Staff

Senior Leadership Team

Headteacher - Ms Melanie Sweet

Ms Melanie Sweet, BA (Hons), FRSA, MCCT

I graduated from the University of South Wales with a degree in English, specialising in 'the unsaid' in feminist literature. I then completed a GTP, qualifying as an English teacher with a particular interest in Key Stage 5, where my first leadership role was initially as Subject Lead for A-level English Language and Literature. I have since held many Senior Leadership positions across a variety of schools in both Wales and England, including Head of Sixth Form, Assistant Headteacher 14-19, Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning and two Trust-wide Deputy Headships, where my remits varied from leading Key Stage 3 curriculum to a MAT-wide Ethics curriculum and a super - and extra-curricular MAT-wide Character Academy. In 2020, I was nominated as a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts for my commitment to, and work on, social justice in schools.

Senior Deputy Headteacher - Mr Angus Harrison

I was born in north Bristol and went to school here. After my A-Levels in Maths, Further Maths and Physics I studied Physics at Nottingham University and completed my PGCE through TeachFirst and Canterbury Christ Church University. I have a Masters in Educational Leadership from the Institute of Education, UCL. I taught in North and East London, gaining accreditation as a Specialist Leader of Education in Science and completing outreach across London boroughs of Hackney and Redbridge. I have a passion for CPD, and have delivered at the SSAT national conference, as well as being accredited to deliver and train for the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership. I firmly believe anyone can learn anything given the right environment. I have led as Deputy Head at 2 large state comprehensives in London and North Somerset prior to starting at Orchard, down the road from where I myself went to school.

Deputy Headteacher - Mr Dorian Coxon

Mr Dorian Coxon, BA (Hons), PGCE, MCCT, responsible for Inclusion

I studied a joint languages degree at Aberdeen University and have a passion for arts and culture especially abroad on mainland Europe. I completed my teacher training at Bristol University and stayed here, where I am pleased to serve our local community. I am currently Deputy Headteacher for Inclusion at Orchard School and have worked in a few different roles at this school for over 22 years. I arrived in September 1999 as Head of Modern Languages and fulfilled this role for 7 years, before being in charge of KS3 for Behaviour and Attendance and eventually being promoted to my current role. My role involves the strategic direction of Attendance, Behaviour, school culture and Safeguarding.

SENDCo - Ms Sophie Alderson

Ms Sophie Alderson, BA (Hons), MA, PGCE, NPQSL, MCCT

I studied English Literature at the University of Sheffield and developed a passion for Gothic literature, film, and theatre. I went on to undertake a Master's degree at The University of the Arts London in European Classical Acting. I followed the School Direct route into teaching as an English teacher, moving into roles of responsibility such as Head of Department, Director of Faculty and Assistant Principal- Curriculum. I joined Orchard School Bristol as Assistant Headteacher for Personal Development in September 2022 and I am now the Assistant Headteacher for Inclusion. I aim to engage broadly with academic research but am interested in the philosophy of curriculum design, student engagement and behavioural science.

Assistant Headteacher - Mr Phil Edmonds

Mr Phil Edmonds, BA (Hons), QTS - responsible for behaviour and safeguarding

I graduated from the University of the West of England Bristol with a degree in Spanish and European Studies. After an extra year spent abroad, I returned to Bristol where I embarked on my teaching career, spending 12 years working as a teacher, Head of House and Faculty Lead for MFL at Orchard School Bristol. After 3 years working at another school, I am delighted to be serving the community at Orchard School Bristol once again, leading on behaviour and safeguarding. I am currently completing my NPQSL.

Assistant Headteacher - Ms Fiona Fields

Ms Fiona Fields, BSc (Hons), MA, PGCE, NPQSL, MCCT- responsible for Attendance

I am a science teacher with a particular interest in human physiology and biochemistry. I have teaching and leadership experience across 2 schools in South Glos and Bristol. My leadership experience at my first school included Head of Year and Assistant Head of 6th form. I started at Orchard as Head of Science. My strategic responsibilities now as Assistant Headteacher include the pastoral and personal development of students, and working alongside Heads of Year to ensure a 360 approach to student progress. My leadership interests include positive behaviour management, academic and pastoral interventions and their impact and also teaching & learning strategies to enable students to make progress.

Assistant Headteacher - Mr Josh Fish

Mr Josh Fish, LLB (Hons), PGCE

I graduated from the Universty of Swansea with a degree in Law and then went on to complete a Mathematics Knowledge Enhancement Course and PGCE at UWE. I believe that all students have the ability to achieve in Mathematics and do all that I can to help make this a reality. I want our young people to be well rounded individuals and encourage all of them to take part in extra-curricular opportunities, espcially sport, which is a passion of mine.

Assistant Headteacher - Mr Mat Grafton

Mr Mat Grafton, BSc (Hons), MSc, FCCT, CTeach

I gained an Applied Biology degree from Cardiff University and then followed this by completing an MSc in the Ecotoxicology of Natural Populations at the University of Reading. Following a period of employment in advertising and marketing, gaining Chartered Institute of Marketing qualifications I retrained as a teacher in 1997 at the University of the West of England, completing a PGCE in Secondary Science. I have since gained Chartered Teacher and Chartered Teacher (Leadership) qualifications through the Chartered College of Teaching. I am a member of the Senior Leadership team leading on Year 7/transition. My interests include assessment, the use of technology in education, mental health & wellbeing and transition.

School Business Manager - Mrs Carly Streeting

I am a proud Bristolian. Growing up in Henbury, I attended Henbury Court Infants and Junior School, now Henbury Court Primary School. After earning my Association of Accounting Technicians qualification, I worked as a management accountant. My education career began in 2003, becoming a School Business Manager in 2011. I have worked in four primary schools across South Gloucestershire before joining Orchard School in February 2025. I am passionate about education and am currently studying for a Level 5 in Leadership and Management.

Interim Assistant Headteacher - Ms Katrina Boyall

Mrs. Katrina Boyall, BA(Hons), PGCE

I graduated from Southampton University with a degree in geography and history, I then studied for my PGCE at Exeter University. I have worked in a number of schools across England and in a number of roles including Head of Careers, Head of PSHC, Head of Department, Director of Studies, Assistant Headteacher and Head of School. I have also been a Specialist Leader of Education for behaviour in Bristol. It gives me great pleasure to be working for TiLA again and especially as part of the Orchard School community. I believe all children can achieve and it is my role to remove barriers and enable students to be successful. My role is to improve attendance and create a sense of belonging across the school. I am passionate about empowering students through leadership opportunities and excellent pedagogy.

Middle Leaders

Curriculum Middle Leaders

Heads of Faculty and Seconds in Faculty
ITT ECT Lead Mentor, Tom Fisher
Whole-School Reading Lead, Sarah Barker
Oracy Lead, Zuwena Reid-Bailey

Inclusion Middle Leaders

Heads of Year
House Champions

Curriculum Teams

For information for our staff in specific subjects, please use the Faculties page and select the subject you wish to contact: Curriculum Faculties (Curriculum menu tab)

Additional Needs Team

For contact information of our SEND and Learning Support Team, please see our SEND information page: Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) (Curriculum menu tab)

Tutor Team

For contact information on our year teams including tutors, pastoral managers or Heads of Year, please visit our Year and Tutor Teams page: Heads of Year and Tutor Teams (Parents & Carers menu tab)

Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Team

For contact information of our SEMH Team, please see our Wellbeing and Safeguarding information page: Wellbeing and Safeguarding (Parents & Carers menu tab)

Associate Staff Team

Mrs Sam Older, Assistant School Business Manager

Mrs Dianne Crossley, Data Manager

Mrs Emma Snell, Senior PA to Headteacher

Ms Zoe Hawkey, Senior Administrator and School Admissions Officer

Mrs Rachel Thorne, Careers, Employability and Post-16 Lead

Ms Val Cook, Student Services Receptionist

Mrs Esther Newman, Receptionist

Miss Chloe Hung, Cover Administrator with Curriculum Support

Ms Kelly Latham, SEND Administrator and Medical Needs Lead

Miss Keira-Leigh Banfield, Administrator

Mr Steve Bevan, Exams and Data Manager

Miss Gwen Keizer, Data Administrator

Mrs Sarah Sadler, Events Administrator

Mrs Kamantha Els, Attendance Administrator

Mr Alberto Outeda Martinez, Digital Designer and Reprographics Technician

Ms Marion Andrews, Reading and Research Coordinator

Mrs Rashida Rahman, Lunchtime Supervisor

Mrs Sue Morris, Lunchtime Supervisor

Ms Jasbir Kaur, Lunchtime Supervisor