Search

Senior Coaching Staff

Philosophy of Sport at Westonbirt

At Westonbirt, we believe sport is for every pupil. It is a powerful vehicle for developing confident, capable and well-rounded young people, providing opportunities to belong, challenge themselves, develop their potential and achieve.

Through Team WBS Sporting Pathways, we offer a broad and ambitious sporting journey that recognises that every pupil is different. From physical education and participation through to competitive sport, athlete development and high-performance academies, pupils can access the pathway that best reflects their interests, aspirations and potential.

Our aim is to develop competent, confident and intelligent movers who understand how to perform, compete, collaborate and challenge themselves. We value sporting excellence, but define success more broadly — through personal growth, character, resilience, leadership, wellbeing and a lifelong love of physical activity.

Sport at Westonbirt is therefore about more than winning. It is about creating an environment where every pupil can belong, participate, develop and achieve, both on and beyond the playing field. Every Pupil, every pathway, every potential.

Dr Graham Williams

Director of Sport

Dr Graham Williams is Director of Sport at Westonbirt School, bringing more than 15 years of experience in sports leadership, youth athlete development, training and competition. Prior to joining Westonbirt, Dr Williams was a founding senior leader at GEMS School of Research and Innovation in Dubai, where he led coaching, partnerships and performance. He previously spent more than a decade at Millfield, holding senior roles including Acting Director of Sport and leading athlete development and performance programmes.

Dr Williams is passionate about creating sporting environments that combine inclusive participation with clear pathways for sporting excellence, using sport to develop confidence, ambition, wellbeing and a strong sense of community.

Mr Toby Hutchinson

Head of Rugby

Mr Hutchinson has joined the school with the aim of sharing his experience and knowledge of rugby to help develop and empower the young rugby players at Westonbirt. Mr Hutchinson represented Leicester Tigers through their academy and A League side. He also spent six months playing rugby in South Africa at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport International Institute, where he had the opportunity to learn from some of the most experienced coaches in the world, including John Mitchell.

Mr Hutchinson represented Loughborough University for three years, playing for their National 1, National 2 and BUCS Super Rugby sides. During his time there, he also coached the BUCS 4 side for a season, guiding the team through an unbeaten campaign. Currently he plays for Clifton Rugby Club, where he intends to continue for the remainder of his playing career. He has also developed his coaching experience at Millfield School, where he spent two years stretching and challenging himself to coach players across a wide range of abilities and age groups.

Mr Hutchinson is delighted to be working at Westonbirt and is very excited to see how the rugby programme, and the wider sports programme, can develop and progress.

Mr Paul Williams

Head of Golf Coach

Mr Williams brings wealth of knowledge to the role and has over 30 years of coaching and playing experience. Paul turned professional with a handicap of + 6.9. Coaching and developing students is a passion and Paul relishes sharing this knowledge with golfers from complete beginners right through to professional tour level.

Mr Williams earned his degree at the University of Birmingham. Paul also gained his ASQ golf coaching badges and strength and power training TPI cert which teaches techniques focusing on improving golf performance whilst reducing risk of injury.

In his spare time Mr Williams loves to spend time with his family and friends. Paul also has a passion for travel and keeping fit. Reading and listening to music are other favourite pastimes.

Mr Steve Johnson

Head of Tennis for Prep & Senior

Mr Johnson is a LTA Licensed Level 4 coach and has been a full time teaching professional for 26 years, he was previously Head Coach at David Lloyd, Bristol for 10 years, Head Coach at Bridgewater LTC for 6 years and Head Coach at Sodbury for 8 years. He has also coached several boys to top national level and been on national training squads and coached the Winner of a European U14 Girls singles event.

He represented Lancashire and the North West of England as a junior before playing professionally in Spain for a year. Mr Johnson then joined the RAF and became RAF champion and British Forces Tennis champion. He currently still play Masters Tennis for Gloucestershire, the RAF and British Forces Masters teams.

Miss Aimee Ratapana

PE Teacher and Head of Lacrosse

Miss Ratapana’s lacrosse journey began in Year 5, when she first picked up a stick playing POP Lacrosse and represented her primary school. After being invited to try field lacrosse by Stockport Lacrosse Club, she played there from the age of 11 to 18, progressing through the junior section to represent the Senior A team.

She moved to Leeds for university, where she continued playing before moving into coaching. This included coaching at university level and with Leeds Metropolitan University. She later coached in local primary schools and at Ampleforth College.

She joined Rendcomb College in 2017, becoming Head of Lacrosse and developing the programme alongside her wider role in sport. She also began coaching within the England Lacrosse talent pathway and currently serves as Head Coach of the South West region.

She has coached at The Fly, England Lacrosse’s national Sixes competition, winning in her first year as an assistant coach. She has also coached on international tours and at Home International series.

Miss Hannah Pegrum

Sports Coach and Netball Lead

Miss Pegrum is a qualified Level 2 Netball Coach and both coaches and plays for Challengers Netball Club. She has eight seasons’ experience coaching within the junior sector, working with players from U12 through to U16 level. In recent seasons, she has coached at U16 Regional level, with last season’s team finishing the season undefeated and progressing through to the Regional Play-Offs.

Alongside her junior coaching, Miss Pegrum has spent the past three seasons coaching Challengers’ top three adult teams within the Gloucestershire leagues. She also has extensive playing experience, having been a member of Challengers Netball Club for 11 seasons and competing at a high level in the Regional One South West Division.

Mrs Kate Allenby MBE OLY

Equestrian Programme Lead

Mrs Allenby is an Olympic bronze medallist and 2-time Olympian. Kate brings more than 20 years of experience in education, elite sport and equestrian development to the School.

Kate specialises in developing and setting up bespoke sports programmes in schools, helping young people access a wider range of sporting opportunities and experiences.

Mrs Leanne Coombs-Brown

Polo Team Manager

Mrs Coombs-Brown brings many years of experience in youth polo through her work with the Pony Club, supporting young players as they develop their skills, confidence and ambitions. As a qualified Equine Sports Massage Therapist, she has a particular passion for the horse as an athlete and for the importance of preparation, performance and welfare.

At Westonbirt, Mrs Coombs-Brown is passionate about establishing the school as a leading centre for youth polo development, both nationally and internationally. Working alongside official partner Beaufort Polo Club, she is developing distinctive pathways that provide every young player with the support to develop, the opportunities to match their ambitions, and the chance to represent Team Westonbirt Polo.

She believes that polo can develop confidence, responsibility, teamwork and resilience, while inspiring young people to discover just how far they can take their ambitions.

Miss Milly Pittaway

Strength & Conditioning Coach

As the Strength and Conditioning Coach, Miss Pittaway brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role. She holds a BSc in Strength and Conditioning and has coached athletes at all levels, from recreational to international. In her current role, she also works with the England Amputee Women’s Football team, where she develops and implements strength and conditioning programmes tailored to the specific needs of each athlete.

In addition, Miss Pittaway runs a successful business with her partner working with a diverse range of clients, including everyday individuals, aspiring stunt performers, and elite international athletes, helping them achieve their performance goals.

Miss Pittaway played netball at both national and international levels, representing England Universities in the 2021-2022 season. She also competed with the Saracens Mavericks U17s/U19s and Severn Stars U19s/U21s, demonstrating her commitment and passion for sports.

Miss Pittaway’s experience as both a coach and an athlete allows her to bring a unique perspective to her work, inspiring and guiding young athletes to reach their full potential.

Mr Andy Hamilton

Head of Academic PE

 

Miss Adele Potts

PE Teacher and Swim Lead for Prep & Senior

Previous Acting Head of Swimming at Bishop’s Stortford College and Swimming Specialist at Hill House International Junior School. Previous Swim Coach and Teacher in Western Australia.

Currently, Miss Potts is training in Stroud Masters and competing in triathlons; she swam in the 2-mile Swim Serpentine in September 2021. She is also a Senior Women’s record holder in 400 and 800m freestyle in the NW Open in Western Australia (2016). Swim England Coach member, Teaching Swimming and Water Safety and Teaching Towards Competitive Strokes accreditation (2018, AUSTSWIM, Australia) and UKCC Teaching Aquatics (2010). Also, England Netball and Hockey Level 2 coaching accreditation.

Evie Cullen

Grad Assistant

Kieron Dixon

Grad Assistant