Art & Literature

Lizzie Skeaping - Head of Arts & Literature Faculty

Lizzie Skeaping teaches History and History of Art at Harris Westminster. She studied History and Culture at the University of Warwick, specialising in Renaissance Italian art and modern Irish history. Before joining Harris Westminster, she taught at The National Archives, home to some of the UK's most iconic historical records, and completed a Masters in Museums and Galleries in Education. Her fascination with different lives and cultures prompted her to teach abroad in Vietnam and Spain. She enjoys sport and dreams of playing cricket for England. 

Frances Sleap - 2iC A&L & Teacher of Philosophy & SENCO

Frances Sleap studied Philosophy and Theology and then the Study of Religions at Oxford, writing her Master’s dissertation on the idea of chosenness in modern Judaism. Before deciding to pursue a longstanding interest in education she worked at the Dialogue Society, an Islamically-inspired intercultural dialogue charity. Her work included co-authoring an introduction to ‘Dialogue Theories’ and providing training for postgraduate students. She is still fascinated by the dynamics of dialogue in different contexts and is excited to work in the natural dialogue hotspot that is the PTE classroom. Her other interests include poetry and the ethical issues surrounding energy and climate change.

Jack Dunleavy - Teacher of Art History

Jack Dunleavy teaches History of Art at Harris Westminster. He studied English & History of Art at the University of York, specialising in the art and literature of the Blitz. As well as teaching at Harris, he works for Art History Link Up, a charity dedicated to widening access to art history education for students in the state sector. In his spare time he enjoys going to the cinema, reading books and thinking about oil paintings. His favourite artist is either Edouard Manet or Pablo Picasso. 

Sara Neal - Assistant Principal and Teacher of English

Sara is a lifelong reader and believer in the power of education to change lives. Born and raised in London, she completed her English degree at Durham University and a year of teacher training working at a school in Oxfordshire. Sara has spent the majority of her teaching career in inner city London schools, where she spent four years as Head of Department before moving into Assistant Principal roles.

Freddie Baveystock - Teacher of English

Freddie Baveystock is passionate about literature, culture and learning. He took his first degree in English at Worcester College, Oxford; followed this with a MA from University College London in Anglo-American Literary Relations; and then went on to complete a DPhil at Wolfson College, Oxford on the impact of American nationalism upon its literature during the first half of the C19. As well as teaching in London, Oxford and Reading, he has worked as a journalist, consumer researcher and brand consultant. He is a Trustee of Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden, and in that capacity advises on its Writer in Residence programme.

Katherine Wasley - Teacher of English

Katherine Wasley is an English teacher at Harris Westminster. She has previously been an English teacher and Sixth Form English Coordinator at Westminster Academy for eleven years where she taught the International Baccalaureate. Ms Wasley studied English Studies and Philosophy at The University of Nottingham. After gaining her degree, she taught in Hong Kong for a year before training to become a teacher with TeachFirst. In addition to her love of reading widely, Ms Wasley is a keen member of the National Theatre and loves the distraction of a life drawing class. Ms Wasley also enjoys yoga and can usually be found pottering around in her garden at the weekend trying to create the perfect border.

James Johnson –  Assistant Principal and Teacher of Spanish and French

James Johnson is an Assistant Principal at Harris Westminster Sixth Form, and also teaches French and Spanish. He was born and raised in Hull, East Yorkshire, and studied French and Spanish at Exeter College, Oxford, before moving to the United States to begin his teaching career. He returned to the United Kingdom in 2013, and has taught at schools in London ever since. During this time, he has been a Head of Year, Head of MFL, and a Lead Practitioner. As a passionate linguist, he is excited to help students see that the world is bigger than they previously imagined, and help them see how their studies can take them on adventures the world over. In his spare time, James is a keen cook, a music lover, and likes to explore our great city in his running shoes.

Kyle Sweet - Teacher of Philosophy

Kyle Sweet teaches Philosophy at Harris Westminster. He attainted his Master's degree at the University of Birmingham, having written a dissertation on creating a new ethical theory after jesting that ‘all other theories are simply unsatisfying or impractical’. He feels that philosophy is a deeply important subject yet can seem so inaccessible to so many. This led him to decide that his dedication to the subject was best put towards inspiring young minds and creating enthusiastic dialogue about the intricacies of reality and human nature. After finishing his PGCE at King’s College London he has said he ‘feels incredibly grateful to be living out his passion at Harris Westminster’. Kyle also enjoys writing fantastical fiction and spending time with friends over a good board game.

Ella Taylor - Librarian

Ella is a Chartered Librarian who cares for the Wigoder Library. She read English Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London before gaining her Masters in Library and Information Studies at University College London. Of particular interest to her are issues relating to unconscious bias and prejudice in information architecture inspired by the research and advocacy of Sanford Berman. To further investigate prejudice within literacy systems and structures, she is currently undertaking a Masters in Education (Literacy) at the Institute of Education, University College London. Ella believes that every individual should enjoy reading which inspires her approach to supporting students and caring for the Wigoder Library. In her spare time she enjoys watching films which her friends class as ‘depressing cinematography’ and spending time with her beloved, and terribly behaved, Sphynx cats.