Board and Management

NAME

BIOGRAPHY

Mark Semmence – CEO of the Repton Family of Schools

Mark Semmence is the CEO of the Repton Family of Schools. Prior to joining Repton in 2019 as Headmaster, Mark was Headmaster of  Mount Kelly School and prior to that, Assistant Headmaster for 7 years at Rugby School where he taught Economics. Mark was educated at Hurstpierpoint College and then at Durham University (BA and MBA). He completed his MA at Warwick. Before embarking on his teaching career, Mark enjoyed a successful business career in the sports marketing sector working for the Quintus Group (now IMG) in London, Dubai and New York.

Daniel Lewis – Managing Director

Daniel was appointed Managing Director of the Repton Family of Schools (formerly Repton International Schools Limited or RISL) in February 2021. In joining RFS he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of running high-performing schools, and possesses a truly global outlook and instinct. Having led the establishment of international schools for North London Collegiate School in South Korea and the UAE, (as well as successfully leading the bid to establish NLCS in Singapore), he understands the challenges and needs of start-up projects, particularly those with a pre-existing UK ‘brand’ – with detailed expertise in the areas of franchise/management agreement, school design, quality assurance, marketing and admissions, recruitment of staff, and the establishment of a coherent educational vision and ethos.

Jonathan Taylor - Director of Education

Jonathan is an experienced school leader, having led schools in London, China and Switzerland. Following ten years in the UK state system, he joined Dulwich College International to be the Founding Head of School in Zhuhai, China. During this time, he completed an MSc. in Educational Leadership, with a specific focus on the differences between Western and Confucian education principles. Jonathan then spent eight years at Cognita, one of the world’s largest schools’ groups, where he led the North Bridge House network of schools in London and spearheaded the organisation’s expansion into the Swiss market. In addition to school leadership, Jonathan has served on the Board of the Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS) and is a regular speaker and writer on UK and international education.

With a child at Repton Prep School, Jonathan is delighted to be part of both the Repton staff and parent communities.

Ian Davenport – Associate Governor and Education Director (UAE)

After graduating Ian worked in The City for a number of years, for Morgan Stanley and Arthur Andersen before beginning his teaching career at Radley College, where he served as a housemaster and Head of Department. Ian led Blundell’s School as Head Master for eight years, and has also been an Economics tutor at Oxford University. He was an adviser to the Department of Education and led their social impact project: ‘SpringForward’. Ian was a Governor of Repton School for seven years before taking on the Associate Governor role.

Vicky Harding - Head of Repton Prep

Vicky is Head of Repton Prep School. Before joining Repton Prep in 2022, Vicky was previously Head at Sarum Hall School in Hampstead, London and Deputy Head, then Acting Head, at Newland House School in Twickenham. Vicky read Music at Edinburgh University and was awarded numerous prizes when graduating, going on to study Piano Accompanying postgraduate at the Royal Academy of Music in London, performing in concerts across the country and abroad. Vicky was Director of Music at the Dragon School in Oxford, and prior to this at Garden House School in London; she has also taught at Eton College, Falkner House and Lambrook Schools. She is a Governor at NLCS in London as well as at Vinehall in East Sussex, and has enjoyed teaching Art, Music, History, French and English during her career.

Ashley Currie - Deputy Head Academic (Repton)

Ashley is the Deputy Headmaster (Academic) of Repton School and will become Principal Deputy Head from September 2024. Prior to joining Repton in 2021, Ashley was an Assistant Headmaster at St. John's School, Leatherhead and prior to that, Head of Mathematics at St. Edward's School, Oxford. Ashley has worked at a number of other independent schools including Magdalen College School and Giggleswick School. Ashley was educated in the North East of England at Barnard Castle School and went on to study for a master's degree in Theoretical Physics at the University of Durham (MPhys). He completed his master's degree in Educational Leadership in 2018.

Samantha Krbacevic - Deputy Head Academic (Repton Prep)

Samantha is Deputy Head (Academic) at Repton Prep School.  Prior to joining Repton Prep in 2011 she had worked at Farnborough School Technology College in Nottingham as well as working as a post-graduate researcher in Theoretical Quantum Optics.  She has experience in educational publishing, having contributed to a number of Mathematics textbooks and revision guides as writer, editor or proofreader.  Samantha graduated with a first-class BSc (Hons) in Theoretical Physics in 2006, and was awarded the Winifred Moulds Prize for Women in Physics, before graduating in 2008 with a PGCE in Secondary Mathematics from the University of Nottingham.

Kellee-Anne Cavill - Deputy Head Pre-Prep (Repton Prep)

Kellee graduated from De Montfort University in Bedford in 1998 with a BA Hons degree in English with Business Studies and a Primary PGCE and started her teaching career in Bedfordshire, where she worked in a Lower School teaching Year Three and Year Four mixed classes. Before joining Repton Prep, she worked at Repton Dubai for three years, teaching Year Two, and later becoming Head of Year Three. Following her return to the UK in 2013, she was appointed Head of Pre-Prep at Repton Prep and has now become Deputy Head with responsibility for Pre-Prep and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. As well as being a Governor at St. Hugh's, Lincolnshire. Kellee also served as a Special Constable in the Staffordshire Police from 2018-2021. She is passionate about providing the very best education for our pupils and ensuring they have a happy, challenging and fulfilled experience at Repton Prep.