Senior Leadership Team (SLT)
Jon Kelly
Headteacher
I have been a teacher for 28 years working in mainstream as a geography teacher, head of department, SENCO and assistant head before moving to Newhaven in 2013. I started here as a deputy head leading on NEST before I headed up the establishment of King’s Park. I became headteacher in September 2019 – just in time for our successful OFSTED and the global pandemic! I love my job but in the spare time I have I concentrate on raising three children aged between 15 and 23, socialising, running and hoping that West Ham will do better this season.
Tania Peach
Head of Campus – Newhaven Gardens
I started my career in the theatre industry as a production manager and technical designer, working with a wide variety of companies and communities. My teaching career began in drama and dance colleges where I taught technical theatre to degree and Master’s students. I re-trained to teach in secondary education 16 years ago, and since then have been an art and DT classroom teacher, head of creative faculties, and Assistant Head Teacher. I’m now exceptionally proud to be the Head of Campus at Newhaven Gardens, a genuinely inclusive and inspirational place to work. I have a teenage daughter who is embarking on a career in the music industry, and the arts and live performance remain an important part of our family life.
Alan Fairnie
Acting Headteacher
Head of Campus – Newhaven King’s Park
I have been a teacher for 25 years teaching within the comprehensive sector for the majority of my career. I started out as classroom teacher in Nottingham and moved to London to take up a Head of Faculty role and subsequent leadership roles in Greenwich in the secondary sector. Throughout my career I have been committed to inclusive education and my role at Newhaven allows me to work with group of dedicated staff who make an impact and shape the lives of our young people for the better. When I’m not working I can be found in the record shops of South East London, occasionally creating experimental ambient sounds for various record labels, walking by the Thames and attempting to remain cool whilst out with my three teenage children.
Amanda Steenkamp
Acting Headteacher
Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form – Newhaven King’s Park
I’m proud to lead Newhaven Gardens, a unique school where community matters and relational intelligence sits alongside strong academic ambition.
With teaching experience across the UK, the USA and Southern Africa, I’m a committed advocate for inclusive education. As someone of mixed heritage who lived through apartheid, I believe every person deserves and has the right to realise their ambitions with appropriate support and high expectations.
I’m especially focused on SEND and SEMH provision; building confidence, skills and opportunities so students thrive beyond school. Newhaven is a special community that celebrates individuality, and I’m grateful to work with colleagues who live our mantra: ‘one team, one voice’.
Outside school, you’ll find me fossil hunting on a beach, cheering on the Women’s Super League, or spending time with my family and our mischievous labradoodle.
Jade Mintrim
Assistant Headteacher – Newhaven Gardens
I started my teaching career 9 years ago, training to teach Dance in South London Secondary Schools.
From there I became passionate about effective pastoral care and safeguarding – doing a number of roles including Head of Year and Head of Safeguarding and School Culture. I also have training and experience in therapeutic child care, and spent two years working with children in custody and youth prisons.
I am a fierce believer that all children, despite the challenges they may experience in life, deserve a chance to experience education, opportunity and a sense of belonging in our education system. When I am not at work you will probably find me at the theatre watching dance or musical theatre performances!