Our Team

We have gathered some of the finest talent in international , independent education, sharing the same values and passion for our children´s future. We have the mission of transforming education through innovative ways of learning, to nurture the beginnings of a better world. More than a team, we have become a family, sharing the dreams of building a legacy of integrity, resilience and possibilities.

Fred Knipe

Chief Executive Officer / Chief Financial Officer
James Thompson 7144

James Thompson

Chief Operating Officer
Vivienne Thompson Chatsworth Schools

Viv Thompson

Director of Education and Safeguarding

Andrew Greenway

Director of Information
Jonathan Ritchie

Jonathan Ritchie

Executive Director of Property & Development

Nick Rees

Director of Enhanced Learning

Susana Torices

Group Financial Controller

OUR CONTACT DETAILS

Crimea Office
Great Tew Estate
Oxon
OX7 4AH UK

+44 (0) 1608 525 030

office@chatsworthschools.com

USEFUL Information

Growing since 2018
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Chief Executive Officer / Chief Financial Officer – Fred Knipe

Fred started his career at EY in the corporate tax division. He progressed to lead advisor and was involved in several key transactions including MBO’s of a regional London bus operator and national convenience store retailer. Fred moved to ISP as Finance director. He worked with both the CFO and Operations Director in the appraisal, due diligence, integration, financial reporting and operation of the businesses.

Additionally, he managed IT infrastructure and project managing new system implementations, secured new property leases for expansion and formulated a master plan to significantly develop a UK school. He is a Chartered Accountant and member of ICAEW since 1990. He has a BA Hons Economics from Exeter University.

Fred and Anita worked together at ISP (along with Graeme and Susana below) and rejoined at the very beginning of Chatsworth Schools to acquire the group’s first school, Hall School Wimbledon (HSW) together a little over 5 years ago.

Chief Operating Officer – James Thompson

James gained his primary teaching degree from St Mary’s University College in Twickenham. He has since worked in independent schools in London, Bath, Sussex and Oxfordshire as a teacher and school leader. 

Before joining Chatsworth Schools, he was Head of Royal Russell Junior School in Croydon for ten years and Head of St Hugh’s Prep School in Oxfordshire. 

At Chatsworth Schools, James’ has a wide remit that looks to strategise and support all areas of the operational side of running our schools from HR, to admissions, to school development.

Vivian

Director of Education and Safeguarding - Viv Thompson

Viv has class taught all ages from 2 to 8 in independent schools around the UK, managed and opened school-based early years and nursery departments; most recently completing seven years as Headmistress for The Minors Nursery School for the Alpha Plus Group before joining Chatsworth Schools.

She is vastly experienced within the EYFS and a passionate advocate for value of a solid foundation in the crucial younger years. Viv gained her BA Hons QTS in Education from Surrey University. Alongside leading the EYFS teams across the group, Viv has the vital role of group Safeguarding lead; a part of education that is of the highest importance to Chatsworth Schools – ensuring our children are safe.

Andrew Greenway
Director of Information

Andrew studied Electronic Engineering at Liverpool University before joining the Royal Air Force as a Communication-Electronics Officer. Whilst in the military he designed, developed, and deployed engineering solutions around the world.

Following the command of a military technical training school, his enthusiasm for teaching led him to attain a PGCE with an ICT specialism and appointments in prep schools across the country. 

He has implemented new technology, learning platforms and classroom developments across all age groups. Andrew is an ISI inspector and plays a key role in the inspection preparation process for all our Chatsworth Schools.

Jonathan Ritchie

Executive Director of Property & Development – Jonathan Ritchie

Jonathan has spent over 20 years working operationally in the private sector with a strong focus on compliance, estates, facilities and health & safety throughout sectors such as hospitality and property management.

Since joining Chatsworth Schools in September 2019, his specific areas of expertise and responsibility focus on all things buildings, capital works, catering, change management, compliance, contracts, estates, facilities, insurance, health & safety, maintenance, planning, people, procurement & project management.

Director of Enhanced Learning - Nick Rees

I have lived and was educated in the UK, Singapore and West Germany. I obtained my first degree and PGCE both at Portsmouth. I started teaching in the early 1980s at a junior school in Bath moving after two years to an independent prep school. 

In 1987, having taught for a brief period in a British Forces school in Germany I returned to the UK and started teaching at Fairley House School where my interest in SpLD developed. In 2005 I was appointed Head of Abingdon House School, a new school for pupils with SpLD aged 4-13 in London. 

I retired (very early!!!) from headship in July 2013 and have since worked as an independent educational consultant with roles such as being part of DLB Leadership Associates Ltd, specialists in Leadership Development & Change Management and as an Associate Consultant to TES Prime.

Susana Torrices

Group Financial Controller – Susana Torices

Susana is from Bilbao, northern Spain and studied Economics at Basque Country University, specialising in Accounting.

She has worked in several roles and industries, from a Football Club to a large logistics PLC. After a short period living and working in France during 2011-12; Susana moved to London in 2012 where she began working in Private Equity backed organisations. 

After a couple of years in renewable energy, she joined International Schools Partnership in 2014. During Susana’s time at ISP, she worked across all financial aspects of the group from setting up group reporting to integrating new acquisitions. Her final role at ISP was European Finance Director – a position responsible for 12 schools. Susan left ISP in 2019 when it had 36 schools worldwide and joined the Chatsworth Schools family shortly after as Group Financial Controller.

SCHOOLS

Find out more about our growing schools family.

NURSERIES

Find out more about our nurseries.

INTERNATIONAL

Find out more about our International Schools division

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Find out more about the Chatsworth Schools leadership team.

CHATSWORTH TAPESTRY

Find out more about The Chatsworth Tapestry

SCHOOL LEADERS

Find out more about our wonderful Heads.

SCHOOLS

NURSERIES

Find out more about our thriving preschool.

TEAM CHATSWORTH

Find out more about our thriving prep department.

INTERNATIONAL

Find out more about our Pre Prep school.

Term Dates

See our term dates for this year and for next year.

Open Days

Find out about our upcoming Open Days and arrange a visit to our school.