Staff & Governors

When a back injury ended 19 years service in the police, physical therapists advised Sean Adams that plenty of golf would provide the greatest possible relief (no, honestly!). Sean valued the opinions of the health professionals so much that he subsequently qualified as a golf coach. However, when his wife, English-teacher Jill, realised how closely his busy periods coincided with her school holidays, Sean was ‘advised’ to re-train as a teacher. After qualifying in History and Professional Education at Stirling University, he now feels it was the best decision he (and she) has ever made.
Outside the classroom, Sean can normally be found on the golf course, watching virtually any sport on television, or writing short stories and working (very slowly) on his debut novel. He also fancies himself as something of a karaoke star and once or twice a year – if you’re really fortunate – you might just catch him belting out some Elvis Presley or Elton John hits!

Alice is a graduate from the University of Glasgow and has enjoyed a career in both state and independent schools.  She is currently a Form 5 teacher and adores the uniqueness that each day brings.  Having spent her formative years in England, Botswana and Scotland she has a huge appreciation for different cultures and the versatility of different learning environments.  Prior to teaching, Alice was a member of the British Dressage U21 team and represented both Scotland and Great Britain in this discipline.  She currently competes her highland pony Jack and has competed at Horse of the Year Show and the Royal Highland Show.  She is passionate about the outdoors and will grasp any opportunity to be outside – preferably getting muddy with the hoses!  She is happiest when she spends time with her family - her husband Duncan, her son Sandy and her extremely naughty Border Terrier, Dolly.

Sue completed her BA at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow and followed this with a PGCE at Jordanhill College. She has taught secondary class music at Bell Baxter High School, instrumental lessons in various Fife schools and class music at Kilgraston School before moving to Craigclowan where she has now been teaching music for 20 years. She is a member of the ‘4play’ String Quartet which plays at weddings and events all over Scotland. She also plays violin in Cromlit’s Lilt, a Baroque String Ensemble which gives concerts in various venues over the course of the year as well as for various choral and musical societies.  Sue is also the accompanist for Markinch District and Community Choir.

Growing up in Perthshire, Gillian worked in both independent and state primary schools before joining the Craigclowan team in 2019. Gillian graduated from Dundee University with a degree in Primary Education and has now completed a Masters in Inclusion and Learner Support.

Gillian’s passion for adventures has taken her trekking in Laos, Vietnam and Sri Lanka but she is happiest at home in the Scottish mountains. To help welcome people into the great outdoors, Gillian has been heavily involved in The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, leads for a local hill walking group and is working towards her Summer Mountain Leader Assessment.

Gillian loves the community feeling Craigclowan provides. With over 20 years of education experience, Gillian’s skills in Lego, Uno and Top Trumps are expertly honed.

After qualifying as a teacher, Elizabeth worked in Outdoor Education centres for five years in Cumbria and Snowdonia. She completed a Masters degree in Outdoor Education at Edinburgh University and moved her career into prep schools, where she has taught for the last 16 years. She remains passionate about the outdoors, leading Forest School at Craigclowan as well as teaching Form 1. When not at school Elizabeth can often be found skiing, hill walking and developing her bushcraft skills.

Jonathan grew up in Kilmarnock and attended Belmont House School in Glasgow. At Strathclyde University he studied Immunology & Microbiology and gained his BSC Hons in 2001. He gained his PGCE at the University of Hull, following in the footsteps of many of his family members into teaching. He has taught in England and the Netherlands and is now Head of Science, Form 7 Tutor, Games Teacher and Co-ordinator of Activities & Calendar. He loves teaching at Craigclowan because the students are such dynamic, inquisitive children and he feels honoured to be part of their successes. In his spare time he likes to follow his football and rugby teams, go to the gym and is beginning to get the golf ball to behave properly!

Having grown up in Surrey, Hayley completed her undergraduate and PGCE at St Mary’s College, Twickenham before embarking on her teaching career in an independent school in Kew, South West London. After completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Special and Inclusive Education at Roehampton University, she went on to teach at Hampton Prep School until life brought the Doyles to beautiful Perthshire.

A keen amateur baker and ex county badminton player, she is also a regular crossfitter and doesn’t have too much choice other than to be an avid watcher of rugby when not running around after two small children!

Ruth gained a B.Ed from Northern College in Aberdeen where she taught in various different primary schools. She has also taught EFL in Edinburgh and Greece. Ruth has now taught at Craigclowan for 18 years.  She started teaching in the Pre-school and has been lucky to have taught all year groups from Form 1 to Form 4. Ruth currently teaches Form 2 and also enjoys taking Junior drama club. Her two children attend the school and when asked what they liked best about Craigclowan, one answered “the fun teachers and extra-curricular activities” and the other replied “my friends, lunches and art”!  In her spare time Ruth enjoys travelling, hill-walking, skiing and swimming.

Fiona qualified from Bedford PE college and started working as a PE teacher in a secondary school in Doncaster.  After moving to Perth in 2003, she began working at Craigclowan as the Art/CDT teacher. She is now Head of Games and ensures she keeps the male games staff in check.  Boxing has helped her with this. She is highly motivated, not only by an infectious love of sport but also by a desire to see as many children as possible physically and mentally empowered. She loves her job just as much as she loves a packet of Haribo.

Prior to moving to Perth to take up her role teaching in the Pre-school, Joanna lived and worked in Angus. She then extended her studies at Perth College by completing a PDA in Childhood Practice. Joanna is involved in many areas of school life as she runs the Breakfast Club, is part of the Holiday Club Team and also supervises Late Prep. Always at her best when she is busy, outside school Joanna enjoys running, swimming and skiing.

Rosalyn has a love for the countryside, having grown up on a farm in rural Perthshire. She gained a first-class honours degree in Management with Marketing at Robert Gordon University in 2015, before moving to Glasgow to work in investment banking. Rosalyn then returned to Perthshire to work in marketing for a luxury car brand before deciding it was time to pursue her real passion, teaching. She recently completed her PGDE at the University of Dundee.

2021 got off to a wonderful start for Rosalyn with a hole in one on New Year’s Day and starting her dream job teaching at Craigclowan. In addition to golf, Rosalyn also loves skiing, both in Scotland and abroad. She previously spent weekends race training and teaching at Glenshee and skied at Craigclowan when younger. She also has a passion for cooking and loves long walks with her very spoilt golden retriever, Indie, and her chocolate labrador, Pedro.

Born in Nottinghamshire, Katie developed a passion for all things creative which led her to specialise in photography. Her early career as a photographer soon evolved into the direction of teaching, completing her training at the University of Cambridge in 2012. Katie has since taught art and photography at both state and independent secondary schools in England including taking the role of Head of Art at Shiplake College. Katie has always focused on developing her own artistic practice alongside her teaching career and she recently took the leap to complete an MA Contemporary Art Practice at Edinburgh College of Art in 2020. The move to Scotland quickly became a permanent one, she found her ‘prince charming’ and is now settled in Perthshire, balancing her teaching and creating works at her local art studio. Katie has previously exhibited work in England and Scotland working primarily in digital photography and print but has recently moved into creating sculptural works where new media art meets geology, fossils and contemporary spaces. She is passionate about the outdoors, wild camping and bagging those munros! She hopes to continue developing art at Craigclowan, introducing exciting and ambitious opportunities for pupils and the local community.

Melanie has enjoyed teaching in the Pre-school since 2007 and can also be found supervising the Late Prep facility. Outside of school she leads an active lifestyle through attending the gym, powerwalking and hill climbing.  Her hobbies also include jewellery making and playing the flute.

Born and bred in Gloucestershire, Matt misspent many happy years at Wycliffe College (and associated nearby rugby clubs) cultivating a strong appreciation for the more esoteric aspects of rugby union. After sojournments to both New Zealand and, for rigorous scholarly pursuit, the University of Southampton, he returned to the illustrious Minchinhampton RFC, demonstrating sufficient flair and panache to win the highly coveted Young Player of the Season 2015/16. After an extended taster session of teaching life at Westonbirt Prep, he trained and taught as a primary teacher with the Cabot Learning Federation in Bristol. Lured north by the promise of adventure at Craigclowan, he hopes to spend time exploring, establishing the backbone of the 2033 Lions squad and doing anything that involves going up or down a mountain.

Originally from Gloucester, Carolyne spent her early working years working for a large mortgage company and having her two children. As a family, they moved to Kent where she became a qualified Teaching Assistant, working for a variety of schools over a 15 year period. In 2016 she moved to Edinburgh with her husband and took up a role at Mary Erskine School, before moving to Perthshire. Her daughter now loves in the same village and has given her two beautiful granddaughters.

Carolyne and her husband love travelling and have visited many beautiful cities around the world. She also loves spending time with her family, walking and pottering in the garden and is looking forward to exploring more of Scotland in the future.

Helen McKelvey joined the Craigclowan family in 2014 having previously worked in the state school sector in Perth and Kinross. Helen graduated in 2003 with a BSc (Hons) before working for Alliance Trust plc as an Investor Relations Officer. In 2008 she decided to retrain as a teacher. A keen sportswoman, Helen played hockey in Scotland’s top league and has also coached district squads in Scotland as well as coaching abroad. Helen loves the outdoors and can be seen bagging munros with her husband and dog before heading to the nearest dog-friendly pub.

Mrs Henrietta MacLennan has a Masters in Education from Emmanuel College, Cambridge, a PGCE also from Cambridge and a BA (Hons) in Classics from New Hall, Cambridge.  She has held a number of posts in London and the South including Head of Classics, Lead Teacher for Gifted and Talented, Subject Co-ordinator for Latin, Head of Classics and latterly Director of Sixth Form at St Augustine’s Priory in Ealing prior to her move to Scotland.  She also teaches Latin part time at Cargilfield School and tutors in Latin, Classical Civilisation and Ancient Greek at A Level, Higher, GCSE/Nat 5 and KS3. 

Alex Reynolds studied Geography at Durham University and completed a Masters Degree in Overseas Development at Swansea. He managed refugee camps in Africa in the mid 1990s before turning to teaching in 2000. Alex is Head of Geography and also coaches sport at Craigclowan. Many of the children that he has taught here have gone on to study Geography at university and no doubt still enjoy colouring in!

Rebecca spent most of her life living in North East Aberdeenshire before moving to the Stirling area in 2017 with her husband. She gained her undergraduate degree in Sports and Exercise Science at Robert Gordon University in 2011 before moving on to work within the equestrian industry, coaching and competing. She then went on to study her PGDE at Strathclyde University in Glasgow and has previously worked in the Stirling area.

She generally just loves being active but her main hobby is her horses, competing in dressage and eventing. In her younger years she competed alongside Mrs Clark (Form 1) as she was also a member of the British Dressage U21 team and represented Scotland. She gained her full sporting blues whilst studying her undergraduate degree and represented GB on a number of occasions in student riding competitions. She loves the outdoors and her favourite thing to do a Sunday morning is hike up a hill with her husband and her dog!

After completing her HNC in Childhood Practice, Alex worked as a Care Worker at Falkland House School.  She enjoyed this but wanted to work in mainstream education.  She is a qualified Mountain Bike Trail Leader, a Duke of Edinburgh trainer and swimming instructor.  She is loving her time at Craigclowan.  In her spare time she enjoys music, swimming and singing in a local choir.

Having benefited from an encouraging and nurturing environment at a girls school in Glasgow, Elspeth gained a thirst for learning and, in turn, teaching, where she strives to provide the same safe environment she appreciated so much. After completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Education in 2005, Elspeth spent her probationary year at a primary school in Angus before moving to George Heriot’s School in Edinburgh. After finding her "Prince Charming", she moved away from Edinburgh to a quieter life in Perthshire, where she enjoyed renovating an old house. She came to Craigclowan as a supply teacher in October 2010 and then in a part-time capacity in 2012 as a Form 3 Class Teacher. Elspeth made the move to Form 5 in 2020.

Pauline Stott MBE is Head of Hockey here at Craigclowan and is also Patron of our Junior and Mini Dukes Scheme. She was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2016 for service to hockey and sport in Scotland.

Her hockey career started when she was 12 years old and she progressed to play for Scotland at Under 16, Under 18, Under 21 and Scotland levels. Her first Scotland cap was gained at the age of just 19. Pauline played for Scotland for 12 years, gaining 123 caps and proudly being Captain for seven of those years. She has been all over the world with the squads and performed as striker, midfield and defender along her fantastic hockey journey, having competed in every world hockey competition including European Cups, Commonwealth Games, World Cup and two Olympics. Playing for Great Britain was the highlight of Pauline’s career with her first caps coming in 1991 with a trip to New Zealand. She was selected as Vice Captain for the Atlanta 1996 Olympics and had the honour of being Captain at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Pauline retired from international sport in 2000 after the Olympics to spend time with her family and we are delighted that she has agreed to join us and take our hockey to the next level.

Fabienne has enjoyed over 22 years of teaching at Craigclowan. Prior to this, she studied Languages and Tourism in France, the UK and Germany and, after leaving her native French Alps, she worked in the travel industry in the UK. Both her children (now fully immersed in the world of work) were educated at Craigclowan. In her tender years she was a ski racer. She now enjoys the great outdoors and competes in cross-country, hill running as well as open water based triathlon.

Elaine joined the Craigclowan family in 2002 and feels like it was only yesterday. The one thing she loves about teaching in Pre-school is that life is never dull!! Elaine is passionate about early years education and the wellbeing of the individual child. Out of school she loves socialising with her friends and spending time with her family doing outdoor activities such as cycling, walking and horse riding. She is also a taxi driver to her two daughters!!

After qualifying as an Early Years Practitioner, Emily extended her childcare qualifications by completing a Bachelors Degree in Child and Youth Studies, which she gained at the end of 2022 before joining us here at Craigclowan. She has a passion for childcare and loves that every day is different, fun and never boring!

Away from school she enjoys travelling, spending time with friends and family and walking her Gran's Labradoodle, Scottie.

Gillian has worked at Craigclowan since 1997. After gaining a Sports Management Degree in 1986, she worked as a Sports Development Co-ordinator for Central Region, developing skiing and swimming provision for 5-12 year olds. She completed a PGCE at Jordanhill in 1991, and then taught at both Dunblane and Bannockburn Primary Schools before moving with her family to Perth.  All three of her children were educated at Craigclowan. As well as teaching Form 4, Gillian maintains her sporting interests by coaching hockey, netball, skiing, swimming and athletics at the school. In her spare time she looks after four dogs, washes her son’s rugby kit and enjoys the occasional tipple!

As well as being the school's Registrar, looking after admissions, Jen is PA to the Head. She thoroughly enjoys being immersed in all aspects of school life and watching the children grow up as they move through the school. She has had a varied career including 12 years in the alcoholic drinks industry, where she did her level best to support her favourite gin brands, before moving on to clinical research and latterly construction consultancy. Away from school, Jen enjoys oil painting, getting out and about on her bike and has a new passion for sewing, thanks to the Great British Sewing Bee. At weekends, she can be found in many a fabric shop, spending far too much money.

After many years of living away (in England, France, Mauritius & Hong Kong) Mhairi came back to Scotland in 2007 so her children could put down roots.  After decades of volunteering and being on committees, she is currently taking a break and in her spare time she does yoga.

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After studying Sociology at Reading University, Christine spent many years in Financial Services. She has now moved on to a new role as Assistant to the Bursar at Craigclowan. Outside school Christine can be found with her head in a book, watching sport or walking and, if the weather allows, playing tennis.

Corinne has enjoyed a wide variety of clerical support roles in a number of different industries before moving into education when she relocated to Dubai. Having enjoyed seven years as a Classroom Assistant in an international school there, she joined Craigclowan in a similar role in 2014. Corinne now works in the school office and is the first point of contact for all visitors.

Our Head Groundsman, Donnie Morran, keeps the campus looking in great shape assisted by Billy Beattie. From grass cutting to leaf blowing, marking out pitches to general maintenance, they are an essential part of the Craigclowan team.

Harvey Carruthers took over as Chair of the Craigclowan Advisory Board in November 2024.  Harvey is well established in our community, as both a former Glenalmond pupil and a parent of two current Craigclowan pupils. Harvey previously worked as a veterinary surgeon, running a large practice in Perth for 12 years.  He now serves as CEO of Fife Young Carers, Scotland’s busiest young carers’ charity, and brings extensive experience from his roles on a number of charity boards.

Mike spent 28 years as the Headmaster of Craigclowan. Following his retirement in 2007, he became President of the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce, was Chairman of Peak Leaders UK, a training company based in Strathmiglo, for ten years and is currently Chairman of the Management Board of Algo. He runs his own consultancy, specialising in mentoring, appraisal and business development. He also works with a ski school based in Courchevel in France and is Chairman of the Craigclowan Xi’an Advisory Board. During his career, Mike has had unique professional development opportunities through a Churchill Fellowship in 1991 and an English Speaking Union Walter Hinds Page Scholarship in 2001.

He was elected Chairman of IAPS in 1994/5 and uniquely, for the Head of a Scottish school, Mike was re-elected in 2005/6. He served for 17 years on the Managing Board of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools and also sat on the Board of the Independent Schools Council in London. He has served as a Governor of several schools, as a trustee of St John’s Kirk and Horsecross Arts, the committee of Blairgowrie Golf Club and the Perth City Development Board.

Both of Mike’s daughters attended Craigclowan, albeit quite a long time ago. In his spare time he plays golf and skis, having spent many years previously on cricket and hockey fields.

Mark graduated in Scots and European Law and was in private practice for a number of years before joining Mars Confectionery in a commercial role and then becoming Head of HR for Boots the Chemist. After leaving Boots he co-founded a small consultancy business with a partner organisation in North America.
He attended Kellogg School of Management, is a graduate of Woodbury College, Vermont and is accredited by and is an accreditor for the Association of Professional Executive Coaches and Supervisors.
He was the Chairman of A.S.T. (Engineering) Ltd. and served on the Board of The University of the Highlands and Islands, at Perth College, where he was Chair of the Engagement Committee and Vice-Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Mark is a Board member of Families Outside and Chair of their Organisational Development Committee.
He co-created The Gemini Project and co-authored and led the Head Teachers Leadership Academy.
Mark has two boys both of whom are at Craigclowan.

Alex has two children, both of who are now at senior school but started their education here at Craigclowan. He was educated at Liverpool College and then attended both University of St Andrews and Edinburgh University studying medicine. He has worked in many branches of the discipline both here and abroad but has chosen to remain here in Scotland where he works as a GP partner in Fife. He is an Honorary Consultant in Primary Care at the University of St Andrews Medical School. He has previously been part of the St Leonard’s Junior School Advisory Committee and brings to Craigclowan a wealth of experience in both the business and child protection fields. An avid sportsman, Alex played rugby and cricket at a club level and now coaches his son’s team at Madras RFC.

Georgie was educated at Downe House School, Berkshire and Newcastle University graduating with an MSc Hons in Psychology in 2001.  Her career began in London in 2001 working for Close Brothers, Global Asset Management and latterly JP Morgan Private Bank, managing a small UHNW team. With almost 20 years in finance she brings financial and commercial experience to the board.  Georgie moved from London to Blair Atholl, Perthshire with her family in order to focus on their family business becoming responsible for the property portfolio.  She sits on the board of Pitlochry Festival Theatre and has been involved with various local projects.  She has three children who are at Craigclowan in the junior and middle schools and she enjoys sports and outdoor activities with a particular love for skiing, tennis and golf.

Heather has three children, all of whom were educated at Craigclowan. Her education began in Perth and her senior schooling was completed at Inverness Royal Academy. From there she went on to study Business and Tourism Management in Aberdeen. Her career has been exclusively with The Scottish Tourist Board/VisitScotland where she held various advisory and managerial positions. Heather is now involved in several charitable organisations and sits on the school's Marketing Committee. She is a member of a Perth Curling Club and Perthshire Ladies Hockey Club. Heather also coaches at the hockey sessions run by Junior Hockey Academy on Sunday mornings at Craigclowan.