Aoife-Jane is Assistant Head, Middle School at Exeter School. She grew up in Ireland and studied History, English and Irish at University College Dublin. Afterwards, she completed a Higher Diploma in Education. She then went on to study Mathematics and Learning Support. As a result, she can support pupils with a wide range of needs.
Aoife-Jane spent nine years teaching at Dundalk Grammar School and Kilkenny College. At both schools, she taught History, English and Irish. At the same time, she built up wide pastoral experience. She played and coached hockey and worked as an Assistant Residential House Parent. In addition, she managed large residential summer schools. This work showed her how much young people grow outside the classroom, not just inside it.
Later, Aoife-Jane moved to the UK. Here, she held teaching, sports coaching and boarding roles at Millfield and Blundell’s. She then joined Exeter School as a History teacher and hockey coach. Meanwhile, she wanted to understand more about how children develop and learn. So she completed a BSc in Psychology with the Open University, specialising in Child Psychology. That study now shapes how she supports pupils, both in lessons and beyond them.
Since joining Exeter School, Aoife-Jane has taken on a series of pastoral leadership roles. First, she served as Head of House. Next, she became Head of Upper Sixth, guiding students through their final year. You can read about some of her pastoral work here.
Now, she is delighted to step up as Assistant Head, Middle School. In this role, she oversees pupil wellbeing and pastoral care across the Middle School years. She also works closely with tutors, teachers and parents. Together, they make sure every pupil feels known, supported and ready to do their best.
Her varied career has shaped a clear view of what matters most. Aoife-Jane believes in a holistic education that looks after the whole child. Above all, she knows that pupils thrive when their wellbeing comes first. Consequently, parents can expect her to balance academic ambition with care at every stage.
At Exeter School, an independent co-educational day school in Devon, that balance runs through everything we do.
