garden which is filled with live music from members of the school as well as alumni students. It is a fantastic way to end the school year, and a lovely send-off for our leavers in Year 11.
Jonathan - Drama
I love to travel, and having met a teacher from Totnes whilst I was on a years job swap to Australia from Cambridge, who had said that "my face would fit in, in Totnes", I moved my young family down here and became Head of Drama at KEVICC for nine years. Then in 2014, when I realised that the job was increasingly about data, homogeny, conformity and exam results, I took a voluntary redundancy and was blessed to be scooped up by an emerging, progressive new school that was looking for a Drama and English teacher.
This was five years ago, and I vividly remember the shining morning faces of all 12 students sat on the carpet for my first (tiny) circle time. It has been my honour and privilege to be part of this schools growth and blossoming; ToPS has reminded me what a joy teaching can when the whole school community and family celebrate the individual, delight in the Arts and share all the incredible learning opportunities that both life and school has to offer.
Lotta - Admissions
Lotta moved to Totnes with her family in 2011 having read an article in the Observer about Totnes being the most progressive town in the UK. She very quickly felt Totnes was her home town. Two of her three children are happy TPS students and the third one is eagerly waiting to be old enough to join.
Lotta has been involved in Totnes Progressive School from the beginning, and stepped into the admissions role in September 2108.
Dorian - Physics
Katie - Activities and SENDCo Support
I was born in North Wales and left to work in Southern England when I was 21. I'm a fluent Welsh speaker and still speak in Welsh to the older members of my family.
I live in Paignton and have 3 children, Seren 10, Siôn 9 and Elin 5. They keep me busy. As a family we enjoy anything outdoors, especially being down at our beach hut in the summer time.
I had a career in Retail, working for Next for 17 years. During my time there I worked in various positions including Store Manager, Training & Development Officer and most recently having the job of writing Apprenticeship Programmes for Level 2 Apprentices. I left Next after having my 3rd child. This gave me the opportunity to get into an area I was passionate about, Netball. I've always played, through school and then in local ladies leagues, currently playing for 3 teams in Exeter and Torbay. I set up and ran a business running netball sessions for 3 to 11 year old children, alongside this I coached netball to children aged 11-16 and ladies in a local club.
I also enjoy keeping fit. Each week I will run, play netball and attend circuit training sessions. I also volunteer at a local community club coaching circuit training sessions. Doing this made me realise how much I enjoy fitness and I went back to college to re train as a Fitness Instructor. Here I gained qualifications in Children's Fitness, Aqua, Gym Instructing, Circuit Training and Outdoor Fitness, coupled with my Level 2 Netball Coaching I went on to volunteer and work in schools.
I'm looking forward to working at ToPS, using my knowledge to run fun, healthy and enthusiastic activity sessions and also getting my teeth into the new role of SENDCo support.
Charlotte - Chemistry
I have studied biomedical science to a postgraduate level, with an emphasis on personalised medicine and genomics. I also have experience of management in catering and retail, which sparked my interest in developing people and drawing out their full potential. My teacher training specialised in Chemistry, although I have taught and tutored all three sciences to KS4 and Biology and Chemistry to KS5. My love of learning has naturally led me to developing skills outside of the classroom, especially within music and live performance, craft, animal husbandry, and interpreting natural phenomena.
Eleanor - Head of Maths
I joined TPS in September 2017 following teacher training at South Devon College. I currently teach Years 9 - 11 and manage the maths department.
I studied Marine Sciences at Southampton University, gaining a first class honours degree. I found learning about global processes and climate change fascinating and this encouraged me to pursue a career in business and sustainability. I qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 2001, specialising in sustainability assurance services. I later joined Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, managing a large team responsible for their environmental education and outreach programmes.
My interest in education grew after becoming a parent. I love studying and teaching maths and I firmly believe it is one of the most useful subjects we learn at school. Throughout my career I've enjoyed using mathematical reasoning and argument to great effect, particularly when building cases for change or funding. Solving problems, managing budgets and providing assurance all involved applying the maths I learned at school and University.
I love getting to know our students at TPS: their interests and aspirations, as well as their fears and concerns regarding maths. I'm fascinated by the concept of 'fixed' and 'growth' mindsets and the huge role this has to play in how we think about ourselves, our intelligence and our potential. It's a privilege to work alongside our students and witness their confidence, knowledge and skills grow.
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Laura - English and Head of Upper School
Anne - GCSE/Exams Officer
Kat S - Administrator
I began working part time at TPS just over a year ago, and moved to a full time position in September 2018. I love how varied and interesting my job is and that no two days are ever the same. My main aim is to ensure every student, parent or visitor is greeted warmly and feels they can come to me with any query, no matter how large or small.
Kat - Biology
Kirsty - Deputy Safeguarding Lead, Project Teacher and Maths Support
I first fell in love with Totnes when I came here to study at university. My background is in devised theatre and choreography, specialising in children's theatre and education which is what lead me to working at TPS.
My role in the school is varied which means I get to spend time with students across all year groups. My main duties are looking after the welfare of students to support with their social, emotional and behavioural difficulties through a variety of different means, including 1:1 support sessions.
I also lead a short course GCSE called Project. I teach the pupils how to conduct and apply research techniques, develop their personal, learning and thinking skills and help them to apply this to their interests.
I have always had a passion for Maths, and TPS has allowed me to pursue this interest and take on more responsibility teaching booster sessions and providing classroom support for pupils who need a bit extra help.
Marina - Spanish
Throughout my career I have always focussed on student-centred learning. From the very beginning, in Spain and now in the UK, I have studied and developed methods to ensure that my classes engage my students´ interest and enrich their experience. My professional development has matched these goals. Having qualified as a teacher in Spain I came to the UK and obtained Qualified Teacher Status and soon after gained a Masters Degree in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language.
I have fallen in love with Totnes and every year I have spent here has strengthened my enthusiasm for this beautiful part of the world. Teaching at TPS is great fun. The support I receive and the enthusiasm of the students I teach make me feel part of local life.
Nick - ICT
Nick is an IT and Digital Media specialist having taught for 20 Years in Music Technology, written courses for The Open University, The British Council, Edexcel and City and Guilds as well as Degree courses for the University of Plymouth and the University of St Marks and St Johns. He was the manager on behalf of his previous employers of 'dBs Music' in Berlin - a facility which Nick and his family developed/set-up while living in Berlin for two years. With two children born in Totnes Nick has lived in Totnes for twenty years and is super happy to have the opportunity to work and teach children in his local community.
Ollie - Safeguarding Lead and English teacher
Ollie was born and raised in Devon, and after attending KEVICC he graduated from the University of Plymouth. He went on to teach English and Sociology at an International School in Weihai, China before coming back to the UK to finish his teacher training.
His first post in the UK was at Tower House School. Ollie joined the family at TOPS in January 2018 and has enjoyed the challenge since then.
Ollie enjoys watching The Arsenal and walking his dog Ella at the beach.
Ollie is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and he is the main point of contact for external safeguarding agencies.
Ghislaine - Teaching Assistant
I joined Totnes Progressive School in September 2015, having previously worked in a Pre and Primary School setting.
My role is working one to one with students and supporting my current year group.
I have a background in Nursing having trained at St Thomas’s Hospital London, qualifying as a Nightingale Nurse.
During my Nursing Career I specialised in Palliative Care( looking after people with a life limiting illness) working in a Hospice in London and Portsmouth.
I enjoy the contrast of working in a school where students are seen as individuals, and are supported by a caring, talented and dedicated team of Teachers and Staff.
Sarah - Art
Shona - Outdoor Education Leader
Shona has been a part of TPS since the beginning, as a parent and a teacher. Her daughter, Jana (now in her first year at Edinburgh University), was one of the original nine students at the founding of the school. Shona believes passionately in our need for the outdoors as a place to be, to learn and to grow. She is an experienced outdoor leader and holds the South West Mountain and Moorland Leader Training Scheme Summer and Winter walking and Wild Camping leader awards and an extensive outdoor first aid certificate. In February 2018 she completed Summer Mountain Leader training with Plas-y-Brenin in North Wales. She is currently working towards her Summer Mountain Leader assessment. Shona is an accredited DofE expedition supervisor and assessor. Also holding a level 3 diploma in Playwork, her practice in this area has an emphasis on environmental play and facilitating a space for children to explore their own learning. As well as working at TPS one day a week and with Ten Tors and the DofE award Shona leads outdoor experiences for all, with a particular love of working with women, families and young people. With her other hat on Shona works as a veterinary surgeon in own her dedicated pain management practice.
In her spare time Shona, unsurprisingly, loves to be outside, to swim outdoors and to travel (she loves road trips). She is a volunteer with her local Dartmoor Search and Rescue team (Ashburton) and trains weekly. She also loves to cook and to spend time with her friends, family and cat Milly, tortoise River and family dog Ned.
Simon - Geography
Simon discovered his love of geography at an early age. Growing up in Africa and the Middle East provided wonderful opportunities to experience a wide variety of culture and landscapes and this inspired him to pursue geography at International Baccalaureate level and then to read the subject at the University of Bristol. Simon continues to fulfill his passion for travel in the holidays and hopes to continue this well into the future! Simon has a wealth of experience teaching geography at secondary level and was previously Head of Geography at Torquay Girls' Grammar School. He is able to now share his love of the outdoors with students by offering the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at TPS. Students in Years 9 and 10 can currently enroll on the Bronze Award and the plan is to extend the opportunity by offering the Silver Award. Simon also coaches the TPS basketball team.
Verity - English
Tallula - Teaching Assistant + School Council Facilitator
I seek to nurture individuality and ignite learning potential through celebrating effort and achievement. Drawing on experiences in art and design roles I find ways to develop confidence and creative expression in students and to engage them in life and learning. I look to promote a positive sense of self and support emotional and social development across disciplines.
Anya - Office Assistant
Sadie - Dance
Sadie trained in all disciplines locally under the late Pamela De Waal school and performed
across the country before having her son in 2014.
She was dance captain for the Babbacombe theatre in Torquay for 5 years and is the
Resident Choreographer for Matpro Ltd at Babbacombe Theatre for the Christmas and West
end productions, she has been doing this for 5 years.
Sadie taught on the BTEC level 3 performing arts dance course at KEVVIC for 5 years before
the funding was cut by the government.
Sadie has been working for the Totnes Progressive School for 4 years. During that time, she
has entered pupils for the BTEC level 2 performing arts for the last 3 years and now enjoys
teaching across the school during activity sessions.
Sadie is qualified with the ISTD at DDE level. Sadie has been entering pupils for exams
through the ISTD for over 10 years and has enjoyed achieving excellent exam results.
Sadie has a love of teaching and an energy for performance she is still and has been
teaching for the Totnes School of dance for 13 years, which have nurtured her teaching skills
and development. She has a passion for all areas of dance, performance and fitness.
Sadie is Co-principal at the Oliver Brown Dance Academy which is based in Newton Abbot.
George - Music
Clive - TA
I have been living in Devon for 10 years & moved to the area from Bournemouth. My Son had moved to Totnes with his Mum from Bristol & the bond I have with my Son is really important. It has taken some time to find my feet again, but I finally feel like I'm becoming part of the community & I've made some great friendships & connections
I'm really interested in the learning outside the classroom philosophy, which includes the spiritual, physical, emotional & psychological happiness & well being of the person, in conjunction with the academic side of the spectrum. I'm very supportive of people who are looking to develop themselves & I enjoy working with people who have a positive outlook & can do attitude. Music is a big part of my life & I enjoy playing the electro acoustic bass, as well as playing djembe & dundun in a drum circle or just having a jam with friends.
The future is bright for the Totnes Progressive School Community
Kate - SENDCo
