Adam has been teaching in prep school education since 1996. He has taught in both boys’ and co-educational schools and has held a variety of roles, including Head of French, Assistant Deputy Head Academic, and Head of House. He is passionate about providing students with a well-rounded education, preparing them for their transition to senior school, and helping them develop the skills they need to make a difference. 

In his spare time, Adam enjoys cycling, going to the cinema and playing padel, pickleball and tennis in Southwest London, where he lives with his wife and two children. 

Having completed her degree in German and Russian at Queen Mary and Westfield College, London and a PGCE at the Institute of Education, Astrid started her teaching career at Dartford Grammar School for Boys before moving to Colfe’s School where in the course of 12 years, she became Head of German and later Head of Modern Languages and finally Academic Co-ordinator. From 2010 until retiring in 2023, Astrid worked as Deputy Head Academic at Alleyn’s School. She also served as a Team Inspector at ISI for 7 years.

When did you join RGS Prep? September 2025

What’s the best thing about RGS Prep? Quick and easy answer here: the people! The boys and staff are wonderful.

What excites you most about coming into work each day? Those lightbulb moments.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? An endless supply of different ice-cold drinks.

What’s your favourite film and why? The Holiday. I am a big Christmas movie fan!

If you could be any cartoon character who would you be? Minnie Mouse because she is kind and caring, but also stylish and confident.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? It’s better to try and fail, than to not try at all.

What excites you most about coming into work each day? Seeing the boys and discovering new things together through our lessons. There’s always new learning and the boys get very excited about it – it’s wonderful!

If you could change your name to anything, what would it be? Sassy – it’s what my niece calls me as she couldn’t pronounce Cathy…it’s sort of stuck with my whole family!

If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? A chef – I LOVE cooking, but sometimes I just can’t face it and wish I had someone to make all my favourite meals for me.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? My Kindle (with loads of books downloaded) – I read so much and don’t know what I’d do without books!

What animal most reflects your personality? A cat – sassy and aloof at times but loving and friendly/cuddly at other times.

What’s your favourite film and why? Practical Magic – I’ve loved it since it first came out back in 1998. I admire Sandra Bullock, love the sisterly storyline and how they deal with loss, grief, separation and finding yourself. The soundtrack is great as well!

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? Every day is a new day – it helps to reflect but then wake up each morning and really treat it like a fresh start.

Mike works with our international schools to develop living partnerships across the family of schools, following experience in high-performance schools both in the UK and overseas. Alongside experience leading in A Level and International Baccalaureate curricula, Mike has enjoyed positions of academic, pastoral and house leadership. His experience overseas includes early planning for a school transitioning into a co-educational environment; more recently in the UK, he was Head of Upper School in the RGS.

Along with a love of working with people and making connections, Mike is at his happiest outdoors. Fortunately, his family share his enthusiasm for the outdoors and even put up with his attempts at various musical instruments.

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Alastair is Managing Director of RGS Guildford International, the team that oversees and sets up RGS Guildford international schools, all of which are co-educational. This includes maintaining quality and managing the relationships with our partners and schools in China, Dubai, Oman, Qatar and  India (opening in 2028), as well as pursuing opportunities for new schools in other markets overseas. Alastair has held senior leadership positions in international partnerships over the last fifteen years in the heritage and higher education sectors, and is a passionate believer in the transformative impact that international experiences and perspectives can have on students and staff.

Having lived and worked in China and Italy, Alastair speaks five languages and brings a truly global outlook to his work. Outside of his professional role, he enjoys cycling, hiking, sea swimming, and exploring the countryside both in the UK and overseas.

As Chief Strategy Officer, Sam is responsible for strategy development and delivery across all parts of the RGS, including RGS Guildford and our wider international family of schools. His focus is on helping the RGS to innovate and embrace the future, whilst ensuring it stays true to its ethos and values. He brings over 25 years of experience of leading complex change, including previous senior positions in both the charity sector and management consultancy.  

Outside of work, Sam is passionate about sport and is mostly to be found on a touchline somewhere, supporting his children whilst trying to remain un-biased. He is also a keen amateur cook, and enjoys walking in the Surrey Hills with his family. 

Becky is the Director of Finance and Operations, with responsibility for finance, HR, IT, health and safety, estates, and governance—where she also serves as Clerk to the Governors. She enjoys the variety and challenge of the role and is committed to making sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, so staff can focus on what they do best and students have the best possible experience. 

Before joining the school sector, Becky spent 17 years working in universities in London and the south coast, leading operational teams and overseeing strategic planning. Her most recent role was as Director of Operations at UCL, focussed on their advancement programme. Outside of work, she has a young family, so much of her spare time is spent at clubs and activities, but she loves to travel whenever the opportunity arises. 

When did you join the RGS? 1992 (but I left for a year in ’96 and then thought better of it).

What’s the best thing about the RGS? There’s always a good reason to come to work beyond school breakfast, and it is the people, boys and staff alike.

What’s your life philosophy/motto in life? If you can make a positive difference, that makes life more worthwhile for everyone.

What luxury would you have on a desert island? A violin (obviously).

Where is the best place you’ve travelled to and why? South East Asia because of the people.

What’s your favourite film and why? Green Card. When Gerald Depardieu plays the piano (you’ll have to watch it).

Do you have any phobias? Getting less keen on heights as I get older.

What’s the strangest thing in your fridge at the moment? Anaesthetic. (no – no further details)

What food will you absolutely not, under any circumstances, eat? That’s a long list but large mammal eyeballs would be fairly near the top.