Imagine a typical maths school student…
There’s probably someone just like that who attends EMS but there will also be a whole range of students who don’t fit the picture in your mind. Visitors are often surprised by the diversity within our student population: the range of interests they have, the variety of schools they come from and their differing personal qualities. There really is no such thing as a typical student.
We’ve created some student profiles with the aim of illustrating that anyone can enjoy and succeed in mathematics and that there is no single type of person who attends EMS. Just click on the names below to read each profile and watch this space for further updates
Senior Leadership
Kerry Burnham
Headteacher
Kerry Burnham is a graduate of the University of Exeter and an Advanced Skills Mathematics Teacher who has taught in the state sector since 1998.
Liam Cantle
Assistant Headteacher
Liam is responsible for academic progress and support. He is a Mathematics graduate of Warwick University and completed his PGCE at the University of Exeter.
Henry Cummins
Business Manager
Henry joined EMS in February 2022 as Business Manager with extensive experience in business and financial management.
Joe Rowing
Deputy Headteacher
Joe is responsible for teaching and learning and timetabling.
Yasmin Trevelyan
Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead
Yasmin is responsible for Safeguarding, Pastoral Support and Residential Provision.
Teaching Staff
Stuart Allen
Teacher of Maths and Lead Teacher for UCAS
Stuart joined the EMS teaching team in September 2016. A graduate of the University of Plymouth, Stuart has been teaching in the South West for over fifteen years.
Nick Dean
Teacher of Maths
Nick first worked with EMS when he was an undergraduate at the University of Exeter, supporting our students with their EMC projects. He then went on to join our Teaching Internship to get a taste of what teaching is all about.
Melanie Dennig
Lead teacher of Computer Science
Computing Hub Secondary Lead
Melanie joined the EMS team in September 2018, following her daughter’s successful completion of her A-level studies with us.
Aeran Fleming
Teacher of Maths
Aeran joined EMS in September 2021 for a two year development post. Prior to training to become a teacher, Aeran completed a Masters…
Will Halwyn
Teacher of Maths, Computer Science and Problem Solving Lead
Will studied Maths at Cambridge University, specialising in Pure Mathematics such as Algebraic Topology and has over 15 years teaching experience. Will leads the Problem Solving Curriculum at EMS.
Ed Horncastle
Teacher of Physics and Lead Teacher of EMC
Ed is the lead teacher for the Exeter Mathematics Certificate (EMC). Having gained a first class degree in Geophysics at Liverpool University, Ed went on to complete his PhD in Theoretical Physics.
Bethany Jones
Teacher of Maths
Bethany joined EMS in September 2021. She studied Mathematics and Plymouth University before being offered a scholarship from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications to complete her teacher training…
Malcolm Simpson
Lead Teacher of Physics
Malcolm is the lead teacher for Physics after obtaining two degrees, one in maths and a Bsc in physics. He joined the school in September 2015 and has over 15 year experience in both comprehensive and selective schools.
Fiona Thomas
Teacher of Maths
Fiona joined EMS in January 2020, already well-versed in Maths Schools, having taught at King’s College London Maths School for two years. Fiona coordinates the school’s extra-curricular Curriculum X programme.
Claire Willman
Lead Teacher of Mathematics
An exceptionally experienced and highly regarded teacher, Claire is the lead teacher for mathematics. She joined us in 2015 from Exeter College, where she had taught successfully for the last 30 years.
Pastoral Staff
Magda Buczek
Pastoral Accommodation Tutor
Magda joined EMS in September 2023 supporting students in Boarding on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.
Sam Chidley-Bedford
Student Support Tutor
Sam brings with her a wide range of experience from various roles she has undertaken in her career.
Zoe Chinn
Pastoral Accommodation Tutor
Zoe joined the Boarding Team at EMS after 10 years working at a local primary school.
Nikki Eatherington
Pastoral Accommodation Tutor
Nikki is an experienced primary school teacher and joined the Boarding Team in September 2023, working on Monday evenings.
Shirin Monks
Deputy Safeguarding Lead – Pastoral
Since graduating with a drama degree from the University of Exeter, Shirin has worked with and for young people…
Jade Prince
Pastoral Accommodation Tutor
Having worked as a support worker for elderly residents, as a manager in the hospitality sector and as a youth support worker with children, Jade brings a wealth of experience to this role.
Devon Roper
Pastoral Accommodation Tutor
Devon joined the Boarding team in September 2022 after previously working as a Mentor for our Maths Circles.
Grace Strachan
Deputy Safeguarding Lead – Residential and SEND
Grace’s role is based in accommodation and school where she offers SEND and pastoral support, helping students prepare for life beyond EMS.
Support Staff
Louise Brind
School Administrator
Louise works part-time in reception on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, job-sharing with Lydia. She also provides additional support to the Outreach team
Susie Catling
Outreach and Office Manager
Susie worked at EMS from 2016-21 in the Outreach and Admissions team and re-joined us in 2024.
Lucy Gibson
Clerk to Governors
Lucy joined EMS in June 2024 and provides advice and administrative support to the School’s Governing Board and its committees.
Eleni Greenwood
Outreach Co-ordinator
Eleni joined the team in the autumn term 2024 following an apprenticeship in the marketing department of Hospiscare.
Phil Hatchard
Outreach & Admissions Co-ordinator
Phil is the key contact for Admissions at EMS, as well as playing a lead role in co-ordinating our main Outreach programme – Axiom Maths Circles.
Find out more
Lydia Jeram
School Administrator
Lydia works on Reception every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, job-sharing with Louise. She also provides additional support to the Outreach team.
Dinah Lees
PA to the Headteacher and SLT Coordinator
Dinah is Kerry’s PA and provides admin support to the Senior Leadership Team.
Tamsin Muir
Finance Officer
Tamsin is responsible for the day-to-day accounts of the School.
Jo Potts
Examinations Officer
Jo is responsible for the smooth running of examinations and also supports teachers with…
Governor Profiles
Kerry Burnham
Headteacher/Governor
Kerry Burnham is a graduate of the University of Exeter and an Advanced Skills Mathematics Teacher who has taught in the state sector since 1998.
Lewis Day
Governor
Lewis is an alumnus of EMS completing his A-Levels with us in 2017, he returns to us now as a graduand of the University of Exeter.
John Dowell
College Sponsor Governor
John is Executive Director of Finance at Exeter College and a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Cathy Durston
Governor
She is Director of College Operations at the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the University of Exeter.
Ken Evans
Governor
Ken Evans joined the Board from Exeter University in September 2021.
Jennie Hamilton
Governor
Jennie has worked at Exeter College for 25 years, having started as a part time teacher, working with young people with additional needs.
Nathan Harvey
Vice Chair of Governors
Nathan’s current role is Programme Director in the Fraud & Financial Crime Prevention team.
Tim Jupp
University Sponsor Governor
Tim is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter based in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Gihan Marasingha
University Sponsor Governor
Gihan is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at the University of Exeter and has been working closely with EMS since it’s inception.
Gemma Noble
College Sponsor Governor
Gemma is Executive Director of People and Organisational Development at Exeter College and is a chartered member of the CIPD.
Anne Oxborough OBE
Governors
We are delighted that Anne has re-joined the board as a governor. Anne was previously Chair of Governors until August 2022 and has been a fantastic support to the school since it opened in 2014.
Dr Tim Paulden
Chair of Governors
Tim is the Innovation & Development Manager at ATASS Sports in Exeter.
Liene Penny
Parent Governor
Liene joined the Governing Body in 2023 after her son started at EMS. She currently works for the Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Service.
Dave Tarbet
Governor
Dave is currently Director for Business Development, Innovation and Sustainability at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust.
Fiona Thomas
Staff Governor
Fiona joined EMS in January 2020, already well-versed in Maths Schools, having taught at King’s College London Maths School for two years.
Sarah Turvill
University Sponsor Governor
Sarah was Chair of the Governing Body of the University of Exeter for 10 years between 2012 and 2022.
Chrissie Walker
Parent Governor
Chrissie joined our Governing Body as a Parent Governor in September 2024.
