Governors, Leadership and Staff

Miss Louise Martin BEd (Hons), Head of Stormont School

After completing a BEd Hons with Music degree Louise spent the first decade of her career working in a local primary school, where she became acting Deputy Headteacher. She moved to the independent sector in 2012 and in 2018 became Deputy Head at Stormont School, before being made head in 2020.

In a matter of weeks after her appointment the pandemic hit. Louise found herself navigating uncharted waters, steering the school through lockdowns, remote learning, and social distancing. Despite endless challenges and the total disruption of normal school life,  Louise kept spirits up and the children engaged, organising virtual talent shows and online quizzes alongside delivering lessons in as many innovative ways as possible.

Thankfully Stormont has returned to normality, as has her role at the school. Louise continues her passion for music and sport, and is often to be found on the tennis courts.

Ms Alexis Sobell, Deputy Headteacher and DSL

Bio

Mrs Anne Curley, Head of Pre-Prep, Deputy DSL (EYFS)

Bio

Mr Mike Lewis MBE, Chief Operating Officer

After reading Aeronautics & Astronautics at Southampton, Mike went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, commissioning into the Royal Engineers. He served for 22 years in the British Army in a variety of increasingly senior roles, in the UK and abroad. Mike then brought his experience to the education sector as Director of Operations for the Haberdashers’ Elstree Schools and more recently to NHS England. For the past seven years he has been a trustee of Watford Grammar School for Girls, where he is currently Vice-Chair.  

Married to Victoria, a professional classical musician, and with three adult children, Mike’s interests include snowboarding (when ageing knee joints permit), sea kayaking around the southern coastline and along the River Thames and he is a weekend rugby first aider.   

Mrs Amber Waite, Principal

Amber was appointed as Principal of STAEG in May 2024, following five years as Head of STAHS. Educated in Texas, after earning undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mathematics, Chemistry, Geological Sciences and Chemical Physics, she embarked on a ten-year career as a biogeochemical oceanographer. After many happy years working everywhere from the Gulf of Mexico to the South Pacific, Amber decided it was time for a change and re-trained as a teacher. She taught for three years in the US before undertaking a third career as a civil servant.

Amber moved to the UK in 2008, and whilst she enjoyed the policy and communications work she did at Defra, she missed the fun and satisfaction of working with young people and returned to teaching. She has taught at Headington, Abingdon and Ashford Schools, and was Deputy Head at St Dunstan’s College before taking up her role as Head of STAHS. Amber is also a member of the HMC Board of Directors as Treasurer, having previously sat on their Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, and is a governor for an independent girls’ school in Hampshire.

Amber is an enthusiastic supporter of Oxford United, and when she isn’t at the Kassam (or Wembley!) cheering on the Yellows, she will likely be thinking and/or talking about them.