Talbot Heath is a leading independent through school in Dorset that offers girls aged 2-18 an outstanding education within a strong and supportive community.

Tracy Harris is in her second year as Headteacher at Talbot Heath School. She joined Talbot Heath with a strong background in the leadership of high performing girls’ grammar schools. She has previously held posts as Head of Parkstone Grammar School and Senior Deputy Head of South Wilts Grammar School. Tracy was raised and educated in the south west, from her childhood upbringing in Christchurch, to reading History at the University of Exeter, where she also studied for her PGCE. Last year she completed an MSc in Psychology to explore cognition and learning, along with child development. Tracy’s subject specialisms are in teaching history and politics. She has also been an Ofsted Inspector for eight years and inspected both secondary and all-through schools. In addition Tracy has acted as a School Improvement Advisor for two secondary schools, including a selective school, where she worked with senior leaders and governors on school improvement priorities. Tracy is a keen amateur musician and plays in a brass band performing in concerts and contests.

Tracy has a considerable track record of leading and delivering academic excellence in schools, coupled with outstanding pastoral care and experience of developing a productive vision. She is very excited to be leading the team at Talbot Heath towards the next phase of its rich and exciting journey.

I started at Talbot Heath as a teacher of Geography and was promoted to Head of Geography/Humanities the following year. My daughter, Katherine, loves Talbot Heath, having been a pupil since Kindergarten. I have enjoyed seeing Geography grow in popularity in recent years and was consequently extremely proud to collect the Geographical Association’s SGQM and Centre of Excellence Awards on behalf of the department. In my new role I aim to build on Talbot Heath’s strengths, supporting staff in the delivery of new specifications, whilst encouraging reflective practice and effective pedagogy.

My first position of responsibility at Talbot Heath was the Physics Coordinator. This proved to be a highly rewarding role and a post I held with pride. My new role as Assistant Head (Academic Management) presents many new and exciting opportunities. I look forward to managing the school’s database system and producing the whole school timetable, meeting the needs of the Junior and Senior Schools. Above all I am delighted to be joining the Senior Leadership Team, working to continue to provide a first class education for our students.

Anna studied Classics and Modern Languages at Keble College, Oxford. She has a strong background in pastoral care and is delighted to have taken on the roles of Assistant Head Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Talbot Heath School. Throughout her career, Anna has always placed students at the heart of everything she does. She is committed to raising aspirations and encouraging all students to aim high and challenge themselves to achieve their full potential. In the different schools she has worked in, Anna has established a variety of successful mentoring schemes and student voice forums, setting up valuable links between students in different key stages and establishing excellent role models for the younger students. Anna is passionate about promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing as well as helping students develop important life skills including communication, critical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, teamwork and resilience. Anna believes in giving students a rounded learning experience, so throughout her teaching career, she has arranged a wide variety of extra-curricular trips and visits and has coached a girls’ football team. Her own extra-curricular activities also demonstrate how she likes to challenge herself. She overcame her fear of both water and flying whilst sky diving over the Namibian desert, white water rafting on the Zambezi and scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef. Anna also enjoys playing football, camping and cycling or walking in the New Forest.

A graduate of Law and History, passionate teacher and SEN specialist, Mrs Pugh is determined to ensure that the Junior School continues to flourish, with an emphasis on aspirational, active, engaging learning. She attended Parkstone Grammar, it was during this time she swam in the TH pool and was hooked! Mrs Pugh, married with grown up children, sent her daughter to Talbot Heath because of its excellent academic standards and kind, caring family atmosphere. Ten years ago Mrs Pugh joined the staff of Talbot Heath as a Y2 form teacher. She subsequently became a Y5 tutor and SEN coordinator, then Interdisciplinary Lead and since January 2017 Deputy Head of the Junior School, with special responsibility for pastoral care. She is now absolutely thrilled to be taking on the Head of Junior School role. She has a real love of teaching and learning and is committed to enabling every girl in her care to become the very best they can be. Her philosophy in life is to seize every opportunity, try your very best and always treat those around you as you would like to be treated. She is determined to ensure that the Junior School continues to flourish, with an emphasis on aspirational, active, engaging learning, underpinned by compassion and Christian values, thus remaining true to the vision of Mary Broad.

My Talbot Heath journey commenced in 2015 when I was delighted to be appointed KS2 Maths Co-ordinator and Year 6 Form Tutor. As a passionate educator, my main aim is to create a supportive learning environment where pupils feel confident and happy to take on challenges – with a good sense of fun! I enjoy nurturing a growth mind set amongst our pupils. The values and skills developed from this are important in all the curriculum areas but most importantly; help prepare our pupils for life beyond school. Talbot Heath is a school that successfully encapsulates both tradition and vision. As a result, I am very excited to be part of a team that develops elements of STEAM within our curriculum and provides different learning opportunities that embrace the ever changing world we live in.

Talbot Heath has always been part of my life, I joined the school at the age of 8, as a junior pupil. Following school I studied at University College London and was then lucky enough to train as a teacher at Talbot Heath. I was then promoted to KS2 Science Lead where I have developed an exciting curriculum using the state of the art facilities we have in order to immerse my pupils in their learning. I have two daughters who both joined Talbot Heath in Kindergarten; my eldest has just left after gaining excellent A Levels and is now off to the University of Bath. As a parent I chose Talbot Heath for its exceptional pastoral care and traditional values as well as an extensive curriculum and sporting opportunities. I am now lucky to be on the school senior leadership team as the Assistant Head Pastoral for Junior School. My main focus is the wellbeing of the pupils and staff. My aim is to develop confident individuals who have the ability to recognise their feelings and manage these in a positive way, improving their self esteem and in turn their willingness to take risks and challenge themselves.

I am delighted to join Talbot Heath School. I started my career as a Secondary School teacher continuing to train as a Chartered Accountant.  I have spent my career at professional services firms KPMG and PwC and for the last decade at International and Independent Schools.  A mother of four, I am passionate about supporting young people, helping to enable them to flourish and make the most of their opportunities. 

Adam joined Talbot Heath School in 2020 arriving with over 15 years facility management experience in leisure and heritage buildings. As the school’s Facility Manager he encompasses multiple disciplines to ensure functionality, safety, security, comfort and efficiency across all school buildings and grounds. Adam has the responsibility for the maintenance, grounds, caretaker, catering and cleaning support service teams to help achieve this. He is a keen sailor and has gained instructor level qualifications in a number of marine and water based activities.