Meet the Team
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 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
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.
Sarah Gallop – Head of Lower Prep School
Sarah is passionate about the education of young people and embedding a creative curriculum to enable each pupil to find their individual talents and develop a love of learning. She has led and directed numerous school productions, using her experience and talents in the performing arts.
Since joining Cranmore, Sarah has been English Co-ordinator, in which role she implemented a new scheme of writing from Reception to Year 3. She then progressed to Head of Early Years, introducing and leading popular parent workshops on Reading and Phonics. In September 2020, Sarah became Head of Lower Prep School.
Outside school, Sarah enjoys running and completed the London Marathon in 2019. She is a keen traveller and photographer, enjoying cultural visits and immersing herself in the history of a new place.
Mr Toby Heaver – Head of Prep
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.
Mike Farmer – Executive Director of the Trust
In 2011, Kilgraston gained national recognition by being named the UK Independent School of the Year.
Under Mike’s headship, St Teresa’s has experienced dramatic growth of 60%, enabling capital investment of over £5m. With a roll of 650 pupils, St.Teresa’s is currently the largest Catholic independent girls-only school in the UK.
In addition to Headship, Mike was a member of the governing council for the Girls’ Schools Association for many years, and also Chair of the boarding committee. In 2016 he had the honour of chairing the Boarding Schools’ Association. He is a Governor of two independent schools and also chairs the advisory board for the Chinese owned company, Achieve Education.
Mike is supported by his wife Mary-Ann who has worked in boarding for many years.
They have two grown up children.