Mr James Thomas

Headmaster

James became the 38th Headmaster of Sutton Valence School in August 2021. He is hugely proud to lead the School and has an infectious enthusiasm for all things SVS.

As a pupil, he studied at St Paul’s School, London, and then went on to receive his undergraduate degree in Theology from Trinity Hall, University of Cambridge. He holds an MA in Educational Leadership from the University of London and also the National Professional Qualification for Headship.

In his early career, he was a Head of Department (Theology and Philosophy) at both Dulwich College and Wellington College, where he was also in charge of Oxford and Cambridge applications. He then became the Director of Studies at Harrow International School, Hong Kong before moving to the British School in Tokyo for seven years where he was Head of the Senior School.

He is a Team Inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate, is a Governor at the local Village Primary School as well as being on the board at our School in China, HIKSVS. He is also on the national HMC Professional Development Committee.

Beyond work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, three sons (who attend The Prep School) and his energetic labrador-spaniel cross. His personal interests include music, choirs, sport (he’s a faithful Fulham Fan and loves an afternoon at the Principality/Twickers or at the Canterbury Cricket Ground, travelling all around the world and debating current affairs.

Mr David Sansom

Head of Senior

David joined the School in 2007 and became Head of Senior School in 2025. He has held numerous roles at the School including Deputy Head, Assistant Head, and Head of Juniors. He has taught Geography to all ages, coached Rugby and is an officer in the CCF Army section. Before becoming a teacher, David worked in business for many years after graduating from Swansea University with a BSc in Geography, later returning to university to complete a PGCE in Geography and he recently completed a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Buckingham. He is an ISI inspector and a governor at another independent school.

David is a passionate follower of sport and music, a lover of all things outdoors and when time allows can be found racing off the Whitstable coast as an enthusiastic Laser sailor.

Mrs Becci Ball

Deputy Head (Teaching and Learning) 

Becci joined the School in September 2013 initially as a teacher of English and also the Head of Media Studies. She became Deputy Head Academic (now called Teaching and Learning) in September 2015 and is responsible for overseeing all academic provisions within the School. Previously, Becci spent seven years as a Head of Year and Head of Film and Media at a comprehensive school in Bristol and has also worked as a Head of English, Drama and Media in a state boarding school. When she is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her family in her VW camper van.  On a rainy day, she can be found watching films (usually those made in the 1940s!).

Mr Will Walker

Deputy Head (Pupils and Pastoral) 

Will joined the School in 2025 having previously been the Assistant Head at Dauntsey’s in Wiltshire. He has had numerous leadership roles in the UK at Alleyn’s School and at Whitgift as well as at leading international schools in Thailand and Singapore.

As well as teaching Mathematics, he is an enthusiastic member of the CCF, coaches sport and works with pupils of all ages supporting their personal development. He has two children at the Senior School.

Mrs Amanda Sunde

Assistant Head (Academic)

Amanda joined the School in 2008 and has held numerous posts including Head of History and being in charge of Academic Scholars. She has previous worked at Royal Hospital School. She oversees various aspects of the academic side of school life including timetabling, staffing, internal examinations and the subject options process. She has two sons at the school. She enjoys a good historical biography, gardening, a wide variety of crafts and travel.

Mrs Maja Trachonitis

Assistant Head (Wellbeing)

Maja joined Sutton Valence School in 2022 and, prior to joining the School, was Assistant Head at the British School in Tokyo where she worked for seven years as Head of Sixth Form, Wellbeing Co-ordinator and Safeguarding Lead.
Maja’s career in education started as a Physical Education teacher, however, as her passion for promoting the importance of wellbeing grew, she returned to the classroom to complete a professional certificate in positive psychology from the University of Melbourne and has continued her studies by undertaking a MA through the University of Buckinghamshire. Maja has a love for learning and enjoys providing evidence-backed practical ways to help promote wellbeing to all members of the SVS community. Over the last 3 years she has been completing her studies to be a qualified counsellor and is due to complete her training in December this year.

Maja loves sport and the outdoors. From yoga and Zumba to surfing and hiking, her weekends and holidays are always packed with various sporting activities.

Ms Lauren Austen

Assistant Head (Safeguarding)

Appointed in September 2022, Lauren joined Sutton Valence School following a successful period at Brentwood School, where she was Director of Sixth Form and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. She holds an MA in English Literature and has significant pastoral leadership experience, having served as Head of Year and Head of Lower School at Croydon High School.

As Assistant Head (Safeguarding), Lauren has strategic oversight of safeguarding in the Senior School. Her work is driven by a strong belief that safeguarding and pastoral care underpin exceptional education, enabling young people to grow into confident, resilient and fulfilled adults.

Outside school, Lauren enjoys immersing herself in a good book, long dog walks, travelling and retail therapy.

Mr Simon Fowle

Bursar

Simon Fowle joined Sutton Valence School in April 2011 as the Bursar. Previously, Simon had worked at the University of Oxford as the Senior Administrator for the Physics department before moving to Burgess Hill School for Girls as the Bursar in 2006. Educated at Clifton College in Bristol, he then took a year travelling around Europe, including Israel, Greece and former Yugoslavia. In 1980, Simon went to The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) and then served in the Royal Artillery until 1993.

Simon is married to Sandie and they have four children together. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing, rugby and, it seems, bringing up children!

Mr Mark Scholey

Head of Prep

Mark joined Sutton Valence School in September 2022 having spent the previous five years as Deputy Head at Dulwich Prep London. Before that, he was Head of Middle School and Head of History at Parkside Preparatory School in Surrey. Mark started his career in management consultancy with Accenture and then worked for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games team from the bid through to the Games themselves in 2012 in a variety of different roles.
He has a degree in History from Durham and a Master’s in Education from Cambridge. More recently, he volunteered for four years as a Metropolitan Special Constable in London, followed by roles as a school governor in a small infant school and then a large Multi Academy Trust. In his spare time, he loves to walk with and cook for his family, he enjoys all sports, and he always has several books and podcasts on the go.

He lives with his wife and son, who also attends SVS, here at school.

Mr James Watkins

Deputy Head and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Following a degree in Chemistry from the University of Leicester and a PGCE from Chester University, James Watkins has worked in a number of state, international and independent schools over the last two decades. In his role as Deputy Head at The Prep he is able to bring this range of experience to bear, in line with the School’s ethos of ‘Each cares for all and individuality is cherished’, encouraging the children to always seek to do their best, whatever that might look like, in everything they do. James is particularly passionate about the power of reading and is often found deep in discussion with the children about their literary choices, comparing notes about his own latest reads.

James is married with three children and enjoys spending time exploring the great outdoors or curling up with a good children’s book.

Ms Sandra Champanhet

Head of Pre-Prep

Sandra joined the School in 2024 as Head of the Pre‑Prep, having previously led the Special Educational Needs provision at Sevenoaks Prep School and RGS Prep, Guildford, along with leadership experience at The Study School, New Malden. She is passionate about education and takes a research‑led approach, combining innovative practice with a strong appreciation of tradition. Originally from France, Sandra has also lived and worked in the videogames industry in Spain before moving to the UK to complete her teaching degree. She is an ISI Inspector, and her daughter, Jasmine, attends the School. Outside of school, Sandra can often be found with a book in hand, attempting to complete what are usually overly ambitious reading challenges on Goodreads – with the firm belief that picture books absolutely count. She enjoys travelling to keep her language skills sharp, always fitting in at least one Spanish‑speaking country each year and her favourite Pokemon is Eevee.

Mrs Melissa Dallamore

Director of Studies

Melissa joined the School in 2002 and has had numerous roles, the last of which was Head of English before being promoted to Director of Studies and most recently Assistant Head (Academic). She adores reading and encourages all the pupils to do the same. Having attended the School herself she has a deep love for the institution which is so evident in all she does. She has three children, one of whom recently graduated from the Upper Sixth while the other two are now in the Senior School.

Mr Will Radford

Director of Admissions and Development

Will has been at SVS since 2015, when he joined the School as its Development Officer. In 2018, he became Development Manager, before taking on the role of Director of External Relations in 2021. His remit now spans development, alumni relations and admissions, working with stakeholders at either end of their SVS journey and developing opportunities within the School’s wider community. From a fundraising side, he leads on the School’s bursary drive through The 1576 Fund, as well as providing a wide-ranging programme of engagement for our 6500 alumni. He also works on the development of overseas recruitment opportunities and the maintenance of relationships with senior staff at feeder schools.

Prior to joining SVS, Will worked in the Development Office at the University of Kent, leading alumni engagement events across its European campuses.  Outside of the office, he is an avid sports fan, particularly football and tennis and previously worked as an LTA tour referee.

Mrs Heidi Skinner

Mrs Donna Child

Miss Abigail Betts

Mrs Victoria Evenden