Who's Who

In her seventh year of Headship and with over 20 years’ experience in the independent sector, Fionnuala has worked across boarding, day, co-ed and single-sex schools. She is particularly passionate in her commitment to girls’ education and takes very seriously her role as a passionate advocate for equality for young women, speaking regularly in the media and at conferences, as well as writing for major national publications such as The Times, The Telegraph and the TES. She is a governor at Dulwich College, Head of Heads for the GDST and Chair of the HMC Inspection Committee.

Fionnuala read Engish at Oxford and worked in publishing before moving into teaching. A choral scholar whilst at Oxford, choral singing remains a major passion, but she can also be found regularly at Lord’s or the Oval indulging in her other great love of cricket.

Harriet Fryer became the new Head of Junior School at Wimbledon High in January 2025. She joined Wimbledon from Notting Hill Prep, where she most recently held the post of Senior Deputy Head. Harriet was at Notting Hill Prep for just over ten years and worked in a variety of management roles during her time there, including Deputy Head Pastoral.

Harriet studied English Literature and Theatre Studies at the University of Leeds before completing her PGCE in Primary Education via the Wandsworth School Centred Initial Teacher Training Scheme (SCITT) affiliated with Kingston University. Theatre remains one of her passions and she has enjoyed a number of summer trips to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Ferdinand Doepel joined Wimbledon High School in September 2022. After completing the Teach First programme in a school on the outskirts of East London at the start of his career, he joined the independent sector. Alongside his BSc in Economics, he holds an MA in Educational Leadership from UCL. Ferdinand joined WHS from Trinity School in Croydon, where he was Head of Economics and Business, having previously taught at Hampton School. He’s passionate about Economics, in particular its practical applications to current events which help students make sense of the world around them. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, reading, and spending time outdoors.

Ed Griffiths joined Wimbledon High School in January 2023. Ed is a passionate and experienced Sixth Form educator, believing strongly that the final two years should represent the pinnacle a student’s time at school. He joined WHS from Whitgift School in Croydon, where he was a Head of Year in the Sixth Form since 2018, having previously taught at Cranleigh School. Ed is passionate in his belief that strong pastoral care, and the wellbeing of young people, is fundamental in their ability to fulfil their ambitions and enjoy school to its fullest.

Sarah Chittenden has spent her teaching career to date working in a number of independent preparatory schools in London. She was Deputy Head of the Junior School at Streatham and Clapham High (GDST) before the birth of her two daughters and prior to joining Wimbledon High School, she held the posts of 11+ Lead and Head of Assessment at Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School. Sarah is passionate in her belief that schools must enable pupils to learn in a multi-disciplinary way, transferring knowledge and skills across subjects and applying them to a range of different contexts both within and beyond the classroom.

James Livingstone joined Wimbledon High School in September, 2026. He began his career teaching French and Russian at St Paul’s School, before moving to Winchester College, where he became Head of French and subsequently Head of Modern Languages. 

He has a first-class degree in Modern and Medieval Languages from the University of Cambridge, and is particularly passionate about using foreign literature in the teaching of languages and the humanities more broadly.

James enjoys long walks, reading, cooking and travelling with his wife and daughter, especially in France.

Jenny Cox joined Wimbledon High in 2003 as Head of PE having previously taught in the state sector for 10 years. In 2011 she stepped into the role of Director of Co-curricular and Partnerships (adding Philanthropy now too, in recognition of the school’s work with charities) and is passionate about working collaboratively with local schools as well as providing opportunities for the students to flourish both inside and outside the classroom. Jenny’s first degree is from Brunel University, in Sports Science and Leisure Management, from there she then went onto complete a PGCE in Physical Education. With a passion for Sports Psychology she completed an MSc at Roehampton University in 2012 and in 2024 she qualified as a Sport & Exercise Scientist and Chartered Scientist (CSci), specialising in Psychology.

Kathryn Jones is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Her career has included roles at Morgan Stanley in Equity Financial Control and Capital Markets, followed by a consultancy position with IBM Global Financing, supporting the investment banking sector.

Kathryn leads on Finance, Estates, Human Resources, IT Operations and Business Development. She also serves as a Governor of The Study Preparatory School, the most recent school to join the GDST, and supports the GDST as a Consultant on a range of strategic initiatives.

Jo became Director of External Engagement and Development in September 2025 having been Director of Development and Alumnae Relations at Wimbledon High for ten years. She has previously held senior fundraising and corporate citizenship roles at Marie Curie Cancer Care, Fidelity International, and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Jo studied Political History at the University of Sussex.

Chrystal Cunningham joined Wimbledon High School in September 2022. She began her career in education as a Teach First Leadership Development Participant and since been a Head of Physics and Deputy Head of Sixth Form. Alongside her Master of Physics degree, Chrystal has completed a Psychology of Education MSc at the UCL Institute of Education and is now completing a PhD in Psychology and Human Development.  Chrystal is passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive community through use of social and cultural psychological research.

Holly Rodgers joined Wimbledon High School in September 2020, holding a variety of positions including Head of Politics and Head of Year, before taking up the post of Head of Sixth Form in September 2025. Holly studied History and Politics at Christ Church, Oxford, and is passionate about using an inclusive curriculum to build compassion and understanding in students. In 2025, she completed a research fellowship with the International Coalition of Girls’ School, investigating how involving girls in curriculum design can enhance student agency, and was awarded Researcher of the Year. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing, the theatre, and good food.

Dr John Parsons joined Wimbledon High in 2015 and has taught in high achieving girls’ schools since the completion of his PhD in 2005. A Music graduate, John’s doctoral work looked at performance practice in early twentieth century violin playing, and he caught the bug for teaching whilst teaching undergraduate courses at university. Having been Director of Sixth Form for 8 years, he is now Senior Tutor, focusing on staff wellbeing.

Kate Cheetham graduated from the University of Manchester in 2012 and went on to complete both a PGCE and Master of Education (MEd) at the University of Cambridge. Having worked for three years in the state sector she joined Wimbledon in 2016 as a Year 3 class teacher and Leader of English. Kate subsequently became Leader of our extensive co-curricular programme, in addition to having a key responsibility in the pastoral care of the Junior girls. She now leads the Upper Junior School and is keenly interested in Junior Education; particularly its role in building resilience and a love of learning.

Elizabeth Jenkins has experience teaching and leading across the curriculum in a wide range of schools within the independent, state and international sectors. In her career, she has held a variety of roles which have had impact across multiple academic areas, such as Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning, Lead Practitioner, Assessment Chair, English Lead and Humanities Coordinator. Elizabeth has a passion for teaching and learning, coupled with a keen interest in educational research and innovative teaching practices. She is committed to the principles of lifelong learning and the importance of creating inclusive learning environments where all can achieve their potential.

Alexandria Rowland started her career at Dundonald Primary School then Hollymount School where she successfully led the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage One, before starting at Wimbledon High in 2020. Alexandria believes all girls should be encouraged to be creative, critical, risk-taking thinkers and problem solvers. As such, learning opportunities should involve playing and exploring, active learning and establishing experiences allowing girls to succeed as they step into their Wimbledon High journey. Alexandria is passionate about empowering our youngest members of the school community to thrive and for all to embrace the opportunities and challenges presented to them.