Our Team

We have a team of dedicated and highly inspirational staff here at Gateway School.

Head

Mr Jonathan Coke Headteacher

Qualifications: BA Hons & NCTJ in Broadcast Journalism, GPT & QTS, Education

Jonathan has worked in senior leadership roles in schools for over twelve years and was previously Head of St Christopher’s Prep School in North-West London. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Head at Beechwood Park School in Hertfordshire and...

Mrs Samantha Woods Deputy Head teacher and Head of Early Years , Designated Safeguarding Lead

Qualifications: BA (Hons) in English Literature, University of Cambridge

Samantha brings eighteen years of teaching experience to our school, having joined us in 2020. Initially serving as Head of Lower Prep and EYFS, she advanced to the role of Deputy Headteacher in 2022. Samantha is also our Designated Safeguarding...

Mrs Rebecca Izard Head of Community and Operations

Qualifications: MA, GGSM

Rebecca studied singing and piano at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. With a love for the performing arts, she has dedicated over 30 years to teaching and nurturing young talents. She completed a Masters in Music Education at the...

Mrs Harbi Sahota Head of Upper Prep

Qualifications: BEd. (Hons) with a speciality in Mathematics,University of Reading.

Harbi has three decades of teaching experience, of which twenty years have been in the Independent Sector. Having joined Gateway School in 2018 as Head of Mathematics, she was also specialist Maths teacher across Years 5 and 6, overseeing the...

Mr Tim Miles Head of Lower School, Senior Leader, Digital Strategist, Class Teacher

Qualifications: BSc - Biology (Birmingham), PGCE (Birmingham City University)

Timothy started teaching at St Francis Primary School, Birmingham in a Year 1 classroom close to the Cadbury’s factory. He taught there until starting to set up his own business, LitFilmFest, which focused on developing literacy across all primary years...

Miss Emily Patten Year 3 Teacher & SENCo

Qualifications: BA (Hons) in Education from Cardiff University and a PGCE from the University of Birmingham

Bringing 13 years of teaching experience to Gateway, Emily joined the school in 2025 as SENCo. She holds a BA (Hons) in Education from Cardiff University and a PGCE from the University of Birmingham. Before joining Gateway, Emily taught in...

PRESCHOOL

Abbie Smith, Preschool Manager. Degree of Diploma of HE in Early Years
Lizzie Allen, Pre-Reception Class Teacher, BA (Hons)
Ella Whalley, Early Years Teacher, BA (Hons), PGCE
Rebecca Eades, Preschool Practitioner, Level 3
Rochelle Smith, Preschool Practitioner
Emma Tucker, Preschool Practitioner. Childcare and Young Peoples workforce Level 3

EARLY YEARS

Joanne Starkey, Reception Class Teacher. BA Early Years
Tegan Van Der Merwe, Reception Class Teacher, EYFS teaching diploma

LOWER PREP

Emma Morrison, Year 1 Class Teacher. BA (Hons)
Amy Topping, Year 1 Class Teacher. B.Ed
Lauren Gray, Year 2 Class Teacher. BA (Hons), PGCE
Tim Miles, Year 2 Class Teacher. BSc (Hons), PGCE
Lauren Ashmore, Year 3 Class Teacher BA PGCE.
Rachel Grosse, Year 3 Class Teacher, Head of English B.Ed (Hons)
Emily Patten, Year 3 Class Teacher, SENCO, BA (Hons), PGCE
David Mitchener, Early Years and Lower Prep Music Teacher, BA (Hons) PGCE

UPPER PREP

Jessica Blacher, Head of Science, BSc
Adam Blakeley, Year 5 Tutor, Head of Maths. MSc PGCE
Natashia Chambers, Year 4 Class Teacher, Director of Studies, BA Primary Education
Neil Dyson, Year 4 Class Teacher, Science Teacher, Farm School Lead. BSc (Hons) PGCE
Emma Folker, Year 4 Class Teacher. BA (Hons) Primary Education
Patricia Hitchin, Year 6 Tutor, Art Teacher, MA PGCE
Hilary Knight, Year 6 Tutor, Art/DT Teacher. BEng (Hons)
David Lloyd, Year 6 Form Tutor, Head of MFL. BSc PGCE
Wendy O’Hare, Year 6 Tutor, Year 5 and Year 6 English/Drama Teacher. B.Ed (Hons)
Amy Stocks, Year 6 Tutor, BA (Hons) PGCE
Naomi Ward, Year 4 Assistant Tutor,Year 5 and 6 Humanities and Year 6 Maths, BA (Hons), PGCE

SPORT STAFF

Alex Lafleur, Director of Sports and Activities. BTEC Diploma
Frankie Gallop, Head of Girls’ Sports, Assistant Tutor Year 5, BA (Hons) PGCE
Angie Sturgeon, PE Teacher, Assistant Tutor Year 5, B.Ed (Hons)
Luke Roberts, PE Teacher (Trainee), Assistant Tutor Year 5, Level 3 diploma in Sports BTEC

LEARNING SUPPORT ASSISTANTS

Melanie Dunford, Learning Support Assistant, Level 3 TA
Sophie Ellam, Learning Support Assistant
Chia Gonsalves-Chaves, Learning Support Assistant. BA
Satvinder Jutla, Learning Support Assistant. CACHE Level 3 Dip in Specialist Support for Teaching & Learning
Debbie Jung, Learning Support Assistant
Wendy Kemp, Learning Support Assistant. BA (Hons), PGCE
Caroline Mastrorilli, Learning Support Assistant
Sarah Mullens, Learning Support Assistant. BSc (Hons)
Emily Rose, Learning Support Assistant
Elinor Stockdale, Learning Support Assistant
Anita Thakker, Learning Support Assistant
Joe Leek, Learning Support Assistant (GAP)

SUPPORT STAFF

Admin

Helen Brown, PA to Head/Personnel, BA (Hons)
Gillian Garvie, School Office Administrator
Natalie Hartley, Marketing and Admissions Officer, BA (Hons), PGCE, MA Journalism

School Nurse

Roisin Clark, School Nurse. RGN

Groundsman

Steve Nash, Groundsman

Playground

Tara Shah, Lead Playground Supervisor
Kelly Harman, Playground Supervisor. Level 3 TA
Claire Tighe, Playground Supervisor
Lindsay Soward, Playground Supervisor. BA

Kitchen

Daisy Dunn, Senior Kitchen Assistant
Kirsty Wood, Kitchen Assistant
Lucy Wilson, Kitchen Assistant

Peripatetic Teachers

Julie Reading, Piano Teacher
Ian Lynch, Brass Teacher
Nick Tillyer, Guitar Teacher
Paul Mallyon, Drum Teacher
Emma Morrison, Piano Teacher
Rebecca Sackman-Smith, Piano Teacher
Nicola Summerscales, Flute Teacher
Rob Hill, Rugby Coach
Nigel Kerry, Cricket Coach
Jo Rhyll, Netball Coach
Alan Scott, Judo Coach
Danielle Gaglione, LAMDA
Victoria Brown, Dance Coach
Biljana Puljic, Learning Support Assistant

Special Educational Needs

Julie Evans, School Counsellor
Claire Beever, Dyslexia Specialist
Mary Ann-Morton, Speech and Language Therapist