Leadership
Team

Prior to becoming Principal at Sancton Wood School in 2009, Richard gained 15 years of experience in the state sector, working in Manchester, Cambridge, and Luton as an English teacher, Head of Department and Advanced Skills Teacher. Under his leadership, Sancton Wood has expanded significantly and now has 360 students aged 1-16 across three separate sites. A great believer in the importance of kindness and pastoral support, Richard’s mission statement is a simple one: to make each and every pupil aware of his or her innate qualities and skills, and to develop these to full capacity.

He’s also a lifelong Manchester City supporter, marathon runner, and proud father of two.

richard.settle@sanctonwood.co.uk

Hannah is a pastoral specialist who has responsibility for the well being and support of the students at Sancton Wood. She is ideally suited to this role as she has the dual qualifications of a PGCE and a Systemic Family Therapy qualification. She has more than 20 years of teaching experience and prior to starting at Sancton Wood, she was Head of Pastoral Care at Cambridge International School and before that an RE teacher in two state schools in Manchester.

Having qualified from ARU Cambridge with a BSC (Hons) in Env Biology in 1996, I went onto work in conservation and then the veterinary world. Educating young people in the importance of protecting our planet led to an interest in primary education and I competed a PGCE in education at Homerton Cambridge. I spent 15 years teaching in the state sector followed by a move to Sancton Wood school where I have taught in every year group from Y1-11! I am committed in my role as Assistant Principal Academic to ensure that every child at SW reaches their academic potential through a relevant, challenging and enriched curriculum from the moment they step through the front door of the school receiving the support and encouragement they need to achieve the top results they deserve.

Debra obtained her degree in English Literature from the University of Sussex and her MA from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.

Prior to becoming a teacher, she had a varied career in the media and creative industries in London, working in the public and private sector.  In addition to the UK, she has lived and worked in North America and Southeast Asia.  She resettled with her family in East Anglia and retrained as a teacher.  She worked in the state sector in schools in Essex, Suffolk and Cambridge.  She taught English through to ‘A’ Level, developed creative writing programmes and managed a project for economically disadvantaged students, focused on giving opportunities outside of the classroom.

She continues to be curious about the world and all things creative, but more than anything, likes the company of her own family.

Kylie is from New Zealand where she did her teacher training and received a Bachelor of education (Primary) from Auckland College of Education. She taught in New Zealand for 5 years before making the move to live in Cambridge. Kylie joined Sancton Wood in January 2011 after working in our sister school. Kylie has taught across the school in Years 2 to 7. In 2019 she became the Head of the Prep school.

Linzi Joined Sancton Wood in 2024.

Our Bursar at Sancton Wood School.

Born in West London, David attended a local comprehensive school and was the first member of his family to do A levels or go to university. He graduated from Oxford with a First in Classics. From 2012 – 2023 he was Head of Latymer Upper
School. David is committed to advancing social mobility through independent school bursary programmes, in conjunction with their partnership and outreach work. In 2017 he launched the Inspiring Minds campaign, which successfully completed its aim of raising £40m to offer 1 in 4 pupils a means-tested bursary. In 2018, Latymer won 3 TES Awards, including ‘Independent School of the Year’; David was also a finalist in the ‘social mobility champion’ category of
the UK Social Mobility Awards.

David has two sons who both attended Dukes schools; he chaired the Dukes Education Advisory Board prior to his appointment as Managing Director. He is a trustee of the Dukes Foundation, as well as a Fellow at Winchester College.

Neil’s 40 years of education experience include teaching in both the UK state and independent sectors, international schools, GCSE and A-level public examining, state and independent sector governance, school inspection, private school headship and as chief executive of the Independent Schools Association. He was one of the longest serving directors of the Independent Schools Council and represented English independent schools on the General Teaching Council for England, where his work included chairing teacher disciplinary panels and national programme guidance. His advisory work includes work for HM Treasury and the Department for Education, as well as acting as expert witness for independent schools facing legal challenges. He has advised members of parliament at a policy level and regularly features in the UK print media. He counsels schools on areas as diverse as new school openings, mergers and acquisitions, compliance with the Independent Schools Standards Regulations, boarding management (including new boarding schools), special educational needs, headteacher appraisal, and teaching quality. His publication credits cover areas such as academic selection, state and independent partnerships, A-level geography, school sport and literacy beyond the classroom.

Neil is currently a magistrate, trustee of a multi-academy trust in Cambridge and Hertfordshire, and trustee of national charities that include Beat (eating disorders) and the international charity We Free The Children. We establishes schools, hospitals and sustainable workplaces in African countries. He is also Chair of the Dame Evelyn Glennie Foundation which promotes listening skills throughout the UK.