Staff

The residential staff at Brockwood Park School share a common interest in the educational approach and the teachings of J. Krishnamurti. They come to Brockwood from around the world and bring a wide range of skills and personal qualities. Whether they are working in the garden, cooking the meals, or teaching in the classroom, they are all regarded as educators with responsibilities that mean an active engagement with students. This engagement takes place through day-to-day interaction in which staff support students in learning which is not only concerned with different disciplines, but takes in the personal and social spheres as well.

Brockwood also employs many non-residential staff, who perform essential functions in the School on both a full-time and part-time basis. Some teach, others help in administrative duties and all combine to help provide the school with an important link to the wider community. There are more or less equal numbers of male and female staff at Brockwood and an overall adult to student ratio of around 1:2. Some are former students who have returned to work at Brockwood after having pursued successful studies and careers elsewhere.

For application and vacancies, please consult the
'Staff Applications' page.

 

The Staff Body

Adrian Sydenham

Adrian Sydenham, presently Co-Principal together with Bill Taylor; has been teaching Psychology at Brockwood for the past 10 years; Masters Degrees in Modern Languages, Environmental Planning, and International Criminal Justice.

Anuradha Natarajan

Anuradha Natarajan joined Brockwood as a staff member in 2004 having been a Mature Student and student before at the school. She took on the job of running the kitchen and being a houseparent for four years. Having lived and studied for a time in Spain, she is qualified to teach Spanish as a second language which she did in addition to running the kitchen for a year (2006-7). She currently works in the kitchen.

Bill Taylor

Bill Taylor first came to Brockwood in 1983 as a mature student and then joined the staff. He returned to his native New Zealand five years later to do a degree in English literature and language, which he then taught at Brockwood for some years. He has been a Co-Director/ Principal of the School for 13 years and is married to a former Brockwood teacher, Leila. They have one daughter.

Carvalho Ildelindo da Silveira

Carvalho Ildelindo da Silveira has been at Brockwood for 8 years initially working in maintenance and grounds. In the last year he began teaching foundation Physics, Chemistry, Maths and AS Physical Geography. He really appreciates living at Brockwood because it is an international community and it gives the possibility of exploring Krishnamurti's teachings in relationship.

Christine Haywood

Christine Haywood has been part of the Brockwood accounts team since April 2000. She has a Diploma in Marketing and is a Graduate of the Royal Society of Chemistry. She enjoys gardening, but most of her spare time is taken up with two teenage children.

Christophe Chapelier

Christophe Chapelier came to Brockwood in 2007. He studied mechanics and works in maintenance.



Clive Dunkley

Clive Dunkley started teaching wood and metalwork at Brockwood in 1992. Before that he lived and worked at the Yehudi Menuhin School and has studied 3D design, jewellery design and instrument making. One area of his interests is sound, music and instrument construction and he has an MA from the Royal College of Art.

Clive Gray

Clive Gray studied music, history, and German. He grew up in Scotland and Germany. After being producer and manager for various media companies in Berlin, he came to Brockwood Park in 2004 as company secretary and coordinator. He also teaches music and history.

Colin Foster

Colin Foster has a PhD in atomic physics and was at university doing research up until the time he first joined Brockwood in 1983. He became the Academic Co-Director in 1993 and held that position until he left in 2002 to care for his aging father. He has been back at Brockwood for the last three years as Physics teacher.

Dax Rossetti

Dax Rossetti grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, studied music production in San Francisco, and then lived and worked in New York before settling in England. He has produced albums of his own material as well as for other artists, and performed widely in the US and Europe. He joined Brockwood Park in 2005 as a mature student, and now tutors in music.

Derwent Hannon

Derwent Hannon, a former Brockwood student, holds a Dip H.E. in Guitar and a BSc (Hons) degree in Herbal Medicine. He worked several years as a professional musician/singer/songwritier in England and Paris. He currently manages the vegetable garden at Brockwood, teaches classes in "Health and Healing" and "Care for the Earth." Other roles at Brockwood include Infirmary and being a House Parent. Derwent and his wife Joana (who teaches at Inwoods) are enjoying looking after their baby daughter.

Farid Boussaha

Farid Boussaha has graduated as a computer engineer with an 'Artificial Intelligence' specialization in Paris. He worked in a software company in the field of 'Business Intelligence' until he joined Brockwood in 2008 as the IT administrator for the school, centre and foundation.

Fazila Benoit

Fazila Benoit has studied Yoga with the Inner Yoga Trust in Hampshire. She is a certified BWY teacher, and continues teacher training with Tias Little. Her main interests lie in health and movement, and she finds inspiration in the ever changing natural world. Fazila teaches Yoga at Brockwood and is the guest co-ordinator.

Florence Gallien

Florence Gallien has spent most of her life working for big corporations as a training consultant. She wanted to apply her skills in a more fulfilling and meaningful arena, and joined Brockwood Park School in 2007, providing administrative support and as Recruitment Officer. Her interests lie in philosophy, education, wellbeing in general, and making friends.

Francesca Sayer

Francesca Sayer came to Brockwood in 1990 as a student and has maintained a long relationship with the place since her arrival. She has been a staff member for the past five years and teaches Care for the Earth and Sports; she also helps coordinate pastoral care. She loves the outdoors and organizing camping trips for the students.

Gary Boller

Gary Boller teaches Graphic design AS and A2 on a part time basis. He has an HND in Graphic Design. He is also a freelance illustrator, designer, and animator when not at Brockwood and has had work published in various comics, books, newspapers, and magazines. Also he has designed and animated for television. He enjoys teaching at Brockwood and believes that true creativity is found beyond the mind.

Hersha Shah

Hersha Shah came to Brockwood in August of 2007. She has a BA in Sociology and Religious Studies, a Masters degree in Criminology, and a PGCE in Education. She coordinates the Exam Offices, University applications, and teaches math. She enjoys teaching because she is not just the teacher, but learner as well.

Jennifer Kowalewski

Jennifer Kowalewski studied for her undergraduate degree in Fine Art Photography and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Chicago, Illinois. She enjoys teaching photography and being in nature. She joined Brockwood in the spring of 2009.

John Arthur

John Arthur worked as a land surveyor in the UK and overseas. He has since lectured at University College London for fifteen years. He joined Brockwood in 2009 as a part-time mathematics teacher.

Kapila Patel

Kapila Patel has long been enthralled by a sense of universal order. Her search to find harmony within such order accords with her work at Brockwood Park in which there is a constant movement towards finding a coincidence between outward and inward order. Kapila is housekeeper at Brockwood Park School and compliance manager for the Krishnamurti Foundation Trust.

Kevin Brokenshire

Kevin Brokenshire was born and raised in West Cornwall. He completed a Business Studies Degree in 1998. Post degree, he worked for 3 years within the Music Industry before returning to University to complete a Business and Economics PGCE. He has since taught in a number of London schools and is currently a Head of Learning and teacher of Business and Economics at a large North London Comprehensive. He teaches AS and A2 Business Studies at Brockwood.

Lesley Wilkins

Lesley Wilkins came to Brockwood in January 2008 as Bursar & Finance Manager. She comes with many years experience in the charity sector, latterly being the Chief Officer of a national charity for 12 years. Professionally, she is a full member of the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians). Outside work, she belongs to two traditional dance groups. One based on English folk dance and the other tradition from the Appalachian mountains in America.

Linda Oakley

Linda Oakley joined Brockwood in October 2007 as an assistant in the Accounts Department, after working for many years in the Agricultural Machinery sector and more recently as Manager of an Optician's in Farnham. She enjoys working with so many interesting people and in such pleasant surroundings.

Louise Umlandt

Louise Umlandt started teaching at Brockwood in 2007 and now teaches AS and A Level Psychology and Criminology. Louise studied BSc Applied Psychology and Computing at Bournemouth University from 2001 - 2004. She then went on to study Social and Developmental Psychology with the Open University from 2004 - 2006 at postgraduate level. To further this, Louise studied MSc Forensic Psychology at the University of Portsmouth from 2006 - 2009.

Maia Rey

Maia Rey joined Brockwood in 2003 and spent three years as a mature student helping at the School's reception. Having background in psychology, a strong interest in holistic education and having travelled far and wide, she really enjoys interacting with students, staff and guests at Brockwood, while working as a weekend duty manager at the School.

Margaret Penney

Margaret Penney was educated in Scotland. Following the completion of her Ph.D., she became a lecturer in the Zoology Department at Liverpool University and began teaching with the Open University. After a few years with Longman Publishing, producing science texts for the Middle East, she qualified as a Secondary School teacher. Margaret was Head of Science at Wimbledon High School (GDST) before coming to Brockwood to teach Biology in 2002.

Mark Apted

Mark Apted first became involved in alternative education in the 1970's when he taught art at the Liverpool Free School. Later he taught gardening to children at the Surrey Docks City Farm in London. After studying horticulture at Hadlow College in Kent he went on to start his own business in garden design and maintenance which he ran for fifteen years. He now looks after the grounds at Brockwood. He also enjoys watercolour painting when time allows.

Martin Holland

Martin Holland has been working on and off at Brockwood since 1997, currently engaged in maintenance projects, though in previous years was in charge of the school's organic vegetable garden and grounds. He has both British and American nationality, spent 7 years at university studying anthropology first for a B.A. Hons degree.

Mary Heerin

Mary Heerin did a degree in biology and has a master's in natural health and diploma in TEFL. She worked as an educator in Japan before coming to Brockwood. Some of her interests include exploring the natural world and the meaning of well-being, as well as music and dance.

Maya Lipman

Maya Lipman studied for her undergraduate degree in History of Art in South Africa and has been teaching and living at Brockwood since 2003. During that time she has taught a variety of subjects including Humanities and ESL, but her heart lies in teaching art, which has been her main vocation over the past three years and is the subject of her Masters degree, which she is in the process of completing.

Orlando Rodriguez

Orlando Rodriguez studied sports science. Shortly after completing his degree, he worked with different non-governmental organizations engaged in development work. He is very concerned with the necessity of a fundamental change in the human mind and the way in which we behave through education and relationships.

Prach Boondiskulchok

Prach Boondiskulchok was a student at Brockwood Park from 1999-2001, since then he has pursued a musical career as a pianist. He has taught piano and general music at Brockwood since 2007 and performs regularly both as a solo pianist and a chamber musician.

Ruth Tovim

Ruth Tovim is a former professional fundraiser turned chef who believes that delicious vegetarian food can change the world.


Sadia Abdullah

Sadia Abdullah first came to Brockwood in 1993 as a student for four years. She remained in close contact with the school and several years later joined the Mature Student Programme. Her studies led her to pursue a fine arts masters degree at the Prince's School in London where she specialized in traditional and Islamic arts. She now teaches part time in the schools art department.

Sahil Agarwal

Sahil Agarwal is the youngest member of the staff body at Brockwood Park School. He joined the school in Sept. 2009 and teaches Mathematics and Economics (AS level). He completed his primary education at Rishi Valley school (Krishnamurti Foundation India) before pursuing an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Mumbai. He recently completed his masters in Finance and Economics from the London School of Economics. Being an avid sportsman, he offers lessons in tennis and cricket as well. He has a keen interest in the financial markets, and enjoys adventure sports, movies and cooking.

Soraya Fernandez

Soraya Fernandez joined Brockwood in 2008 as a Spanish teacher and teaches all levels of Spanish to many Brockwood students. She has a degree in English Language and Literature and completed her teaching training in the UK. Before her arrival in Brockwood, she taught in various schools and companies throughout the UK.

Steve Smith

Steve Smith came to Brockwood in 1975 and shared in what may be termed its Golden Age. He has now returned to teaching in the school, but the major focus of his interest lies with Teacher Education programmes designed to bring about a new generation of teachers.

Svetlana Lebedeva

Svetlana Lebedeva is a qualified nurse, sales manager, and yoga instructor. Before coming to Brockwood Park, she spent 10 years working in the Krishnamurti Centre in Russia. Together with a group of friends, she took an active part in creating and building the centre, organizing Krishnamurti seminars, summer school programmes for students abroad, and managing the distribution of educational material. She works in the Brockwood kitchen.

Timothy Evans

Timothy Evans has joined the non-residential staff as a part-time teacher of ESL and English language and literature. He taught for many years in a boarding school in Bath. Before that he was involved in housing and resettlement projects in London. Tim was born in the north-east of England and lives in Somerset.

Valentin Gerlier

Valentin Gerlier's involvement with Brockwood began as a student in 1992. During his time at the school, he discovered a passion for music, poetry and philosophy which went on to ground his professional activity as a musician, composer and songwriter. Valentin has since performed, recorded and toured extensively as a musician, presenting his own work or playing alongside others. Valentin is currently completing a doctorate thesis in Philosophy and Religious Studies and teaches music, philosophy and religious studies at Brockwood. As a teacher, his fundamental interest is to attempt to teach and explore these subjects in a manner that also brings to light the deeper intentions of the school.

Valerie Cooper

Valerie Cooper joined Brockwood Park School in April 2007 as School Secretary/Receptionist. She brought with her a wealth of experience, particularly as she had worked as an Administration Assistant in a State School for 8 years prior to joining Brockwood.

Vicki Lewin

Vicki Lewin graduated in 1998 with a BA Hons in English with Education and trained as a Secretary and Personal Assistant before joining Brockwood Park as the School Secretary in 2002. Vicki took over the role of Admissions & Recruitment Officer three years later and has worked hard to maintain the current full register of students. Over the years she has enjoyed working alongside some very talented staff and students and in 2007-2008 took a short break whilst on maternity leave and returned as a part-time member of staff in September 2008.

Vijayendran Raghavendran

Vijayendran Raghavendran teaches Chemistry and Mathematics at Brockwood. Vijay has done his undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Biochemical Engineering in India and has a PhD in Bioprocess Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark. After a brief stint as a Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, USA, Vijay came as a mature student to Brockwood in 2006 to explore Krishnamurti's teachings and education. He was accepted as a staff member in 2007. Apart from his teaching activities, Vijay is also responsible for the school database and has a strong interest in computing, cooking and music.

Wendy Agnew Smith

Wendy Agnew Smith first came to Brockwood in 1978 where she taught humanities and a variety of general studies classes. From 1997 until 2008 she was the archivist at Krishnamurti Foundation of America in Ojai and, since her return to Brockwood, has been engaged in similar work for KFT focusing at present on audio digitization and the school archives.

Yannick Benoit

Yannick Benoit is the Facilities Manager and Head of Maintenance at Brockwood. He has gleaned much of his experience of management from owning and running a business and from hands on work as a carpenter. Yannick has a deep interest in the teachings and endeavours always to bring this to a dimension where they have relevance in our day to day practical life. Yannick is a former student.