Staff
If you would like to contact any member of Sir Thomas Rich’s staff directly, please see below for the Senior Leadership Team, Heads of Year and Safeguarding Team contact details.
For Heads of Department, Form Tutors, teaching staff and support staff, see the Staff List.
Senior Leadership Team
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Matthew Lynch
Headteacher
A long-standing member of staff, Matthew came to Sir Thomas Rich’s in 2006 as a Teacher of Economics and Psychology. During his career he has been a Head of Year, Head of Performing Arts, Head of Sixth Form and Training Manager (Initial Teacher Training), before being appointed as Deputy Headteacher in 2021 with responsibility for inclusion, safeguarding and behaviour. He was appointed as Headteacher in 2024. Matthew is currently a member of the Executive Board for the Gloucestershire Association of Secondary School Leaders (GASSL) and the Strategic Board of the Odyssey Teaching School Hub. Matthew is also an active participant in external school groups to support school policy decisions and share best practice. This includes the G15 (Gloucester Secondary Schools), the G7 (Gloucestershire Grammar Schools), the BASS group (Boys Academically Selective Schools) and GSHA (the Grammar School Heads' Association).
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Dave Dempsey
Deputy Head, Curriculum, Data and Systems
A former pupil at Rich’s, Dave studied a Maths degree at the University of Warwick and took his PGCE at the University of Gloucestershire. After qualifying he spent two years teaching at Lakers School in Coleford (now Five Acres) before joining Sir Thomas Rich’s as a teacher of Mathematics in 1996. Dave was appointed Assistant Head in 2014, became Senior Assistant Head in 2022 and Deputy Head in 2024. His key areas of responsibility include curriculum development, timetable and staffing, assessment, recording and reporting, pupil data, ICT strategy and systems, and examinations. Dave set up the Duke of Edinburgh Award in the School, and is now a verifier for awards, and he also organises the sound and lighting team for School productions.
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Sarah Tapscott
Deputy Head, Safeguarding and Behaviour
Sarah Tapscott - BA (Hons) Sheffield, MA (Sussex), PGCE (Sussex), NPQH
Deputy Head, Safeguarding and BehaviourSarah joined Rich’s in 2024 as Deputy Head, Safeguarding and Behaviour, having previously served as Assistant Head and Head of Sixth Form at Stroud High School, as well as Head of French. She is the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and holds strategic and operational responsibility for safeguarding and behaviour. Sarah oversees the whole-school pastoral system, working closely with pastoral leaders and wider staff to ensure that pupils and their families receive the highest standard of support. In addition, she oversees the School’s behaviour and rewards systems, promoting a culture of respect, responsibility, and positive recognition, which includes a team of over 50 Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, empowering pupils to play an active role in building a kind and respectful school culture.
As the Senior Mental Health Lead, Sarah is responsible for the strategic direction and delivery of the School’s mental health and wellbeing strategy; the School is currently working with the University of Gloucestershire on the More than Muscles project which involves research into body image in boys and young men. She is also developing the School’s sustainability action plan, focusing on embedding environmental responsibility across the School community.
Sarah read French and English at the University of Sheffield before completing an MA in Critical and Creative Writing and PGCE in Modern Languages at the University of Sussex. She has also completed the NPQH through UCL.
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Peter Daniell
Assistant Head, Key Stage 3-4 Manager
A teacher of History and Politics, Peter Daniell is Head of the Lower School, with a leading role in the pastoral care of pupils. Peter also runs the Tommy’s Award, where pupils earn points towards Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards in the categories of Leadership, Service to the School, Creativity and Extracurricular Activities, with a presentation at the end of every academic year.
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Alun Williams
Assistant Head, Head of Sixth Form
Alun Williams - MA (Cantab) (Cambridge), MA (Manchester), PGCE
Assistant Head, Head of Sixth FormAlun joined Rich’s in 2021 as Head of Sixth Form. He graduated with a BA Law from Cambridge in 2008, followed by an MA in History from Manchester in 2010, and completed his PGCE in History at Cambridge in 2012. He taught at Hinchingbrooke School from 2012-2018 (Head of Year 9 and 10, Deputy Head of History), and was at Netherhall School 2018-2021 (Head of Cultural Faculty, Head of Humanities Faculty). As Head of Sixth Form, Alun oversees the academic attainment and progress of all students at KS5, and leads the KS5 team comprising of a Higher Education Lead, a Careers Lead, two Heads of Year, Study Centre Supervisor, LRC Manager and the Sixth Form Administrator. Alun and his team are also responsible for supporting students onto their future pathways and destinations, including supporting them with their UCAS applications. As well as leading the Sixth Form Team, Alun line manages the Geography and Theology & Philosophy Departments, and has Leadership of the School Council. In addition, he mentors Sixth Form Law applicants.
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Sarah Roche
Assistant Head, Learning and Teaching
Sarah joined the School in 2019 as Head of English, having previously taught at St Peter’s High School, Gloucester, and was appointed Assistant Head, Learning and Teaching in 2024. Sarah's main priority is to work with Heads of Department to develop consistently high-quality teaching across the School, ensuring teachers develop effective classroom practice, thus supporting students in their learning and in developing their understanding.
An English Literature graduate, Sarah leads on Literacy within school, with a focus on developing good reading habits through the Tutor Time Reading Programme, the Tommy's Reading Award and the promotion of book borrowing from both the LRC and ePlatform. Sarah also manages the Peer Mentoring Programme, where Year 7 pupils are paired with a Year 13 mentor for guidance and support, as well as coordinating the School's Academic Intervention Programme.
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Paula García Toja
Assistant Head, Personal Development
Paula joined the school in 2021 as an English teacher, having previously taught in Gloucestershire and London. She became Assistant Head (Personal Development) and Head of PSHE in 2023. A graduate of King’s College London (BA Hons) Paula holds an MA in Writing and previously worked in magazine publishing and IT account management. She completed her PGCE at the UCL Institute of Education in 2006. In her leadership role, Paula’s oversees key areas of School life including the PSHE curriculum, House system, careers education, educational visits, the Tutor Time Programme, extracurricular provision, assemblies and the Tommy’s Award - which celebrates pupils’ commitment to school life, including progress towards the whole-school curriculum aims, evidence of service and commitment, extracurricular involvement, and super-curricular engagement. Paula is joint Lead for Diversity, Gender Equality, and Inclusion. She plays an active role in a range of School initiatives such as the Female Lead Society (for Year 12 and 13 students), Culture Day, and various wellbeing programmes. In 2023, the School was proud to receive both the Mental Health Champions Award and the Healthy Living and Learning Award, reflecting the impact of these efforts.
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Joanna Loveridge
Associate Assistant Head, Inclusion and SEND
Jo started at Rich’s in 2023, having worked extensively at schools in the Kent area in an SEN role.
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Sonja Jones
Director of Finance and Operations
Sonja became part of Rich's team as the Director of Finance and Operations in April 2024. She holds a first-class Honours degree in Business Management with Languages along with a Masters in Pedagogy from the Universität Mannheim in Germany in 2001, and completed her teacher training at the Universität Karlsruhe in 2005. Starting her career in education as a teacher and head of department at Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School in Kent, she relocated to Gloucestershire in 2010. There, she pursued additional qualifications in accountancy and school business management, preparing herself to oversee the financial and operational aspects of educational institutions. Prior to joining Rich’s, Sonja served as the Joint Head – Business & Operations at Hopelands Prep School, an independent school in Stroud, from 2016 to 2024.
Safeguarding Team
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Sarah Tapscott
Designated Safeguarding Lead & Prevent Duty (concerns about extremism)
Sarah Tapscott - BA (Hons) Sheffield, MA (Sussex), PGCE (Sussex), NPQH
Designated Safeguarding Lead & Prevent Duty (concerns about extremism)Sarah joined Rich’s in 2024 as Deputy Head, Safeguarding and Behaviour, having previously served as Assistant Head and Head of Sixth Form at Stroud High School, as well as Head of French. She is the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and holds strategic and operational responsibility for safeguarding and behaviour. Sarah oversees the whole-school pastoral system, working closely with pastoral leaders and wider staff to ensure that pupils and their families receive the highest standard of support. In addition, she oversees the School’s behaviour and rewards systems, promoting a culture of respect, responsibility, and positive recognition, which includes a team of over 50 Anti-Bullying Ambassadors, empowering pupils to play an active role in building a kind and respectful school culture.
As the Senior Mental Health Lead, Sarah is responsible for the strategic direction and delivery of the School’s mental health and wellbeing strategy; the School is currently working with the University of Gloucestershire on the More than Muscles project which involves research into body image in boys and young men. She is also developing the School’s sustainability action plan, focusing on embedding environmental responsibility across the School community.
Sarah read French and English at the University of Sheffield before completing an MA in Critical and Creative Writing and PGCE in Modern Languages at the University of Sussex. She has also completed the NPQH through UCL.
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Peter Daniell
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (Primary DDSL)
A teacher of History and Politics, Peter Daniell is Head of the Lower School, with a leading role in the pastoral care of pupils. Peter also runs the Tommy’s Award, where pupils earn points towards Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards in the categories of Leadership, Service to the School, Creativity and Extracurricular Activities, with a presentation at the end of every academic year.
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Alun Williams
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Alun Williams - MA (Cantab) (Cambridge), MA (Manchester), PGCE
Deputy Designated Safeguarding LeadAlun joined Rich’s in 2021 as Head of Sixth Form. He graduated with a BA Law from Cambridge in 2008, followed by an MA in History from Manchester in 2010, and completed his PGCE in History at Cambridge in 2012. He taught at Hinchingbrooke School from 2012-2018 (Head of Year 9 and 10, Deputy Head of History), and was at Netherhall School 2018-2021 (Head of Cultural Faculty, Head of Humanities Faculty). As Head of Sixth Form, Alun oversees the academic attainment and progress of all students at KS5, and leads the KS5 team comprising of a Higher Education Lead, a Careers Lead, two Heads of Year, Study Centre Supervisor, LRC Manager and the Sixth Form Administrator. Alun and his team are also responsible for supporting students onto their future pathways and destinations, including supporting them with their UCAS applications. As well as leading the Sixth Form Team, Alun line manages the Geography and Theology & Philosophy Departments, and has Leadership of the School Council. In addition, he mentors Sixth Form Law applicants.
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Dave Dempsey
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
A former pupil at Rich’s, Dave studied a Maths degree at the University of Warwick and took his PGCE at the University of Gloucestershire. After qualifying he spent two years teaching at Lakers School in Coleford (now Five Acres) before joining Sir Thomas Rich’s as a teacher of Mathematics in 1996. Dave was appointed Assistant Head in 2014, became Senior Assistant Head in 2022 and Deputy Head in 2024. His key areas of responsibility include curriculum development, timetable and staffing, assessment, recording and reporting, pupil data, ICT strategy and systems, and examinations. Dave set up the Duke of Edinburgh Award in the School, and is now a verifier for awards, and he also organises the sound and lighting team for School productions.
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Catherine Roberts
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead - Pastoral Support Assistant
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Galina Filipkova
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead - Pastoral Support Assistant
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Joanna Loveridge
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Jo started at Rich’s in 2023, having worked extensively at schools in the Kent area in an SEN role.
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Leanne Webb
Safeguarding Team - Sixth Form Administrator
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Tom Grogan
Safeguarding Team - Chair of Trustees
Tom Grogan
Safeguarding Team - Chair of TrusteesAppointed 6 November 2018, term of office ends 31 August 2026
Committee memberships
- Board of Trustees – Chair
- Personnel Committee
- Finance, Audit, Risk Assessment and
- Health and Safety Committee
Tom is Chair of our Board of Trustees, having served as a Trustee since 2018. He chairs the Personnel Committee responsible for all staffing matters, and is the Link Trustee for Data Management. Tom attended Sir Thomas Rich’s from 2003 to 2009, during which time he enjoyed the full breadth of School life from the classroom and sports fields to trips and tours. Tom grew up locally in Longlevens having attended both Elmbridge Junior School and Longlevens Junior School, and enjoyed walking to and from School every day with his friends. Tom has maintained close links with the School since leaving to read Law at Lancaster University – he regularly speaks at our Sixth Form Open Evenings about his time with us, which he passionately believes set him up for future success. Tom trained as a corporate lawyer with international law firm Allen & Overy before qualifying and specialising in technology law at famous London law firm Mishcon de Reya. He is now Chief Executive Officer of The Mishcon de Reya Group's successful technology consulting and development business, MDRx, which specialises in delivering legally complex digital transformation projects. Tom enjoys all forms of team sports, especially rugby union. He is also an avid reader and enjoys spending time with his friends – many of whom he met while at the School.
Head of Year
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Zak Hinds
Head of Year 7
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Chloe Rigby-Smith
Head of Year 8
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Nick O'Neil
Head of Year 9 & 10
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David Tilley
Head of Year 11
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Thomas Pilkington-Crowe
Head of Year 12
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Will Marks
Head of Year 13
