Senior Leadership Team

(Interim) co-Head (learning): Miss Sarah Jones

Miss Jones is one of GFS' co-founders. She graduated with a first class degree in Law from Magdalen College, Oxford, after attending her local state comprehensive. She trained with Teach First - an organisation that trains top graduates to work in challenging, urban schools.

Having received the Teach First School Project Award in her first year of teaching, she has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted and the exam results of pupils in her classes have consistently exceeded department, school and borough averages.

Miss Jones encourages her pupils to aim high, and ensures they have access to opportunities usually reserved for those at the top public schools, including extra-curricular activities such as debating and model UN, in which her students have achieved outstanding things like being invited to trial for the England national debating team.

Miss Jones has been Deputy Head at GFS since its launch, where she has been responsible for Teaching and Learning and the Curriculum. She is interim co-Head until September 2014.

(Interim) co-Head (resources): Mrs Sue Duckworth

Ms Duckworth joined GFS following 15 years’ experience in many types of schools, contributing to school improvement through Business Management and developing Leadership. Prior to joining GFS Ms Duckworth worked in collaboration with national groups to transform Governance in schools and is passionate about providing outstanding education for all pupils.

Ms Duckworth brings a wide range of skills and experience to the school and has a diverse background in Finance and Business. In addition to becoming the first School Business Manager in Kent her background includes owning her own restaurant and working as an Analyst at the British Embassy in Washington DC. She is also a parent to two daughters.

Ms Duckworth has been Director of Resources at GFS since its launch, where she is responsible for ensuring the pupils have a school environment to be proud of; one in which they are excited to come to school each day to learn and enjoy their education. She is Interim Co-Head until September 2014.

Head of Pastoral Matters and Operations:
Mr Ben Aston

After graduating from Liverpool John Moores University, Mr Aston taught in the top two academic schools in Staffordshire. He was Master in charge of cricket, a Housemaster and Head of the School magazine at Newcastle-Under-Lyme School. Mr Aston then moved to be Head of PE at Stafford Grammar School, a department that achieved outstanding results at both GCSE and A level. He has also taught KS3 Geography.

As Head of Year, Mr Aston has pushed pupils to be the best they can. He has been a driving force in the development of policies and protocols that have enhanced many elements of life at GFS, from the wellbeing and behaviour of pupils to the promotion of the pupil representative body, GFS Voice. He has also undertaken the organisation of many events, CPD sessions and has been instrumental in the induction of new staff.

Mr Aston believes in the benefit of extra-curricular trips having run and organised many skiing trips to Austria and Italy, a senior rugby tour to Oceania and junior rugby tours to France. February 2014 will see the first GFS Ski Trip depart to Italy. Mr Aston is also responsible for the Year 7 Residential that takes place in September, and for the induction of new pupils into the School.

Mr Aston has a huge passion for sport, and brings this to each of his lessons. He has worked with academy footballers, England cricketers and numerous county athletes across a number of sports. He has also been a nationally ranked swimmer, and still plays competitive cricket and football.