Staff & Senior Leadership Team

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Head of English
Mrs Siobhan Blunden-Currie

Head of Mathematics
Miss Georgina Freeman

Head of Design & Technology
Mrs Gemma Young

Head of Religious Studies
Miss Tanya McAuliffe

Head Of Physical Education
Mrs Alison Pickles

Heads of Year

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