House Staff

Mrs Utting studied Chemistry at the University of St. Andrews, and has taught at various schools such as Brighton College and Sherborne School. She has been involved in boarding throughout her teaching career and was Assistant Housemistress both in Aberdeen and Woodard Girls before becoming the Housemistress of Toynbee. She is married to Mr Utting, a Mathematics teacher at the College and a keen hockey and golf player. They have two daughters who both love coming into the boarding house, especially on a Saturday afternoon for some hot chocolate and a biscuit! Having all the family involved in Toynbee really does help to make it feel like a home from home.

Nikki joined Ardingly in 2017 as an English Teacher although she now teaches Social Sciences in the Senior School. Nikki  lives in accommodation situated at the end of the boarding house with her husband Craig, her two children, Jansen (18) and Matilda (15), Diezel (dog) and Kobi and Ursula (cats). Her previous experience includes support lecturing in Education at the University of Brighton where she also worked as a placement tutor for training teachers; teaching English at Tanbridge House School and a former career as a legal and sports journalist for a variety of national publications. Her main passions include mental health, football and writing poetry.

Alex Hill- Alex has been at Ardingly for over ten years. As Head of PE and a coach of girls’ sport, she has plenty of experience working with girls in and out of the classroom. Alex has worked in day and boarding houses as a tutor and is excited to take on the challenge of becoming a housemistress.

Mrs Tait took over Crosse in 2016.  After studying Classics at Oxford University and spending a decade working in Public Relations in London, as well as Sport Sponsorship & Event Management in professional round-the-world yacht racing, Mrs Tait became a Classics teacher in 2006 and has also been tutoring day and boarding boys throughout this time. A former Head of Careers and Head of CCF Navy Section, Mrs Tait has also coached rowing and sailing at a competitive level. She joined Ardingly College as Head of Classics in 2012 and currently teaches Latin in the Prep School and Classical subjects in the Sixth Form. With all of her own life experience, she believes firmly in boys pursuing what they are passionate about, and has a keen interest in how to manage a boy’s potential so that each one fulfils their ambitions for further education and a rewarding life beyond. She will also be seen avidly supporting boys’ sporting matches as well as their performances in the all-important house events; including sport, music, art, drama and the infamous Steepo cross-country run!

Mr King joined Ardingly College in the Trinity term 2018 from Oundle School after graduating in Politics and Law. At Oundle School he was Head of Politics, Head of Football, Deputy Housemaster and Child Protection Officer. He has led sports tours at home and abroad and has coached for ISFA. Mr King’s interests include sport, cooking, current affairs and supporting Bristol Rovers.

His wife, Genny, taught Art and History of Art and was a Deputy Housemistress and tutor in a boys’ house over the same duration at Oundle. They have a young daughter, Lilac, and a disreputable terrier, Tinker.

Mr Lane took over as Housemaster in Hilton in 2019 after being Assistant Housemaster of Crosse. After studying Sports Science at the University of Birmingham, Mr Lane spent seven years working as a hockey professional in independent schools.  During this time, Mr Lane played and captained Cannock HC in the National Premier league, winning five league titles and three silver medals at the European Cup. He also represented England in both indoor and outdoor versions of the game and was in the GB squad prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Mr Lane joined Ardingly College in 2013 as a Biology teacher and hockey coach and he continued to play hockey professionally for Holcombe HC. He currently runs the hockey at Ardingly and is passionate about individual development and sport for all. Mr Lane’s passion for Biology stems from his childhood. He always had a love of nature and the environment, with a special interest in birds of prey and falconry.  Richard immerses himself in the house system and has previous experience running activities, drama, and sports for the students in his care.

Born in Salvador Brazil, Lena moved to the UK in 2003. She is married to Dan who also works in education and they have a 12 year old daughter, Eva.

Lena studied Administration and Marketing. Then pursued her passion and trained as a therapist and as a Zumba teacher and opened up her own beauty therapy company and ran Zumba classes. Lena has also studied Interior Design and Fashion Design.

Lena joined Ardingly College as a Day House Supervisor at Burgess House, soon after it opened it’s doors in 2020. She soon got involved in the day to day running of the house, introducing house traditions and supporting where she could. Lena is caring, organised, diligent and creative and loves looking after the girls, their wellbeing her top priority. She enjoys organising events and parties and organised the end of term festival for Burgess House. With her warmth and bright smiley personality the girls are very fond of her, they also love the tasty Brazilian treats she bakes. It is no wonder she moved into the role of Assistant Housemistress when the post became available.

Mrs King joined Ardingly College in September 2019. Prior to this she worked at Oundle School for eleven years, where she was a Teacher of Art and History of Art and an Assistant Resident Housemistress in a girl’s boarding house for over four years. During her career she has tutored in both boys and girls Houses. Mrs King teaches Art in the Senior School and is married to Mr King, who is Housemaster of Mertens House, a boys boarding House. Her interests include painting, playing the piano and roller-skating.

Miss McPhilemy has been a Teacher of Drama at Ardingly since September 2020. Her degree is in Drama and Theatre Practice, and she studied at the University of Hull. She is a keen Theatre-maker and choreographer and plays an integral role in the College productions. She can be found regularly watching a movie with the girls in the common room or even having corridor chats in the evening on the floor! And let’s not forget about her rather cute little puppy, Wilma.

Mr Jerrit became Assistant Housemaster of Hilton in January 2020 having already been attached to the House as Boarding Assistant. He first joined Ardingly College in 2015 as Head of History and Head of Fencing from Epsom College where he taught History and Politics. Before becoming a teacher he worked as an Assistant Director in Film and Television of productions including “The Bill”, “Eastenders”, and “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”.

His wife, Gabbie, is a teacher of Biology who has worked at Christs’ Hospital, Epsom College and Perse School Cambridge. They have two children, David and Louisa, and a friendly Shi Tzu dog, Toby.”

Mr Green grew up in Tunbridge Wells in Kent and comes from a background of sport, playing football, rugby and cricket throughout his childhood before studying Sports Development and Coaching Sciences at Bournemouth University and representing the University 1st XI Cricket team, as well as being selected for the Dorset 2nd XI. After graduating, he spent two periods working at Trinity Grammar School in Sydney, Australia, assisting in the boarding house and PE department. For the last eight years, he has been working at King’s Ely in Cambridgeshire, originally as a Graduate Assistant before working his way up the ranks to become a boarding housemaster, a job he has enjoyed for the past four years.

Mr Green still enjoys playing cricket and goes home to Kent to play for his local cricket club, Speldhurst CC, whenever he can. One of his greatest sporting loves now is golf, and he is a keen supporter Arsenal FC and Harlequins RFC. Mr Green also has a passion for reading, as well as being keen to take any opportunity to go to the theatre to see a range of different shows

Mr Hussain was previously the Assistant Housemaster of Mertens. He joined Ardingly College in the Lent term 2019 as a member of the Drama department. Mr Hussain is a keen theatre enthusiast and has a deep-rooted passion for all things theatrical, apart from Musicals! He occasionally still works alongside 2MAN Theatre delivering a wide-range of workshops to educational institutes in his spare time. Other interests include Martial Arts and Running.

Justin joined the College in 2012 after completing a PhD in Philosophy at the University of Warwick where he was also a Resident Tutor looking after over 60 students in First Year Undergraduate Halls of Residence. Starting out as Divinity and Philosophy Teacher, Justin has been the Head of Academic Extension (which involves running the Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay programmes for the IB and the EPQ programme for the A-Level) and the Head of Politics and Sociology. When in house he can usually be found engaged in debate with any number of students about any number of things, ranging from the latest Reality TV programme to the nature of reality itself, or from the latest happenings in sports to the latest event in International Politics. Justin is married to Beth and they have a son, Cassian.

Dr Dawson joined Ardingly College in September 2016 and was previously Assistant Housemaster of Mertens. He has previously worked in pastoral and academic roles in the UK and abroad and is currently Head of Physics. When not in the classroom, he can be found supporting the Duke of Edinburgh Award or running the UK Space Design Competition.

Mr Hart is the first Housemaster of Pearson. He is a Mathematics teacher who returned to Ardingly in 2018 after 16 years at Brighton College, where he had roles as a Housemaster (for 8 years), the Assistant Head of Maths and the Head of Charities. Mr Hart lives locally with his wife and teenage children, he loves sport, especially cricket and hockey, and has managed school teams. He is an active supporter of house life, naturally immersing himself in the daily and ‘bigger event’ activities.

Having been House Supervisor in Neal for over 2yrs Jacqui has developed a true passion and understanding for what house life brings. She has an energetic, enthusiastic and empathetic character and is always there to encourage the girls to be their best selves. With a positive outlook Jacqui wants to ensure the students have happy memories of house life at school.

Mrs Kelly has worked at Ardingly for over a decade in the Learning Support and Maths departments. She helps students to overcome academic challenges, alongside her passion to support students pastorally. She is extensively trained in psychotherapy and counselling which provides her with skills, experience and desire to focus on students wellbeing. Beyond school she enjoys time in nature on long country walks and keeps fit with badminton and MuayThai. She loves music and is part of an acapella singing group, as well as enjoying performing on stage with her local amateur dramatics society.

Kerrie-Anne joined Ardingly in 2020 as a Biology Teacher. She has been teaching in Sussex schools for 20 years as a teacher of Science and PSHE alongside running the Duke of Edinburgh programme. She will live in a flat attached to the boarding house with her son Austin (17), daughter Cornelia (11), and dog Eden. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, paddle boarding, mountains and sea.

Benedict is an Old Ardinian and returned to Ardingly College as a graduate teacher after studying Biology at Cambridge University. It didn’t take long to fit back in, reinstating his place in the choir and becoming a Boarding Assistant in Godwin.

Chloe has been Assistant House Mistress of Woodard Girls since September 2019. Chloe joined Ardingly College in 2018 as a Sports Graduate, moving forward into the role of Hockey Development Officer for 2019. In 2016 she graduated from the University of Ulster with a BSc in Sports & Exercise Science.

Chloe’s passion and success is on the hockey pitch, playing at International level from the age of 14. Chloe now plays for East Grinstead Hockey Club and was part of the team who recently won the National indoor league.

Aside from her sporting career, Chloe holds a strong passion for education with the goal of becoming a physical education teacher. During her degree, Chloe took a year out to gain experience in the pedagogy of learning via a work placement in a girls school (Glenlola Collegiate). After her degree, she continued gaining experience in the education field as a classroom assistant and a coach, in numerous schools, in order to experience different learning environments, abilities and ages.