Deputy Head (Pre-Prep), Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
As a child growing up in Buckinghamshire and Norfolk, Rebecca was keen on horse riding, reading and trips to the beach. She went on to read English at the University of Sussex where she developed interests in feminist and postmodern criticism and gained a Master’s Degree in Critical Theory. Alongside her studies, Rebecca volunteered and worked at a number of educational and childcare settings, working with very young children and children with special educational needs and disabilities. Rebecca studied for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Cambridge, specialising in Early Education. Rebecca settled in Norwich and joined Town Close School as an Early Career Teacher. Alongside teaching in the Pre Prep Department, she completed a Master’s Degree in Education at the University of Cambridge, carrying out an action research project with Town Close Pre Prep pupils, which sought to explore the factors that influence early creative writing development. Rebecca is a Specialist Literacy Teacher and Associate of The Dyslexia Guild. Outside of school, Rebecca enjoys a busy family life with her husband Leo and their three children, Claudia, Gabriel and Sebastian.
Bursar
Deputy Head, Head of Religious Studies
After a happy and successful time at Framlingham College, Stuart Coulthart read Theology and Ethics in Lancaster with teacher training following at UEA. Positions in leading prep schools in Nairobi and London all predated his move to Town Close. Stuart is joint deputy head in the Prep department and leads the teaching of religious studies in the School. A research masters at Warwick University gave him the chance to explore the benefits of children engaging with current affairs within the RS classroom. Travel, theatre and opera take up much of his time outside of term time.
Head of Pre-Prep, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
After growing up on a farm in Hertfordshire, with a great deal of her time spent on musical activities, Melanie studied Education and Music at Homerton College, Cambridge. After graduating with a BEd. (hons) and keen to get into the classroom, she took up her first post as a Reception teacher at The King’s School, Ely. Ely was the city in which she settled for many years after meeting her husband at the school in which they both worked. Following posts in Newmarket as a Year 2 teacher and as Head of Pre Prep at King’s College School, Cambridge, where she also studied for an MEd in Educational Leadership, she joined the Town Close family, as Head of Pre Prep in January 2016. Melanie continues to enjoy music, theatre, arts and crafts and travel.
Assistant Bursar
Anna grew up in the Home Counties going to school in Beaconsfield, before studying Sociology then Leisure and Recreation Management at the University of Gloucestershire followed by Bucks Chilterns University College. After managing a series of sports centres and hospitality venues across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire, Anna spent eighteen months travelling the world. On her return, Anna came to Norfolk to work at UEA in a variety of senior management roles at Sportspark, where she remained for thirteen years. After leading the Sportspark to two nationally recognised awards in two years, Anna joined the Town Close team in 2019 as the Assistant Bursar (Estates). Anna can be found outside; whether this be on her allotment, on a hockey pitch, up a mountain in her tent, whittling wood or training to climb Everest, she never stays still for long.
Director of Studies
Growing up in Norfolk, Jennifer had a very happy childhood and spent lots of her time on musical activities. Following her time at Thorpe House and Norwich School, she went on to read Education and Spanish at Homerton College, Cambridge. As part of this, she spent a year working in a primary school in Granada, Spain. She graduated with First-Class Honours and stayed at Cambridge University to complete her P.G.C.E. Following this, she moved back to Norfolk and began working at Queen’s Hill Primary School, where she later on took up post as Assistant Headteacher. During this time, she completed her MEd and also worked with the Angles Maths Hub supporting schools across Norfolk to develop a Teaching for Mastery Curriculum. Outside of work, she loves to travel and can normally be found at the weekends cycling around Norfolk on a red tandem with her husband, Ali, or walking in the countryside.
Headmaster
After a very happy time as a pupil at Oundle School, Chris Wilson read Rural and Environmental Economics at Newcastle University before taking a conversion course in Mathematics at Homerton College, Cambridge, where he stayed on to get his PGCE in Secondary Mathematics.
On graduating, Chris was keen to get involved in Prep Schools and took a teaching role at Winchester House School, where he also ran the boys boarding house, Colts Rugby and Hockey and the 1st XI Cricket.
While at Winchester House, Chris met his wife Hayley and settled in the area for 11 years before moving to Hertfordshire and taking over as Deputy Head at Lockers Park School. The following year he took over as Headmaster where he stayed for 9 years before joining the Town Close family as Head in September 2021.
In his spare time, Chris enjoys playing cricket and golf, walking the family dog Bella and going to the theatre.
Deputy Head Pastoral, Head of P.E., Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)
With both his Mother and Father in the Royal Navy, Mark spent his early years moving from various military towns and cities. The family settled in Bedfordshire where he attended Stratton Upper school and went on to attend De Montfort University, Bedford. After Graduating with a B.Ed Sec PE (Hons), he and his wife, Laura, relocated to Norwich and fell in love with Norfolk and all it offers. He was head of Boys PE at Aylsham High School where he also ran the school’s football academy and was Head of year 7. He was welcomed into the Town Close community in 2010 as Head of PE and activities and has led the school’s Adventure and Skills Academy. Having spent many years watching and playing football at various levels, he can now often be found on his bike in the lanes of south Norfolk, on the beaches of East Anglia or in the forest near the family home with his children Esme and Millie.