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Our Team

Our dedicated teaching and leadership team at Thomas’s Clapham is united by a strong sense of purpose. Together, our staff ensures that every pupil is supported not only to achieve outstanding academic outcomes, but to develop the confidence, character and adaptability needed to succeed in the world. We are committed to creating a culture of joyful excellence for every member of our community.

Jessica Mair

Head

Helen Stewart-Morgan

Senior Deputy Head – People and Culture

Kirsty Whitwood

Deputy Head – Wellbeing and Health

Kiara Gray

Deputy Head – Learning and Teaching

Lucie Berry

Assistant Head – Head of Lower School

Charlotte McConnell

Assistant Head – Head of Prep School

Sara Harrison

Assistant Head – Head of Future Schools

Viki Stanton

Operations Administration Manager

Jessica Mair
Head
Jessica’s educational career spans more than 25 years in both the independent and maintained sectors, in the UK and internationally. For ten years until 2026, she served as Headteacher of John Betts Primary School, where she established an academic culture that rivalled the top independent prep schools in London. Having trained as a teacher in London, where she became a Head of English, Jessica served as Vice Principal of St Andrew’s Scots School, a prestigious independent ‘through school’ in Argentina, where she was Head of Teaching and Learning. In 2010 she became Deputy Head at Queen’s Manor Primary School in Fulham, where she was also Head of the SEND unit, before her appointment as Head of John Betts in 2015. Educated at Queenswood and Roehampton University, where she gained her teaching qualification, Jessica holds National Professional Qualifications in both Headship and Executive Leadership and is a secondary school governor.
Helen Stewart-Morgan
Senior Deputy Head – People and Culture
Helen deputises for the Head in their absence and oversees staff recruitment, retention and wellbeing, school communications, and works closely with the PTA and acts as the Alumni Lead, while also contributing as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. Helen graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a BEd (Hons) and has been a member of the school community since September 1998. She started as a Middle School form teacher and then spent 11 years as Head of Lower School. Since September 2019, Helen has been the Senior Deputy Head – People and Culture.
Kirsty Whitwood
Deputy Head – Wellbeing and Health
Since joining Thomas’s Clapham in April 2022 as Deputy Head – Wellbeing and Health, and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Kirsty has led the school’s work around safeguarding, wellbeing, behaviour, attendance and PSHE. Passionate about ensuring every child is seen, heard, known and feels a strong sense of belonging, she works closely with staff to help pupils to flourish. Previously at Kellett School in Hong Kong, Kirsty also worked with the Institute for Positive Education on curriculum development. She studied Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Nottingham before completing a PGCE and Masters in Education at the University of Cambridge.
Kiara Gray
Deputy Head – Learning and Teaching
Kiara joined Thomas’s Clapham as Deputy Head – Learning and Teaching, bringing with her 12 years of experience at a leading inclusive international school in Singapore. In her role, she oversees all aspects of the curriculum, including assessment, reporting and recording. Passionate about high-quality learning and teaching, Kiara is deeply committed to understanding what excellent learning looks like in practice. She dedicates significant time to engaging with educational research, as well as discussing and reflecting on best practice with colleagues. She is proud to work in a school that prioritises continuous professional development, and has designed a programme that ensures staff are consistently developing, strengthening teaching and learning across the school. Kiara also serves as an evaluator for the Council of International Schools.
Lucie Berry
Assistant Head – Head of Lower School
Lucie studied Sociology at Durham University before beginning her career in the Civil Service. However, her passion for education and desire to work directly with children inspired a change in direction, leading her to complete the Teach First Leadership Development Programme and gain a PGDE from UCL. Lucie began her teaching career in Brixton, where she specialised in Early Years education and managed the nursery provision. She joined Thomas’s Clapham in 2021, bringing a wealth of experience in supporting children at the very start of their educational journey. Throughout her career, Lucie has held leadership roles including Head of Reception, mentored PGCE and ECT teachers and completed the NPQ in Leading Teaching. As Head of Lower School, she is committed to creating a nurturing and inspiring environment in which every child can thrive. She values building strong relationships with pupils and their families and takes great joy in supporting children as they grow in confidence, curiosity and independence.
Charlotte McConnell
Assistant Head – Head of Prep School
Charlotte began her career in the maintained sector, and moved into the independent sector when she joined Thomas’s Clapham as a form teacher over 20 years ago. Having been appointed as a Head of Year, Charlotte’s leadership experience continued as she rose to become Head of the Middle School. In her latest role as Head of Prep, Charlotte is responsible for all facets of school life for pupils across Years 3 to 8.    Charlotte ensures the highest standards of teaching, learning and wellbeing. She brings professional expertise and a strong parental perspective, as a mother of two teenagers, both former pupils of Thomas’s Clapham. Charlotte champions the school’s ethos of academic excellence and kindness. Passionate about helping every child flourish, Charlotte balances rigour with creativity and compassion to inspire confident learners.
Sara Harrison
Assistant Head – Head of Future Schools
Sara began her career at St Paul’s Prep School, where she served as Head of Science for many years, later transitioning to a part-time role while raising her two sons. Prior to joining the Thomas’s family in 2015, she held the position of Head of Science at Shrewsbury House. In her current role, Sara oversees the Future Schools Process, providing expert guidance to parents and ensuring pupils are fully prepared from Year 5 through to their successful transition to senior education. During her career, Sara spent 15 years with the ISEB, writing the Science 13+ Common Entrance exams and developing the national prep school syllabus. Her commitment to excellence continues as an ISI Team Inspector for both preparatory and senior independent schools. Sara holds a BSc (Hons) in Physiology from King’s College London, alongside a PGCE and an M.Phil in Educational Psychology from the University of Cambridge. She is fortunate to be able to teach the Year 8 Scholars Science and also teaches the whole of Year 5, in order to get to know all of the pupils.
Viki Stanton
Operations Administration Manager
With nearly three decades of dedicated service at Thomas’s Clapham, Viki Stanton is a cornerstone of the school community.  Since joining in 1997, Viki has held pivotal roles, including Registrar and School Projects Manager, before becoming Operations Manager in 2013. Her in-depth institutional knowledge ensures the school runs efficiently and smoothly and she is proud to have been such a large part of the Thomas’s Clapham journey to the school it is today. A collaborative leader, Viki works closely with the Head and each of the Senior Leadership Team on everything from recruitment and budgeting to co-ordinating the school calendar and major events. A graduate in Educational Administration from Roehampton University, Viki leads the administrative, caretaking, and GAP teams with precision, while managing vital links with catering and cleaning services. Beyond operations, she brings her personal passions to school life, leading the Green Unicorns Planting and Growing initiative and hosting her popular Christmas Crafts Club.  

The dedication of the teachers, and their genuine interest in and care for the children is fantastic.

– Thomas’s Parent Clapham

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