Our Leadership
Meet Our Senior Leadership Team
Our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) plays a crucial role in shaping the school’s vision, managing operations, and ensuring effective teaching and learning.
Andrew Earnshaw
Headmaster
I was educated at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School in Lancashire and was awarded a degree in Educational and Professional Primary Studies from the University of Lancaster in 1995. Since then, I have accumulated a diverse range of educational experience incorporating the state, independent and overseas sectors.
I was appointed Curriculum Co-Ordinator for PE at Ormskirk C of E Primary School; Curriculum Co-Ordinator for Humanities at the British School, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and then Curriculum Co-Ordinator for ICT and PE at Seely Junior School, Nottingham.
My next career move saw my appointment as Deputy Head at Beeston Rylands Junior School in January 2004, where responsibilities included Curriculum Co-Ordinator for ICT, PE and PHSE, Educational Visits Co-Ordinator and Newly Qualified Teachers and Student Mentor. I was proud to successfully lead the School to achieve Investors in People status and also gained the National Professional Qualification for Headship from the National College for School Leadership in December 2005.
Following this, my first headship was at Nottingham High Junior School from September 2007 to December 2012. Perhaps testament to my reputation and success in the role was to be awarded the highly coveted “Sunday Times Prep School of the Year” title in 2012.
Since being appointed to Head at Fairfield in January 2013, I have led the school through a period of great change and growth with the completion of an £8-million-pound investment to create state of the art facilities to cater for the growing demand for places in the Pre-Prep and also with the establishment of a centre of excellence for PE and other specialist subjects such as ICT, Science and DT.
I am married to Julie who teaches at the school, and we have two sons who have been through Fairfield and are now at Loughborough Grammar School.
My interests and hobbies are listed as a qualified PADI Open Water Diver, outdoor pursuits enthusiast, competent skier and snow boarder, a keen football, cricket and golf player. Although once a dedicated rugby player who represented the North of England Universities, I have now hung up my rugby boots, preferring the relative sanctuary of Fairfield’s touchlines at which I can be frequently seen cheering on the school’s many successful sports teams.
“I have a strong commitment to pastoral care and am very keen that the Curriculum should be flexible, creative and above all, enjoyable.”
Clare Bruce
Assistant head
Educated at Hutchesons’ Grammar School in Glasgow, I completed my MA (Hons) in English Language and Literature at the University of St Andrews and my PGCE at Loughborough University.
I am a qualified executive coach and mentor, an ISI team inspector, and a governor at a successful independent school in Northampton. I thoroughly enjoy the diverse experiences that these additional roles offer.
I joined Fairfield Prep School in 2024, following over 15 years of rewarding and successful Headships in two local, East Midlands independent schools. I am passionate about the importance of the formative years of education and believe that children learn best where they are loved, valued, excited and challenged. Such an environment will give them the greatest opportunity to grow and develop into happy and therefore successful citizens of the future.
I am married to a fellow Scot, and we have two (fabulous) adult children. We enjoy travelling and walking, usually locally or in the Shropshire countryside. I am an avid bibliophile and baker – and can often be found enjoying my bakes while reading!
“It is an enormous privilege to be a part of a vibrant school community where pupils have the opportunity to grow and flourish under our care.”
Jamie Moseley
Deputy Head (Academic)
I graduated with a BA(Hons) in History at the University of Sheffield and proceeded to undertake a PGCE (Primary) at Nottingham Trent University. I taught for 13 years in the state sector gaining experience as history and ICT subject lead and Phase Leader before joining Fairfield in 2018.
From class teacher, I became Curriculum Coordinator before becoming Deputy Head Academic in 2022. I achieved my NPQSL in 2023 and relished the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learnt. Developing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) throughout the school is an initiative I have led and both leading and developing DT has been a component of this strategy. I am also a governor at a local primary school.
I am passionate about teaching and learning and believe in seeking innovative approaches that place us at the forefront of pedagogical practice and allow our children to achieve their potential. Fairfield is a place where innovation and tradition co-exist providing children with unforgettable experiences and the very best start in life.
I am married with two young children who continuously keep me on my toes! We enjoy spending time as a family and when I am not coaching a junior football team, I like to spend any remaining time I have running and staying active.
Penny Barton
Deputy Head (pastoral)
I was appointed as Director of Studies at Fairfield Prep School in 2001 and now have the privilege of coordinating pastoral care as Deputy Head Pastoral at a time when there is an increasing emphasis on the mental health and wellbeing of our children. I continue to enjoy being part of an innovative school where we embrace new ideas and technologies, whilst keeping our core values of a child centred education at the heart of what we do.
Outside of School I am an avid reader, enjoy travelling as well as being a keen cook and crafter. I am married with one daughter, Holly, who was educated at Fairfield and LHS before University. Her days at Fairfield are still frequently talked about with fondness and she has many happy memories of her time here.
“I continue to enjoy being part of an innovative school where we embrace new ideas and technologies, whilst keeping our core values of a child centred education at the heart of what we do.”
Nanette Coombes
lEARNING sUPPORT COORDINATOR
I initially joined the Fairfield Team as a class teacher in 1999, having previously lived and worked in London. I qualified from Reading University with a Bachelor of Education and a specialism in English/Drama and Special Educational Needs. Further study has led to a Psychology degree from The Open University and focused study in the area of Dyslexia. Over the last twenty years I have been fortunate enough to teach in both the Pre-Prep and Upper Prep Departments and moved to the Senior Management Team eight years ago to take up the role of Learning Support Co-ordinator. I feel extremely privileged to hold this position which gives me the wonderful opportunity of working with children, staff and parents throughout the school. I am happily married with three wonderful daughters who have all been educated through Fairfield and the LSF Upper Schools. I enjoy cooking (and eating!), walking our soppy Labrador, playing with our four cats and have recently discovered Park Runs, to help combat my first hobby!!
“I feel extremely privileged to hold this position which gives me the wonderful opportunity of working with children, staff and parents throughout the school.”
Governors
The Governing Body makes decisions for all four of the Schools which, together, form the Loughborough Schools Foundation (Fairfield Prep School, Loughborough Grammar School and Loughborough High School).
Regular meetings are held by both the full Governing Body and the sub-committees. Fairfield Prep School, like the other two Schools in the Foundation, is represented by the Head of School. For enquiries, or to contact a member of the Governing Body, please email secretary.board@lsf.org.
Piers Harris
Chair of Fairfield prep school
Piers Harris was educated at Loughborough Grammar school, following which he earned his BSc in Geography from University of Bristol.
Following university, Piers moved to London and pursued a career in investment banking. Through his 28-year career he ran multi-disciplinary teams across Fixed Income Capital Markets and Investment Banking, culminating in running Morgan Stanley’s Fixed Income Capital Markets business across EMEA, until retiring in 2022. Throughout his career he has advised Boards and Treasury Departments of leading companies and institutions across the globe on all aspects of capital raising, risk management and capital structure. Bringing together institutional capital and investors to deliver highly innovative funding solutions for a wide range of leading global companies.
Since retirement Piers has worked as a senior advisor to several Founders, along with being passionate about mentoring and bringing the best out of people.
Piers lives between London and the north Norfolk coast, where he enjoys walking, cycling, playing cricket and spending time with his three children.
Robert Saunt
Governor
Robert attended the Masterclass programme ran by the Foundation whilst he was at a local state primary school and was immediately struck by the opportunities at LGS. After experiencing the sessions, he knew that this was where he wanted to go to secondary school. But he realised that this was a school where you needed to pay fees to attend, and there was simply not the financial capacity at home to make it possible. Undeterred, 10-year old Robert arrived home after a Masterclass session and found the assisted place forms, printed them off and set about completing them as far as he could before presenting them to his mother with one request – can we see if it is possible for me to attend LGS? It turned out it was, and Robert obtained a full Bursary.
“Attending LGS changed the course of my life. I am incredibly thankful that people have provided such significant donations that have given me the opportunity to benefit from an incredible educational experience.”
Robert’s pathway after school was not typical, he was the first pupil to undertake a degree apprenticeship, in his case in Business Management. Following his apprenticeship, he’s worked for BSI as Senior Business Analyst and become one of the youngest Chartered Managers in the country, the highest level of professional management qualification. Much of Robert’s work has been around large scale, international projects and programmes which have involved organisational change, design, strategy, and target operating models; all driving towards efficiency, growth, and continued success in the businesses he’s worked in.
Whilst working for BSI, Robert is also the CEO of a business he founded in 2021, The Honest Travel Company, a luxury travel agency specialising in both cruise and tailor-made holidays.
