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 King’s Park, 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
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
Assistant Head & Head of 6th Form – Newhaven King’s Park
Before joining Newhaven in September of 2018, initially as Head of Maths, I spent 22 years in mainstream schools across three continents, the UK, the USA and Southern Africa. I love my occupation and have spent my career championing the abilities of, and advocating for, the best possible provision for young people of all backgrounds. Being of mixed heritage and having experienced Apartheid first hand, my core belief is that all youngsters deserve to, and can, achieve their life goals with the right education and support and I feel extremely privileged to be a part of their journey here at Newhaven School. When I’m not working, you will either find me on a beach fossil hunting, or following the Women’s Super League or spending family time with my sons and our mischievous labradoodle.
Amanda Hughes
Assistant Head – Newhaven Gardens
I started teaching in 2010 in a mainstream secondary school as a Design Technology specialist teacher then became 2i/c, Subject Lead, Head of Year and SENCO before joining Newhaven in September 2022 as Assistant Headteacher. I have two young boys to raise and we enjoy going on lots of adventures. In my spare time I enjoy a variety of weird and wonderful acrobatic sports, both learning and teaching them.
