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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.

Alexandre Sole Carretero

Alexandre Sole joined Brockwood Park School as a residential Physics teacher in January 2011. He has a long experience working in the aerospace field in Spain, mainly coordinating and managing projects within a public-private consortium, and also working in the airline business. Alexandre was born in Lleida, a beautiful city 100 miles southwest of Barcelona. He is presently studying towards a BSc in Physics with the Open University, and is a graduate of the International Space University 2009 Space Studies Program. Among his broad range of interests, he is particularly passionate about Planetary Science, Human Factors and Technology. He enjoys very much being in contact with nature, and first came to Brockwood out of a deep interest in Jiddu Krishnamurti's approach to the big challenges faced by humanity. Alexandre collaborates regularly with ANGOGERMA, a Catalan non-profit association created to enable young students in Angola without resources to have access to university-level education.

Benjamin Hammond

Benjamin Hammond joined the main school as a mature student in 2010, working primarily as a gardener and loved being able to work in all areas of our beautiful grounds. He enjoyed it so much at Brockwood, being particularly inspired by the intentions and atmosphere of the school, that he decided to stay on as a residential staff member. He will be teaching Religious Studies, History and also helping coordinate the Sports. He has a degree in Philosophy, specialised in Continental thought as well as Eastern religions, and has been working in education for several years as both a tutor and youth-worker. He loves to travel the world, explore the natural environment, and has stayed for extended periods of time in monastic settings. Benjamin feels well-suited to Brockwood because of his abiding interests in self-knowledge, and healthy and harmonious living.

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 brought with him his background in machinary mechanics in France and so naturally he offered his expertise in one of the busiest departments at Brockwood: Maintenance. Christophe had lived in a few communities before and was curious to live in one that is centered around K’s teachings. Additionally Christophe is involved as a tutor, which is one of the most important tasks for the kind of living-learning education Brockwood provides.

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.

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.

Eva Booth

Eva Booth. After having been a Mature Student for two and a half years, Eva came back to Brockwood to be a Staff Member she wants to help make a difference in the world of holistic education, which she believes to be very important today. Eva works in the kitchen where she loves to use as much as it is possible Brockwood-grown produce in the meals she cooks. She teaches some pottery classes as well. Eva has been studying herbalism in France, where she is originally from. She is passionate to extract all of the natural goods from the beautiful surrounding woods, meadows, and organic garden of course, for both medicinal purposes as well as culinary ones.

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.

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.

Kapila Patel

When Kapila Patel first came to Brockwood she joined the mature student program, which was right after having completed a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Relations. She has been a residential staff member since 2008. Kapila arrived with an intention to look deeply at education and order within the work of Krishnamurti. She has long been enthralled by the exploration of order, freedom and right action. The importance given to silence, well-being, communication and the capacity of humanity to live harmoniously in an ever-changing world continues to inspire her work at Brockwood. Kapila is a risk and compliance manager for the Krishnamurti Foundation Trust Ltd and Student Recruitment and Admissions Officer for Brockwood Park School. Kapila also thoroughly enjoys her pastoral roles as tutor and house parent.

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.

Lakshmi Dasari

Lakshmi Dasari joined Brockwood in 2010 as a residential staff member and a math teacher. She had previously taught mathematics in America (San Francisco and Seattle) for 15 years. The importance given to silence, reflection, and self-understanding at Brockwood were a major draw in her decision to come here.

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.

Lionel Claris

Lionel Claris, Ed.M., was educated in France until the age of 16 when he came to Brockwood as a student. He did so not only because he was dissatisfied with the rigid French educational system but because of his growing passion for K's teachings. Lionel is a passionate advocate for alternative ways of thinking about learning. His thoughts on education gravitate around the insight that typically the learning process offered to students is limited to a more or less imposed accumulation of knowledge. This knowledge, if it is not challenged passes as Truth – something to be accepted and followed – rather than something constructed that must be deconstructed and meaningfully re-appropriated. After 10 years away studying and working as an educational researcher and teacher in the US, Lionel is happy to be back as a teacher. He is eager to explore K's intent for the school with students and staff, as well as in his work as development & alumni officer.

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.

Malgorzata Karczewska

Malgorzata Karczewska is originally from Poland but has lived in several countries such as Italy, Denmark and Sweden. She holds a Master's degree in Criminal Law from the University of Lodz in Poland. Malgorzata has had several careers and has worked for example as both legal adviser in Poland and development instructor for a Child Aid project in Guinea-Bissau in West Africa. She came to Brockwood because of a deep interest in Krishnamurti's teachings and especially in his insights in what he often refers to as "truth". At Brockwood Malgorzata is the housekeeper, which is a job she sees as an opportunity to help bring about about outer and inner order as she learns about it too in the process. In her spare time Malgorzata loves to be in nature and with horses.

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.

Mary Heerin

Mary Heerin did a degree in biology and has a master's in natural health and diploma in TEFL (Teaching English as a foreign language). 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. Mary is responsible for supporting the leaving students in their next move and for the infirmary. She has taught a variety of subjects including English, ESL, Japanese Studies and Nutrition.

Pedro Lopez

Pedro Lopez first came to Brockwood in 2009 after finishing his Bachelor's degree in business and economics, with a major in the latter and a minor in philosophy. He had also worked as a research assistant for both a think-tank and the National University of Chile, and had done some teaching mostly in economics in his native Chile. Driven by a strong interest in the works of Krishnamurti and especially his views on education, Pedro had come to Brockwood to join the one-year Mature Student programme. After being away for almost a whole year traveling, visiting retreat centres and communities, as well as getting certified as a yoga teacher, Pedro returned as a staff member in 2011. He works both at the Krishnamurti Foundation Trust and at the School where he teaches Mathematics and Economics.

Petter Goldstine

Petter Goldstine is a conceptual artist working within the fields of photography and performance. His relocation to the pastoral British countryside has proved to be a fruitful alternative to life away from the city. He came to Brockwood because of a deep-rooted interest in alternative education and a strong desire to grow organic food. Petter teaches Photography, Performing Arts and Care for the Earth and works in the vegetable garden.

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.

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.

Sarai Alons

Sarai Alons works in the heart of Brockwood, the school's kitchen. The opportunity to live and learn together in an always dynamic and challenging environment, with people from different nationalities, background and ages, was an important reason for her to come to Brockwood. As the school cook she aims to provide the community with wholesome, nutritious and most of all delicious food. She brings with her a background in Cultural Anthropology, and a masters in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution. This, and her love for food and cooking, are proving to be valuable ingredients in the recipe that is called the Brockwood kitchen.

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.

Stanly Sugumar

Stanly Sugumar was first introduced to Krishnamurti's teachings in 2002 at Sholai School in south India, which is run by a former long-time Brockwood staff member. Stanly first came to Brockwood in 2004 as a mature student. Learning about the self, working with students and nature (growing vegetables especially) have always been areas of great interest to him. In fact, he did a part-time horticultural course at Sparsholt College in Winchester in order to help Brockwood in running the vegetable garden. He left Brockwood in 2007 to travel and learned various life and work skills as well as spread the word and intentions of what he sees as a unique school. Stanly returned in 2011 to be a Brockwood educator and work both for maintenance and in the garden.

Stefania Lapenta

Stefania Lapenta studied Italian Literature and History of Fine Arts in both Bologna and Florence. She holds a PhD in Modern History of Art from the University of Bologna. She worked as a researcher there for 10 years and she has taught Modern and Contemporary Art and Restoration at both the University of Bologna and the University of Cosenza. She loves teaching and came to Brockwood because of her earnest interest in Krishnamurti’s teachings, especially for what she considers to be his groundbreaking, luminous ideas on education. Stefania became particularly interested in Brockwood because she wanted to be able to teach in a context where a more holistic way of teaching is encouraged, which she thinks can prove to be more respectful of students’ needs and inner nature than more traditional approaches.

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.

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.

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.


Krishnamurti Foundation Trust Limited — Company registration no. 1055588 — Registered Charity no. 312865