Houseparent Leonie Heaven
Assistant Houseparent Kate Wicks
Matron Fern Parker
I joined the Stowe Maths Department in September 2021 and am Houseparent in the girls day house, Cheshire. Before coming to Stowe, I taught Maths at Stonyhurst College and worked alongside my husband, Matt, in his role as residential Houseparent for 80 Fifth Form boys. I then transferred into a Senior girls’ boarding house where I was Assistant House parent looking after 74 Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth Form girls.
I have a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and Design and worked for BAE Systems (British Aerospace) in various roles which include aeronautical engineering, Project and R&D Accountancy and Financial Management before training as a teacher in 2012. I have experience of teaching and examining across a range of different age groups up to A Level Maths, Further Maths and IB Maths.
Outside the classroom, I have supported many activities including the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition, golf, climbing, swimming, riding and dry-slope skiing, Matt is Head of DT at Kingham Hill School and we have two sons at Stowe.
In addition to promoting high academic and intellectual standards, I encourage the girls to make the most of their time at Stowe by immersing themselves in all aspects of School life. I champion the School’s Change Maker vision and our culture of continuous improvement as well as making Cheshire into a home from home. I strongly believe that Day Pupils need as much pastoral care and support as boarders. Cheshire is a welcoming, supportive and successful house in which girls are nurtured and can flourish.
Group Captain Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, Baron Cheshire VC, OM, DSO & Two Bars, DFC (7 September 1917 – 31 July 1992) was a highly decorated Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot during the Second World War and later philanthropist
He was the youngest Group Captain in the RAF and was selected as the only British Service observer of the atom bombing of Nagasaki which, naturally, had a profound effect on him. However it was as a result of being struck with tuberculosis and spending 18 months in hospital that prompted him to dedicate the rest of his life to improving the lives of those suffering from disability. He founded a hospice that grew into the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability, and he became known for his work in conflict resolution; he was created Baron Cheshire in 1991 in recognition of his charitable work.