The St Dunstan's Education Group Executive Team (DET) are responsible for the day to day running of the Group under the leadership of the CEO.
The team do this by helping to formulate and implementing a Strategic Operating Plan for the Group. Under the unifying banner of Excellence. Differently. each Head delivers their own School Development Plan in conjunction with their senior leadership teams, and which is shared with parents.
Nick joined St Dunstan’s College as Head in 2014. No stranger to South East London, he attended Whitgift School and taught at Dulwich College and Magdalen College School, Oxford, before helping launch a flagship independent school in South Korea as part of a franchise with North London Collegiate School. Returning to London, Nick led St Dunstan’s through a major transformation into one of the leading independent schools in the country. In 2023, the school became part of St Dunstan’s Education Group, and Nick became CEO, currently overseeing four schools across six sites.
Miss Laura Whitwood BA Hons, MEd, Head of Junior School
Ms Jade McLellan, MA(Oxon), MSc, Head of Senior School
Jade became Head of Senior School at St Dunstan’s College in 2024, having joined the College in 2016, firstly as Assistant Head and latterly as Deputy Head Pastoral, leading the College’s response to the COVID pandemic. Jade was born in South East London and educated in the Kent grammar system, before reading Medieval and Modern Languages at university. She trained as a Public Relations consultant before finding her calling as a teacher and has taught in the state and private sectors, specialising in behaviour, safeguarding and multi-agency working. As Head, Jade is continuing the bright trajectory of St Dunstan’s, infusing a culture of scholarship and high-quality pastoral care into the day-to-day lives of the community.
Mr Tom Carter, LLB, Head of St Christopher's The Hall
Tom joined St Christopher’s The Hall in 2021, bringing warmth, energy, and a deep commitment to helping every child flourish. Before joining the school, he was Deputy Head and Acting Head at Bute House Preparatory School in Hammersmith, one of London’s most respected prep schools, renowned for its forward-thinking approach to education and outstanding academic outcomes.
Since arriving at St Christopher’s, Tom has led the school through a period of exciting growth and renewal. He has strengthened the sense of community and purpose that lies at the heart of the school, while introducing new initiatives.
Most recently, The Independent Schools Inspectorate praised Tom’s leadership as a significant strength, highlighting the school’s clear vision, nurturing ethos, and culture of high aspiration. Under his guidance, St Christopher’s continues to thrive as a happy, ambitious, and forward-looking school where every child is inspired to achieve their best.
Ms Saffron Hutt, Chief Operating Officer
Saffron joined St Dunstan’s Education Group as Chief Operating Officer in 2022. She brings nearly two decades of experience in senior operational and strategic roles across the education sector including at University College London and the University of the Arts London. At SDEG, Saffron leads the Group’s professional services, estates and commercial operations, working to ensure that our ambitious strategies are brought to life to benefit pupils, staff, and our wider community.
Mrs Sarah Pearson, Chief Finance Officer
Sarah is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and holds the ICAEW diploma in Charity Accounting. She has specialised in charity, not-for-profit and educational entities for over twenty years, training in audit and moving after qualifying to work directly in the not-for-profit sector.
Sarah has extensive experience of working in leadership roles encompassing both financial and other operational aspects within diverse and growing charities. She has a strong background in financial management and governance, with a focus on transparency and accountability. Sarah has particular experience in developing and executing long term financial strategy, managing change, charitable mergers, overseeing investment performance and strategy, and enabling large-scale capital projects.
