- Head’s Welcome
- Ethos & Values
- Our Staff
- Governors
- OFSTED & Public Examination Results
- Our Prospectus
- Safeguarding at Downlands
- Learning Support/SEND Information
- Diversity
- Young Carers
- Looked after and Previously Looked After Children
- Extra Curricular Clubs & Activities
- GCSEPod for Parents
- Uniform at Downlands
- Reporting Absence & Emergency Closure Information
- Admissions
- The Canteen at Downlands
- Online Payments
- Downlands School Day
- Student Roles at Downlands
- Careers & Work Experience
- International School
- Facilities & Lettings
- Downlands School Association
- MCAS for Parents
- Year 7 Transition
- Mid Sussex Federation of Schools
- Useful Links
Our Staff
Click on the toggles below to view our Staff members 2025-2026
Senior Leadership Team
- Mr M Ashdown – Headteacher
- Mr S Adams – Deputy Headteacher
- Mr C Runeckles – Deputy Headteacher
- Mrs E Dickinson – Assistant Headteacher
- Mr J Chandler – Assistant Headteacher
- Mrs C Davies – Assistant Headteacher
- Mrs K Turner – Assistant Headteacher
- Ms S Kashmiri – Assistant Headteacher
- Mrs V Cornish – Assistant Headteacher for SEND
Teaching Staff | All subjects
CREATIVE ARTS DEPARTMENT
- Ms J Moss – Head of Teaching and Learning (Creative Arts)
- Mrs K Robertson – Head of Teaching and Learning (Drama)
- Mr A Wardrobe – Head of Teaching and Learning (Music)
- Ms C Hambly-Walker – Textiles & Art
- Miss S Green – English & Drama
- Miss M Lincoln – Music & Digital Systems Lead
- Miss K Bitmead – Art
CREATIVE ARTS | Support Staff
- Mrs A Cooper – Technology and Art Technician
- Mr R Grice – Music Technician
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
- Ms S Kashmiri – Head of Teaching & Learning
- Miss E Groves – Second in charge
- Ms T Millington – Reading Lead
- Miss S Quick – Librarian
- Mr G McCusker
- Mrs N Howarth – Key Stage 3 Coordinator
- Miss S Green
- Mrs A Radmore, In Charge of Alternative Provision Strategy
- Mr A Everitt
- Miss C Haynes
- Ms A Heminsley
ENGLISH | Support Staff
- Mrs J Moulds – English Intervention and Teaching Assistant
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
- Mrs D Moller – Head of Teaching & Learning Technology
- Mrs F Skelton – Second in charge Food & Nutrition
- Mr D Walker – Head of Design & Technology
- Mr J Matthews – Design & Technology
- Ms C Hambly-Walker – Textiles & Art
- Mrs E Matthews – Food & Nutrition
- Mrs S Martin – Textiles, Food and Design & Technology
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY | Support Staff
- Mrs A Cooper – Technology & Art Technician
- Mrs N Grala – Food & Textiles Technician
RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEPARTMENT
- Miss C Bassett – Head of Teaching & Learning Religious Studies & Personal Development Curriculum
- Mr C Smith – Religious Studies
- Mr M Stokes – Religious Studies, Forest School, Head of Year 11
- Mr C Runeckles – Religious Studies, Deputy Headteacher
COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
- Mr P Kluge – Head of Teaching and Learning Computer Science
- Ms M Colwill
- Mr J Chandler – Assistant Head Teacher
MATHS DEPARTMENT
- Ms S Chalmers – Head of Teaching & Learning Mathematics.
- Mr H Herbert – Head of KS4 Mathematics
- Mr M Whitmore – Head of Year 7
- Dr N Korniotis
- Mrs M Xenou
- Mr Z Shinebourne – Assistant SENCo, Neurodiversity Lead
- Ms T Vieira Ventura
- Mr T Blasco
- Miss B Cambridge
- Mr J Bartle
- Mr M Holland
MATHS | Support Staff
- Mr M Tilly – Maths Intervention and Teaching Assistant
MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
- Ms E Tizard – Head of Teaching & Learning
- Mrs E Johnson – 2nd in charge
- Ms C Paul
- Mrs P Miche
- Miss K Lambert
- Mrs C Taulke-Johnson
- Ms I Lovett
- Mr O Peak – Modern Languages Assistant
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM (CDC) DEPARTMENT
- Mr N Buckley – Character Development, Strategic Lead
- Mrs C Taulke-Johnson – Character Development, Curriculum Lead (CDC)
- Miss H Bridge – Inter-community Character Co-ordinator
- Mr M Smith – Character Passport
- Mr M Tilly – DofE
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
- Mr M Urwin – Head of Teaching & Learning
- Mr M Lowe – 2nd in charge, KS4 Science Coordinator
- Dr V Ntokorou – 3rd in charge, KS3 Science Coordinator
- Mrs C Davies – Assistant Headteacher
- Mrs E Dickinson, Assistant Headteacher
- Mr M Hunnable – Head of Year 9
- Ms G Chiocca
- Mrs D Shah
- Mr C Blackburn
- Miss M Palfreyman
SCIENCE | Support Staff
- Mrs P Puzhakkal – Senior Science Technician
- Dr K Van Den Dolder – Learning Intervention Assistant
- Ms R Bedwell – Learning Intervention Assistant
- Mrs H Colvert – Learning Mentor Science/STEM Coordinator
- Mr D Skelton – Science Technician
- Ms C Rose – Science Technician
PE DEPARTMENT
- Mr S Holt – Head of Teaching & Learning
- Ms J Brewington – 2nd in charge, Schools Sports Co-ordinator
- Mr K Lusk – Head of Year 8
- Miss M Cull – Dance
- Miss A Nee – Dance
- Ms E L Wilson
- Mr N Buckley, Head of Character
- Miss H Bridge
- Miss I Deamer
- Mr G Whittaker
- Mr L Adams – Sports Assistant & Cover Supervisor
- Mrs K Turner – Assistant Head Teacher
GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT
- Mrs A Corcoran – Head of Humanities, Head of Teaching & Learning, Geography
- Mr M Smith – International Schools Coordinator
- Mrs H Middleditch
- Mrs H Colvert
GEOGRAPHY | Support Staff
- Ms N Childs – Geography Intervention and Teaching Assistant
HISTORY DEPARTMENT
- Mr D Joyner – Head of Teaching & Learning, History
- Mr G Calvert – Head of Year 10
- Mr M Ashdown – Headteacher/Classics & History
- Mr S Adams – Deputy Headteacher
- Miss R Hitchen
- Mr C Runeckles – Deputy Headteacher
Admin Support Team
- Mr M Graham – Data Manager
- Mrs G Read – Examinations Officer
- Mrs T Molloy – Resources Manager
- Mrs D Di-Giuseppe – Resources Assistant
- Mrs S Fairbank – Business Manager
- Miss L Faith – Human Resources Officer
- Mrs K Fishburn – Cover Officer
- Mrs L Bryant – Cover Officer
- Ms L Hollingdale – Careers & Work Related Learning Officer
- Mrs H Sweatman – SEND PA
- Mrs L Marinova – Head Receptionist and Medical Officer
- Mrs K Reynolds – Receptionist & Admissions Coordinator
- Mrs K Weller– Receptionist, Behaviour Administrator, Clerk to the Governors
- Mrs A Ludnow – Trips Coordinator & Finance Assistant
- Mrs S Brooks – Finance Assistant
- Mrs S Phillips – PA to Assistant Head Teacher – Behaviour & Inclusion
- Mrs J Helsdon – Attendance & Pupil Services Officer
- Mrs C Anscombe – PA to Headteacher
- Mrs H Francis – Safeguarding Administrator
- Mrs J Miles – PA to Senior Leadership Team
- Mrs S Milton – PA to Senior Leadership Team
Pastoral Support Team
- Mrs K Turner – Head of Safeguarding:(Assistant Headteacher)
- Mrs T Goodman – Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Mrs H Francis – Safeguarding Administrator
- Mrs J Cobb – Lead Pastoral Support Officer
- Mrs S Phillips – PA to Pastoral Support Team
- Year 7 Pastoral Support Officer – Miss C Carron
- Year 8 Pastoral Support Officer – Miss K Longhurst
- Year 9 Pastoral Support Officer – Mrs L Horn
- Year 10 Pastoral Support Officer – Ms M Ashbridge
- Year 11 Pastoral Support Officer – Miss C Carron
IT Support Team
- Mr J Forrest – IT Systems Manager
- Mr A Harris – IT Technician
- Mr J Mach – IT Technician
Site Management Team
- Mr D Eliff- Site Manager/Maintenance Officer
- Mr M Dalgleish – Assistant Facilities Officer
- Mr F Sykes – Assistant Facilities & Project Officer
Our Communities
All students at Downlands belong to one of 4 Communities, all named after areas of natural beauty in Sussex
- Beacon
- South Downs
- Weald
- Wolstonbury