Senior leadership team
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
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
Head of Pre-Prep Departments
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
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.
