Junior School News
This week we’d like to introduce you to the Junior School SLT. It was great to see so many of you at Tuesday’s Junior School Information event and we look forward to meeting those of you who are planning to attend on Saturday, there is still opportunity to register here.
Junior School Leadership Team
Mr Phil Hardy - Head of St Peter’s Junior School
Mrs Julia Salisbury - Deputy Head, Pastoral
Mr Edward Duncan - Deputy Head, Academic
Mrs Hannah Alexander - Deputy Head, Early Years
Mr Nathan Savage - Deputy Head, Co-curricular
Mr Phil Hardy will become the Head of St Peter’s Junior School in September 2026 as part of the school’s transition to a two-school structure. He originally trained as a Sports Psychologist at Northumbria University and began his career in Newcastle and at the University of Alberta in Canada before moving into education, where he found his true vocation.
Phil is committed to creating school environments that are nurturing, intellectually stimulating and full of joy and curiosity. His leadership is rooted in warmth, high expectations and a belief that school should be an exciting and enriching place for every child.
Sport has been central to Phil’s life.
He played football, rugby, tennis and golf in his youth, but hockey became his greatest passion, leading him to represent his county, district and England. Although he has now “hung up his boots,” he continues to coach hockey, enjoys golf and tennis, and plays an active role in shaping the school’s strategic direction for sport.
Phil has also contributed nationally to independent education through his work on the IAPS Education Committee, Strategy Committee and Council, and as the IAPS National Advisor for the 2–8 age range.
Outside school, Phil enjoys a busy family life with his wife, Christa, a Management Consultant, and their son, who attends St Peter’s. His interests include reading, theatre, travelling, playing the guitar (which he modestly claims not to play well) and supporting Newcastle United. Phil’s combination of educational expertise, sporting experience and strategic insight positions him strongly to lead St Peter’s Junior School into its next chapter.
Mrs Julia Salisbury graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA in Economics and Business Management before discovering her passion for working with children. She went on to complete a PGCE in Primary Education at the University of Leeds.
Julia has taught across both the state and independent sectors and has led a range of curriculum areas. Before joining St Peter’s, she worked across the Pre-Prep and Prep departments at The Minster School, developing a strong understanding of children’s development from Nursery to Year 8. She joined St Peter’s in 2020 as a Year 3 teacher and English Lead, and in 2023 she was appointed Deputy Head, enabling her to contribute to whole-school development while continuing to prioritise high-quality teaching and strong relationships.
As Deputy Head at 2–8, Julia leads pastoral, academic and co-curricular provision. She values supporting staff, overseeing curriculum and assessment and ensuring each pupil is known, supported and challenged. She works closely with colleagues to maintain high standards, promote a positive school culture and provide a broad, balanced educational experience.
From September, Julia will take on the role of Pastoral Deputy in the Junior School. Passionate about pupil wellbeing, she looks forward to developing pastoral provision further and working closely with staff, pupils and families to ensure every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive.
Mr Edward Duncan brings over 20 years of international teaching experience to his role as Academic Deputy Head of St Peter’s Junior School. He has worked in world-class schools in Scotland, China, Malaysia, Singapore and England, teaching pupils from Years 3 to 8 and holding both curriculum and pastoral leadership roles.
Edward studied History at the University of St Andrews before completing his PGDE (Primary) at the University of Edinburgh. His career has been shaped by a commitment to high-quality education and a belief in creating environments where pupils feel motivated, supported and inspired to achieve their best. His experience in outstanding schools has given him deep insight into the factors that contribute to academic excellence.
Central to his educational philosophy is the belief that children should develop confidence, embrace challenges and feel equipped to make a positive contribution to the world. Edward is dedicated to embedding a learning culture that is inclusive, intellectually stimulating, culturally rich and grounded in current educational research. Beyond the classroom, Edward has a strong interest in history, engaging with it through books, documentaries, films and museum visits. He also enjoys reading more widely, playing chess, supporting Liverpool and Queen of the South football clubs and running. He has completed both the Yorkshire and Singapore marathons.
Edward is proud to be part of the St Peter’s community and looks forward to contributing to the school’s next chapter by helping shape a nurturing, ambitious learning environment where every child can thrive.
Mrs Hannah Alexander has always known she wanted to work in education, inspired by her mother’s teaching career. After completing a BA (Hons) in Primary Education, she discovered her passion for the Early Years and has since gained 16 years of experience across both the independent and state sectors.
Before joining St Peter’s in 2023, Hannah led the Early Years provision for six years at her previous school. She now teaches Reception while serving as Head of Early Years, overseeing the pastoral and academic development of children aged 2–5. Her responsibilities include creating a nurturing and inclusive environment, monitoring progress through observation and assessment, supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, working closely with families and leading a high-quality curriculum that meets diverse learner needs.
From September, Hannah looks forward to continuing these responsibilities while working closely with the Junior School Leadership Team. She is also committed to strengthening partnerships with The Rise Nursery to ensure a smooth educational journey for the youngest learners. Passionate about the transformative impact of the Early Years on lifelong learning, she is delighted to be stepping into the role of Deputy Head EYFS. Outside school, Hannah enjoys a busy family life. She is married to Andy and has two children, much of her spare time is spent taking them to gymnastics, ballet and swimming. She also has a twin sister and loves going to the theatre her sister and mum.
Mr Nathan Savage brings more than 25 years of experience at St Peter’s and a deep commitment to the school community. Born and raised in Cornwall, he developed a love of the outdoors through sailing, beaches and sport. Drawn to education and new experiences, he studied for a Bachelor of Education at Lancaster University before beginning his teaching career in Manchester.
Nathan joined St Peter’s in 1996, initially working as a Year 3 Form Tutor in Clifton Prep before moving into PE and Games at St Olave’s. Over the years, he has taken on roles as PE Teacher, Form Tutor, House Tutor and Director of Sport, while also contributing extensively to senior school sport. He has coached rugby, hockey and cricket teams to national success, including Rosslyn Park, the Daily Mail Cup at Twickenham, IAPS cricket and multiple hockey national finals.
He is passionate about experiences beyond the classroom and has played a key role in residential trips, sports tours and co-curricular activities. For more than two decades, he has overseen the school ski trip, and through various educational visits he has accompanied pupils to six continents, reinforcing his belief in broad, enriching opportunities for all children.
Nathan regards St Peter’s as a leading independent school and values the many professional opportunities it has provided. With deep loyalty to the school community, he remains committed to ensuring pupils continue to benefit from exceptional academic and co-curricular experiences.
You can read previous issues of Junior School News below