Distinctive Schools, Shared Purpose

Where schools belong.

Pembroke Education brings together distinctive schools through a shared belief in meaningful, connected and forward‑thinking education. Rooted in both city and countryside, our community is grounded in heritage, strengthened by expert collaboration, and united by a commitment to helping young people grow with confidence.

Our story begins with our two founding schools: Clifton High School and The Downs Preparatory School. Clifton High is a dynamic co-educational day-through-school for 3-18 year olds in the heart of Clifton Village, offering a nurturing, forward-thinking, and values‑led education, combining academic excellence and an environment for pupils to thrive. The Downs offers families a choice at 13+, sending pupils to some of Britain’s most well-regarded independent senior schools. It provides a traditional prep education, rich in character development, independence and outdoor learning. Each has a proud history and a strong identity.

Individually distinctive yet closely aligned in values, these schools reflect the breadth and richness of the educational landscape around them. Their shared spirit of care, curiosity and ambition sits at the heart of Pembroke Education. 

Pembroke Education exists to protect what makes each school unique while enabling shared insight, thoughtful partnership and a genuine sense of belonging. The opportunity to do this was the catalyst for the two schools creating the group. We provide stability, confidence and connection so every school in our community can grow in its own way—with independence, purpose and ambition—supported by the strength of a collective that never compromises individuality.

Vision & Aim

As a natural continuation of our story, our vision and aim set out the shared direction that guides our community and our group is committed to upholding. They articulate the principles that shape how we work together and the aspirations that unite our schools, leaders and learners.

Vision & Aim

As a natural continuation of our story, our vision and aim set out the shared direction that guides our community and our group is committed to upholding. They articulate the principles that shape how we work together and the aspirations that unite our schools, leaders and learners.

Vision

To build a community of schools where shared excellence and collaboration shape bright futures for every learner.

Aim

To support and strengthen our collaborative community of schools to deliver exceptional, future‑ready education in their own individual way.

Our Values

Our values offer the structure that guides our work every day. They proudly state what we stand for and define how we learn, lead and support one another across Pembroke Education.

At Pembroke Education, our values are the foundation on which our community stands, the building blocks that shape how we learn, lead and work together. Just as the ABCs form the basis of every child’s learning journey, our values provide a simple, strong and meaningful framework for our schools. They guide our decisions, strengthen our relationships and create a shared language across our community, ensuring that every school, every colleague and every learner is supported with purpose and clarity.

These values - Ambition, Belonging and Collaboration - are lived every day in our classrooms, staffrooms and conversations. They are the cornerstone of who we are and the starting point for what we strive to achieve together.

Ambition

Ambition is our forward‑looking foundation. We believe in purposeful ambition grounded in possibility, setting high expectations that encourage learners, staff and schools to progress with clarity and intent. Our ambition is not about pressure or comparison, but about ensuring education remains relevant, meaningful and ready for the future.

Belonging

Belonging creates the security from which confidence grows. For us, belonging means every school, learner and colleague is known, valued and supported, while still retaining their own identity and independence. It strengthens wellbeing and trust, and it enables individuals and communities to move forward with assurance and connection.

Collaboration

Collaboration is the strength that binds us. We are at our best when we work together, sharing insight, expertise and responsibility openly and thoughtfully. Collaboration shapes how we lead, how we support one another and how we build sustainable strength, enabling us to achieve more together than any one school could alone.

Our Schools

Clifton High School

Co-Ed Day School

Ages 3-18

Clifton, Bristol

Clifton High School is a dynamic co-educational day-through-school for 3-18 year olds in Clifton Village, offering a nurturing, forward-thinking, and values‑led education, combining academic excellence and an environment for pupils to thrive.

More Info

The Downs Prep School

Co-ed Preparatory School

Ages 4-13

Wraxall, Bristol

The Downs Preparatory School is set within 60 acres of stunning parkland. It offers families a choice of highly regarded schools at 13+, providing a traditional prep education, rich in character development, independence and outdoor learning.

More Info

Bertie's Nursery & Pre-school

Nursery and pre school

6 months - school age

Wraxall, Bristol

Bertie’s Nursery is a vibrant, early years setting located within the beautiful grounds of The Downs Preparatory School, providing an inspiring start to children's learning journeys.

More Info

The Team from September 2026

Peter Bodkin

Chair of Governors

Peter brings extensive educational leadership experience to his role as Pembroke Group Chair of Governors. After studying Botany at St Andrews and completing a PhD in Freshwater Ecology, he taught at Bradfield College before becoming Head of Tettenhall College for 16 years, including serving as Chair of The Society of Heads. He later became General Secretary of the Society, working closely with Heads and Governors, and served on the Board of the Independent Schools Council.

Now a Senior Advisor with RSAcademics, a mentor to new Heads and the current Chair of Nailsworth Town Council, Peter has been a Clifton High Governor since 2016.

Read Bio

Jason Collard

Vice Chair of Governors

Jason brings substantial strategic, operational and commercial expertise to his role as Vice Chair of Governors for Pembroke Education. A Governor since 2007 and Chair at The Downs School since 2023, he also serves as a Director of Downs School Enterprises, supporting the School’s wider commercial strategy.

As Founder of the Studio Hive Group, Jason draws on over 35 years of experience in corporate real estate, architecture and sustainable development. His deep understanding of organisational growth, governance and long‑term planning strengthens Pembroke Education’s vision, particularly in infrastructure, strategic investment and future‑focused development. Jason has three children, including a daughter currently at Clifton High.

Read Bio

Will Phelan

Head of Pembroke Education and Head of Clifton High School

Will is a highly accomplished leader in the education sector, having served as a Principal or Head for the past fourteen years, including at the Stamford Endowed Schools, where he led the group. He has held national leadership and trustee roles with HMC and St Hugh’s Preparatory School. A History teacher by training, he studied at Royal Holloway, Reading and Leicester. His strong track record in independent education and his commitment to holistic, future‑focused learning underpin his leadership approach. Will leads Pembroke Education with purpose and passion while continuing his role as Head of Clifton High.

Read Bio

Debbie Isaachsen

Deputy of Pembroke Education and Head of the Downs Preparatory School

A passionate and deeply knowledgeable educator, Debbie’s career spans the breadth of the British educational landscape, including state and independent, selective and non-selective, and both stand-alone and group settings. This gives her a clear, balanced understanding of the strategic, operational and pastoral demands facing schools today.

Debbie has had significant experience working within a school group. As Head of Heatherton School and a member of the Berkhamsted Schools Executive Group she ensures collaborations are enhanced, rather than diluted, retaining each school’s distinct identity.

Debbie’s leadership philosophy is simple but powerful: schools thrive when people feel known, supported and trusted.

Read Bio

Luke Goodman

Senior Deputy Head: Pastoral, Clifton High School

An established senior leader, Luke has held a wide range of responsibilities across his career, including Head of House, Head of Geography, Assistant Head, Deputy Head Academic and Designated Safeguarding Lead. This breadth of leadership has given him strong expertise in academic excellence, curriculum coherence and pupil wellbeing.

Continuing in his role as Senior Deputy Head; Pastoral at Clifton High, alongside his Pembroke Education position, Luke now applies his extensive knowledge and experience across the group. His understanding of individual aspirations and pastoral needs strengthen Pembroke Education’s vision, supporting every pupil individually, so they can achieve their best outcomes.

Read Bio

Rebecca Brown

Director of External Relations

Rebecca is an experienced lead in communications, digital marketing, PR, event management and stakeholder engagement. After studying Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham, she built her career in media at the BBC Natural History Unit before progressing into commercial marketing. Since moving into education, specifically joining Clifton High, she has driven major improvements in brand, communications, community engagement and digital presence.

Her people‑centred approach and relationship‑building now support the wider Pembroke Education group, where she is committed to championing each Pembroke Education school’s distinct voice. Rebecca continues to lead Marketing, Communications and Events at Clifton High.

Read Bio

Michael Stewart

Group Finance Director

A qualified Chartered Accountant of over twenty-seven years, Michael trained with an international accountancy firm in London, becoming a Partner advising international entrepreneurial businesses and charities. He then moved into the independent education sector working at a senior level before joining Clifton High overseeing finance and IT.  He has served as a trustee and non‑executive adviser for several charities and is a member of the Independent Schools Bursars Association.

Now Group Finance Director for Pembroke Education, he retains his role at Clifton High while bringing extensive knowledge in charity accounting, governance and risk management to all Pembroke Education schools.

Read Bio

Jonathan Barclay

Director of Integration and Group Strategy

Jon is Bursar and Clerk to Governors at The Downs Preparatory School, and brings extensive experience in consultancy, financial services and organisational change to his new Pembroke Education role. Before joining The Downs in 2021, he led major operational and transformation programmes at TSB Bank, following senior roles with Lloyds Banking Group and the Boston Consulting Group. Jonathan began his career with Accenture after studying Law at the University of Cambridge. Following the creation of the group, he will lead the integration of back-office aspects of Clifton High and The Downs, as well as developing the group strategy.

Read Bio

Louise Brennan

Director of Estates

Louise has worked across Primary Schools, Senior Schools and Multi‑Academy Trusts, providing the essential services that support effective teaching and learning. She specialises in delivering complex programmes and managing large operations and diverse sites to the highest standard. She champions sustainability and is committed to providing supportive and inspiring spaces for pupils, fit for the future.  With training in Commercial Business Management and over twenty years managing international commercial teams, she brings this knowledge and enthusiasm to her role as Director of Estates for Pembroke Education while retaining her role as Estates and Operations Director at Clifton High.

Read Bio

The Team from September 2026

Peter Bodkin

Chair of Governors

Peter brings extensive educational leadership experience to his role as Pembroke Group Chair of Governors. After studying Botany at St Andrews and completing a PhD in Freshwater Ecology, he taught at Bradfield College before becoming Head of Tettenhall College for 16 years, including serving as Chair of The Society of Heads. He later became General Secretary of the Society, working closely with Heads and Governors, and served on the Board of the Independent Schools Council.

Now a Senior Advisor with RSAcademics, a mentor to new Heads and the current Chair of Nailsworth Town Council, Peter has been a Clifton High Governor since 2016.

Read Bio

Jason Collard

Vice Chair of Governors

Jason brings substantial strategic, operational and commercial expertise to his role as Vice Chair of Governors for Pembroke Education. A Governor since 2007 and Chair at The Downs School since 2023, he also serves as a Director of Downs School Enterprises, supporting the School’s wider commercial strategy.

As Founder of the Studio Hive Group, Jason draws on over 35 years of experience in corporate real estate, architecture and sustainable development. His deep understanding of organisational growth, governance and long‑term planning strengthens Pembroke Education’s vision, particularly in infrastructure, strategic investment and future‑focused development. Jason has three children, including a daughter currently at Clifton High.

Read Bio

Will Phelan

Head of Pembroke Education and Head of Clifton High School

Will is a highly accomplished leader in the education sector, having served as a Principal or Head for the past fourteen years, including at the Stamford Endowed Schools, where he led the group. He has held national leadership and trustee roles with HMC and St Hugh’s Preparatory School. A History teacher by training, he studied at Royal Holloway, Reading and Leicester. His strong track record in independent education and his commitment to holistic, future‑focused learning underpin his leadership approach. Will leads Pembroke Education with purpose and passion while continuing his role as Head of Clifton High.

Read Bio

Debbie Isaachsen

Deputy of Pembroke Education and Head of the Downs Preparatory School

A passionate and deeply knowledgeable educator, Debbie’s career spans the breadth of the British educational landscape, including state and independent, selective and non-selective, and both stand-alone and group settings. This gives her a clear, balanced understanding of the strategic, operational and pastoral demands facing schools today.

Debbie has had significant experience working within a school group. As Head of Heatherton School and a member of the Berkhamsted Schools Executive Group she ensures collaborations are enhanced, rather than diluted, retaining each school’s distinct identity.

Debbie’s leadership philosophy is simple but powerful: schools thrive when people feel known, supported and trusted.

Read Bio

Luke Goodman

Senior Deputy Head: Pastoral, Clifton High School

An established senior leader, Luke has held a wide range of responsibilities across his career, including Head of House, Head of Geography, Assistant Head, Deputy Head Academic and Designated Safeguarding Lead. This breadth of leadership has given him strong expertise in academic excellence, curriculum coherence and pupil wellbeing.

Continuing in his role as Senior Deputy Head; Pastoral at Clifton High, alongside his Pembroke Education position, Luke now applies his extensive knowledge and experience across the group. His understanding of individual aspirations and pastoral needs strengthen Pembroke Education’s vision, supporting every pupil individually, so they can achieve their best outcomes.

Read Bio

Rebecca Brown

Director of External Relations

Rebecca is an experienced lead in communications, digital marketing, PR, event management and stakeholder engagement. After studying Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham, she built her career in media at the BBC Natural History Unit before progressing into commercial marketing. Since moving into education, specifically joining Clifton High, she has driven major improvements in brand, communications, community engagement and digital presence.

Her people‑centred approach and relationship‑building now support the wider Pembroke Education group, where she is committed to championing each Pembroke Education school’s distinct voice. Rebecca continues to lead Marketing, Communications and Events at Clifton High.

Read Bio

Michael Stewart

Group Finance Director

A qualified Chartered Accountant of over twenty-seven years, Michael trained with an international accountancy firm in London, becoming a Partner advising international entrepreneurial businesses and charities. He then moved into the independent education sector working at a senior level before joining Clifton High overseeing finance and IT.  He has served as a trustee and non‑executive adviser for several charities and is a member of the Independent Schools Bursars Association.

Now Group Finance Director for Pembroke Education, he retains his role at Clifton High while bringing extensive knowledge in charity accounting, governance and risk management to all Pembroke Education schools.

Read Bio

Jonathan Barclay

Director of Integration and Group Strategy

Jon is Bursar and Clerk to Governors at The Downs Preparatory School, and brings extensive experience in consultancy, financial services and organisational change to his new Pembroke Education role. Before joining The Downs in 2021, he led major operational and transformation programmes at TSB Bank, following senior roles with Lloyds Banking Group and the Boston Consulting Group. Jonathan began his career with Accenture after studying Law at the University of Cambridge. Following the creation of the group, he will lead the integration of back-office aspects of Clifton High and The Downs, as well as developing the group strategy.

Read Bio

Louise Brennan

Director of Estates

Louise has worked across Primary Schools, Senior Schools and Multi‑Academy Trusts, providing the essential services that support effective teaching and learning. She specialises in delivering complex programmes and managing large operations and diverse sites to the highest standard. She champions sustainability and is committed to providing supportive and inspiring spaces for pupils, fit for the future.  With training in Commercial Business Management and over twenty years managing international commercial teams, she brings this knowledge and enthusiasm to her role as Director of Estates for Pembroke Education while retaining her role as Estates and Operations Director at Clifton High.

Read Bio

The Team from September 2026

Peter Bodkin

Chair of Governors

Peter brings extensive educational leadership experience to his role as Pembroke Group Chair of Governors. After studying Botany at St Andrews and completing a PhD in Freshwater Ecology, he taught at Bradfield College before becoming Head of Tettenhall College for 16 years, including serving as Chair of The Society of Heads. He later became General Secretary of the Society, working closely with Heads and Governors, and served on the Board of the Independent Schools Council.

Now a Senior Advisor with RSAcademics, a mentor to new Heads and the current Chair of Nailsworth Town Council, Peter has been a Clifton High Governor since 2016.

Read Bio

Jason Collard

Vice Chair of Governors

Jason brings substantial strategic, operational and commercial expertise to his role as Vice Chair of Governors for Pembroke Education. A Governor since 2007 and Chair at The Downs School since 2023, he also serves as a Director of Downs School Enterprises, supporting the School’s wider commercial strategy.

As Founder of the Studio Hive Group, Jason draws on over 35 years of experience in corporate real estate, architecture and sustainable development. His deep understanding of organisational growth, governance and long‑term planning strengthens Pembroke Education’s vision, particularly in infrastructure, strategic investment and future‑focused development. Jason has three children, including a daughter currently at Clifton High.

Read Bio

Will Phelan

Head of Pembroke Education and Head of Clifton High School

Will is a highly accomplished leader in the education sector, having served as a Principal or Head for the past fourteen years, including at the Stamford Endowed Schools, where he led the group. He has held national leadership and trustee roles with HMC and St Hugh’s Preparatory School. A History teacher by training, he studied at Royal Holloway, Reading and Leicester. His strong track record in independent education and his commitment to holistic, future‑focused learning underpin his leadership approach. Will leads Pembroke Education with purpose and passion while continuing his role as Head of Clifton High.

Read Bio

Debbie Isaachsen

Deputy of Pembroke Education and Head of the Downs Preparatory School

A passionate and deeply knowledgeable educator, Debbie’s career spans the breadth of the British educational landscape, including state and independent, selective and non-selective, and both stand-alone and group settings. This gives her a clear, balanced understanding of the strategic, operational and pastoral demands facing schools today.

Debbie has had significant experience working within a school group. As Head of Heatherton School and a member of the Berkhamsted Schools Executive Group she ensures collaborations are enhanced, rather than diluted, retaining each school’s distinct identity.

Debbie’s leadership philosophy is simple but powerful: schools thrive when people feel known, supported and trusted.

Read Bio

Luke Goodman

Senior Deputy Head: Pastoral, Clifton High School

An established senior leader, Luke has held a wide range of responsibilities across his career, including Head of House, Head of Geography, Assistant Head, Deputy Head Academic and Designated Safeguarding Lead. This breadth of leadership has given him strong expertise in academic excellence, curriculum coherence and pupil wellbeing.

Continuing in his role as Senior Deputy Head; Pastoral at Clifton High, alongside his Pembroke Education position, Luke now applies his extensive knowledge and experience across the group. His understanding of individual aspirations and pastoral needs strengthen Pembroke Education’s vision, supporting every pupil individually, so they can achieve their best outcomes.

Read Bio

Rebecca Brown

Director of External Relations

Rebecca is an experienced lead in communications, digital marketing, PR, event management and stakeholder engagement. After studying Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham, she built her career in media at the BBC Natural History Unit before progressing into commercial marketing. Since moving into education, specifically joining Clifton High, she has driven major improvements in brand, communications, community engagement and digital presence.

Her people‑centred approach and relationship‑building now support the wider Pembroke Education group, where she is committed to championing each Pembroke Education school’s distinct voice. Rebecca continues to lead Marketing, Communications and Events at Clifton High.

Read Bio

Michael Stewart

Group Finance Director

A qualified Chartered Accountant of over twenty-seven years, Michael trained with an international accountancy firm in London, becoming a Partner advising international entrepreneurial businesses and charities. He then moved into the independent education sector working at a senior level before joining Clifton High overseeing finance and IT.  He has served as a trustee and non‑executive adviser for several charities and is a member of the Independent Schools Bursars Association.

Now Group Finance Director for Pembroke Education, he retains his role at Clifton High while bringing extensive knowledge in charity accounting, governance and risk management to all Pembroke Education schools.

Read Bio

Jonathan Barclay

Director of Integration and Group Strategy

Jon is Bursar and Clerk to Governors at The Downs Preparatory School, and brings extensive experience in consultancy, financial services and organisational change to his new Pembroke Education role. Before joining The Downs in 2021, he led major operational and transformation programmes at TSB Bank, following senior roles with Lloyds Banking Group and the Boston Consulting Group. Jonathan began his career with Accenture after studying Law at the University of Cambridge. Following the creation of the group, he will lead the integration of back-office aspects of Clifton High and The Downs, as well as developing the group strategy.

Read Bio

Louise Brennan

Director of Estates

Louise has worked across Primary Schools, Senior Schools and Multi‑Academy Trusts, providing the essential services that support effective teaching and learning. She specialises in delivering complex programmes and managing large operations and diverse sites to the highest standard. She champions sustainability and is committed to providing supportive and inspiring spaces for pupils, fit for the future.  With training in Commercial Business Management and over twenty years managing international commercial teams, she brings this knowledge and enthusiasm to her role as Director of Estates for Pembroke Education while retaining her role as Estates and Operations Director at Clifton High.

Read Bio

Our History

Where schools belong.

Pembroke Education began, fittingly, with a friendly conversation between the two founding schools on the side lines of a competitive sports fixture. What quickly became clear was a shared belief held by both Clifton High and The Downs: schools flourish when their individuality is respected, and their strengths are brought together. The possibilities that could come from thoughtful collaboration, where cultures are aligned, were both tangible and exciting. From this spark, a group formed, and the foundations of Pembroke Education began to take shape.

Pembroke Education exists to preserve each school’s unique character while enabling collective insight, meaningful partnership and a genuine sense of belonging. Underpinning this is a shared ambition for our schools and their learners to lead bright futures. Our journey so far has been defined by a commitment to placing people at the heart of every decision.

As the UK independent schools landscape continues to evolve, Pembroke Education represents a positive, future‑focused response: a way to protect what matters most while embracing opportunities for innovation and shared expertise.

Our name honours the historic road and landscape that once directly linked our founding schools: Clifton High’s early home on Pembroke Road, and the sweeping Clifton Downs that meet this road, from which The Downs Preparatory School takes its name. Meaning “headland”, Pembroke reflects the strength of our foundations and the outward‑looking perspective we inspire; rooted, steady and always ready to look ahead.

Today, Pembroke represents not just a name, but a promise: to honour our history, strengthen our community, and support every pupil and member of staff to thrive together, now and in the future.