The Senior Leadership Team
For general contact queries for the Senior Leadership Team,
please email Rachel Reeves, Operations Manager by clicking here.
Jy Taylor
Headteacher
I was welcomed into the Trafalgar School community in April 2024, having spent 7 years as Headteacher and Executive Headteacher of two successful schools in Dorset. Leading any school is an incredible privilege but to lead a school that sits within the heart of its community brings with it a weight of responsibility and I feel an enormous sense of pride to be the Headteacher of The Trafalgar School at Downton.
My primary role is to ensure that children can receive an exceptional education in a safe and happy environment. In reality this means ensuring that we recruit and retain great staff who relish working with our children and to provide strategic direction for the school through accurate evaluation of the present and consideration of future opportunities and risks that will allow our school to continue to flourish. I work closely with the executive leadership of our trust, Magna Learning Partnership, and champion school collaboration, knowing that children do not benefit from competition between schools and league tables – there should be no “losers” in education. I liaise frequently with our governors who provide challenge and support across all aspects of school life and I meet regularly with our Finance, HR and Estates teams to manage the operational running of the school.
In truth I am happiest when spending time with our students; be that at the front of the classroom, litter picking on the field at lunch or driving the minibus to an away sports fixture. I have an unshakeable belief in the potential of every child and thrive on motivating our students to be the best that they can be. I am a firm believer in an inclusive and comprehensive education – every child should feel safe and welcome in their school environment no matter their ability or background – and as such I do not tolerate discrimination or prejudice of any kind. I have high standards for our students and expect them to have high standards for themselves both in terms of their behaviour and work-ethic.
On a day to day basis, I walk the corridors, visit lessons and line lead the other members of the senior leadership team as well as History and PE.
Rachael Faulkner
Deputy Headteacher
Looking after our children is a real privilege which I enjoy every day. I see my pastoral role as ensuring the children feel loved, cared for and supported to become the best version of themselves. We try to remove any barriers to learning and to work with all of our families to give the children a consistent and enjoyable school experience. We look to educate the whole child and make them able to go out into wider society to have a life fulfilled. Being a key person in their school journey is such an amazing gift every day – I am so lucky to work at a school which understands the importance of care and love to a child and I work hard every day to maintain with this with my very strong pastoral team of Heads of House and tutors.
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I have overall responsibility for the pastoral care of our students via the Heads of House and Tutors, along with oversight of the Special Educational Needs & Disability (SEND) team, primary transition, attendance, behaviour and rewards, safeguarding and child protection and student mental health and wellbeing. I am also our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
In addition, I am SLT line lead for PSHCE and Student Services.
Jonny Cole
Deputy Headteacher
Being Deputy Headteacher of this amazing school is both a privilege and a great responsibility. I am responsible for the quality of our Curriculum and Teaching & Learning; this includes all aspects of a student's journey through our school, each day, over time.
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The curriculum is vital to student success and we work hard to make sure qualifications are well suited to students and lead them onto their desired Post-16 provider. I also coordinate student Option choices in Year 9.
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Teaching & Learning is at the core of the day to life at The Trafalgar School. I visit lessons regularly, engage with the latest thinking across education and pedagogy and work to disseminate this through the teachers at the school.
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In addition, I am SLT line lead for English, Mathematics, Music, Art and Drama.
Phil Sutton
Assistant Headteacher
I have responsibility for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of staff which includes the staff five training days, ongoing coaching & development of teachers, support staff development, new teaching staff induction and developing new teachers through School Direct, PGCE and ITT.
I am also responsible for developing our Co-curriculum which encompasses Homework and Remote Learning alongside our extra-curricular provision. I also co-ordinate Careers and Post-16 transition & tracking.
In addition, I am SLT line lead for Geography, History, BVT, Modern Foreign Languages, Business and Literacy across the curriculum.
Rachel Reeves
Operations Manager
The Trafalgar School at Downton is a special place to work with incredible staff and wonderful students. I have been working at Trafalgar since 2004 and have held many positions over the past twenty years. I oversee all operational aspects of the school including Administration, Cover, HR and Site.
In addition, I am the Educational Visits Coordinator for the school and incorporate the position of Assistant to the Headteacher into my role.
Gilly Jackson
Assistant Headteacher
I joined The Trafalgar School in September 2016 and I have responsibility for student progress and standards. This incorporates target setting, assessment, reporting and examinations. I am also responsible for Pupil Premium and intervention.
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In addition, I am SLT line lead for Science, Computing and Exams.
Sarah Burley
SENDCo
I joined the Trafalgar School at Downton in 2016, having previously been SENDCo in another local school. It is a privilege to work in such a special school, where all students are valued for their unique gifts.
As SENDCo, it is my responsibility to oversee the provision for students with additional needs, ensuring all teachers have the knowledge and skills to provide high quality, inclusive teaching, and that the vast majority of students' needs are met within an inclusive classroom environment. In addition to supporting teachers manage student's needs in the classroom, I line manage our team of Teaching Assistants, who provide support in and out of classes.
