Our People: Staff, Leadership & Governors
We work together with one shared purpose
Provide the very best for our children
At Gayhurst, our community is at the heart of everything we do. From our dedicated teaching staff to our senior leadership team and governors, every member of our school is carefully selected to embrace and uphold the values that make Gayhurst so special. We work together with one shared purpose: to provide the very best for our children. Each individual brings passion, expertise, and care to their role, ensuring that every child is supported, challenged, and known. We are also proud to work closely with the Gayhurst Parents’ Association (GPA)—a passionate and committed group of parents who support the school wholeheartedly and help foster the strong sense of community that defines us.
Senior Leadership Team
Mr D Bushnell
Acting Head
Born in Watford and raised in Northwood, David has always had a strong passion for sport and lifelong learning. A scratch golfer and enthusiastic follower of Queen’s Park Rangers, he enjoys balancing his professional life with personal interests that keep him active and engaged. His great passion of cricket now takes somewhat of a backseat, although he still enjoys playing cricket occasionally and holds a Level 3 coaching award.
Before graduating with Qualified Teacher Status from London University, David spent 18 months working in IT in the city. He later specialised in primary education, spending five rewarding years at Davenies before joining Gayhurst in 2008 as Head of IT. His leadership journey continued as he became Deputy Head in January 2017 and was appointed Acting Head in March 2025.
David remains committed to education beyond the classroom. He has served as a Governor at his local primary school and the board of trustees at a local multi-academy trust. His current focus lies in mentoring, strategic leadership, and supporting educational development.
Away from Gayhurst, David enjoys time with his partner Sam, their son Stanley—who attends Gayhurst—and their Labrador, Percy.
Miss Melissa Legg
Acting Deputy Head, Assistant Head (Prep School) & Head of RS
Born in Oxford, Melissa moved to live and grow up in Saudi Arabia. She was educated within the American Grade school system until she returned to the UK to board full time in the Independent Schools system from the age of 9 until 16.
Melissa initially trained at Henley College to work within a Nursery setting and is a qualified Nursery Nurse. After a gap year working, she studied for a BEd (Hons) RS at Oxford and then went to work within the Independent School sector.
Melissa has worked in 4 different Preparatory schools in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire within the co-educational and single sex settings. Melissa arrived at Gayhurst in 2007 to take up the SLT position of Head of Middle School at Gayhurst which she held for 12 years before taking up the position of Assistant Head – Prep School. In 2025 she was happy to accept the role of Acting Deputy Head and she is also Head of Religious Studies.
Melissa was part of the founding committee of the GHA and to be involved working the Alumni committee and is often the contact point for ex-pupils when they wish to visit or undertake work experience and is thrilled to work alongside the Development Office with this aspect of her role.
Mrs Wendy Cook
Assistant Head (Data, Assessment & Reporting) & Director of Digital Learning
Mrs Helen Williams
Assistant Head (Pre-Prep School)
Helen completed her primary school education in Buckinghamshire, before relocating with her family to Salisbury, where she attended South Wilts Grammar School For Girls.
Helen knew from an early age that she wished to be a teacher and on leaving school, completed a degree in education at the University of Exeter.
On completion of her university education, Helen returned to Buckinghamshire to take up her first teaching position at Caldicott, a local boarding school for boys. When her daughters were small, Helen taught part time at Dair House, before following her children to Maltman’s Green School, initially for six weeks supply work, before staying for six years.
Ten years ago, interested in working in a co-ed school, Helen joined Gayhurst as a part time Reception teacher. After five years, she moved across the field to Nursery with Mrs Dibble. This year, with her daughters both at university, Helen decided the time was right for a new personal challenge and is excited to take up her new role in Pre Prep School.
Mrs Vanessa Lakatos
Bursar
Based in Henley on Thames, Vanessa ran a successful retail business for 18 years. In 2014 she decided to have a change of career and joined The Cost Reduction Company who specialise in helping independent schools to “use less stuff”. After a couple of years Vanessa became bursar of Padworth College, Berkshire, a boarding school specialising in international students. Having managed the sale of the College to its new proprietors Vanessa joined the team at Gayhurst in 2019.
Outside of Gayhurst Vanessa is a Board member of the Independent School Bursars Association (ISBA), a Governor of a large primary school and a trustee of the Acorn Music Theatre Company.
Vanessa has 2 adult daughters and 2 dogs. The dogs, Polo and Echo, are usually to be found snoring under her desk at school.
Miss Michelle Upton
Director of Admissions & Marketing
Michelle was born and raised in Watford, where she attended Watford Grammar School for Girls. Her passion for education and communication led her to pursue a Marketing Diploma through The Centre for Marketing Schools in Australia, completed via distance learning.
Since joining Gayhurst in 2013, Michelle has brought a wealth of experience from her work in four independent schools, spanning single-sex and co-educational settings, as well as day and boarding environments. Her breadth of experience has shaped her strong belief in the value of co-education and the importance of nurturing inclusive school communities.
As Director of Marketing & Admissions, Michelle leads the school’s strategic marketing initiatives and oversees all aspects of the admissions process and takes particular pride in supporting first-time parents as they navigate independent education. She very much hopes her approachable manner helps families feel welcomed and quickly at home in the Gayhurst community.
Outside of work, Michelle is a proud mother of two adult daughters. Her three dogs are regular companions at school, adding a touch of warmth to the office atmosphere.
Michelle’s leisure time is spent immersed in lifelong learning and creative pursuits, reflecting her committment to personal growth.
Teaching staff & learning assistants
Mrs Pippa Bremner
Year 2 Form Teacher
Mr Sam Brown
Director of Co-Curricular and Year 6 Form Teacher
Miss Kyla Cook
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Miss Sorsha Crosbie
Head of Art and Year 6 Assistant Form Teacher
Mr Conor Cunningham
Year 2 Form Teacher
Mrs Victoria Davis
Year 1 Form Teacher
Mrs Lisa Davies
Nursery Assistant
Mrs Beth Dibble
Head of EYFS and Reception Form Teacher
Miss Laura Evans
PE & Games Coach and Year 5 Assistant Form Teacher
Miss Molly Fisher
EYFS Assistant
Miss Sabrina Freeman
Year 2 Form Teacher
Miss Francesca Galea
Year 3 Form Teacher
Mrs Rachel Giles
Year 3 Form Teacher
Miss Emma Goodey
1:1 Learning Support Assistant and Year 6 Assistant Form Teacher
Mrs Michelle Goodwin
Nursery Teacher
Mrs Katie Hall
Head of PE & Swimming and Year 5 Form Teacher
Mr Gordon Harris
Year 5 Form Teacher
Mrs Rebecca Harris
Head of English and Year 6 Form Teacher
Mrs Dawn Harrison
Learning Assistant and Year 3 Assistant Form Teacher
Mrs Jules Hubbard
Learning Assistant
Mrs Priyanca Hunt
Reception Teacher
Mrs Kuldeep Johal
SENDCO & Head of Learning Support
Miss Adele Johnson
English & Drama Teacher and year 5 Form Teacher
Mr Simon Kearns
Director of Sport and Year 4 Assistant Form Teacher
Mrs Amanda Keeney
Head of History and Year 4 Form Teacher
Mrs Gillian Kelly
Head of Geography and Reception Form Teacher
Miss Petronella Kereszturi
Music Teacher and year 4 Assistant Form Teacher
Mrs Fiona Kilcullen
Learning Assistant
Mr Stuart McLaughlin
Supply cover, Sports & Games Assistant and Year 3 Assistant Form Teacher
Miss Nicole McKersie
Head of PSHE and Year 4 Form Teacher
Mrs Jessica Merrick
Learning Assistant
Mrs Catherine Morgan
Learning Assistant
Ms Rachel Parry
Head of Maths and Year 6 Form Teacher
Mrs Wendy Pearce
High Level Teaching Assistant
Miss Emma Peters
Sports Assistant
Mrs Susan Powell
Learning Assistant
Mrs Tiffany Rance
Spanish Teach and Year 4 Form Teacher
Mr Davd Reeves
Director of Music and Year 5 Assistant Form Teacher
Mrs Hilary Rouse
Learning Assistant
Mrs Lyubov Semenyuk
Learning Assistant
Miss Emily Smith
Year 1 Form Teacher
Mr Ben Stevenson
Head of Computing & Digital Systems Coordinator and Year 4 Assistant Form Teacher
Mrs Kasia Soltys
Head of MFL & EAL and year 5 Assistant Form Teacher
Mrs Kim Veldtman
Year 3 Form Teacher
Mrs Cloe Vos
Learning Assistant
Mrs Nicky White
Learning Assistant
Miss Sam Williams
Learning Assistant
Mr Robert Woodward
Head of Science & STEAM and Year 6 Form Teacher
Mrs Sonal Vyas
Year 1 Form Teacher
Assistant Staff
Mrs Nisa Patel
Librarian
Mrs Louise Thomas
Wind Down Time & Supper Club Coordinator
Administrative Staff
Mrs Nicky Beevor
Admissions Coordinator
Miss Amy Cronin
Development Manager
Mrs Rebecca Gleeson
School Administrator and Receptionist
Mrs Beth Goater
PA to the Head and SLT
Mrs Sue Harper
School Secretary
Mrs Janet Lissozi
Receptionist & Administrative Assistant
Mrs Lisa Ozcan
HR & Compliance Manager
Mrs Iman Sbitri
Finance Manager
Premises Staff
Mr Kevin Goater
Premises Manager
Mr Bradley Cook
Caretaker
Mr Paul Lacey
Grounds Person
Governors
Hi, I'm Eldric!
You’ll be seeing lots of me! I’m here to help guide you on your way through our school and to give you the encouragement and tools you need to get to grips with our school philosophy!
Enriching Learning, Developing Resilience, Independence and Confidence