Helena joined St Edmund’s in 2004, after 9 years at Highworth Grammar School, Ashford, as Head of Year 13 and deputy head of the PE department.

Initially covering a Girls’ Games maternity post at St Edmund’s Junior School, Helena became the teacher for PE in the Pre Prep School, alongside Performing Arts and French. More recently Helena has returned to Senior School PE and Games teaching too and thoroughly enjoys the challenge of teaching pupils of all abilities over the whole school age range. She also runs music and movement groups for pre-school aged children and their parents, nurturing a collaborative enjoyment of physical activity and music.

Helena studied a BSc in Physical Education, Sports Science and Recreation Management at Loughborough University of Technology, followed by a Secondary PGCE in PE and English.  Whilst at Loughborough, she participated in a wide range of sporting and dance activities. She was a member of the Sprint Squad, competing in various BUSA athletics meets, reaching the 100m UAU final in her third year.

Helena played club netball for Sandhawks Cranbrook in the Maidstone Premier League and hockey for Ashford Hockey Club.  Now, as a member of Invicta East Kent Athletics Club, she has completed the New York and Florence marathons over the last two years. Amsterdam and London are next on the agenda with Good for Age entry secured.

Helena is now the Director of Sport at St Edmund’s. She places great importance on fostering enjoyment of all sport. She intends to build on the co-curricular provision for all pupils in the school, offering a wider range of activities for all abilities, incorporating the current drive to improve mental and physical wellbeing. These clubs will run alongside the already strong opportunities for team sports and sports scholars at St Edmund’s.

Rebecca joined St Edmund’s in 2016 as Head of Girls’ Games after 10 years at Herne Bay High School, as a PE Teacher. As part of this roll Rebecca organises the girls’ fixtures and aims to engage a wide ability of pupils so all can experience competitive sport at a suitable level.

Rebecca studied a BSc (Hons) in Sports Studies, at Edge Hill University, Lancashire, followed by a Secondary PGCE in PE and Canterbury Christ Church College.  Whilst at Edge Hill, she participated in a wide range of sporting activities and was a member of the 1XI hockey team.

Rebecca played club Netball for Alpha Ladies in Division One and Two of the Thanet League.   She was awarded team player of the year. Rebecca has played hockey for many years at Canterbury hockey club and in her youth represented Kent. In her time at Canterbury Hockey Club she captained the 2^nd XI for 4 years in the East Premiership League and has represented the 1^st team. Rebecca now continues to play for Canterbury’s 2A’s who have just been promoted into the East Division 1 South League.

Rebecca places great importance on fostering enjoyment of all sport. She intends to introduce a competitive element for all pupils in the school. Rebecca also teaches the academic aspect of Physical Education through the Cambridge National Course.

Dan Colquhoun

Dan grew up in Bristol and attended Colston’s School. During this time, he played club hockey and represented the West of England at the England Hockey Futures Cup and HIPAC events. In his final year of Sixth Form, Dan represented the England U18 School Games team upon the completion of his AASE programme.

After leaving school, Dan studied a BSc in Sport and Physical Education at Cardiff Metropolitan University, graduating with a 2:1. Whilst at Cardiff Met, he played for the 1st XI hockey team and represented the Welsh Universities side in a UK universities tournament in his final year.

After leaving university, Dan spent three years at Pangbourne College, Reading, and completed his PGCE in Physical Education through Buckingham University.

Dan is delighted to join the PE and Games team at St Edmund’s and assumes the role ‘Head of Hockey’ in the Senior School. He remains committed to developing as a player himself, representing Canterbury Hockey Club. His other hobbies include following Aston Villa Football Club and taking part in golf, tennis and football amongst other sports.

Amy’s dance journey began from a very young age, taking classes, performing in shows and dancing in competitions. She spent 3 years at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, undertaking intensive ballet and contemporary dance training. During this period, she worked with a variety of esteemed choreographers and developed touring work which featured in theatres all over the UK. This all contributed to the achievement of a first-class degree. During the course of Amy’s training and professional development, she built up a range of styles, including street dance, hip hop, tap, modern, musical theatre as well as her specialty; contemporary ballet. Amy has an ‘outstanding’ PGCE in Dance Teaching from the Royal Academy of Dance and we are delighted to welcome her to the St Edmund’s team. Outside of school, Amy continues with choreographic practice, professional development, and seeks new collaboration opportunities within the local dance community. Amy’s experience, enthusiasm and keen attention to detail, will enable her to build on the current dance provision at St Edmund’s, both as an academic subject and co-curricular activity.

Charles holds a BA (Hons) in History and Ancient History from the University of Exeter and is the Head of Upper School, Junior School.

Alongside these duties he teaches History and Politics in the senior school. He also contributes to games sessions and is Master I/c 1st XI cricket.   An advocate of researching practitioners, he is in the midst of completing a Masters in Education from the University of Cambridge.

Outside of school, Charles is a keen sportsman with his main loves being that of cricket and rugby. Although these days primarily focuses on running. Alongside sport he is an avid fan of all things outdoors, whether that be gardening, small-holding or walking. Positive in mindset, he encourages pupils to do the same.

Leigh joined St. Edmund’s School in 2001 as a teacher of Physical Education and Games after leaving his Head of Year role at Homewood School in Tenterden.  His career at St Edmund’s has taken a pastoral route too, becoming Deputy Housemaster of Watson and then Housemaster of Wagner for several years, before promotion to Assistant Head Pastoral. In September 2018 Leigh stepped into the new role of Assistant Head Co-Curricular and will coordinate activities beyond the classroom.

Leigh currently coaches the U15 football team and teaches Physical Education to the Senior School pupils.

Leigh studied a BSc in Sports Science at Loughborough University of Technology followed by a Secondary PGCE in Physical Education and Maths. He excelled as a footballer, playing for the cup winning University 1^st XI between 1992 and 1994 and both the England and British Universities Team in 1994. He is a qualified FA coach and managed the ESFA National Football Cup winners in 1996. Leigh played semi-professional football for Hastings Town FC for several years after leaving Loughborough.
Leigh is now a member of Invicta East Kent Athletics Club and a talented marathon runner.  He achieved a good for age time in the last two London Marathon events and hopes to run under 3 hours next year.

Antony joined St Edmund’s School in 2008 as Head of Boys’ Games, after leaving his Head of Academic PE role at Dane Court Grammar School in Broadstairs. His career at St Edmund’s has also included being a resident member of staff, as Deputy Housemaster of Owen House.  After fulfilling the role of Head of Army section, and training officer, within the CCF in September 2018 Antony stepped into his new role of Contingent Commander. With the Head of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, he has introduced new Outdoor Education programme to support the holistic approach to education, so dearly valued at St Edmund’s School.

Within the Physical Education department Antony currently coaches the 1^st XI football team, and teaches Physical Education to the Senior School pupils.

Antony studied a BSc (Hons) in Physical Education, with Education, at Sheffield Hallam University. As a footballer, Antony represented Oxford City FC for several years, and represented Oxfordshire during that period. At university, Antony also played both basketball and rugby at representative level.

Antony holds coaching awards in both football and rugby, coaching 1^st XIs and 1^st XVs in all schools he has worked in. Within the CCF movement he is a qualified Skill at Arms Instructor, Range Conducting Officer and Exercise Conducting Officer.

Antony has always been a keen outdoors person, this being his justification for choosing Sheffield as a place of study. He has completed climbing proficiency courses at the National Mountain Centre, Plas Yr Brenin, and remains an active participant in the hills, either walking, climbing or mountain biking.