Aston Smith, Headteacher 

Aston was appointed as Headteacher at Charles Darwin School in January 2022 after 13 years of senior leadership in a wide range of roles at a successful Kent school. Aston gained an MA in Leadership from UCL in 2015 and completed the National Professional Qualification of Headship in 2020.

Aston is a board member for Bromley School Collegiate and represents Bromley Secondary Headteachers at Bromley Corporate Parenting board.

 Mick Boyden, Deputy Headteacher

Mick has been at Charles Darwin School since 2007 and completed his NPQH in 2008. Mick has responsibility for the whole school curriculum and overall standards at KS4.  Mick leads work on the school timetable and options process along with maintaining high standards of teaching and learning across the school to ensure the best outcomes for our students.  Mick’s subject specialisms are History and Politics.                                                                                       

 Louise Rees, Deputy Headteacher

Louise started at Charles Darwin school in January 1994 as Head of Girls PE having worked in a school in Ashford previously. She introduced Dance to the school at GCSE and A level and held pastoral roles across the age ranges. She initially worked in Years 10 and 11 then became an Assistance Head for KS3, a role which included being Head of Year 7. As Deputy Head, she has been the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the school, the Designated Teacher for Looked After Children alongside leading the pastoral teams across the school. She continues to teach both Dance and A level PE.

 Louise Kelly, Assistant Headteacher

Louise joined the school in 2003 and is a very experienced senior leader who has held a number of senior leadership roles including Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher. She is currently Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for student progress and attainment in year 11 including all aspects of GCSE exam preparation, support and performance.

Louise leads on personalised curriculum arrangements in key stage 4 as well as co-ordinating Key Stage 4 intervention. She also leads on exams, staff duties and liaison with the school caterers as well as the school’s sustainability strategy.

Rebecca Kearney, Assistant Headteacher

Rebecca joined Charles Darwin School as a Newly Qualified Music Teacher in 1994, teaching both Music and History. She considers herself to be very fortunate to have held a number of positions in the school as Head of Music, Head of Creative Arts, Director of Arts College, Assistant Headteacher and Head of 6th Form. In her current role of Assistant Headteacher, Rebecca leads on Teaching and Learning across the school, has an overview of KS5, is the Educational Visits Coordinator and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Jon Simpson, Assistant Headteacher

Jon has been at Charles Darwin for over 20 years. He initially trained as a Maths teacher and was the Head of ICT for a number of years before becoming an Assistant Headteacher. Jon holds a BSc in Computer Science and a PGCE in Maths. His responsibilities include career and options guidance, disadvantaged students, health and safety, and school site matters.

Nicky Mitchell, Director of Sixth Form

Nicky was appointed as Director of Sixth Form in 2023.  Prior to joining Charles Darwin School, she spent over 17 years working as a Head of Year in sixth forms across two other Bromley schools. Nicky has completed her National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership as well as Advanced Safeguarding accreditation. She has responsibility for all aspects of post-16 provision including strategic planning, pastoral care and supporting students with their next steps beyond sixth form. Nicky’s subject specialisms are English Language and Literature.

Rob Jones, Assistant Headteacher

Rob Jones joined Charles Darwin as an Advanced Skills Teacher in Science prior to joining the leadership team as an Assistant Headteacher. He holds a Masters degree in Education. Previously he worked in Inner London schools. His responsibilities include strategic oversight of students with High Attainment, staff professional development as well as student personal development and building character. He has oversight of the school IT services and works closely with our wider local community.

Amy Fitzgerald, Assistant Headteacher

Amy joined Charles Darwin School in September 2024 as an Assistant Headteacher after 8 years of being part of the Senior Leadership Team within the special education sector. Amy is an English and Drama teacher and gained her NPQH in 2022.