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Our Senior Leadership Team is responsible for the successful running of key areas of the School’s operations and provides support to the Head in implementing the strategic vision. Find out more about their roles and responsibilities below.
Richard Jones, Head
Richard is the Head of Bryanston and has a strong affinity with the School's ethos and values.
Richard joined Bryanston as Second Master in 2020 and was given interim responsibilities as Acting Head at the end of 2021, and was appointed Head at the end of the Spring term 2022.
With a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, he has a wealth of experience as a housemaster and in front-line teaching and, before joining Bryanston, was previously at Canford School and St John’s School, Leatherhead.
Working alongside the School’s Chief Operating Officer, Nick Dodd and other members of the Senior Management Team, Richard’s focus is to align with the School’s unique culture to provide an inspirational and dynamic educational environment for current and future pupils. He lives on site with his wife, Emily and their two sons.
Nicholas Dodd, Chief Operating Officer
Having direct responsibility for all operational functions at Bryanston, Nick plays a central role in informing, developing and fulfilling the strategic and commercial objectives of the Governors. His leadership responsibilities cover all areas of estates management and business development as well as finance, HR, catering, compliance and health and safety. Nick was previously Head of Retail Services and Operations at John Lewis and Partners.
Clement Donegan, Senior Deputy Head
Clement joined the School in April 2023. With 17 years of experience in education, he began his career as a chemistry teacher, and subsequently held positions as the Head of Department, Director of Football, Boarding Housemaster, and Deputy Head Pastoral and Boarding at Ratcliffe College. Clement also serves as a School's Inspector with ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate).
As a seasoned leader, he has significant responsibility for the day-to-day running of Bryanston. He has close involvement in all areas of school life, from academic to co-curricular and pastoral. Clement also works closely with the Head and Executive Committee in developing and delivering the School’s ambitious strategic plans. He joins Bryanston with his wife, Katy and three children.
Claire Miller, Deputy Head (Boarding & Pastoral) and DSL
With many years of experience as a former housemistress and Deputy Head of Boarding and Pastoral at Bryanston, Claire helps to oversee the day-to-day running of the School, working closely with the Head and rest of the Senior Management Team.
Claire is also a Teacher of Sport Science and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Preetpal Bachra, Deputy Head (Pupil Development)
Mark Deketelaere, Deputy Head (Academic)
Mark was educated at St Peter's College, Oxford and Imperial College, London. After a successful career in London, specialising in mining project finance, he moved into education. Following his PGCE in Bristol, Mark's first teaching post was at Poole Grammar School where he taught geography and geology from 2003-2008. From there he joined us at Bryanston as Head of Geography from 2008-2016 and, following a spell as Director of Academic Administration, is now the Deputy Head (Academic).
Melanie Burke, Director of Admissions & Marketing
Melanie joined us in 2023, relocating from Hertfordshire to beautiful Dorset. She has worked in marketing throughout her career in both the corporate environment and for the past thirteen years in education. Admissions became a passion through this period and Melanie gained a wealth of experience building and leading teams to recruit students from 3–18, from both UK and overseas markets.
Melanie strives to ensure that prospective parents and children enjoy a positive experience. She is a board member of AMCIS (Admissions, Marketing, Communications in Independent Schools).
Andy Barnes, Director of Technology
Andy has overall responsibility for all technology used in both the academic and business operations at Bryanston. Working together with other departments, his team ensures both the secure and effective use of systems and data to deliver the strategic objectives of the School. Andy is a computer science teacher and previously a housemaster having worked both internationally and within the state sector.
Mary Giles, Director of Human Resources
Mary has a career spanning over 30 years in Human Resources, primarily in the Technology sector (Microsoft) prior to moving into the Education sector when joining Bryanston in 2016.
With an overall responsibility for all aspects of Human Resources across an employee base of c650, Mary oversees a busy department which is responsible for everything from recruitment, selection, training and development, succession planning and employee benefits.
Mary is a Chartered Member of the CIPD.
Victoria Fangen Hall, Director of Development