Staff and Governors

Dr Michael Gray became Headmaster in 2021. After graduating with a first-class degree in History from King’s College London, where he was awarded the Associateship of the College, he completed his PGCE.

Dr Gray began his career teaching History, Politics and Philosophy at Halliford School in Middlesex during which time he completed his Master’s Degree in which he gained a Distinction. In 2009 he took up a teaching post at St Edward’s School, Oxford, where he coached 1st XI football, ran the scholars’ society and was assistant housemaster. During this time, he also studied for his doctorate at the UCL Institute of Education on pupils’ preconceptions of the Holocaust.  Dr Gray has published widely on Holocaust and genocide education including Contemporary Debates in Holocaust Education (Palgrave MacMillan, 2014) and Teaching the Holocaust: Practical Approaches for Ages 11-18 (Routledge, 2015). He has also lectured on the subject around the world, and was the 2016 educator-in-residence at the Neuberger Holocaust Education Week in Toronto.

In 2013, Dr Gray moved to Harrow School where he was Head of Politics before joining the senior team, firstly as Academic & Universities Director and then Director of Studies where he had responsibility for teaching and learning, the curriculum, the line management of Heads of Subjects and academic strategy. He was also Chair of Governors at Elmgrove Primary School in Kenton and secretary of his local church.

Since moving to Hereford with his wife, who is an NHS doctor, Dr Gray has introduced an extremely successful digital strategy which has transformed teaching and learning, reformed the curriculum, including through the creation of the HCS Diploma and expanded the School’s international work. He is an Officer of the Chapter of Hereford Cathedral and serves on various committees and boards outside of school both locally and internationally. Dr Gray is also a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.

Mr. Patrick Jerram, currently serving as Chief Operating Officer, joined the School in 2018 as Assistant Head (Extra-curricular) before his promotion to Deputy Head (Staff). With a degree in Sport Science, he previously worked with the Rugby Football Union and Saracens before becoming Director of Sport at Bedford Modern School.

As one of the first Level 4 rugby coaches nationally, Patrick enjoyed particular success with England Students and Saracens, alongside other representative teams. He has sat on National Task Groups for England Rugby’s Coaching, Performance and Community Departments, and co-wrote the “Codes of Practice” for age grade rugby, a national initiative supporting whole-child development and a player-centred approach.

Patrick is deeply interested in leadership, holding a Level 7 Senior Leader qualification and an MSc in Educational Leadership, and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. He has enjoyed sharing his expertise with students through the Sixth Form Diploma.

During his tenure at HCS, Patrick took the lead role in developing and implementing the School’s Digital Strategy, which included building STARSys, our bespoke Student Tracking and Reporting System. He has also had oversight of our Strategic Human Resource Management, as well as leading the School’s response during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Bruce Blyth, a Geography graduate from the University of Manchester, obtained his PGCE at the University of Bristol. Before joining HCS in 2010 as Deputy Head and Geography Teacher, he taught at Bristol Grammar School and Hampton School.

A highly-skilled musician, Bruce holds Grade 8 Distinctions in Piano and Viola, and served as Head Chorister in King’s College Choir, performing globally including at the Sydney Opera House. His passion for music earned him a top music scholarship at Charterhouse School.

An avid sportsman, Bruce oversaw football’s reintroduction at HCS and has represented England Universities in cricket. He is a Playing Member with MCC and enjoys tennis, padel and (to a lesser standard) golf.

Bruce is deeply committed to his role as pastoral and safeguarding lead at HCS, overseeing student wellbeing from Years 7 to 13. He and his wife Karen have two children, both of whom completed their education at HCS.

Mr Alex Hartley joined Hereford Cathedral School 2020. As an undergraduate he studied Mathematics at the University of Oxford and his background includes a variety of roles working in international, boarding, and comprehensive schools. He is an experienced school governor, holds a postgraduate degree in educational leadership, and is an ISI inspector.

Alex holds the responsibility for the academic life of the School, which includes pupils’ progress and attainment, the quality of teaching and learning, and the curriculum that we offer. Alex also continues to enjoy teaching mathematics to various year groups, as well as contributing to pupils’ personal development through the HCS Diploma and Horizons programmes.

Alex’s two sons are pupils at Hereford Cathedral School, and in his spare time he enjoys travelling with his family, walking in the countryside, and keeping fit.

Mrs Nathalie Teale has a degree in Modern European Studies majoring in French and spent two years living and working in France before returning to the UK. She worked for ITV for three years in both London and Nottingham before moving to Herefordshire and qualifying as a teacher of Modern Foreign Languages.

Whilst Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Hereford Cathedral School, Nathalie became a Specialist Leader in Education working with several schools locally, she also established the School’s Early Careers Development for aspiring teachers.

Nathalie has responsibility for the Sixth Form and helped to introduce the Hereford Cathedral School Diploma for all Sixth Form students with the successful outreach volunteering programme forming a key part of this. She also established the new Student Ambassador Roles for leadership and service as part of our commitment to ensuring our Sixth Formers become the best version of themselves.

Since September 2024 Nathalie has taken up the position of Deputy Head (Excellence & Innovation) and remains committed to ensuring all aspects of the HCS pupil experience are the best they can be.

Mrs Helen Hoffmann joined the School in April 2022, having previously been a Head of an IAPS day school in Kent. With experience in all sectors, both state primary and secondary, as well as independent prep and senior schools, Helen has a passion for ensuring that children have a seamless journey in their education through all key stages.

Helen graduated in English and Drama, gained a PGCE (distinction) in both primary and secondary education, and through the Open University went on to complete a Masters in Literature. Currently completing her ILM7 in Executive and Leadership Coaching, Helen coaches and mentors other leaders in the education industry.

When not busy with the life of the Junior School, Helen finds great happiness browsing bookshops, spending time in France or Scotland and discovering the wonderful outdoors with Lottie, the charismatic cockapoo!

Mr James Debenham was appointed Deputy Head of the Junior School in 2008. His role includes oversight of the pastoral provision at the School and he is mental health lead with responsibility for the youngest pupils in the school community. James currently teaches Year 6 Maths and Games.

James graduated from the University of Gloucestershire with a BEd in Primary Education. He brings a wealth of experience from previous roles as boarding houseparent, Head of Cricket and general subject teacher across Key Stage 2.

A keen sportsman who has scored over 5000 runs opening the batting in local league cricket and enthusiastic gardener, although these two activities are not entirely compatible during the summer months! Sport is a huge interest for James, whether it is playing, watching his three children compete, following Ipswich Town from afar or bemoaning the demise of his beloved Wasps.

Mrs Tracey Denny studied Exercise & Sports Sciences at the University of Gloucestershire before working as a local authority sports development officer and completing her PGCE in Herefordshire.

Before joining Hereford Cathedral Junior School as Head of Learning Support in 2016, Tracey taught in state sector primary schools. During her first year at the Junior school, she completed an MEd in Special Educational Needs through the University of Middlesex.

Tracey became the full-time Director of Studies in 2019 and has overseen several developments in the curriculum during that time, as well as more recently becoming subject lead for humanities. She continues to enjoy her teaching commitments, maintaining her involvement with both sport and SEND. Tracey is also actively involved in running some of the school’s broad range of extra-curricular opportunities.

Outside of school life, Tracey’s time is mostly taken up with watching sport!

Mr Stuart Higgins graduated with a Sociology degree from the University of Warwick and has subsequently spent his whole career in international education. He worked overseas for several years – in Israel, Spain, Sweden, Indonesia and Australia – before returning to the UK.

He was Principal of Saint Michael’s College, an international boarding school in Worcestershire, for twenty years, before joining Hereford Cathedral School (where both his children were educated). Stuart was instrumental in helping the school recruit its first international pupils and re-establish boarding at Wilmot House.

Stuart has a Master’s degree in Education, from the University of Sheffield. He has travelled extensively all over the world and is passionate about international education.

Mrs Laura Yates joined the school in 2017, having spent over 15 years as a marketing professional across a range of sectors. Graduating with an honours degree in French Language & Literature and a distinction in spoken French from the University of Leeds in 2001, Laura later gained a Professional Postgraduate Diploma with the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

With many years of experience in marketing, brand and advertising at a leading FTSE 100 company, Laura then moved into the not-for-profit sector, where she enjoyed managing the marketing and publicity for a young people’s charity. As a freelance marketing consultant and copywriter, she went on to leverage her expertise to assist diverse businesses in achieving their objectives.

For the past seven years, Laura has played a pivotal role at HCS and was instrumental in the school’s rebranding, aligning its identity with its values, and leading the development of the School’s new website to enhance its online presence.

Having seen her two children flourish at the school, Laura is deeply committed to championing the core values and unique benefits that have enriched their educational experience.

With over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources, including 10 years at HCS, Cath brings a wealth of expertise from diverse sectors including not-for-profit organisations, hospitality, and the NHS.

Cath specialises in safer recruitment, employee and industrial relations, and managing change. Her strong foundation in employment law, policy development, and case management ensures that HR strategies at HCS are compliant, effective, and inclusive. From leading staff surveys to shaping key policies, Cath plays a pivotal role in aligning the school’s HR strategies with its commitment to educational excellence while fostering an environment where staff and students thrive.

In his personal and professional life, Christian has demonstrated considerable commitment to personal development and growth, particularly with young people. Be it leading BA’s apprentice, graduate and management development programmes, as Chair of his local Air Training Corps or as Deputy Chair of Governors and Chair of the Remuneration Committee for a large sixth form college.

He has extensive experience of corporate governance, oversight and scrutiny, especially in regulated environments.

Christian has been a governor since 2020. Beyond his role as Chair of Governors, Christian is actively involved in various community initiatives and organisations, including sporting clubs and as Deputy Chair of the Hereford Magistrate Bench.

Driven by a genuine passion for education and a desire to see every pupil reach their full potential, Christian recognises what a special organisation HCS is and the significance of its values of courage, kindness and integrity.

Christian is delighted to be HCS Chair of Governors and have the ability to contribute to such an important venture.

Jacqui recently retired as Headmistress of Bromsgrove Preparatory and Pre-Preparatory School, an IAPS boarding and day school for boys and girls aged 3 -13 years, after 20 years service.

Her previous educational experience included working in independent co-educational preparatory schools, an independent girls’ school as well as in maintained schools in Buckinghamshire, Dudley and Worcestershire. Jacqui has thirty-five years of experience in teaching children from the Early Years to Year 8, and has also been a local authority advisory teacher.

Jacqui is married and has one daughter and a grandson.

Will Hanks qualified as a dentist from Guy’s Hospital in 1985. He moved to Hereford in 1990 and was a partner in Kyrle Street Dental Practice for 25 years and postgraduate tutor for Herefordshire for 10 years.

Will is a trustee of the Peace and Hope Trust.

As a hobby he makes musical instruments.

He has had three children educated at the School. His two sons were choristers in the Cathedral Choir.

Jonathan was born in Herefordshire and educated at both HCJS and HCS, being a boarder in School House, Head Boy and Captain of Boats. Obtaining a Degree in Urban Estate Management, he established his own practice as a Chartered Surveyor in Ross-on-Wye and Hereford, which specialised in commercial property agency, building surveys and professional property matters, principally in Herefordshire and surrounding counties. He now specialises in undertaking Building Surveys for clients and property development on his own behalf.

His two daughters attended Hereford Cathedral School and his Grandson has recently Joined the School. Jonathan still retains his love for rowing through his close involvement with Ross Rowing Club, established while a pupil at the school.

After working in the construction (housebuilding) industry for 25 years as a Commercial & Finance Director, Jacqui entered the world of education as Bursar of Hereford Cathedral School in 2009 before moving to King’s School, Gloucester, where she remained until retiring in 2019.

Jacqui lives in Gloucester with her partner John, and since retiring has started to pursue new hobbies including setting up a small allotment to grow her own produce.

Andrew has worked in education for 26 years. He has taught in primary schools in inner-city Nottingham and across Herefordshire. He has been headteacher and executive headteacher in three Church of England primary schools.

Andrew became a Church of England school inspector in 2011 and has conducted church school inspections in the Hereford and Worcester Dioceses.

In 2014, his school achieved an outstanding inspection from Ofsted and became a National Support School. Andrew became a National Leader of Education in 2015.

Andrew was the Executive Headteacher for St Thomas Cantilupe CE Primary School from 2012 until 2014, helping the school move from ‘Special Measures’ to a ‘Good’ overall judgement in 11 months.

In May 2018, Andrew was installed as a Lay Canon at Hereford Cathedral in recognition of his service to education in Hereford.

In 2019, his primary school was awarded an overall judgement of ‘excellent’ under the new SIAMS inspection framework.

Since September 2018, Andrew has been the Director of Education for the Hereford Diocese.

In January 2019 he became Chief Executive Officer for the Diocese of Hereford Multi-Academy Trust, which contains 15 primary and secondary academies serving the needs of almost 3000 children and young people within the Hereford Diocese.

Jonathan was born in Hereford and was educated at Hereford Cathedral School. He read Engineering at St John’s College Cambridge, and then completed a post-graduate course in production methods and management at Cambridge.

He qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse (now PwC) and spent the early part of his career in financial management with listed companies in the engineering and oil sectors. He worked for two privately owned groups before moving to the not-for-profit world.

He was financial director at the Greenwich Foundation as the former Royal Naval College buildings were restored. He was then financial director at two grant-making foundations where he restructured and managed the large investment portfolios. He is a CFA charterholder with the Chartered Financial Analysis Institute.

He recently spent a year in Lyme Regis learning how to build boats.

After Oxford, Nicholas spent most of his working life in teaching, first at Whitgift School in Croydon, and then for 31 years at Cheltenham College as, at various points, Head of Classics, Housemaster, Senior Housemaster, Director of Marketing, Assistant Chaplain and Senior Master.

He has had a house in Herefordshire since 1984, and moved there full-time in 2010 as Vicar of the Black Mountains Group and Rural Dean of Abbeydore. He is a Prebendary of Hereford Cathedral.

From 2010 to 2021, he was Deputy Chair of Governors at Longtown Community Primary School.

He is a Freeman of the City of London and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

His interests include reading, writing, music and gardening, but three springer spaniels tend to dominate his spare time.

Jonathan is a barrister practising in the fields of education and regulatory law. After spending nine years in Whitehall (responsible for the UK’s defence and security relations with the countries of the Nordic and Baltic region; cross-government peacekeeping and conflict prevention policy; and finally as head of the MOD’s public law and human rights policy and litigation team), and one on secondment to the voluntary sector (as Deputy Operations Director of a national health charity), he trained in law and is now nationally recognised as an expert in the regulation of education, schools, teachers, assessments and safeguarding.  His practice combines acting for teachers and school leaders facing misconduct proceedings brought by the Teaching Regulation Agency and Education Workforce Council with advisory work for regulators (including, most frequently, Ofqual), local authorities and schools.  He is ranked in both the Chambers and Partners UK Bar 2022 and Legal 500 2022 legal directories.

Jonathan is married (his wife, Felicity, is Head of Geography at HCS) with three children (all at HCJS), and has served as a governor of two state schools; as a charity trustee; as legally qualified chair of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal and fitness to practise panel chair for the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Social Care Wales; on the Safeguarding Case Management Group for Canoe Wales; as Chair of Salford City Council’s Standards Committee; and as statutory Independent Person for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council. He is also a musician and spent a few years at the beginning of his career running an orchestra, as a semi-professional oboist and recorder player and teacher, and as head of pastoral care and later overall head of a residential school for students of English as a second language. Jonathan was educated at Chetham’s School of Music and holds a BA and MA in Geography (First Class) from New College, Oxford; an MSc in Nature, Society and Environmental Policy from Worcester College, Oxford; two postgraduate diplomas in law (both ranked first in his year) from Bristol Law School; and a Licentiateship diploma from the Royal Schools of Music.

Lorraine holds a degree in Geography from University College Wales Aberystwyth and completed her PGCE at University College Cardiff. Lorraine’s career journey has changed from its initial focus on geography to boarding and the associated pastoral care needs of pupils. Her role also has a strong focus on developing successful academic education for international students in the medium of English, and with a particular emphasis on full integration of those students in all things British.

Lorraine started her teaching career as a Geography teacher at Lawnside School, Malvern in 1988, before moving on to King’s School, Worcester and then Wycliffe College, where she was Head of Geography and Housemistress. She moved to Malvern College where she was Senior Mistress and Head of Geography, before taking on a new role as Deputy Head of Malvern College Qingdao, China in 2012 and then Head in 2014. More recently, she was Principal of Bishopstrow College, an international study centre to prepare students for British boarding schools. In 2019, she moved to another school belonging to Inspiring Futures Education: Padworth College. Lorraine has now moved back to her home in Herefordshire after spending 34 years in boarding schools.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading crime novels and watching rugby. Lorraine is married and has four grown-up children and two small grandsons.

Sarah grew up in Nebraska, and after earning her PhD in Literature (specializing in Native American Studies and Literature of the American West), she was surprised to find herself establishing a career in engineering education at the Colorado School of Mines. There, she served as the Director of the Writing Center, Director of the McBride Honors Program in Public Affairs, and Founding Director of a First Year Program designed to bring the arts into ethical engineering design and to recruit diverse students to engineering. While serving as coordinator for a module called “Nature and Human Values”, it received an “Exemplar in Engineering Ethics Education” award from the National Academy of Engineering.

In 2019 she moved to the UK to become Founding Professor of Liberal Studies at Hereford’s start-up higher education provider, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE), specialising in bringing ethics, communication, sustainability, and a place-based approach to the curriculum. Now, she acts as Project Manager for the Engineering Professors’ Council’s Ethics and Sustainability Toolkits, is Visiting Professor in the School of Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment at Edinburgh Napier University, and is Lead for Transferable Skills at NMITE’s Centre for Advanced Timber Technology. She has recent publications in the International Handbook of Engineering Education Research and Engineering and Technology Magazine.

She is married to an Englishman, and they are constantly amused by the ways in which they are separated by a common language.

David, who grew up in Herefordshire, pursued a successful career in derivatives and financial markets in London,  Europe and the Far East. In 1999, he retired to his roots in Herefordshire, where he has since developed interests in farming, property, security, and venture capital.

As a Non-Executive Director for several businesses and a former trustee of the Herefordshire Community Foundation, David brings valuable experience to every role. With a wife and three children, David enjoys tennis, skiing, and country pursuits. He is also an active member of the Hereford Cattle Society.

Joining the governing board in 2024, David is committed to making a positive impact at HCS.