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.

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Anita Gleave

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Fred Knipe

Chief Financial Officer
James Thompson 7144

James Thompson

Director of Schools Management

Andrew Elias

Director of Marketing and Communications
Vivienne Thompson Chatsworth Schools

Viv Thompson

Director of Early Years

Andrew Greenway

Director of Information
Jonathan Ritchie

Jonathan Ritchie

Director of Estates and Facilities

Nick Rees

Director of Enhanced Learning

Andrew Hammond

Director of Professional Development

Susana Torices

Group Financial Controller
ArchieD 1

Archie

Co-Founder
Lettie Chatsworth Schools

Lettie

Chief Marketing Officer

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
Chatsworth Schools © Copyright 2023
Independent School Web Design by Three Girls Media
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Founder and Chief Executive Officer – Anita Gleave

6 years with Chatsworth Schools

Anita was Group Operations Director at ISP, WCL and at Alpha Plus and has worked successfully with several members of the Chatsworth Schools team for many years both at Chatsworth and in previous roles. 

Anita is a former independent schools’ Headmistress and a Methodist Lay Preacher. She has an M.Ed. from Oxford University.

A pioneer for inclusive, innovative education and the importance of enabling every child to be their very best, Anita Gleave is one of the most renowned and regarded educationalists and businesswomen in the global education sector.

Anita is currently the only Founder and CEO of a global school group and the first ever operator of an international school in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

CFO – Fred Knipe

6 years with Chatsworth Schools

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.

Director of Schools Management – James Thompson

1+ year with Chatsworth Schools

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.

Director of Marketing and Communications – Andrew Elias

2 years with Chatsworth Schools

Andrew has more than 20 years’ experience in B2B and B2C sales and marketing across various sectors including retail, academic publishing, licensing and UK and international education. He has a distinct and creative style of communication and a large and engaged LinkedIn following focused on the UK and international education community which he leverages to create interest and engagement for Chatsworth Schools.

Away from work, Andrew is a very busy dad of four fantastic children and has an extensive collection of sliders – his preferred type of footwear!

Vivian

Director of Early Years and Safeguarding - Viv Thompson

5+ years with Chatsworth Schools

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

3+ years with Chatsworth Schools

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

Director of Estates and Facilities – Jonathan Ritchie

4+ years with Chatsworth Schools

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.

Nick Rees

Director of Enhanced Learning

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.

Andrew Hammond

Director of Professional Development

Andrew has worked in independent and maintained schools for over twenty-five years, serving as a Head of English and Drama, Housemaster, Director of Studies, Deputy Head Academic and then as Headteacher in two primary schools and a prep school. Most recently he served for three years as Headteacher of Chatsworth Schools’ founding school, Hall School Wimbledon, prior to which he was Senior Director of Learning at Discovery Education, specialising in professional development.

A prolific author, Andrew and has written over thirty titles for a range of educational and trade publishers and is a regular contributor to educational magazines, newspapers and podcasts. He has delivered CPD in over 150 schools and has keynoted at many educational conferences in the UK, China, US and UAE. He has served as an ISEB Common Entrance setter and English Subject Leader for IAPS. He is a former member of ISA Executive Council.

Andrew holds a BA (Hons) QTS from Bath Spa University and an MA from King’s College London.

Susana Torrices

Group Financial Controller – Susana Torices

4+ years with Chatsworth Schools

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.

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Archie

Co-Founder

Born and raised in Shrewsbury I have studied food, friends, France and modelling for two years now. I am an expert in human relations and although often accused of selective deafness, I know exactly what is going on at any given moment…. if you want any gossip at all, I’m your man! 

As Co-Founder of Chatsworth Schools I am the life and soul of not only the office, but the Chatsworth world. I cannot help being so terribly adorable and for a very small fee (always food related) I am available for commercials, photos shoots or general films…. any costume wearing is strictly at my discretion and I am likely to charge extra! 

Look forward to making your world a better place sometime soon.

Lettie Chatsworth Schools

Lettie

Chief Marketing Officer

Lettie, a wire-haired daschund from Oxfordshire joined the Chatsworth Schools family in 2023 when given Chatsworth Schools rapid growth, CEO and Founder Anita Gleave decided that the group needed a new marketing ‘top dog’ and went to market to find a best of breed fit for the job.

On the appointment, two-time EducationInvestor award winner and Chatsworth Schools Founder, Anita Gleave said “Lettie embodies Chatsworth Schools’ values. It is frankly a relief that we have finally found someone that can pursue the marketing function at Chatsworth Schools like a dog with a bone……”

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.