Staff News

Deborah Buttery - French Teacher

St Michael's French Teacher Deborah Buttery will be leaving St Michael's at the end of the Lent Term to teach at secondary level.

Deborah Buttery joined us back in 2019 and has been an inspiration in the Languages Department at both Prep and Pre-Prep ever since. Her love and enthusiasm for languages are contagious; our pupils have benefited enormously from her creative, fun and innovative teaching.

Deborah is returning to teach at secondary level and will be greatly missed.

We will fondly remember her lively lessons, often including singing in French, and the way she transformed French Days in Pre-Prep into unforgettable cultural experiences.

Au revoir et bonne chance, Madame Buttery!

Words by Juliette Poracchia, Head of Languages 

Stephanie Clarke - Head of Pre-Prep from September 2026

We are delighted to share the wonderful news that Mrs Stephanie Clarke, Deputy Head (Academic), has been appointed as the new Head of Pre-Prep at St Michael’s from September 2026.

Following a rigorous recruitment process led by Mr Pears and Kellie Crozer, Vice Principal (Junior) of The King’s School, Rochester and a Governor of St Michael’s, the role attracted 21 applicants from an exceptionally strong field of highly qualified and experienced professionals. Mrs Clarke’s appointment is a true reflection of her outstanding leadership, experience and vision for early years education. Mrs Clarke has been a superb Deputy Head Academic, with a proven track record of impact, inspirational leadership and educational excellence. She brings a deep love of the school and our community, and I know she will build on the remarkable work of Mrs Leech, who retires at the end of the academic year after 11 years of dedicated and inspirational leadership of our Pre-Prep.

Mrs Clarke is delighted to return to Early Years and Key Stage One, where she began her career, and spoke with great passion during the interview process about the vital role these formative years play in shaping children’s learning, confidence and development.

This appointment ensures a smooth transition and a bright, secure future for our Pre-Prep. We are confident that Mrs Clarke will continue to nurture, inspire and develop our youngest learners as they take the first steps of their St Michael’s journey.

We look forward to this exciting new chapter for Pre-Prep and with this position now confirmed, we will soon begin recruitment of a new Deputy Head (Academic) for St Michael’s to join us in September 2026.

Al Powell - Head of Drama

St Michael’s Head of Drama, Al Powell will be leaving St Michael’s at the end of this academic year as he relocates to Scotland.

Mr Powell has been an inspirational Head of Drama, offering our children exceptional opportunities and creating lifelong memories through his outstanding teaching and remarkable productions. He will be greatly missed by the whole school community, and we wish him every success and happiness in the adventure ahead.

We will soon be beginning the recruitment process for a new Head of Drama to join us from September 2026.