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 over 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.

Dr Kathryn Taylor

Secondary Course Director

• Telephone: not yet available
• Email: not yet available

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr Kathryn Taylor as oue new Secondary Course Director.

Kathryn will be commencing her role on a full time basis from September 2026 and will be working alongside trainees as well as overseeing our Professional Studies programme and mentor training.

Kathryn has nearly twenty years of teaching and leadership experience in secondary schools in Buckinghamshire, with a subject specialism in Religious Studies and Philosophy, and has been previously a Head of Department head and Initial Teacher Training Co-ordinator.

She gained her PGCE at King's College, London, and holds a Doctorate in Education (EdD)  from UCL focusing on Teacher Professional Development. Her research interests include the relationship between organisational cultures and teacher professional learning, and she has presented at BERA, the Festival of Education and ResearchEd. She has written regularly for Impact magazine published by the Chartered College of Teaching.

She is an experienced mentor and has extensive experience of facilitating training for Early Career Teachers with the Astra Teaching School Hub. She has led initiatives in teacher development, digital learning, and curriculum innovation. In 2021, during the pandemic, she was Instructure Teacher of the Year for Teaching Support for her work in video creation.

Kathryn continues to teach on a part time basis at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School. She is passionate about improving educational outcomes for all by enabling teachers to flourish professionally and thereby to support students. She brings expertise in teaching and learning, staff development, and safeguarding, alongside a strong commitment to ensuring all young people have access to a high-quality education and opportunities to thrive.

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 over 700 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 Marketing & Events Manager

• 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 ECT and NPQ programmes.

Mrs Karine Buckman

AO and SCITT Recruitment Officer

• Telephone: 01494 787573

• Email: karine@astra-alliance.com

Karine joined the Astra team in June 2025. Originally from France, she holds a degree in Business and worked in retail and events. She has been living in the UK since 2015. Karine has an administrative background in translation services and previously worked for a school-based Science and Computing Hub. She now supports the recruitment and administration for our Assessment Only and Initial Teacher Training programmes.