Mrs Caroline Townshend, Head
BSc, Psychology (University of Southampton)

Caroline grew up in California before moving to England to study GCSEs and A-Levels. She read Psychology at the University of Southampton, completing her PGCE at Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Mrs Karen O’Leary, Director of Studies
BAHons QTS (Surrey)

Karen has a teaching degree from the University of Roehampton, London and began her teaching career in Wimbledon in 2000.

Karen started at Crosfields in 2009, shortly after moving to the local area and choosing the school for her son to attend. She joined initially as a Form Teacher in Year 5 before being appointed as Head of Year 5 in 2010.

In 2016 she became Head of Drama and leads the school productions. Karen joined the Senior Leadership Team in September 2017. She was appointed to her current role as Director of Studies in January 2018.

In addition to a son who attended Crosfields Karen also has a daughter who currently attends the school. Outside school life Karen enjoys an active lifestyle, loves travelling and enjoys supporting and taking part in triathlons.

Mr Andrew Norwood, Director of Digital Strategy

Andrew began a teaching career in Newbury, following the study of his PGCE at Reading University. While in Newbury, he served in a variety of roles, including Head of Computer Science.

Following a move to Australia, Andrew taught at schools in Sydney before becoming Director of Digital Learning across a college with five schools in Adelaide. He joined Crosfields in 2022 after returning to England with his wife and daughter.

Mr Gareth Edwards, Director of Co-Curricular

Gareth trained to be a teacher of PE and Maths at the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham, and began his teaching at Waingels College, Woodley.

He joined Crosfields School as a PE teacher in 1998 and became Director of Sport in 2003. Since joining the school, Gareth has seen Crosfields change from a boys school to co-ed and more recently from a prep school to an all-though school.

Outside of school Gareth played Minor Counties Cricket for Berkshire in the late 90’s and now enjoys playing Golf as often as possible and playing the Guitar.

Mrs Janey McDowell, Head of Pre-Prep
BScHons (Reading), PGCE (Cantab)

As a child, Janey lived in many different countries. Born in Zimbabwe, she then lived, and was educated, in Sudan, Iran and South Africa. Janey gained a B.Sc. (Hons) Psychology/Zoology. This was followed by a PGCE(Biology) from King’s College, Cambridge.

Having taught A-level Biology for a few years, she realised that it was the children’s development that interested her more than the subject, so she moved gradually down the age range, eventually teaching a Nursery class at Rupert House School in Henley for 12 years.

When Crosfields became co-educational, Janey joined as a Reception teacher, before being appointed as Head of Pre-Prep in 2008.

Bringing up four children (three daughters and a son who attended Crosfields), has given Janey an insight into, and understanding of, parents’ concerns and expectations.