College Strategy Team (CST)

The College Strategy Team is the name for the senior leadership team of the College. Each member of the team has responsibility for every aspect of the College, from Teaching and Learning to Finance and Funding and everything in between.

Meet the team

CST work to 52-week per year contracts, which means that, between us, there is always a member of the senior leadership team available or on-call as the site operates all year round. The team meet twice weekly during term time to oversee both operational and strategic aspects of the College’s work.

They also take the lead at the weekly online briefing for staff to provide live or catch-up access to the week’s events and news items. With such a large student body and staff team, all CST members have a team of senior roles that report into them and who support them with delegated authority for leading on specialist areas, such as Admissions, Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the Sports and Tennis Centre, the IT network and the Estate and its buildings.

Ali Kirkman

Principal

As Principal of Hills Road Sixth Form College and CEO of Hills Education Trust, Ali works closely with the College Strategy Team and with the Hills Road Corporation to deliver the College’s vision and Strategic Plan.

Ali has been part of the College Strategy Team since 2021, but as a former Hills Road linguistics student herself, she also has plenty of insider knowledge when it comes to the College’s history. She is passionate about creating a positive and ambitious community where students and staff can thrive, and about ensuring that Hills Road continues to provide an exceptional education for every student.

Before joining Hills Road, Ali worked extensively overseas, including nine years in Malaysia. Outside College, she can be found walking her dog and planning holidays that involve sunshine, swimming and spicy food.

Ian Pryer

Deputy Principal

Ian is responsible for maintaining standards, compliance and quality at Hills Road, overseeing the IT and Information Systems, Examinations, Timetabling and Admissions and Marketing teams. Originally from a retail financial services background before a career change into teaching in 2010, Ian has been at Hills Road since 2014. He has previously held roles as Head of Economics and Business, Curriculum Director and Assistant Principal. He is married with two grown-up children, one of whom is a recent alumnus of Hills Road. Outside work, Ian can be found walking his cavapoo, Benny, with his wife, watching live music or cheering on his beloved Watford FC from the stands.

Sammi Efford

Vice Principal - Curriculum and Inclusion

Sammi is responsible for the strategic leadership of the Hills Road curriculum, including quality of teaching and learning, Study Skills and inclusion. She is passionate about creating an inclusive college community where every student feels that they belong, are supported to thrive and can reach their full potential.

Sammi has been at Hills Road since 2022 and has held a number of roles, including Head of Sociology and Curriculum Director. She came into the profession after volunteering overseas, where she discovered a love of working with young people, and has since worked across a range of schools in both pastoral and curriculum roles. Outside College, Sammi enjoys travelling, trying new food, and getting lost in a gripping thriller novel.

Tim Lomas

Vice Principal - Student Progression and Support

Tim has responsibility for the pastoral teams which support our students to make the most of their time at Hills Road. This includes the tutor team, Careers, Wellbeing, Counselling, Study Skills, the Library and Student Services. Tim also leads on the Future Ready tutorial programme and the Extended Project Qualification, as well as overall responsibility for Safeguarding.

Originally a Geography teacher, Tim has held a number of different academic and pastoral roles across schools in London and Valencia, Spain. Outside College, Tim spends time supporting Cambridge United, playing cricket, walking and running.

Rachel Hooper

Chief Operating Officer

Rachel is responsible for leading Estates, including H&S, compliance, and policy management. She oversees Data Protection, Trips & Visits, and elements of governance, including risk management. She also leads on improvements in Sustainability and the Sports & Tennis Centre. She manages projects such as minimising the impact of the East West Rail project, liaison with public transport providers, and strategic planning in the context of Cambridge growth.

Rachel’s career began in the RAF and a C130 Hercules. She then moved into operational management roles in schools and universities. This diverse experience brings a wealth of perspectives and solutions to bear on our operational and strategic challenges. Outside work, Rachel enjoys delivering talks on historic aircraft at IWM Duxford, volunteering with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and learning to play golf.

Stuart Tinsley

Chief Financial Officer

Stuart is responsible for financial operations, catering, development funding and sponsorship and the Cantabrigian. A qualified accountant, Stuart has served as CFO or in equivalent senior financial leadership roles across Academies and Universities since 2007, including experience within a multi‑academy trust and a boarding school.

Stuart's work on leadership teams across these varied educational environments has shaped a broad and strategic understanding of organisational finance. Outside College, Stuart enjoys spending time with his family, playing golf and watching American football