The people that teach, support, inspire and care for our pupils are the heartbeat of our school. They are here to guide, nurture and encourage every step of the pupil journey from Nursery through to moving on to senior school at Year 6. Senior leadership team Mr Ben Purkiss Executive Head Mr Ben Purkiss Executive Head Ben is Executive Head of Copthorne Prep School focusing on the strategic direction of the school and its overall educational, co-curricular and wellbeing provision. The responsibility of the school’s day to day running remains with the Head of School. Ben was appointed Headmaster of Caterham Prep School in 2019 and has led the transformation of the prep school which was named as finalist for Best Independent Prep School, in the Times Educational Supplement’s 2024 Awards, the only school across Surrey, Sussex and Kent to reach this position. Ben has a strong track record of having worked in leadership roles in some of the top performing prep schools in the south east. Prior to joining Caterham, Ben was Deputy Head at Bede’s Preparatory School in charge of the day to day running of the school with responsibility for pastoral care. He was previously Director of Studies and Head of Science at The New Beacon School in Sevenoaks and Head of Science at Copthorne Prep School. He begun his teaching career at Cottesmore Prep School having completed a degree in Physics. Mrs Kylie McGregor Mrs Kylie McGregor Head of School, DSL Mrs Kylie McGregor Head of School, DSL Kylie brings a wealth of experience and expertise from a career spent in the region’s leading preparatory schools. Kylie is responsible for the day to day running of Copthorne Prep School. Kylie joined the leadership team at Copthorne Prep School in 2022 as the Head of Pre-Prep and Nursery. Kylie has been instrumental in enhancing the nursery, driving curriculum development, and strengthening whole-school pastoral care. As the school’s longstanding Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Kylie ensures the highest standards of care and protection for every child. Kylie’s previous roles include seven years as Head of Lower School at Pennthorpe School where she made significant contributions to the school’s curriculum whilst also shaping a creative, skills-based learning approach and developing an outdoor learning curriculum. During her tenure Kylie established Pennthorpe’s Pre-Prep department which gained recognition as finalist for Pre-Prep School of the Year An advocate for nurturing future educators, Kylie mentors trainee and new teachers, working closely with the University of Buckingham to support teacher training. Kylie graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Primary Education and an Early Years specialism, before beginning her teaching career in the state sector prior to a move to the independent sector. Mrs Jo Cole Mrs Jo Cole Head of Pre-Prep Mrs Jo Cole Head of Pre-Prep Jo is the Head of Pre Prep departments at Copthorne Prep, supporting the strategic development and day-to-day management of the Pre-Prep and nursery department, ensuring excellence in teaching, learning, and pupil wellbeing for children in Nursery, Reception and through to Year 2. With over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience in award winning British and international schools, Jo has a strong background in curriculum development, teacher mentoring, and fostering a nurturing educational environment. Jo was previously the Head of Nursery and Pre-Prep at Brighton College, where she managed a large team and played a key role in inspections and strategic planning. Jo’s career has also included leadership positions at Tanglin Trust School in Singapore and Oakwood School in Chichester, where she coordinated early years education and supported staff development. Jo holds an MA in Education (Leadership and Management) from the University of Brighton and has extensive experience in creating ambitious, child-focused learning environments that inspire curiosity and creativity. Dedicated to promoting wellbeing and holistic development, Jo combines strategic vision with a hands-on approach to ensure every child thrives. Ms Michelle Barton Scott Ms Michelle Barton Scott Business Manager Ms Michelle Barton Scott Business Manager Michelle has spent over twenty years in the corporate world in multi-sited organisations and as an independent consultant working with start-up and scale-up companies before joining Copthorne Prep at the start of 2022. Michelle has a strong focus on developing and executing strategy and is passionate about creating culture that enables people to thrive in order to achieve strategic objectives. Michelle completed her HR master’s degree in 2008, is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals, Association of Accounting Technicians and qualified as an Executive Coach and Mentor in 2010 with the Institute of Leadership & Management. Outside of her professional duties, Michelle enjoys horse riding, country walks and spending quality time with her family and children. Mr Ali Raja Mr Ali Raja Deputy Head Mr Ali Raja Deputy Head Ali joined the leadership at Copthorne Prep in 2025 from The Hawthorns School where he was Head of Middle School and DSL. Previous role include Head of Junior School Sport and Head of Year at City of London Freemen’s. Ali’s experience in working with Prep age children places him in the perfect role to support the older Copthorne Prep pupils. Mr Ben Purkiss Governors Mrs. A. Fletcher Chair of Governors Anne is a highly experienced Early Years childcare professional and was the Manager of the Ide Hill Pre-School for some 14 years. She joined Ide Hill C E Primary School as a Governor in October 2009 with the key focus on Early Years and Transitions. She was appointed Chair of Governors in 2012. Three of her children attended Caterham School and during that time she was the Chair of the Parents’ Association for three years. Anne is a longstanding member of the Caterham School Foundation and Copthorne Education Committee. Mr. S. Gibbons Member of the Copthorne Board of Governors and the Finance & General Purposes Committee Simon is currently the Executive Head of Wealth Management for Nedbank Private Wealth, with over 25 years’ experience within the wealth and management sector, working with corporate, institutional and personal clients both domestically and globally. He is also a parent of children currently attending Caterham School and Copthorne Prep. Mrs. D. Grimason Member of the Copthorne Board of Governors, Child Protection and Safeguarding Committee and Chair of the Finance & General Purposes Committee Deborah was brought up in Northern Ireland and was educated in Dungannon High School for Girls Grammar and is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries. Deborah studied English Literature and Philosophy (B.A. Hons) and undertook a conversation law degree and solicitors finals at Christleton Hall Law School. After qualifying in 1987, Deborah has worked as a lawyer mostly in international industry roles, but also in private practice in London. She is currently General Counsel and Company Secretary to the Board of Ceres Power, a UK – based engineering and technology solutions provider, developing clean energy to address climate change and improve air quality. Mr. O. Byrne Member of the Copthorne Board of Governors, and Chair of the Welfare, Child Protection and Safeguarding Committee Oliver is an Old Caterhamian and a practising solicitor. After leaving Caterham he studied Politics (B.A. Hons) at the University of Warwick and undertook his legal studies at Nottingham Law School. After qualifying in 2007, he worked for a number of years for various City law firms before moving to in-house legal roles. He is currently General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Trident Energy, an exploration and production company with a focus on emerging markets. Mrs. P. Jubraj Member of Copthorne Board of the Governors and the Finance and General Purposes Committee Preya studied Business & Computing (BSc) at Aston University and then went on to pursue a career in the Financial Services sector with her graduate position starting out at Accenture as a Management Consultant and supported a number of clients primarily within the Insurance space. Preya had a varied and successful 17 year tenure at Accenture before moving over to Baringa where Preya continues to build on her relationships in the Financial Services sector. Mr. S. Araniyasundaran Clerk to the Governors Teaching Staff Mrs Jenny BarhamReception Teacher Mrs Angela Blackwell Year 1 Teacher and Art Teacher Mark BoneHead of Innovation Miss Anya BourneNursery Practitioner Mr Steve BullockYear 4 Teacher Mrs Hollie CassonYear 1 Teacher Ms Sophia ChettleLearning Assistant Mrs Lesley DodsonYear 6 Teacher and Head of Global Citizenship and Partnerships Mr Jeff DyerOutdoor Learning Teacher Mrs Sharon FordNursery Practitioner Mrs Holly HampsYear 5 Teacher and Modern Foreign Languages Teacher Mrs Karen HarrisSENCO Miss Alexis HenkeReception Teacher Miss Abigail HumphriesYear 3 Teacher and Pastoral Lead Miss Amy JohnsonYear 1 Teacher Mrs Sarah LitchfieldYear 5 Teacher and Head of English and Drama Ms Kati Martyn-ColesMusic Teacher Mrs Karen O’BrienELSA and EAL Mrs Elizabeth Penrose-SmithYear 4 Teacher Mr Ian PinnockHead of Sport Mrs Debi Potgieter Year 2 Teacher and Head of Maths Miss Helen PrinslooGames, PE and Swimming Teacher and Year 5 Teacher Miss Millie RobertsonNursery Practitioner Miss Faye RumbleDeputy Nursery Manager Ms Georgia SiddellPerforming Arts Teacher Mrs Sarah-Jane StevensLearning Assistant Reception Mrs Natasha TomkinsYear 3 Teacher Mrs Sue VaughanLearning Assistant Mrs Shimen WarwickYear 2 Teacher Support Staff Mr Paul ArcherMinibus Driver Ms Georgiana BaleanuBreak Time Supervisor Mrs Elizabeth BeasleyBreak Time Supervisor and Minibus Driver Mrs Kathryn Billingham-WestRegistrar and Head’s PA Mr John FaulknerGroundskeeper Ms Agnese GiangrandeCatering Assistant Mr Gary Harte-LovelaceMinibus Driver Mrs Claudette HastilowOperations Manager Mrs Louise HefferPre-Prep Administrator Mrs Amanda HuckleMatron and Well-Being Guardian Mr Tony IrelandAssistant Estates Manager Mrs Sally LaceyCatering Assistant Mrs Gemma MunceyCatering Assistant Mrs Joanna PackhamCatering assistant Mr Matthew StaplesGroundskeeper and Maintenance Mrs Karen TaplinCatering Manager Mrs Jackie VintenPrep Administrator Mr Christopher WelchMinibus Driver Peripatetic Staff Ms Sian BussBrass Teacher Mr Stephen CoetzeeDrums and Percussion Teacher Mr James ColemanChess Coach Miss Kristina HewittLAMDA Ms Lindsay LeightonViolin Teacher and Stringbabies Mr Jeremy LoweWoodwind Teacher Ms Jo MortimerBallet Teacher Mr Graham NunnGuitar and Ukulele Teacher Mr Tom OsborneTennis Coach Mrs Sue ParkinsTaekwondo Instructor Miss Taylor ParkinsTaekwondo Instructor Mrs Judith RaeCello Teacher Mrs Grace RollingsSinging Teacher Ms Amy RyanMini Notes Mrs Alison StaynorPiano Teacher Ms Jenny TristamPiano and Flute Teacher