Our Leadership
Phillip Evitt
Highfield Headmaster
Phillip Evitt is in his 23rd year as Headmaster of Highfield School, one of the leading co-educational boarding and day prep schools in the country. Educated at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, Mr Evitt taught at Monmouth School and Dulwich College. Since taking the reins at Highfield in 1999, he has established strong relationships with the leading independent senior schools, resulting in a flawless track record for entrance to his pupils’ first-choice schools. Phillip Evitt will retire from Highfield at the end of the academic year and will be succeeded by Suzannah Cryer.
Sophie Baber
Brookham Head
Sophie Baber was educated at Millfield School, Somerset, and then Huddersfield University, where she read Theatre Studies and Communication Arts. Mrs Baber completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Education at Cardiff before going on to take a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology at the Institute of Education in London. She taught children with emotional and behavioural difficulties for two years, before returning to London to teach in two primary schools, St Mark’s and The Alton, from 2002 to 2007, working with every age group from Nursery to Year 6 and latterly running the special needs department. Mrs Baber moved to Asia to work at Tanglin Trust School and Marlborough College Malaysia before being appointed Headteacher at Brookham School in 2015. She is married to Guy and the couple have three children, all of whom attended Brookham.
Andrew Baker
Highfield Deputy Head
Andy graduated from the University of Warwick with a First Class Degree (Hons) specialising in teaching Biology and Physical Education and has 25 years’ experience of teaching in Prep Schools. He joined Highfield in 2017 and was previously Head of Boys’ Boarding and Head of Science before becoming Deputy Head in September 2021. He is the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, organises the day to day running of the school and looks after the pastoral care of all our pupils. Andy is a passionate believer in championing the underdog and allowing children to find whatever hobby, passion or skill that they can truly blossom in. He can be regularly found out and about around the school with Timmy the dog, runs the school model-making club and is passionate about Merlin engines, cricket and Gloucester Rugby Club.
Beverley Smith
Highfield Deputy Head (Academic)
Beverley Smith is our Deputy Head (Academic). A graduate of the University of Southampton, Mrs Smith has had a career in teaching spanning 20 years, including inner-city schools in Southampton, overseas at the British School Manila, and at Stroud Prep School as Head of Science and Head of the Senior School.
Admissions Team
Caroline Lukic
Admissions Registrar, Highfield Prep
Caroline Lukic is our Admissions registrar for Highfield Prep. She has been with Highfield and Brookham since 2012 and guides parents through our admissions process offering valuable advice and support at every stage.
Email: admissions@highfieldandbrookham.co.uk
Charlotte Cottrell
Admissions Registrar, Brookham School
Charlotte Cottrell is our Admissions Registrar for Brookham Pre-prep. She has been with Highfield and Brookham since 2014 and has a wealth of knowledge of independent education both professionally and personally.
Email: admissions@highfieldandbrookham.co.uk