Our Team (ID 1321)

• Tom Hill
  Headteacher
  Tom Hill

  A graduate of the University of Bristol with a degree in Chemistry, Tom brings more than 15 years of expertise in secondary education to his leadership of Lyde Green. Having started his career as a Chemistry teacher, Tom progressed into senior leadership roles with a strategic focus on Sixth Form, Careers, and curriculum innovation. As Head of Sixth Form at Bradley Stoke Community School, he delivered record-breaking results, positioning the school as one of the highest-performing providers in the region.

  As an Ofsted Inspector, Tom brings a rigorous understanding of national standards to his leadership, ensuring that Lyde Green remains at the forefront of educational excellence. He is a vocal advocate for holistic education and has championed diverse extracurricular programmes, including international partnerships and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

  Before joining Lyde Green, Tom served on the Olympus School Improvement team, collaborating with schools across the country to share the best ways to help students succeed. He now brings this wealth of experience to Lyde Green Community School, driven by a commitment to high standards and a passion for supporting every child to reach their full potential.

• Donna Smith
  Operations Lead and PA to the Headteacher
  Donna Smith

  Donna brings a wealth of operational expertise to Lyde Green, with a career dedicated to supporting the well-being and development of young people. With 15 years of experience in the mental health sector, including a pivotal role as Business Coordinator for CAMHS, Donna has a proven track record of managing complex resources and leading multidisciplinary teams with precision and care.

  Having also served as part of the pastoral team at Patchway Community School, Donna understands the unique intersection between school operations and student support. She is known for her exceptional organisational skills and her positive, collaborative approach to school improvement. At Lyde Green, Donna is committed to enhancing the systems and environments that support our staff and students, ensuring the operational "heart" of the school remains focused on delivering the best for our community.

• Janie Ashburner
  Deputy Headteacher
  Janie Ashburner

  Janie brings nearly 30 years of experience in secondary education to her role as Deputy Headteacher. A Mathematics graduate, she has taught in some of the UK's leading comprehensive schools, building a career rooted in the belief that great teaching has the power to transform lives. Throughout her career, Janie has been dedicated to 'future-proofing' students, ensuring they leave school with the knowledge and character needed to thrive in their future careers.

  Before joining Lyde Green, Janie served as the Headteacher of a special school, where she developed a deep, specialist expertise in inclusive practice and personalised support. Her leadership experience is exceptionally broad, having previously led on whole-school curriculum development, safeguarding, behaviour, and pastoral care. She now brings this extensive system-level insight and a commitment to high standards to the Lyde Green community.

  Outside of school, Janie is a mother of three who stays energised through adventure, whether skiing down a mountain or scuba diving. She brings this same resilience, energy, and sense of purpose to our school community every day.

• Lou Roscoe
  Associate Assistant Headteacher: SENCO
  Lou Roscoe

  A graduate of the University of the West of England in Psychology and Sociology, Lou brings over 16 years of experience in primary and secondary education to her role. With four years of dedicated experience as a SENDCo, she has developed extensive expertise in supporting students with a wide range of additional needs. Lou is committed to ensuring that school provision is both inclusive and impactful, allowing every learner to thrive regardless of their starting point.

  Before joining Lyde Green, Lou held several key leadership roles, including Assistant Associate Principal and Head of Year within the Cabot Learning Federation. In these positions, she provided strategic oversight of behaviour, culture, and inclusion, driving initiatives that foster high expectations and a sense of belonging. She has also played a pivotal role in strengthening the transition from primary to secondary education, working closely with families to ensure students feel confident as they move into Key Stage 3.

  Lou brings to Lyde Green a deep commitment to collaborative leadership and inclusive practice. She believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to flourish both academically and personally, and she works tirelessly to remove barriers to learning. Her approach is rooted in building positive relationships and ensuring that the student's voice is at the heart of their educational journey.

• Chloe Smart
  Associate Assistant Headteacher: Head of Year 7
  Chloe Smart

  Chloe is an experienced pastoral leader, driven by the belief that strong relationships and high expectations are the foundation of student success. A Physical Education specialist, she is passionate about the role of sport in developing resilience and character. Chloe holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership & Management and is currently working towards her National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), reflecting her commitment to the very highest standards of school leadership.

  Prior to joining Lyde Green, Chloe served as Senior Assistant Headteacher at Brymore Academy, where she held strategic responsibility for whole-school behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding. She began her leadership journey at Bridgwater College Academy as Head of Year, where she developed a robust understanding of pastoral systems and the vital importance of building strong partnerships with families. Her career is defined by her collaborative work with staff and local agencies to ensure every child is safe and supported.

  As Head of Year 7, Chloe is excited to champion the "whole child," ensuring that our newest students develop the confidence and values to thrive both within and beyond the classroom. She is dedicated to creating an environment where every student feels empowered to succeed from their very first day at Lyde Green. By promoting healthy habits and wellbeing, she ensures that our Year 7 cohort builds the strong foundations necessary for their journey through secondary school.

Curriculum Team Leaders (ID 1324)

• Katy Lloyd
  Curriculum Team Leader: English
  Katy Lloyd

  Driven by a lifelong ambition to teach, Katy brings a wealth of academic expertise and moral purpose to her role as Head of English. A graduate of the University of the West of England (UWE)with a degree in History, she entered the profession through the highly competitive TeachFirstprogramme. This route was inspired by her core belief in educational equality and her drive to champion social mobility for all students. Dedicated to her own professional growth, Katy also holds a Master's Degree in Educational Leadershipfrom Bath Spa University.

  Before joining Lyde Green, Katy built a strong track record of success at Yate Academy, where she served as Second in Department for English since 2023. In this leadership role, she was instrumental in shaping the English curriculum and driving high standards across the department, ensuring that students received a rigorous and engaging education. She now brings this leadership experience to Lyde Green, ready to build an exceptional English department from the ground up.

  For Katy, teaching English is about much more than passing exams; it is fundamental to teaching young people what it means to be human. She is passionate about bringing joy to the classroom through exciting texts that allow students to explore their own experiences and develop deep empathy for others. Through her leadership, Katy is dedicated to fostering a school-wide culture of communication and a lifelong love of reading.

• Lucy Horton
  Curriculum Team Leader: Maths
  Lucy Horton

  A Mathematics graduate from the University of Southampton, Lucy brings a decade of exceptional teaching experience to Lyde Green. Having taught across the comprehensive, grammar, and independent sectors, she possesses a rich and versatile understanding of how to achieve academic excellence in the classroom. As Curriculum Lead for Mathematics, she is passionate about inspiring students to develop confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love for mathematical problem-solving.

  Lucy's career is defined by a strong track record in both academic and pastoral leadership. Before joining the team, she held a diverse range of key roles, including Assistant Director of Mathematics, Deputy Head of Sixth Form, and Head of Year across multiple key stages. This unique blend of pastoral and academic expertise allows her to shape a dynamic, ambitious, and highly supportive Mathematics department that truly understands the holistic needs of every learner.

  Driven by high expectations and a deep commitment to nurturing individual potential, Lucy aims to foster a culture where all students can thrive and succeed. She is dedicated to removing the anxiety often associated with maths, replacing it with an empowering environment that encourages young people to tackle complex challenges with resilience, enthusiasm, and skill.

• Merryn Harvey
  Curriculum Team Leader: Science
  Merryn Harvey

  A First Class Biomedical Science graduate from Cardiff University, Merryn brings exceptional subject knowledge and a genuine passion for all three sciences to her role as Head of Science. Known for her energy, warmth, and commitment to academic excellence, she excels at transforming complex scientific concepts into engaging, accessible lessons. Her teaching approach is rooted in building students' confidence and sparking a lifelong curiosity about the natural world.

  As Head of Science, Merryn is dedicated to designing an innovative and inclusive curriculum that supports every learner at Lyde Green. She champions research-informed teaching strategies to ensure that lessons not only inspire ambition but also promote deep, critical thinking. By setting high expectations and fostering a culture of active engagement, she ensures that all students feel equipped, supported, and motivated to achieve their very best.

  Driven by the belief that a great science education should ignite wonder, Merryn is committed to empowering young people to see themselves as capable future scientists. She is deeply invested in delivering a curriculum that broadens students' horizons, helping them to make sense of the modern world and equipping them with the analytical skills needed for their future careers.