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Our Leadership Team

Radnor House Sevenoaks is a fast growing school community with over 130 members of highly dedicated staff in teaching and support roles. 

If you are interested in joining the team at Radnor House Sevenoaks, to take the school through its next phase, please take a look at our latest vacancies.

Board of Directors

Dr Colin Diggory - Chairman

BSc (Hons) PGCE MA EdD CMath FIMA FRSA

Colin Diggory is a former Headmaster, recently retired after 8 years as Head of Alleyn's School (IAPS, HMC), Dulwich, and 11 years as Head of Latymer Upper School (IAPS, HMC), Hammersmith; with 34 years experience of teaching in the independent sector (Manchester Grammar; St. Paul's; Merchant Taylors' Northwood; Latymer Upper; Alleyn's). After graduating from Durham University with a 1st Class Honours in Mathematics, he achieved his Masters Degree through the Open University and was awarded a Vice-Chancellor Award for Education and Language Studies for his Doctorate of Education. Colin Diggory was a Chief Examiner at A level; an Ofsted assessed Lead Inspector of Independent Schools, and continues to provide thought-leadership for the sector through public speaking and writing. Should you wish to contact Colin in his capacity as Chair of the Board of Directors, please contact him via the school address below.

Neil Moulding - Finance & Operations Director

BA (Hons) FCA

Neil is a Chartered Accountant with a wealth of experience in education, finance and property. He has held senior financial positions within Corporate Finance and Real Estate Banking in the City, together with an executive position in a student accommodation development and operational business. Neil joined Radnor House in August 2013 and is the Director responsible for all financial and operational matters. Outside school, he follows underperforming teams in various sports and enjoys theatre, live music, travel and walking the dog.

Emil Gigov - Non-Executive Board Member

BA (Hons) FCA

Emil Gigov is a Partner of Albion Ventures LLP, a leading UK based venture capital investor voted Finalist in the Investor of the Year category at the Education Investor Awards 2012. Emil has spent over 15 years investing in small and medium sized UK companies and working closely with their management teams to achieve long term growth. During that time he has been involved in a variety of sectors, including education, child care, healthcare, technology, leisure, media and engineering. Prior to joining Albion Ventures Emil spent seven years working for KPMG, the international accounting firm, in their London office. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and has a BA (Hons) degree in European Business Administration. Mr Gigov has two young daughters and spends most of his free time with his family. He is a keen skier and tries to keep fit through cycling and running.

Rosie Allen - Non-Executive Board Member

BA (Hons) PGCE

Rosie Allen, previously Head at Radnor House Twickenham, has now become a board member. She graduated from the University of Nottingham with First Class Honours in History and stayed on to complete a Secondary History PGCE. Her teaching career spans over 15 years and has encompassed the full range of age groups and educational sectors, with significant leadership experience prior to joining Radnor House. She is passionate about making the most of the opportunities available to each and every pupil and creating a warm and collegiate environment in which pupils and staff alike can flourish.

Jo Paton- Non-Executive Board Member

BA (Hons) PGCE QTS

Jo is a qualified primary school teacher and former solicitor who has had three children at Radnor House Sevenoaks since 2015.  Married to David Paton, she helped establish Radnor House in 2010 and is currently a non-executive board member, member of the governance committee and was co-chair of FoRH7 for 2021/2.  In her spare time, she is a trustee of Radnor Africa and enjoys running, netball and tennis when not walking her two Labradors.

David Paton - Head & Director

BComm (Hons) PGCE MA

dpaton@radnor-sevenoaks.org

As the founding Head of Radnor House, David Paton understands the importance of good teaching and is passionate about improving the life chances of children.  He is a teacher with over 20 years of experience; prior to founding Radnor House he was a senior leader at The Harrodian and Deputy Head of Senior School at Dulwich College.  David continues to support two low-cost community schools in Uganda and is a Governor of two local primary schools in Kent.

Extended Leadership Team 

Catherine Hayes - Business Manager

chayes@radnor-sevenoaks.org

Catherine is an accomplished Business Manager with over fifteen years’ experience working for international engineering consultancies and more recently in education. During this time Catherine has led all aspects of business management including finance, HR, procurement, premises, health and safety and the management of business services teams. Recently Chartered, Catherine brings a wealth of experience to Radnor House Sevenoaks to support school’s business functions and maintain outstanding quality and outcomes.

David Leddington - Head of Sixth Form

BSc (Hons) MA PGCE NPQH

dleddington@radnor-sevenoaks.org

David graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in Economics, Politics with History before completing his Masters Degree in International Relations. Following this he completed his PGCE at Canterbury Christ Church University to follow his chosen passion of teaching. Before joining Radnor House Sevenoaks as Head of Sixth Form he had been teaching for twenty years in a variety of schools in Kent, including a period lecturing at Christ Church University. He was an Assistant Vice Principal and Head of Sixth Form for five years at his previous school where he also completed his NPQH qualification. He is an avid Welsh rugby fan. 

George Penlington - Deputy Head (Pastoral)

BA Dip Teaching

gpenlington@radnor-sevenoaks.org

Graduating from Otago University, New Zealand, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History, George completed his teaching qualification at the Christchurch College of Education, New Zealand. He started his career at New Plymouth Boys’ High School (NZ), teaching English and Art History. He was also the Arts Coordinator and a boarding master. Moving to the UK, George briefly taught English at Hurlingham and Chelsea, before taking up a permanent position at Bearwood College in Wokingham. There for 13 years, he was an Assistant Boarding Housemaster, a Day Housemaster, Head of the Prep School, and, for the final seven years, Academic Deputy. George is a keen sportsman with a focus on pastoral care and strengthening the already excellent Co-curricular programme. 

Sian Pettitt - Deputy Head (Curriculum)

MA Cantab

spettitt@radnor-sevenoaks.org

Sian has an MA from Emmanuel College, Cambridge in Modern and Medieval Languages. After an early career in banking and several years in Public Relations, she moved into teaching. Her previous schools include L’Ermitage International School in Maisons  Laffitte, France, and Sevenoaks School.  She loves music, sport and spending time with family.

Scott Milne - Deputy Head (Academic) 

MA (Hons), PGCE

smilne@radnor-sevenoaks.org

Scott graduated with an MA in Economics from the University of St Andrews. Following a postgraduate gap year post in a prep school in the Midlands, he undertook a PGCE before spending his formative teaching years at Clifton College in Bristol. He then moved to London, firstly at Alleyn's School and then as Head of Economics and Head of Sixth Form at Eltham College. Beyond work, he is a keen choral singer, an avid football fan, and enjoys days out in the Kent countryside with his young family.

 

Ms Philippa Lang - Head of the Prep School

BA (Hons), QTS, MA

headofprep@radnor-sevenoaks.org

Philippa knew from a young age that she wanted to teach and with a passion for sport and outdoor education, she completed a four-year teaching degree in Physical Education at Chelsea School, University of Brighton. So successful was her final teaching placement that she was recommended for a role as Head of Physical Education at Montgomery School, Canterbury. When the school became an Academy and federated with another, Philippa was promoted to Director of Sport across both academies. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, she discovered her interest in whole-school strategy and school improvement and completed a master’s degree in education at her alma mater in 2012.  In 2013, an opportunity arose to move into the independent sector, and Philippa accepted a position as Assistant Head: Head of Additional Learning at St Aubyn’s School, Woodford Green: a 3-13 Prep School for 525 children. Here she was asked to take on the role of Special Educational Needs Coordinator and to support the development of teaching and learning within the school. In 2018, Philippa and her family moved to Kent, and she was appointed as Deputy Head of Rose Hill School, Tunbridge Wells: another 3-13 Prep School. During this time, the school was graded as ‘Excellent’ in both academic and pastoral provision. She led on the development of a new curriculum framework, which contributed to the School’s shortlisting for the award of TES Independent Prep School of the Year in 2022. She began work towards her National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH) in October 2023.

Philippa now lives in East Grinstead with her partner Elisa and their four children. Her active interest in sports and the outdoors remains and many holidays are spent exploring the coastlines, forests and mountains of the British Isles, with their Cavapoo puppy, Arlo.  

Esther Wright - Head of Student Support

MA (Hons), PCGE

ewright@radnor-sevenoaks.org

 Graduating from the University of St Andrews in  Ancient History and Archaeology, Esther initially stepped into leadership in a post degree sabbatical role as Vice President of the Students Association. Finally cutting her student ties, she entered the digital world of Direct Marketing, where she worked for a number of high profile agencies and latterly managed client accounts for Dell EMEA and Asia Pacific regions. Realising that her passions lay more with History, in 2007 Esther decided to follow the family career path into teaching and took up a PGCE with History specialism at Canterbury Christ Church, joining Radnor House Sevenoaks in 2009 as Year 4 class teacher. In 2012 Esther took up the post of Deputy Head of Prep, and Head of Prep and Nursery in 2013, and in 2017 became Head of Student Support across the whole school. Esther believes it to be a privilege to work with the children, families and staff of Radnor Sevenoaks.  She is hoping that at some time this year she will resume her not so secret hobby of historical re-enactment; she thinks that Beechwalk would be an excellent site to re-enact the Battle of Hastings!

Mike Godwin - Deputy Head of Prep

 

BA (Hons) 

mgodwin@radnor-sevenoaks.org

Mike has a BA in Primary Education (English Specialism) from Manchester and has completed his NPQH through UCL. He has been in education for the majority of his life including periods of time working in outdoor education and working for the International YMCA.  Mike has been a Deputy Head within both the state sector and Private International with his most recent post being for Harrow International School in Bangkok. When not at school, he loves the outdoors, watersports and ultimate frisbee.

 

Liz Reading - Director of Marketing and Admissions

BA (Hons), CIM

lreading@radnor-sevenoaks.org

After graduating from the University of Birmingham with a degree in English, Liz joined Accenture on the graduate scheme where she became a change management specialist and worked on international SAP projects. After 8 years living in Asia, where she worked as a Marketing Consultant for a travel magazine and lifestyle publisher, Liz returned to the UK with her young family.  She began working in schools' marketing at two renowned Prep schools in Kent and completed her diploma in Schools' Marketing and Admissions from AMCIS. Liz is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.  When not at school, she enjoys running and walking with the family cocker spaniel, Toto.

 

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