Staff & Senior Leadership Team
Senior Leadership Team
Headteacher
Simon Underdown
Mr Underdown joined PHSG in September 2019 from Churston Ferrers Grammar School. He has been a senior leader since 2008 and a teacher for over 25 years having served in six different schools. Mr Underdown is determined to ensure that our students have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience at school.
Deputy Headteacher
Donna Roughton
Miss Roughton joined PHSG in 2008 from Lipson Community College. Before being promoted to the senior team at Plymouth High, Miss Roughton was an extremely successful Head of Mathematics at both Lipson and Plymouth High. She has been a teacher for over 20 years. As Deputy Headteacher, she is responsible for the curriculum and academic standards and makes sure that our systems run smoothly and efficiently.
Assistant Headteacher, Thinking Teaching and Learning
David Britz-Colwill
Mr Britz-Colwill returned to PHSG in 2008, having led the Biology Department at Carisbrooke High School on the Isle of Wight. Serving as our Deputy Head of Science, he left in 2013 to take up a science leadership role at Woodhouse College, a highly-successful sixth form college in North London before returning in 2013 as our Head of Science. An experienced teacher of more than 17 years, Mr Britz-Colwill was appointed in 2023 as Assistant Head Teacher responsible for Thinking Schools accreditation as well as teaching and learning. He also oversees teacher training, including early career teachers and Curriculum Enrichment Week.
Assistant Headteacher, Head of Sixth Form
Alan Jenkins
Mr Jenkins has joined PHSG from Devonport High School for Boys in September 2021. He is an experienced leader with over 20 years of teaching experience. Mr Jenkins is responsible for making sure that the quality of teaching and learning in the Sixth Form is of the highest standard. He oversees all post Sixth Form learning applications including those for Oxbridge and all medical related courses.
Assistant Headteacher, SENDCo & DSL
Samantha Payne
Mrs Payne joined PHSG in 1991 from The University of Exeter. She has been a teacher for over 28 years and in that time has held a wide variety of teaching and leadership positions. Mrs Payne is responsible for ensuring that our students with additional needs receive appropriate support and guidance. Mrs Payne is also our Designated Safeguarding Lead and manages the support base.
Heads Of Department

Mr Tom Varrall

Mrs Siobhan Blunden-Currie
Miss Georgina Freeman

Mrs Catherine Lewin

Mr Matthew Thackray

Mrs Gemma Young

Mr Leon Graves

Mrs Heidi Walsh

Miss Tanya McAuliffe
Mr Matthew Davies

Miss Claire Crouch

Mr Richard Mallard
Mrs Alison Pickles
Mr Adrian Waite
Heads of Year

Miss Shellie Joynes

Mrs Zoe Nicol-Boyle

Mrs Fiona Banks

Mr Duncan Law
Miss Tess Taylor
Full Staff List
Art Department
- Mr Tom Varrall (HOD)
- Miss Megan Walsh
Business Studies (6th Form)
- Mr Peter Goodchild
Computing
- Mr Pete Richards
Design & Technology
- Mrs Gemma Young (HOD)
- Mrs Penny Brown
- Mr Darren Watson
- Mr Eamonn Keating (technician)
Drama
- Mrs Claire Crouch (HOD)
- Mrs Joanna Clews
Economics (6th Form)
- Mr Alan Jenkins (SLT)
- Miss Victoria Carter
English
- Mrs Siobhan Blunden-Currie (HOD)
- Mr Kas Langmead (SLT)
- Mrs Ruth Readey
- Mr David Rutherford
- Miss Catherine Taylor
- Mrs Nicola Ilott
- Mrs Rebecca Hoyte
Geography
- Mr Leon Graves (HOD)
- Mrs Zoe Nicol-Boyle (HOY)
- Mrs Louise Stoodley
History
- Mr Richard Mallard (HOD)
- Miss Kate Tomalin
- Ashton Wright
- Miss Ellen Chapman (Maternity Cover)
- Ms Luci Findlay
Law (6th Form)
- Ms Luci Findlay
Mathematics
- Miss Georgina Freeman (HOD)
- Mr Simon Underdown (HT)
- Miss Donna Roughton (SLT)
- Mr Duncan Law (HOY)
- Mr Pete Goodchild
- Mrs Victoria Carter
- Mr Pete Richards
- Miss Kate Wakeling
Modern Foreign Languages
- Mrs Heidi Walsh (HOD)
- Mrs Anna Carter
- Miss Elizabeth Hofmann
- Mrs Jade Gilchrist
Music
- Mrs Kristy Marcer-Griffiths
Physical Education
- Mrs Alison Pickles (HOD)
- Mrs Emma Goolden
- Miss Lowenna Jones
- Mrs Joanna Clews
- Mr Gary Payne (technician)
PSHE
- Mrs Catherine Lewin (HOD)
- Mrs Sam Payne (SLT)
- Various staff are trained to deliver PSHE
Religious Studies
- Miss Tanya McAuliffe (HOD)
- Mrs Fiona Banks (HOY)
- Mrs Helen Brownbridge
Science
- Mr Adrian Waite (HOS) &(HOD-B)
- Mr Matthew Thackray (HOD-P)
- Mr Matthew Davies (HOD-C)
- Miss Shellie Joynes (HOY)
- Dr Charlotte Doddrell
- Mrs Philippa Hatfield
- Miss Annette Cook
- Mrs Catherine Lewin
- Mrs Lynne Caddy (senior technician)
- Laura Tills (technician)
Extended projects
- Mrs Sam Payne (SLT)
- Mrs Catherine Lewin
Cover Supervisors
- Mrs Rebecca Jagger-Rowden
- Ms Nikki Barnett
- Mr Jim Pearce
- Mrs Joanna Landsborough
- Mrs Tess Taylor
Catering Department
- Catering Manager: Mrs Sue Arkroyd
- Catering staff: Mrs Kelli Cole, Mrs Amanda Holdsworth, Miss Mel Mason, Miss Sam Wonnacott, Miss Kayleigh Rice
- Mealtime Supervisor: Mrs Nicola Hunter, Mrs Janett Burdess
Careers
- Careers Leader and Advisor: Mrs Heather Longford
Data Management/Exams Team
- Exams Officer: Mrs Julie Hardwick
- Data Manager: Mrs Rachel Will
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
- DofE Manager: Mr Gary Payne
- DofE Assistant Manager: Barbara Osborne
ICT Support,
- SW Service Delivery Manager: Mr Chris Box
- IT Technician: Miss Jo Fellowes
- IT Technician: Mr Kieran Moore
- IT Technician: Mr Paul Blight
Library
- Librarian: Miss Anna Harris (Tues- Thurs)
- Mrs Delia Heard (Mon & Fri)
Office Team
- Head’s PA: Miss Vicki Benwell
- Office Manager and Cover Manager: Mrs Julie Johns
- Assistant to Heads of Years 7-11: Miss Jackie Barker
- Assistant to Head of Sixth Form: Ms Karen Mills
- Attendance Officer: Mrs Karen Wells
- Sixth Form Centre & Attendance Co-ordinator: Mrs Jen Catchpole
- Administration: Mrs Tess Taylor (HOY)
- Resources & Admin Assistant: Mrs Liz Hore
- Receptionist: Miss Gemma Shattock
- Data Protection Officer: Mrs Kathryn Rogers
SEND/Medical Inclusion Team and First Aid in A01
- Learning Mentor and First Aid: Mrs Trish Simister
- Learning Mentor: Mrs Sophie Lee
Site Support Team
- Facilities Manager: Mr Darren Berry
- Facilities Officer: Mrs Sarah Harris
- Facilities Assistant: Mr Lewis Lyttle