Meet the Team

Rachel Owens
Barry Everitt – Headmaster

Barry Everitt – Headmaster

Barry joined Cranmore in 2010 following a successful career in professional sport. In his previous role, as Deputy Head of the school, he created an enriched education founded on academic excellence and participation. He has been responsible for developing a broad academic curriculum and cultivating a ‘sport for all’ approach. His vision is for pupils to grow in confidence, personality and character so that they thrive academically. As a school, Cranmore embraces challenge and moves with the times, whilst remaining true to core values.Barry is delighted that Cranmore delivers an exceptional education for pupils to GCSE level, while preparing them fully to continue to A-level in the co-educational Sixth Form environment within our Trust.

In his previous career, Barry played at fly-half for Munster, Leinster, London Irish and Northampton Saints and was called up to the senior Ireland squad in 2001. He still holds the record for the most individual points scored in a Premiership Season.

Barry studied Business at university before moving to London and whilst playing professional rugby, he gained a BSc in Science at Brunel University. During his time at Cranmore, he completed a Master’s Degree in Education, with a focus on Educational Leadership, at Buckingham University.

Barry and his wife Lisa, have three daughters who attend St Teresa’s School. In his free time he enjoys music, reading and cross-country running.

James Pulford – Deputy Head (Academic) of the Upper Prep School and the Senior School

James Pulford Deputy Head

James joined Cranmore in September 2020. He is a bright, enthusiastic educator with excellent academic credentials.  He was most recently Director of Studies at The Royal School, Haslemere, where he successfully managed changes in structure from single sex to a ‘diamond’ model, with boys and girls taught separately, and to co-education.Previously, he ran a thriving Mathematics Department and also worked at the highly successful state boarding school, Gordon’s in West End. He read Mathematics with Philosophy at Bristol University, and followed this with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.

A keen sportsman, Mr Pulford enjoys participating in a variety of sports including football, cricket, cycling, running and surfing. He has two young sons and his wife also teaches locally.

Jessica Schembri – Assistant Head (Pastoral) of the Upper Prep School and the Senior School

Jessica Schembri -Assistant Head (Pastoral)

Jessica joined Cranmore in 2012. She read French and Management at Royal Holloway, University of London and spent two years working in France and Italy teaching English as a Foreign Language.

She continued her passion for education by successfully achieving her PGCE in Secondary Education (French and Italian) at St Mary’s University. Following the completion of her NQT year in an inner city secondary school in North West London, Jessica was appointed Assistant Head of Year and later became Joint Head of a large Modern Foreign Language Department.

Jessica has always had a love of working with children and from an early age knew that she would work in education. She is passionate about pupil wellbeing and personal development.

Away from teaching, Jessica is a fervent traveller and has an avid interest in the Arts and Art History.

Mr Toby Heaver – Head of Prep

Toby Heaver – Head of Prep

Toby gained his undergraduate degree in Business Studies before moving to New York to work and study International Business.

In 2008, he completed a PGCE at St Mary’s University, Twickenham and began his teaching career.

Toby has taught in both the state and independent sector (co-ed and single sex), joining Cranmore in 2013.

In 2017, he gained his Masters in Learning and Teaching from Oxford University and continues to be passionate about developing an enriching curriculum.

Away from the classroom, Toby enjoys staying active. Having completed Ironman distance triathlons, he now occupies himself with trail running and cycling.

Toby is married to Sinéad and they have three young children.

Rachel Owens – Executive Director of the Trust

Rachel Owes – Executive Director of the Trust

Rachel was born and raised in Bolton, Lancashire. She attended her local Catholic comprehensive, before going on to read History at Somerville College, Oxford. After a brief foray into the law, Rachel started her teaching career at Bury Grammar School in 1992. Since then, she has worked in every type of school – boarding and day, single gender and co-ed, state and independent, highly selective and comprehensive. As well as teaching History and Politics, Rachel has coached netball for over 30 years. In 2011, she was appointed Headmistress of St George’s School, Ascot, and since 2016 has been Headmistress of St George’s Weybridge. Rachel is currently vice-Chair of the HMC Sports Committee, and Chair of HMC Projects – a charity bringing able students from Eastern Europe to study at British boarding schools. She has also been a governor at 3 schools.
Rachel is the mother of twin sons, both of whom attended St George’s and are now at university, and is married to Tom, Head of Politics at RGS Guildford. She is an avid reader, and loves travelling and watching her sons play hockey in her spare time.