Key Staff

Holistic approach from school staff to help our students.

academic and welfare staff

Alongside our Academic Team we have a dedicated Welfare Team, who work together to ensure that appropriate support is provided when it is needed.

Dr. Hugh McCormick

Head Teacher and Group Director of Strategy

Hugh obtained a First Class Bachelor’s degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University of Oxford. His undergraduate thesis was published in an international peer review journal and is included on reading lists at Ivy League universities. Hugh remained at Oxford for Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Politics funded by an AHRC Fellowship, and taught undergraduate students a range of subjects across Politics, Modern History, Economics, and Philosophy. In his spare time he was a choral scholar, President of Vincent’s Club, coached the university women’s Rugby Union team, and played Varsity matches in Rugby Union, Rugby League and Athletics.

In 2021, while leading Copperfield, Hugh became an advisor to Sevenoaks School on international school models around the world. And in 2022, he obtained a Master’s in Educational Leadership, with Distinction, from Cambridge University, where his research focused upon the link between shared leadership and teacher motivation. Hugh’s son has just completed his Reception year at school.

Phil Harwood

Senior Deputy Head

Phil joined CATS Cambridge in July of 2023. Having studied Geography at Durham University and completed his PGCE at Cambridge University, his career in education spans two decades with roles that have ranged from being a Head of Secondary to Specialist Leader of Education. Prior to returning to Cambridge, Phil worked in the UAE for eight years and has extensive experience in both school settings and international university admissions. Phil’s specialist subjects are Geography and Politics A Level and he has also dabbled in History, PSHE and Religious Studies over the past two decades.

Phil believes that, as educators, we have responsibility to develop self-worth, inspire, and promote a lifelong love of learning. He is passionate about encouraging young people to celebrate their uniqueness, embrace risk and face adversity with resilience, empowering them to understand their roles, responsibilities, and values in shaping a more equitable shared future.

Qadeer Afzal

Assistant Headteacher
(Academic)

Qadeer has been a teacher of Mathematics since 1997 and has taught in many different schools and colleges in England. He spent six years in a private school in Saudi Arabia. Qadeer has extensive experience as both a classroom practitioner and also in middle and senior leadership. “Mathematics is a subject in which many students enjoy and wish to excel. This can be achieved with hard work and perseverance, which are qualities I encourage in all my students.”

His current role of Assistant Principal Academic gives him the opportunity to work with complex datasets and strategize whole school responses to changes in education.

Rebecca Baker-Milne

Deputy Head
Wellbeing

Rebecca has been teaching since 1992. After graduating from London University she taught evening classes whilst studying for her Masters Degree in education, working for both the Open University and Further Education Colleges.

Rebecca started working for CATS Cambridge in 2013. She greatly enjoys both the atmosphere of discovery in classroom teaching, and working with students one-to-one to help them perform to the best of their ability.

In her role as Assistant Principal Pastoral and Personal Development, Rebecca enjoys the aspect of her role that involves, through activities and PSHE, creating activities and events that help students to gain in confidence and life skills.

Oliver Riley

Assistant Headteacher,
(Education Performance and Outcomes)

Oliver Riley is an economist turned education professional who joins us after four years of working as the Head of Secondary in a private international school in Switzerland. He took a degree in Human, Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cambridge, and further qualifications from Sciences Po University in Paris.

He is responsible for maintaining and improving the world-class education offering at CATS Cambridge. In his spare time, he loves to adventure; he has uncovered long forgotten Hindu temples in South East Asia, had dinner with Afghan military commanders and advised government ministers, but his favourite thing to do is stroll around the gardens of Robinson College here in Cambridge.

George Leland

Registrar

George has worked for CATS Cambridge for 4 years, as Activities Manager and Physical Education teacher. During this time, he has shown great passion and skill in community building, forging connections with the young people in our care and helping them to belong and find the best in themselves. Prior to joining us, George was a football coach for Norwich City FC and Barcelona Bay FC in San Jose, California.

CATS is a home for George and he is dedicated to helping it be a home for all the young people in our care, promoting a family feel among the students and everyone in our community. Outside of work, George is a dad and a husband, and loves spending time with his family. George will be responsible for the recruitment and retention of students, and for engaging our worldwide community of alumni. George is excited to continue his community building vocation in this new, significant role.

Katie Oliphant

Head of Human Resources

Katie joined CATS Cambridge in September 2024. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (Level 7 CIPD) with distinction and brings over five years’ experience in Recruitment and HR, including roles at St John’s College, Cambridge. A dedicated HR professional, Katie is passionate about fostering strong working relationships and delivering strategic HR services.

As the Head of HR at our School, Katie leads the HR function, providing expert advice and guidance to staff and managers. She partners strategically with the SLT to drive initiatives that enhance organisational success and ensure compliance with best practices in HR management.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Katie loves to travel and has explored destinations across Canada, Asia, and Australasia, among others. When not exploring, she treasures quality time with friends and family.

Key Staff

academic and welfare staff

Dr. Hugh McCormick

Phil Harwood

Qadeer Afzal

Rebecca Baker-Milne

Oliver Riley

George Leland

Katie Oliphant

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