I have been a qualified teacher for 12 years with experience in both A-level and GCSE sport. I am a lover of all sport and have extensive experience in coaching all our mainstream sports as well as swimming, tennis, athletics, and squash. I am a strong advocate of ‘sport for all’ and believe that there is something for everyone and that it is our job to find it. I’m a firm believer that an active lifestyle plays an essential part in promoting long term health and mental wellbeing and this is something we promote at Wellington.
I work across both the Prep School, and Senior School and enjoy foundation sport with our early years just as much as working with our high-end athletes in the sixth form. The sense of community at Wellington is excellent, where you very much feel like you are part of one big family.
Emma Paget - Head of Netball and Sport and Wellbeing Teacher
Whilst coaching for Teignbridge Titans Netball Club at both participation and regional level, I completed my Level 2 Netball Coaching Qualification. During my time at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where I studied BSc Sport Development and MSc Sport Management, I represented the University playing, but I also coached at the University and in the community. During my PGCE at South West Teacher Training I attended various CPD opportunities working towards the goal of ‘bringing pathway Netball into schools’ and furthered my experience of teaching Netball within the education sector. I look forward to joining the England Netball Somerset County pathway later this year, as a Head Coach, and providing more opportunities for our Wellington girls to access Netball outside of school.
During the Autumn Term, I coach the U13A Girls Hockey Team. During the Spring Term, as the Head of Netball, I lead on the Year group Netball lessons and I coach the 1st Team. In the Summer Term I will be coaching the U13C Girls Cricket as well as coaching Tennis and Athletics. I am currently teaching Year 12 and Year 13 BTEC Sport, where the students are working towards an exam in Anatomy and Physiology and assignment writing in Skill Acquisition.
Will Garrett - Head of Rugby
I have been the Head of Rugby since 2017 and, as well as coaching throughout the school, I am in charge of the 1st XV. A former pupil at Wellington, I am passionate about giving boys and girls the opportunity to play the sport and strongly believe in the values that rugby teaches. I aim to support all abilities, from those who want to play a social game of touch rugby to those who want to make the sport a career and this is a fundamental part of the programme at Wellington. I played for both Wellington School and Club before playing in the London Leagues and throughout the South West. I am a Level 2 RFU Coach who has done a range of CPD with the RFU and am the School’s main lead with Bristol Bears.
Sid Lawrence - Head of Cricket
I am an ECB Level 3 and CoachEd Level 4 Elite accredited coach with international coaching experience as men’s National Coach for Gibraltar and ECB U15 Girls coach and regional coaching experience with South & West Region U15 Boys and Western Storm Regional Development Centre on the girls pathway. I was awarded an ECB scholarship to spend two weeks in Australia with Terry Jenner who was Shane Warne’s coach. Whilst over in Adelaide, Australia I met Shane Warne and my passion for coaching spin bowling has grown from there. Currently alongside my role as Head of Cricket here at Wellington School, I am Head Coach for Dorset County Cricket Club men’s 1st and 2nd XI squads and Head coach for Gloucestershire U15 Girls Performance and Development squads. In my various roles, I have been fortunate to work with some fantastic players including Jos Buttler, Jack Leach, Nick Compton, Omari Banks and Caroline Foster (Atkins).
In my role as Head of Cricket here at Wellington School, I oversee all of our boys and girls cricket from year 3 through to year 13. Our cricket programme is recognised as one of the top 100 in the country by The Cricketer magazine. Since 2020, we have also helped to produce 5 international cricketers, representing England, West Indies, Scotland and the UAE at various levels. I also coach both boys and girls hockey in the autumn and spring terms. I am also a skill acquisition specialist, and contribute to the schools Wellbeing programme, focusing on catching, throwing and striking skills.
I enjoy seeing people of all ages and abilities enjoying playing cricket, improving their skills and learning new skills in an environment that allows people to challenge and push themselves to be the best that they can be.
Toby Sampson - Head of Hockey
I joined Wellington School, having worked at Dauntseys School as a Sports coach. I have played and coached at numerous clubs and camps, most notably coaching Devizes Hockey Club Men's 1st XI and playing national league hockey for Clifton Robinsons. Currently I am a part of the England Hockey Advanced Coaching Program.
During the autumn term, I oversee the girls hockey programme, coaching all year groups and taking the U13A and 1st XI for their fixtures. Throughout the spring term, I run the boys hockey programme and again coach throughout the senior and prep school taking U13A and 1st XI for fixtures. In the summer term, I coordinate the tennis programme, coaching throughout the school and taking fixtures as well as assisting with cricket fixtures.
I really enjoy being a part of the development of young students at Wellington, whether they are experienced or new to a sport, helping to create a passion and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to enjoy themselves.
Emma Scott - Head of Academic Sport
I have been teaching for a number of years in various settings, including the state and private sector, as well as at Foundation Degree level. I have previously been in charge of netball, swimming and tennis in this and other schools. I am a qualified level 2 netball coach and previously coached children at Galmington netball club, as well as Richard Huish College, running the netball performance programme. Further coaching experience includes running England Netball Youth camps and the netball holiday camps for Millfield Enterprises. I also hold various other coaching qualification in different sports. I have previously been involved in outdoor education, working on DofE, Ten Tors, but also taking a group of school children on a world challenge expedition to the Himalayas, as well as completing the 3 peaks challenge with them. I have taught a whole range of sports to all age groups, but also taught different subjects including Science, Geography and ICT.
I currently teach Level 3 BTEC Sport and GCSE PE, which takes up the majority of my timetable. I also coach netball in the Spring Term and athletics in the summer term, taking fixtures for these sports too. Last netball season I coached the U15A team, but next year I will be back coaching the senior age groups. For athletics, I focus on coaching the jumps and some throws and attend fixtures with all age groups.
I really enjoy seeing students progress in the classroom and on the sports fields. It is rewarding to see the growth they make, particularly in academic sport, in developing their wider academic skills and to see how they begin to understand what school is about and then apply this in trying to get the best grades they can.
Chloe Walker - Sport and Wellbeing Teacher
I am a Sport and Wellbeing teacher and Assistant Head of Beech, a Senior Girls' Boarding House. I studied a PE teaching degree at Marjon University and then did my PGCE at Exeter University. Wellington School is my first teaching job. In school I currently run the Girls' football and help to coach all other sports e.g. netball, hockey, cricket, athletics etc. This year I have been the coach for the Girls' Hockey 2nd team, U14A netball team and have been the U12B cricket coach. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching students within these teams. I have been able to broaden my coaching knowledge as well as built outstanding relationships with students. I look forward to the upcoming years coaching students through sport.
Greg Durston - Sport and Wellbeing Teacher
I am a sports fanatic and am always keen to help support the next generation pursue their passion or seek enjoyment through sport and wellbeing. I joined Wellington School in 2015 and was in charge of the hockey programme for girls and boys for much of that time as well as holding the position of Head of Boys Sport. In addition to hockey, I have been strongly involved in cricket, squash, athletics, golf, rugby and swimming at the school.
During my time at Wellington School I have undertaken a degree in Sports, Fitness and Coaching and a PGCE in Secondary PE with QTS; which has given me the opportunity to broaden my capabilities within a school environment. In addition to school sport, I am also heavily involved at Taunton Vale Hockey Club and coach the Mens senior 1st and 2nd squads.
Daniel Goodchild - Athletic Development Coach
I am an experienced Strength and Conditioning Coach with a specialism in developing athletic traits in young people. I have a First-Class degree in Sport and Health Sciences alongside a Masters Degree in Sport and Health Sciences. Upon completing my degrees, I worked as an S&C Graduate at Wycliffe College, Gloucestershire where I had the opportunity to work with a wide range of different athletes. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with a range of Sporting academies including Gloucester Rugby and Severn Stars Netball Academy. Whilst working at Wycliffe and Wellington I have again my NPLQ lifeguarding qualification, Level 1 Swim Coach and Athletics Coach, CrossFit Level 1 Coach and Level 4 Strength and Conditioning Coach. Furthermore, over the last year I have gained my Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach Accreditation from the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association. At Wellington School I work with students ranging from Nursey to Upper Sixth on developing their fundamental movements and athletic prowess. At Wellington we pride ourselves on moving well and believe that improving our athleticism will lead to improvements in both sporting performance and long-term health and wellbeing. I find It very rewarding to watch students grow athletically and achieve feats they never thought possible.
Georgina Burtchaell - Sport and Wellbeing Teacher and Swimming Coach
I am a keen sports women who has competed at county, regional and national level in a variety of sports. Since graduating from Exeter University with a PGCE in Physical Education, I have taught in both State and Independent schools. However, it was my role at Millfield School that really allowed me to pursue my passion for coaching swimming. As the lead swimming coach for multi-sport athletes, I coached county through to national standard swimmers. I am immensely passionate about swimming here at Wellington School. As it is such an important life skill, I am committed to ensuring our swimming program delivers opportunities for growth, enjoyment and competition, in a supportive environment.
Jacob Wright - Graduate Sports Coach
I am a keen sports enthusiast having a degree in Sport and Exercise Science in which i completed at Cardiff Met University. I am lucky enough to have some good rugby playing experience for a number of teams such as the Exeter Chiefs rugby academy, Devon and also Cullompton. My coaching role is fairly new, however it has been great using my knowledge to help develop the pupils of Wellington School.
A year into my time at wellington I have coached the U14A rugby team to an unbeaten season in Autumn. Spring saw me coach the boys’ and girls’ rugby 7’s and also lead the 13B hockey team which saw the players make huge improvements. Lastly, Winter has seen me run and push School athletics with Mr Goodchild, seeing some great performances all round in both track and field events. Away from sport I have been supporting the pupils with their wellbeing and coaching all age groups modules such as Stabilisation, Grasp and Strike, Swimming and PAS (power agility speed).
It has been hugely rewarding to see the pupils of Wellington School all developing and taking something from the sports side of school life. More importantly, It has been great teaching across the whole school, from prep school to senior and helping develop the future of Wellington.
Dan Sizer - Tennis Coach
I am an LTA level 4 coach, with over 20 years coaching experience. Coaching players from National level to complete beginners. As well as coaching at School I have my own coaching company which runs Sampford Peverell, Hemyock and Wellington Tennis clubs coaching programs.
Currently in School I am running a year-round coaching program for our pupils with; before school sessions for our squad players, lunchtime and afterschool clubs, lessons during sport sessions and 1-2-1 coaching.
I enjoy coaching our pupils and seeing them develop their tennis skill, not only to represent the School while they are with us, but to continue playing tennis once they have left school.
Sarah Browne - Sports Coach
After playing sport throughout university and at county level, I naturally progressed onto coaching. I’ve coached at school, club and county level for hockey. I am a Level 2 hockey coach, Level 1 netball coach, Level 2 swimming teacher and have a number of other coaching qualifications across various sports.
I coach Wellbeing and take sport lessons from Nursery to Year 11. In the Autumn term, I coach the U14 Bs, in the Spring term I coach the U12As for netball along with the Senior Girls' 3rd team in matches. In the Summer term, I’ve enjoyed coaching a variety of tennis, athletics and cricket across all year groups.
I thoroughly enjoy coaching sport and am lucky to teach across the whole School which makes my job very rewarding, seeing pupils progress year on year developing a great rapport. I’ve recently started playing rugby for a women’s team and look to have more input in girls' rugby over the coming years as this is a passion of mine.
Samuel Nash - Sports Graduate Assistant
I am a graduate of Cardiff Metropolitan University in Sports Science, and of The University of Exeter in Secondary PE PGCE. I represented Cardiff Met in BUCS for Rugby, Basketball and Hockey and continue to play Basketball for a club in Taunton. I have worked in various schools and clubs in the UK and overseas as a Rugby coach, using my Level 2 RFU qualification and my experience playing for my region (Eastern Counties). I believe that a game-based approach maximises enjoyment of the game as well as building wider life skills such as communication and leadership. My experiences and values influence and inspire all my teaching. Having worked and volunteered in many roles in the Outdoor and Adventurous Activities industry I am also delighted to now be involved with the CCF.
Olivia Hoskins - Sports Co-ordinator
I am a dedicated and experienced Sports Co-Ordinator with a passion for coaching and providing administrative support. With a background in sports administration, coaching, and boarding house assistance.
At Wellington, my primary responsibility is to ensure the smooth operation of sports provisions throughout the school. From coordinating schedules to managing logistics, I strive to create an environment where students can thrive outside the classroom. Additionally, I coach hockey, netball, and cricket across various age groups, fostering skill development and a love for sports.
I currently play for Clifton Robins Hockey Club where we compete in the Premier League as well as representing Wales at an International level. Most recently we competed at European B division where we finished 3rd, our best ever finish in 20 years. I was also part of the Commonwealth Games Team who compete at Birmingham 2022.
Balancing my sporting career with my professional endeavours at Wellington is a privilege that I really value. It allows me to bring a unique perspective and firsthand experience to my role, inspiring and guiding students to reach their full potential both on and off the field at all levels.
