Meet the Astra Team

Mr David Atkinson

Headteacher of Dr Challoner's Grammar School

David joined Challoner’s as a Geography teacher in 1996, straight after Oxford University, having completed a degree in Geography and a PGCE. He went on to become Geography Subject Leader, then Director of Sixth Form, Deputy Headteacher and, since 2016, has been Headteacher.   

David takes a keen interest in Astra's work as part of the wider educational landscape, and has also facilitated both the NPQSL and the NPQH for the Astra Teaching School Hub.

More widely, he spearheads an active involvement in the International Boys’ Schools Coalition and was appointed vice president of the Royal Geographical Society in recognition of his work in education.

David is a keen cricketer, enjoys travel and has lived locally for many years

Mr Andrew Millar

Astra Co-Principal

• Telephone: 01494 787573
• Email: ami@challoners.org

With over twenty five years in the classroom, Andrew has been a Head of English and Drama in two schools and taught in schools in Manchester, Kent and Buckinghamshire. He’s been involved in teacher training in different ways almost all of his career and has been a mentor, Initial Teacher Training Co-ordinator and Assistant Headteacher with a focus on professional development.

For almost ten years he has been part of the Astra SCITT team. While Lead Tutor, he developed the subject specific training that is a hallmark of Astra's secondary course. As Co-Principal, he has strategic oversight of the SCITT and is involved in the Professional Studies, English and Drama courses.

He holds a BA(Hons) and an MA in English Literature, a PGCE in English and Drama, and an MEd in Educational Research from the University of Cambridge where his research focused on dialogic approaches to the teaching of A level English Literature.

Andrew worked as a GCSE English Literature examiner for AQA for ten years and helped write Key Stage 3 English Reading and Writing tests.  He continues as a part time classroom teacher at Dr Challoner's Grammar School, and, on a professional level, is particularly interested in the roles of oracy in learning across the curriculum, and drama and creativity in English teaching. He has been involved in directing co-curricular drama productions throughout his career.

Ms Carol Brookes

Lead Primary Tutor

• Telephone: 01494 787576
• Email: carol@astra-alliance.com

Carol has over thirty years of experience in the classroom both in Derbyshire and Buckinghamshire and has worked in urban, suburban and rural schools. She holds a B.Ed(Hons) in Primary Education and National Professional Qualifications in Senior Leadership and Leading Teacher Development.

Over the last ten years she has worked with schools large and small on school improvement especially in maths, behaviour management and assessment, and she has extensive experience across the primary age range: she has been a key stage lead, maths co-ordinator, teacher training co-ordinator, mentor to new and beginning teachers and led on assessment and SEND.

Her role in Astra as Primary Lead includes a focus on the development of the primary training curriculum, and leading maths where she has a passion to build the confidence of new entrants to teaching, as well as working closely with trainees in their placement schools.

Mr David Ingledew

Secondary Course Director

• Telephone:01494 787575
• Email: david@astra-alliance.com

David has over twenty years’ experience in secondary schools and higher education. He holds a degree in Economics and History and a MA in History from Oxford Brookes University, and completed his History PGCE at the University of Oxford. Currently, David is undertaking a Doctorate of Education and working towards the completion of his research titled The use and rationale of educational talk by secondary history teachers.

He taught history, economics and politics in schools in Oxfordshire and Berkshire, was head of department, head of faculty and head of year, as well as a mentor and ITTCo, working with trainee teachers.

From 2017, David worked in teacher education at the University of Hertfordshire, and in 2019 became Programme Lead for secondary teacher training, before joining Astra in March 2024. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and an active member of the Historical Association (HA). In July 2024 he was made an honorary Fellow of the Historical Association (FHA). David has also presented at education conferences in the UK, Europe and the USA on talk, dialogue, oracy, history education, transitions from school to undergraduate history, and educational research methods.

As Secondary Course Director, he oversees Astra's provision for secondary trainees, and works closely with our team of subject tutors to develop the overall course. He also leads on training for new and existing mentors.

Mrs Vanessa Beckley

Astra Aylesbury Lead

Vanessa is a passionate educator with over thirty years of experience in the teaching profession, holding a BA (Hons) in English and a PGCE. Currently, she serves as the Astra Aylesbury Hub Lead in Initial Teacher Training, based at Aylesbury Grammar School. She is deeply committed to recruiting prospective teachers, particularly in the Aylesbury Vale and Buckinghamshire area.  

In addition to her role with Astra, Vanessa is an Assistant Headteacher responsible for professional learning, Head of Middle School, and a dedicated English teacher. Her extensive experience in research has led to her creating and publishing Flagship, an annual evidence informed educational journal. 

Vanessa’s route into teaching has led her through roles as Professional Tutor, Initial Teacher Training Coordinator and Challenge Partners Hub Manager, striving to improve educational opportunities and boosting life chances for all children. 

Mrs Thahera Konkader

Recruitment and Compliance Manager

• Telephone: 01494 787573
• Email: Thahera@astra-alliance.com

Thahera Konkader, an MBA and CIPD Level 7-certified professional, has fifteen years of experience in business operations and HR across IT, education, and real estate sectors. With a career spanning India and the UK, she has worked with multinational firms and as an independent consultant.  Thahera oversees recruitment and compliance, arranging interviews and placements along with background checks, and works on our Assessment Only programme.

Ms Clare Turner

Astra Aylesbury Recruitment Officer

With nearly two decades in education, Clare Turner brings a wealth of experience and a diverse skill set to her current role as Recruitment Officer. Constantly adapting to changes in education, Clare has been a valued member of numerous teams, as a Premises Officer, Data and Exams Assistant, Cover Manager, and Collaboration Manager. 

Currently, Clare serves as a Recruitment Officer for the Astra Aylesbury Hub based at Aylesbury Grammar School. In this role, she is responsible for ensuring compliance and promoting safer recruitment practices across the schools within the hub. Her meticulous attention to detail and friendly manner make her an invaluable asset to the Aylesbury team.  

Mrs Amanda Mauro

SCITT Officer & Data Analyst

• Telephone: 01494 787575
• Email: amanda@astra-alliance.com

Amanda has been part of Astra since September 2015 and worked with almost six hundred trainees in that time! She oversees the day to day administration of many elements of the Astra course. She has a background in procurement in the oil and gas industries and holds a degree in Italian and Psychology.

Mrs Jules Montgomery-McCullagh

Astra Events, Logistics & Communications Officer

• Telephone: 01494 787513
• Email: jules@astra-alliance.com

Jules has been working in education since 2015 and brings a wealth of experience from her previous careers to her role in Astra. 

Jules has a degree in French and Spanish and spent many years working for a French company in the automotive industry across roles in sales, after sales and marketing. She then switched to working in advertising agencies working on different campaigns across all media.  Jules looks after marketing across the Astra SCITT and Teaching School Hub as well as working on the ECF and NPQ programmes.