Senior management team
High Close’s senior management team play an important role in maintaining the high standards that the school has set itself.
Profiles of four of the senior management team are given below, but for the names and roles of all our staff, please download this organogram (PDF, 20KB).
Principal High Close School
Zoe Lattimer BSc (Hons) PGCE
After gaining a science degree at London University and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education from Goldsmith’s College also part of London University, Mrs Lattimer began her career lecturing at West Kent College of further education to young people entering the Medical Support Services and Nurses.
After taking a short break to have a family, she returned to part-time mainstream teaching in secondary schools. Following this she taught for five years in the Hospital Teaching Service, gaining experience working with young people facing life threatening and life challenging circumstances.
During the next few years she became Head of Reading’s Pupil Referral Service which gave her an excellent insight into the wide range of difficulties young people may face on their journey through life. Throughout this headship she worked closely with mainstream schools supporting behaviour and promoting pupil welfare.
Prior to joining High Close in September 2010, Mrs Lattimer was Executive Head of two SEBD schools, one primary and one secondary.
Mrs Lattimer believes passionately in a holistic approach to education believe that life and academic skills can be taught side by side with support.
Head of Education (Deputy Principal)
Jonathan Newport BEd (Hons), NPQH
Jonathan Newport began his teaching career at St Paul’s Junior School in Wokingham, where he taught for six years. In 1996, he moved to High Close to work in the junior department.
He says:
As you can see, I am still here and that’s because High Close is such a fantastic place to work.It is an environment where young people’s needs are at the forefront of all that we do; we have an ethos which encourages those young people to say “this is my school” and we try to have fun!
I enjoy being involved in all the activities we have at High Close from outdoor trips to performing in the talent shows – one day my Elvis impression will win!
Head of Care
Andy Fisk
Andy Fisk has extensive experience in residential and field social work.
He started work in a Community Home with Education (CHE), before moving to a residential special school as part of the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA). He then worked in a children’s home with Croydon Social Services, working with young people who had experienced sexual abuse.
After gaining his qualification in social work (CQSW), he returned to Croydon as a field social worker, working in the children and families child protection team. He then worked for Surrey Social Services as a youth justice officer. While there he qualified as a practice teacher, something he continues to do as part of his professional development.
After working seven years at Surrey Social Services, in July 2000 he was appointed to the position as head of care within the Barnardo’s organisation at Meadows School. He transferred to High Close School to take up the same position in October 2004. He recently completed his NVQ 4 in Management.
Bursar
Richard Knight
Richard Knight joined High Close as bursar in 2002 after a Civil Service career in the Ministry of Defence and HM Treasury, including two years with the Australian Government. He is a chartered management accountant and as bursar has responsibility for the finance, administration and business management of the school. In this role, Richard is the initial point of contact for enquiries about admissions to High Close and he coordinates pupil referrals from local authorities.
"Leaders are ambitious for their pupils and demonstrate an increasingly clear commitment to improving pupils’ achievements and to providing rich learning experiences." - Ofsted June 2011.
