Staff
Meet the team
At HQ
The ISA HQ team are based in Great Chesterford, just south of Cambridge.
Rudolf Eliott Lockhart
Rudi has been CEO since September 2020. Prior to joining ISA he was CEO of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, the subject association for RE in schools. He was previously Deputy General Secretary at the Independent Schools Council where he also ran the research department. He has been a governor at a foundation of independent schools, and has researched the experience of Jewish pupils at independent schools in the 1960s and 70s for a still not quite completed doctorate. When he’s not thinking about independent schools he likes to spend time with his family, but since his wife teaches at an independent school…
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 581692
Peter Woodroffe
Peter is a Christian and serves as a trustee in his local church, is married to Liz, and father of Hannah, Thomas and Emily. He is also chair of governors at their local academy, and also enjoys cycling, swimming and boardgames. Prior to joining ISA as DCEO, he was an ISA Member, and head in Nottingham for three years. Peter loves working for ISA and enjoys building relationships with, and supporting our Members. Peter’s first degree and PhD were in maths and he can occasionally be found indulging himself in mathematical puzzles. Peter also enjoys keeping the office tidy by consuming any abandoned biscuits or cake.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 581694
Helen Stanton-Tonner
Helen joined the ISA team in September 2021 as the Director of Education and Inclusion having previously been an ISA Member for a number of years. Having worked at a senior level in both state and independent schools, Helen enjoys the variety of opportunities working for ISA brings. When not focussed on ISA matters, Helen loves to spend her time in the outdoors, either walking with her dogs, skiing or exploring somewhere new.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07934 304519
Spencer Kyirem
In November 2023, Spencer assumed the role of Education Officer at ISA, demonstrating a strong dedication to the field of education. Prior to joining ISA, Spencer garnered experience as a teaching and research assistant at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He successfully completed his master's program at Cambridge University and furthered his expertise through an internship with the EDIB team at Cambridge University Press and Assessment. In addition to his professional pursuits at ISA, Spencer values familial interactions, engages in church activities, showcases culinary skills in preparing Ghanaian dishes, and enjoys leisure activities such as watching comic videos and football, aligning himself as a fervent Madridista.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 610184
Joe Tomkins
Originally from Cornwall, Joseph and his family moved to the United States when he was just a child. After living in California, Virginia, and Arkansas — Texas became home for the next twenty years. Upon earning a Bachelor of Music Education from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Joseph began a career as a choir director, high school music teacher, and performing arts department head.
After fifteen years in the classroom, Joseph is excited to be back in England and to join the team at ISA as he continues his passion of being a champion for high quality education. When away from the office he can be found photographing nature, travelling, cooking…and eating.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07999 033683
- Extension:
- 01799 619802
Gemma Golab
Gemma joined ISA in September 2019 after working in finance for a local sight-loss charity, and for the NHS before that. She is a qualified bookkeeper having completed Level 2 and 3 in Accounting with AAT and hopes to complete Level 4 in the near future. Outside of work Gemma enjoys spending time with her husband & son (and beautiful but slightly annoying cat), walking, and going to the pub!
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 619803
Joanne Snow
Previously working in London, Jo moved to Saffron Walden 12 years ago and took time out from work to spend with her two daughters and her pet Maltese dog. She enjoys yoga, spending time with her family and being creative by making purses in her spare time.
Jo is very much enjoying being part of the membership team and supporting the finance Committee.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 581693
Alice Thompson
After completing her degree at Kings College London, Alice worked in hospitality during the 2012 London Olympics. She then began working at The Key in marketing and events. When she moved to Cambridge in 2014, she joined the ISA and also met her now husband. Most of her time is taken up with looking after her two children and two dogs.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799581696
Helen Marks
Working for 15 years for an international investment bank in London, Helen organised high profile corporate events and client hospitality. In 2011 her husband’s job prompted a move to Dubai where she lived the expat life for a few years but, tiring of the sun, she returned to the UK and joined ISA. Outside work she likes to spend her time on the sidelines watching her twin teenage sons play rugby, hockey, cricket…
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 581695
Alex Glendinning
Alex has few years’ marketing experience under his belt, previously working for another charity. He has just recently joined the ISA, and hopes to help shout about their work moving forward.
He enjoys music, playing in the local church band, as well as a rival, splinter band, which does not play worship songs.
Alex recently graduated with an MSc in marketing from the University of Sussex, where he also completed his undergraduate degree.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 581697
Lesley Rea
Lesley worked 15 years in the clothing industry as a fashion buyer for a number of household high street brands. After searching across Berkshire, Hertfordshire and Essex, Lesley, her husband and two daughters fell in love with Saffron Walden and have lived there since 2011. Lesley is a keen long distance runner and loves trashy TV shows much to her husband’s chagrin.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 581699
Marie-Ange Moncuy
Originally from France, Marie-Ange studied Performing Arts, Marketing and Communication in Paris. She travelled around Australia for a year, before moving to England. Marie-Ange brings some welcome joie de vivre and je ne sais quoi to the office, making the rest of the team feel sophisticated by association with her.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01700 800368
Emily Pearce
I have always had a passion for the Arts and sharing it with others. Straight after completing my degree in English Literature, I spent the next year teaching it in secondary schools.
After deciding I no longer wanted to teach but still wanted to be involved with Arts in schools I joined ISA. In my spare time I love reading (every kind of book), gaming and photography.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 610185
Emily Ward
Before joining ISA, Emily worked for the Lawn Tennis Association for nearly 10 years, with a particular focus on developing regional competition provision. As a keen tennis player, she enjoys competing in local leagues (come rain, shine or snow) and organising social events for her tennis club in Great Dunmow. Emily also enjoys hitting the golf course, putting on her running shoes and cooking for friends and family.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 610189
Neave Wilson
Being involved in sport has been Neave’s passion from a very young age. She has competed at a high level for both football and netball, often making it to the Nationals.
Her early football journey started with a boys football team, being the only girl in the team (and league at some points) she dug deep with the challenges it brought for the 10 years she played. She joined her first girls football team at age 15 and currently plays for the U23s Watford FC and still loves the game.
In her downtime she DJs and enjoys regular local DJ residencies.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 610181
Karen Goddard
Karen has had a varied career, including in the cricket industry, computer hardware manufacturer, financial advice and music publishing (OUP), since completing her German degree. Before joining ISA in 2013, she most recently worked for eight years in secondary schools in the maintained sector. She enjoys spending time gardening, attending music concerts and theatre. In her free time she volunteers at the local cinema.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 01799 581698
Regional Ambassadors
The Regional Ambassadors are based in the 7 ISA Regions and visit each Member at least once per year.
Matthew Adshead
Matthew Adshead trained to teach at Homerton College, Cambridge with the intention of becoming a school proprietor. He qualified as a Secondary specialist in 1997, teaching Humanities and coaching a lot of Rugby. He then moved into the Preparatory School Sector as a senior leader before achieving his dream of school ownership in 2007. With his wife Jenny and two young children, the Adshead Family became the fifth proprietors of The Old Vicarage School, Darley Abbey, Derbyshire.
Matthew and Jenny continue to be proprietors of OVS, but now have a Head Teacher running the school, day to day. Matthew served as an ISA Area Co-ordinator for the Midlands Region, on the ISA National Executive Committee. He was an ISA Honorary Officer for three years from 2017-2020, with a year as ISA Chair, 2018-2019. Matthew is also currently a Director on the Collegiate Board of Queen Ethelburga’s College, York. He is also a Governor at Reigate Grammar School. Matthew and his family now reside in Reigate, Surrey. In his spare time, Matthew follows the continuing struggles of Derby County Football Club; is a lifelong fan of the band Level 42 and has an ongoing hobby as one half of a successful Chas & Dave Tribute band called Gertcha. He has taken up the role of ISA Regional Ambassador for London South in September 2022.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07809 694446
Barbara Forster
Barbara has worked in adult, secondary and primary education, in both the state and independent sectors and was Headmistress of a prep school for 17 years. Barbara likes to keep busy and enjoys yoga, cooking, travel, theatre and spending time with family and friends.
Barbara is a trustee at a foundation of schools, a member of Soroptimists International and very much enjoys meeting people and being one of the team at ISA.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07787877715
Emma Howard
Emma has worked for ISA since 2018. Prior to her role of Regional Ambassador for the North, she was the Head of two small preparatory schools in Greater Manchester for 12 years, and a teacher before that. Emma thoroughly enjoys visiting the wide variety of schools in her region, celebrating good practice and meeting some wonderful Heads, staff and pupils. She has a BA in Psychology and an MA in Early Years Education – her real passion. Outside of work, Emma spends time with her children, friends and enjoys going to the theatre and reading.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07931523561
Victoria Kennington
Victoria was an ISA Member in the South West region before joining ISA as a Regional Ambassador in 2018. She served as Head at a family-run prep school for 10 years before leaving to move with her husband who is in the Royal Navy. They have three children, Olivia, Florence and Xavier and live in Dartmouth, Devon. Outside of work they spend a lot of time on the water – sailing, paddleboarding and swimming, she also likes to keep fit by running around Devon’s hills. She volunteers at her local arts centre, helps with a sailing charity for disadvantaged children and serves as Chair of Governors at a local independent school. She absolutely loves her job as Regional Ambassador, which involves travelling all over the South West area supporting ISA Members.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07801983103
Barbara McKeown
Barbara has been a Regional Ambassador since September 2019. Prior to this, she was a Headteacher at a small prep school in Essex. After teaching in state schools in Scotland for a number of years she moved to England and her career in independent schools began. She has been a governor in her local secondary school and involved with the community through the local neighborhood watch. She has also been a parish councilor and involved in various organisations through the church. Barbara enjoys gardening, reading and baking.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07779003421
Lynn Maggs-Wellings
Lynn was a Headmistress of three independent prep and junior schools over a 26-year period and was an ISA member at all three from September 1990 to December 2016. During that time, she has always appreciated the fellowship and support she found and was fully involved in Association events and activities. She was the London North Area Co-ordinator for eight years, Chair of the Membership Committee and sat on the Inspection Committee having been an ISI team inspector for over 20 years. Following her retirement from headship Lynn became the Regional Ambassador for London North in January 2017.
When she is not working to support schools Lynn can be found with a crochet hook in her hand or crafting a felt animal. She also enjoys finding gardening projects for her husband Ray and looking after her mother who lives in an annex in their garden in Hertford. She is looking forward to having a daughter-in- law, Emma, as her son Alex is getting married in August 2023.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07739859877
Sue Manser
Sue has held several senior roles in schools in both the state and independent sector, including head of sixth form and deputy head, taking on her first headship in an all-through school - where she remained for six years. Following this post, Sue became Head at the British International School in Egypt for four years before returning to the UK for her final headship and then taking up her post with ISA. In addition, Sue has been an ISI inspector. Outside of work, Sue continues to play county league tennis and enjoys singing in a community choir and the church choir. Sue is the safeguarding officer for her tennis club and her church.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 07554954641