Dr Gareth P Lloyd
Principal
Cambridge Stoke College Principal, Dr Gareth Lloyd, joined Stoke early in 2020 from Times College, Nanjing, where he was the founding Foreign Principal for the past two years. There, he established a thriving community of high academic standards, excellent pastoral care, a dynamic programme of extra-curricular activities, and a vibrant experience for boarding students. The culmination of his work in China was to see the school awarded full International Baccalaureate status, from 3-18, one of only very few schools in the country to achieve this.
Prior to that, he was Headmaster of St John’s College Cathedral Choir School, Cardiff, one of the highest ranked academic schools in the country. Gareth’s first headship was at Ratcliffe College, overseeing significant growth and innovation over 8 years, securing the school’s position in the top 5 schools in the UK for value added teaching and learning. His experience as an inspector of the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate, together with presentational work at a number of international educational conferences, has given him many wonderful opportunities to develop his own educational philosophy.
Gareth grew up in South Wales, read Music at the University of Exeter, undertook his P.G.C.E (Music and Modern Languages) at Homerton, Cambridge, an M.Sc in School Management at the University of Reading, before completing his doctorate in musical composition at the University of Sheffield. His twin passions for education and music are complemented by a love for languages, sports, theatre and reading. He is immensely proud to be leading Stoke College in a period of significant investment and growth.
Charis Hunn-Smith
Deputy Head, Marketing and Sixth Form
What’s your degree in?
BA(Hons) English and History (University of Reading) and PGCE Secondary English (University of Bristol)
What does your role involve?
I am responsible for showcasing the school and marketing it at a local, national and international level, making sure we attract new children and families to become part of the Stoke College Community. I also collaborate with other local schools to enrich the educational experience of our children.
I am also responsible for spearheading our Sixth Form to become a truly international learning environment where young people not only gain the highest level of academic achievement, but also be prepared for independent living as they enter University or employment.
What are you most looking forward to over the next year?
I’m really looking forward to creating the events that will put Stoke College on the map (like our Arts Festival). I want to show the world what a fantastic school we are. This is a chance to build a family-friendly educational environment that offers something different: at the cutting edge of technology while also immersing ourselves in our beautiful rural surroundings.
What are your ambitions for the school?
I would like us to take full advantage of our facilities and restore them to something akin to their former glory: beautiful landscaped gardens and using the river. And I want to connect our students to the local community through events in the village and working with care homes and other community groups so that we learn the importance of serving others.
Dr Rui Chen
Deputy Head (Academic)
Dr Chen joined Stoke College in September 2020 from Scarborough College where he was Head of Mathematics. A Chief Examiner for A-level in both Chemistry (in which he has a doctorate from Oxford) and Maths, Rui combines academic acumen with a passion for teaching students of all abilities.
What’s your teaching philosophy?
Every student is unique and thinks and develops in a slightly different way. My aim is always to create a positive and encouraging environment to help students learn. Delivering strong exam results is one important challenge, but every good school goes beyond grades.
Why have you chosen to come to Stoke?
I am excited by the vision to create a truly international Sixth Form alongside the existing local school. Having come from an IB environment at Scarborough, I am also drawn back to A-level. I see international integration as key to Stoke’s future success – and my Chinese background will help me drive integration and teamwork from both sides in the Sixth Form. An extensive extra-curricular programme will facilitate this integration.
George King
Bursar
To follow
Joe Bailey
Head of Boarding
What’s your experience to date?
I started teaching in 1995 having graduated from Exeter University with a BA (Hons) in Geography. I completed my PGCE training at Exeter too and then moved to Suffolk. I have been Head of Geography and a Head of Year in previous positions and also completed a Masters in Education at Anglia Ruskin University.
What does your role involve?
As Head of Boarding I work with the boarding team to create a home from home for our boarders. I work closely with parents, guardians, academic and boarding staff – and most importantly the boarders themselves – to provide the boarders with the personalised pastoral care and support that they need to maximise their educational potential and enjoy all that being at Stoke College offers.
Most looking forward to this year?
I am really looking forward to welcoming back the current boarders and meeting those joining our boarding family. I enjoy planning weekday and weekend activities that challenge and excite our boarders. Ultimately, as their ‘school mum’ I love seeing the boarders grow and flourish in our care and leave Stoke happy, healthy individuals, comfortable in their own skin and with a set of skills ready to tackle life’s challenges. Knowing that I have played a part in their development never ceases to thrill me and it is why I love my job and working at Stoke.
Ambitions for the school.
I am looking forward to the refurbishment of the boarding houses and also the extended outdoor sporting provision further enhancing the boarders’ opportunities to enjoy our beautiful surroundings. The scholarship programme and increasing number of local and international students joining us will further diversify our boarding community and I can’t wait to welcome them to boarding.
Rebecca Watson
Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Designated Safeguarding Lead
What’s your degree in?
I began my teaching career in 1999, completing a PGCE in English and Drama. Before this I gained a BA (Hons) in Literature and Art History.
What does your role involve?
My role includes working with our Stoke College families to ensure that every student has the pastoral care that they need in order to thrive. As we are a small school, we are able to provide tailored pastoral care to our students as they journey through each age and stage. It is an absolute privilege to see the students join the school and blossom into independent, confident and happy individuals.
What are you most looking forward to next year?
I am really looking forward to welcoming our new Stoke College families whilst also continuing to work with our existing families. I am also looking forward to being a part of the growth of our school as, with the support of our investors, we develop our facilities and restore our wonderful countryside setting to meet its full potential. This is such an exciting time for us.
What are your ambitions for the school?
As our facilities are developed, my ambition for the school is for even more local and international students to be able to access the unique educational experience that Stoke College provides.
Simon Quick
Deputy Head (Co-curriculum)
What’s your degree in?
I have a BSc (Hons) Geography, an MSc (Sport Science), PGCE, and PhD Sports Coaching (on-going).
What does your role involve?
I get to oversee all the exciting parts of the school! It’s the stuff that happens outside of the curriculum (that’s what co-curriculum means). So it includes clubs and activities for sport, drama, music and more.
What are you most looking forward to over the next year?
I want to give our students as many new experiences as possible. Our co-curriculum programme is going to exciting and thriving. There will be so many opportunities for children to develop new skills and challenge themselves. I want our students to find ways to enhance their CVs and find out what they’re passionate about.
What are your ambitions for the school?
I would love us to be more integrated into the local community – I’m looking forward to be part of making this happen.