It’s more than a job. Meet our team of dedicated, diligent professionals.
Neil Tetley - Principal
Neil Tetley started as Principal at Hastings School in September 2018 having previously been Headmaster of Woodbridge School in the UK for four years. He has worked at numerous schools in the UK and abroad: Assistant Head at King’s College School, Wimbledon; Deputy Head at Sevenoaks School; schools in Japan, Italy and Belgium. He has a degree and MA in History from Cambridge University, a PGCE from Cambridge University and has completed MA modules in ‘Education in an International Context’ and ‘Leading and Managing Change in Education’ from Bath University.
Helen Ormerod - Assistant Principal & Head of Primary
With over 23 years of teaching experience across the primary range, Helen joined Hastings from the UK in April 2016. She had spent over 15 years in senior leadership positions in a range of schools including 11 years as a Headteacher and most recently as CEO of a Multi-Academy Trust. Her passion for education, travel and languages prompted the move to Madrid.
Emma Duffy - Deputy Head of Primary - Early Years
Emma completed her PGCE at the University of Glasgow. She has over 10 years experience teaching across Early Years and Primary and began working at Hastings School in 2014. Emma is passionate about working in Early Years and helping young children to develop curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
Anne McConnell - Deputy Head of Primary - Key Stage 1
Anne McConnell began her teaching career in Brighton, East Sussex. She has 10 years experience working in numerous schools in Brighton and Madrid as classroom teacher, Key Stage Coordinator and Deputy Head. Anne studied Philosophy at Leeds University, and completed GTP teacher training with Brighton University.
Fiona Chapman - Deputy Head of Primary - Key Stage 2
Fiona Chapman’s teaching qualification is from the University of Warwick. She has been teaching for over 30 years in schools in London, Mexico City and Madrid. Her plan to continue moving on an international circuit came to an end when she moved to Madrid in 1995 and fell in love with the city and Hastings School! She is passionate about Teaching and Learning.
Jonathan Gunzi - Head of Secondary
Since graduating from Cambridge University with a Geography degree, Jonathan has worked in four secondary schools and was Deputy Head Teacher in two highly successful London schools. He joined Hastings School as Head of Secondary in September 2019 after moving with his family to Madrid from London.
Rose Bryant - Deputy Head of Secondary - Academic
Rose studied for a BA in English Literature and Drama at the University of Birmingham before completing her PGCE at the University of Bristol. From there, she completed four years teaching in Dorset in the UK, including working as the KS4 Coordinator for the English department. Rose joined Hastings School in 2015 as an English teacher, enthusiastically pursuing a path in Teaching and Learning. Outside school, she continues to enjoy her theatrical roots and regularly acts in productions with English Theatre Madrid.
Linda Carruthers - Deputy Head of Secondary - Pastoral
Linda Carruthers became Head of Art at Hastings school in January 2009. In 2012 she became part of the leadership team with responsibility for Pastoral Care. She studied Fine Art in Newcastle and completed her PGCE at Roehampton University in London. Linda has a passion for the Arts which is what brought her to the beautiful city of Madrid and has since made it her home.
Anna Brickle - IB Programme Co-ordinator
Anna studied Physics at Bristol University and completed her PGCE in 1994. Anna worked in the UK as a Physics teacher and Head of Physics in Bristol, Brighton, and Nottingham before relocating to Indonesia in 2004. She stayed there for 10 years, raising her children, and working as Head of Science and Head of the House system in the Australian International school. The family moved to Spain in 2013 with Anna teaching the UK curriculum and Física (Bachillerato) in addition to her Head of Science role. She finally moved to Hastings in 2018 and with her interest and experience in international education systems she is leading the development of the IB diploma programme.
Leah Smith - Deputy Head Data and Assessments
Leah joined Hastings in 2017, having previously taught in both the UK and China. She graduated with a BA Hons degree in Geography & Politics from the University of Worcester in 2012 and gained her PGCE at Goldsmiths University in London a year later. As well teaching Geography, Leah is responsible for in-school assessments, academic data, and day-to-day school logistics. She also builds the Secondary timetable each year. Outside of school, Leah enjoys crafts, hiking and cooking Chinese food.
TEACHING TEAM
Highly qualified and passionate
Our teachers, most of whom come from the UK, are our most valuable asset and we are fortunate to have a team of teachers who are not only highly qualified and experienced, but passionate about what they do. The quality of relationships with students is crucial and the better teachers know their students, the more they can ensure they get the best out of each individual.
Teachers at Hastings receive ongoing professional development to ensure they stay up-to-date with the latest developments in education. We have worked hard to make Hastings a great place to work in order to attract and retain the very best staff.
