Our Team

DEDICATED AND SUPPORTIVE

A Team United by Purpose and Care

St John’s Beaumont is a dedicated community of educators and staff who create a supportive, enriching environment for every pupil.

All teaching, boarding, support and administrative professionals who are committed to providing your child with the best possible education.

Senior Leadership Team

Mr P Barr MA FCCT

Headmaster

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Mr J Snell BA (Hons) PGCE

Deputy Head (Pastoral) Designated Safeguarding Lead

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Mr G Williams BComm, HDE

Deputy Head (Academic)

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Miss C Murphy

Assistant Head Academic

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Mrs A Nichols

Assistant Head Pastoral

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Mrs P Powell-Harper ADCE, EYD

Head of EYFS & Pre-Prep

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Mr S Hutchinson-Lawson BEd

Head of Boarding

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Mr Sam Brassington

Director of Admissions and Marketing

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Boarding Team

Dedicated boarding team provides round-the-clock support, ensuring the wellbeing and pastoral care of each boarder.

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The Proprietor

Dr Stephen Spurr

Proprietor

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In cases of need, the Proprietor Body can be contacted stephen.spurr@intellego-education.co.uk or in writing:

Dr. S. Spurr
St John’s Beaumont Preparatory School,
Old Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 2JN.

You may also contact the school office to arrange a meeting by telephoning 01784 432428.

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Mr P Barr MA FCCT

Headmaster

schooloffice@sjb.email

Mr Barr’s teaching career began at a comprehensive state school, where he initially served as the Head of Mathematics before transitioning to Claremont Fan Court School, a co-educational 3-18 day school in 2000.

Mr Barr returns to St John’s Beaumont, where he held the position of Deputy Headmaster before serving as the Headteacher at Donhead Preparatory School in Wimbledon. Mr Barr comes to St John’s with a wealth of academic, pastoral and sporting experience. His unwavering passion for school sports is evident, and he actively contributes as the Sports Coordinator for IAPS, showcasing his commitment to fostering a well-rounded educational experience. Beyond his school-based contributions, Mr. Barr serves as the Chair of Governors at a local Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), demonstrating his commitment to the broader educational community.

Mr J Snell BA (Hons) PGCE

Deputy Head (Pastoral)

jsnell@sjb.email

Designated Safeguarding Lead

DSL@sjb.email

Mr G Williams BComm, HDE

Deputy Head (Academic)

gwilliams@sjb.email

Mr Williams began his career in education in South Africa, teaching and coaching rugby in some of the countries most prestigious schools. He has been at St John’s Beaumont for more than a decade, during which time he has been Head of Geography and now Deputy Head Academic. Mr Williams has a passion for adventure and is an integral part of the team that organises trips to Iceland, skiing and beyond.

Miss C Murphy

Head of Upper School

cmurphy@sjb.email

Miss Murphy undertook a degree in Upper Primary and Lower Secondary Education with a specialisation in Maths, She joined St John’s as Head of Maths nearly a decade ago and has most recently taken up the position of Head of Upper School, providing support and pastoral care to our pupils in Years 6, 7 and 8. Miss Murphy has two sons at St John’s in Pre-Prep and Upper School and hidden talent for Lego!

Mrs A Nichols

Assistant Head Pastoral

anichols@sjb.email

Mrs P Powell-Harper ADCE, EYD

Head of EYFS & Pre-Prep

ppharper@sjb.email

Mrs Powell-Harper joined St John’s in 2013 following an early years’ career that has spanned from Scotland, Australia and USA. Prior to her arrival at St John’s, Mrs Powell-Harper was the Headteacher of a kindergarten in Eton Square, London, and Head of Pre-School of a Nursery in Pimlico. She is an Early Years Educator with Montessori and Forest School training, and has a passion for all creatures – her latest project was the creation of “The Roost”, a calming space for all pupils and staff to enjoy.

Mr S Hutchinson-Lawson BEd

Head of Boarding

shlawson@sjb.email

Originally from South Africa, Mr Hutchinson-Lawson has been at St John’s for more than 10 years and lives on the school estate with his wife, Mrs Hutchinson-Lawson (Deputy SENDco) and their three children. As well as his position of Head of Boarding, Mr Hutch as he is affectionately known, also teachers Geography and is responsible for overseeing all the wonderful school trips on offer at St John’s. He and his family regularly host the boarders for family-style meals and join in weekend activities, allowing the boarders to truly feel a part of an extended family.

Mr Sam Brassington

Director of Admissions and Marketing

sbrassington@sjb.email

Sam Brassington has a background in education, performing arts and boarding, and has held senior roles across independent and international schools.

As Director of Admissions and Marketing, he is passionate about supporting families in finding the right school for their children and ensuring every interaction with St John’s reflects the school’s values, warmth and ambition.

Sam is also a proud parent at St John’s, giving him first-hand insight into the experience families and children enjoy and benefit from.

Dr Stephen Spurr

Proprietor

Stephen started his career in academia as a university lecturer, having gained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford University, before moving into school teaching.

He started at Eton College, becoming successively Head of Classics and House Master, until 2000. After 5 years as Head of Clifton College (2000-05), he was appointed Head Master of Westminster School, a position he held for 9 years from 2005 to 2014. Throughout his tenure, Westminster topped the FT academic league tables, combining A-level and GCSE results. Whilst at Westminster, he chaired the Independent Schools Examination Board.

He has always worked across the independent and state sectors and in 2013-14 established the Harris Westminster Sixth Form College together with the Harris Federation.

In 2014 joined Inspired Education, becoming the Group Educational Director. By the time he left five years later in 2019, Inspired had become the second largest school group in the world with over 65 schools.

Stephen then co-founded Intellego Education, an educational investment firm, to invest in the UK and European independent education sector. He has held a number of UK governorship roles, including the Royal Ballet School and Tonbridge School.

Mr Peter Burdon

Deputy Proprietor and Chair of Advisory Board

Peter joined Nord Anglia in 2009 as COO with overall responsibility for all schools and educational services, as well as being Managing Director for Europe. During his six years with the group, they grew from 7 to 42 schools, increased educational outcomes every year and developed innovations such as the Global Classroom for pupils and Nord Anglia University for the professional development of teachers.

Peter subsequently joined GEMS Education, as Chief Schools Officer with operational responsibility for over 50 schools delivering 4 different curricula.

Since 2017, he has advised private capital on the K12 sector as well as establishing Britus Education (a 6 school platform) for a Middle Eastern investment bank.

Peter started his career in various roles at Esso, McKinsey and Boots before becoming CEO of Thorntons.

He received a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering from Manchester University and an MBA from the University of New South Wales.

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