Deb joined Heritage High School in October 2022 as Headteacher and had previously been part of The Two Counties Trust in the role of Pastoral Director since September 2021. She believes in and is committed to developing high quality pastoral systems including SEND, safeguarding, behaviour and attendance, PSHE curriculum and careers. She is passionate about genuine and true inclusion and ensuring that all students’ needs are met and benefit from a range of support and positive relationships.
Prior to joining the Trust, Debbie worked for a Trust in Rotherham leading on behaviour and attendance, safeguarding, SEND and inclusion as a deputy headteacher. She developed a range of SEMH interventions and established an inclusion resource base to re-engage students and to give all students the tools to access mainstream school in a positive way. Deb graduated from Sheffield Hallam University and completed her PGCE at the University of Leeds in Geography.
Deb’s key driver is inclusion and supporting students, families, and communities to ensure that students achieve their very best. Her legacy sentence is “she empowered me to support others”.
Helen Hardisty – Deputy Headteacher
Helen began her teaching career in September 2000, after gaining a BA Hons degree in Theatre in Education and a PGCE at Bretton Hall. Helen joined Heritage High in January 2023 having spent 22 years working in Rotherham secondary schools where she initially taught drama before progressing into a variety of pastoral roles including, Director of Sixth Form and more recently Assistant Principal for Behaviour and Attitudes. Helen’s approach is child centred; she is passionate about raising standards for young people, providing them with the skills and opportunities to increase their life chances beyond education.
Joe Brooke – Assistant Headteacher
Joe joined Heritage in January 2023, in the role of Assistant Headteacher. His responsibilities include the development of the curriculum and teaching and learning, alongside oversight of the careers and Y6 transition programmes.
Joe is passionate about ensuring that all students receive an education that is broad, ambitious and challenging. He believes education is precious, and should provide students with the knowledge and skills that will provide them with the very best life opportunities.
After graduating from Durham University in 2010, Joe taught History at two Rotherham secondary schools, holding the posts of Head of History and Head of Ebacc Faculty. He is excited at the prospect of working with all Heritage students and families in the upcoming months and years.
Jon Hunt – Assistant Headteacher
Jon attended the University of Hull and gained a BSc (Hons) degree in Sport and Exercise Science. After a year of working with SEND students he decided to pursue teaching, going on to study his PGCE in Physical Education at Sheffield Hallam University. Jon joined Heritage High School six years ago as a teacher of physical education. During that time he has been the leader of learning for the performance faculty and has also gained an accreditation as a lead practitioner. His role as Assistant Headteacher involves providing pastoral support to students in addition to developing a positive school culture for learning.
Chris Kemp – Assistant Headteacher
Chris attended the London School of Economics and Political Science and gained a BSc (Hons) degree in Sociology. Having worked in the Media industry for eight years, he decided to pursue teaching, going on to join a comprehensive school in Essex as a Teaching Assistant and leaving as an Associate Senior Leader eight years later. Prior to joining Heritage High School as Assistant Headteacher, Chris was part of The Difference Leaders programme, spending two years leading pastoral provision within a Pupil Referral Unit. His role as Assistant Headteacher involves providing pastoral support to students in relation to Personal Development, in addition to developing a positive school culture for learning.
Steve Richardson – Assistant Headteacher
Steve studied at Loughborough University and gained a BSc (Hons) Degree in Sports Science and Management. His teaching career began in Hong Kong, teaching English to primary aged students before returning to Doncaster to complete the Graduate Teacher Programme. After 11 years of teaching PE and Maths in 3 secondary schools, alongside numerous pastoral and leadership roles, Steve was proud to take on the role of Assistant Headteacher at Heritage High School in January 2020, leading on Safeguarding and SEND.
