Senior Leadership Team

Vikki Meier is the Head of Eltham College Junior School.

After completing her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and her PGCE, she began her career in the maintained sector before transferring to the independent sector. She joined Eltham College in 2016, first as Deputy Head, primarily responsible for pastoral care and daily operations, before becoming Head in 2020.

Alongside her responsibilities at Eltham College, she is also a governor at a maintained primary school.

You can read here our interview with her on choosing the right school for your child.

Richard Lock is the Acting Head of Eltham College Junior School.

After achieving his degree in economics, Richard was drawn into the world of teaching and achieved his PGCE in primary education and MA in school leadership. He has joined Eltham College to cover Vikki Meier’s maternity leave.

Richard is ambitious for the future of the school and will be focused on providing high quality teaching and learning, outstanding co-curricular provision and raising ambition for each child at every stage.

Alex Matthews is Head of Blackheath Prep. He studied Geography at the University of Oxford, where he also held a Music Award. After completing a PGCE and MA in Education with specialisms in Primary Education and English at the University of Chichester, Alex began his career in maintained schools before transferring to the independent sector.

Alex has held deputy headships in two outstanding London schools, first as Deputy Head Co-Curricular at Dulwich College, London, and then as Deputy Head Pastoral at St Paul’s Juniors, the prep school to St Paul’s School, London. In both positions, he developed value-centred curricula, seeking to place pupil wellbeing and pastoral care at the heart of the two establishments. Alex Matthews joined Blackheath Prep as Head in 2020 and brings a wealth of experience and wisdom to Blackheath Prep, as well as energy and vision.

An enthusiastic exponent of the arts and an able musician, Alex enjoys choral and instrumental concerts. Alex is also a keen runner and has completed the London Marathon as well as several half-marathons. Alex also enjoys walking and can be spotted regularly on the Heath walking his whippet, Magnus, who is Blackheath Prep’s therapy dog.

James Martin is the Senior Deputy Head at Eltham College assisting the Headmaster in the overall leadership and management of the school. He was educated at Queen Elizabeth’s, Barnet, before completing his undergraduate degree in Economic History at Exeter University. After a short spell with a FTSE 100 company, he completed an MA in Modern History at Royal Holloway and a PGCE at the Institute of Education, University of London. Having taught at The Latymer School he returned to Queen Elizabeth’s as Head of History before taking up an Assistant Housemaster role at Chigwell School, followed by Director of Studies at Harrow School, Hong Kong. He joined Eltham College in 2017. He is married with two children.

He is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Senior School (Years 7-13) placing an equal emphasis on three aspects of school life: pastoral, academic and co-curricular excellence.

Robin Wilkinson is the Bursar for the Eltham College family of schools.

He joined Eltham College in August 2022 having spent ten years as a Board-level Director of the Metropolitan Police Service, latterly as Chief of Corporate Services. Prior to joining the Metropolitan Police Service, he held the joint role of Group HR Director for the Ministry of Justice and HR Director for the National Offender Management Service and was previously HR Director of the Prison Service for England and Wales. For six years he was a non-executive Director of the College of Policing.

He is married with four children. He is an experienced musician (trombonist) and has conducted a youth concert band for over twenty years.

Ann Massey is the Deputy Head Pastoral at Eltham College and is responsible for overseeing the pastoral care and well-being of students within the Senior School. She was educated at a comprehensive school in South Wales and read Modern History at St Anne’s College, Oxford. Ann has a MA In Education, specialising in Management and Leadership. Having taught at St Ursula’s Convent School, she moved to James Allen’s Girls’ School in 2001 where she was Head of Learning Support and then Assistant Head. Ann joined Eltham College in 2017.

Her responsibilities as part of the Senior Leadership Team include managing student behaviour, discipline, and attendance, as well as supporting students with any personal or social issues they may be facing. She is responsible for overseeing the school’s guidance and counselling services and works closely with other staff members to ensure that students are receiving the support and resources they need to succeed academically and socially. She is also responsible for working with students and families to develop and implement strategies to promote positive behaviours and academic success.

Kathryn Nutbeem is the Deputy Head Academic at Eltham College and is responsible for overseeing the academic performance and achievement of students within the Senior School.

After graduating from Queen Mary University of London, she did postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music and worked in the heritage industry before retraining as a teacher and spending seven years teaching in the Harris Federation and a further seven years at the British International School, Cairo, where she was Deputy Head.

Kathryn’s responsibilities as part of the Senior Leadership Team include setting academic standards and policies, monitoring student progress and performance, and working with teachers and other staff members to ensure that students are receiving a high-quality education. She is responsible for overseeing curriculum development, assessment, and data analysis, as well as working with other school leaders to develop and implement strategies to improve student achievement and academic outcomes.

Married with a young daughter, Kathryn is passionate about history and the arts, in particular theatre. She is also an ambassador for the Army Benevolent Fund and the armed forces charity SSAFA.

James Willatt is the Deputy Head Co-Curriculum, Outreach and Public Benefit at Eltham College, and is responsible for promoting student development beyond the classroom. He was educated at St. Olave’s Grammar School, Orpington, followed by Nottingham University and University College London. James joined Eltham College in 2009 as a Teacher of Geography and has held Head of Year and Assistant Head positions before becoming Deputy Head in 2022. He is married with a young daughter.

In his role as part of the Senior Leadership Team, James supports staff in delivering the school’s co-curricular and partnership undertakings, aligning activity with the school’s mission and aims.

Andrew Taylor is the Deputy Head Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Eltham College Junior School. He oversees the pastoral care, behaviour and well-being of all pupils in the Junior School.

Andrew was educated at Tiffin School, a boys’ grammar school in Kingston-upon-Thames, before gaining his first degree from Cambridge University, followed by an MA in Playwriting Studies from Birmingham University. He taught as an English specialist at several prep and junior schools in Surrey and SW London before joining Eltham College.

Passionate about literature and theatre, Andrew has written and directed a number of plays which have been staged in a wide range of theatres, from off-West End in London to the Edinburgh and Latitude Festivals.

Joanna Dudley is Deputy Head Academic at Eltham College Junior School and is responsible for overseeing the academic performance and achievement of students within the Junior School.

After graduating from the University of London with a degree in Ancient History, she gained her postgraduate degree in Education from the University of Canterbury. Alongside her first teaching position, she trained as a classical singer at Morley College, London. She taught at Belmont Preparatory School in Surrey prior to joining Blackheath High Junior School, initially as Head of Key Stage Two and Assessment, before taking up her role as Deputy Head. In 2013, she moved to California and spent five years as Director of an Academy of Performing Arts. Upon her return home, she joined Eltham College in 2020 as Head of Learning Support before becoming Deputy Head in 2023.

Joanna’s responsibilities as part of the Senior Leadership Team include monitoring the academic progress of all children in the Junior school, ensuring every child maximises their academic potential. She is also responsible for all aspects of the curriculum, timetabling and analysis of children’s data, working alongside other school leaders to best equip our young people with the skills and interpersonal qualities they will need to succeed in later life.