Staff
Senior Leadership Team
Annette Poulain: Head
Annette brings over 25 years of teaching and leadership experience to St Andrew’s College Cambridge. A Cambridge native, she studied Sport Science and Geography (BSc QTS) at Brunel University before beginning a career across leading independent schools, including The Leys, The Peterborough School, Cheltenham College, and Our Lady’s Abingdon.
She has held senior roles such as Deputy Head Pastoral and Housemistress, as well as earlier leadership positions as Head of Department. Her experience spans IGCSE and A-Level teaching, exam moderation, and extensive involvement in school life from sports tours and residential trips to EPQ mentoring and athletics leadership. These roles have shaped her calm, student-centred approach and her commitment to supporting a diverse and ambitious community.
Annette and her husband Mark are delighted to be returning to Cambridge. They have three grown children, and outside school she enjoys running, fitness challenges, and charity fundraising.
Christine Brierley: Deputy Head, Academic
Christine has been teaching STEM subjects, with a particular focus on Mathematics, since 2007. She holds an honours degree in Education with a Science specialism from the University of Warwick.
Her career spans both Primary and Secondary education, including roles as Head of Mathematics at Sandy Upper School, Lead Teacher and Head of House at North Cambridge Academy, and Deputy Head at Sunny View School on the Costa del Sol. She now leads the A Level programme at St Andrew’s.
Christine brings a warm, energetic approach to academic life. She is passionate about problem-solving, curriculum innovation, and helping students stretch their thinking beyond the classroom. Outside college, she enjoys travelling, teaching, and volunteering on international education projects from Barbados to Moldova.
Helen Walker: Deputy Head. Boarding & Pastoral Care
Helen brings over 15 years of specialist experience in pastoral care and safeguarding, along with a strong background in teaching. After graduating with an honours degree in History from the University of Surrey, she spent a decade in the classroom across Cambridgeshire, including as Head of Philosophy and Ethics, before moving into pastoral leadership.
Her work in international boarding since 2016 has strengthened her commitment to creating safe, supportive environments where every student feels known and cared for. Helen’s calm, thoughtful approach underpins her leadership of boarding and wellbeing at St Andrew’s, ensuring students have the guidance and stability they need to thrive.
Outside college, Helen enjoys family life with her husband and daughter. She finds balance through yoga and gardening, where she loves growing her own produce.
Mark Taylor: Head of Operations
Mark brings over 25 years of financial and operational expertise to St Andrew’s, having built his career from the ground up after completing his degree in Finance and Law. He has held senior roles across a wide range of industries—including food retail, construction, online marketing, music, logistics, and distribution—giving him a broad perspective and a highly practical approach to problem-solving.
Much of Mark’s career has been spent in industry as a Financial Controller, where he led teams, shaped systems, and ensured strong financial stewardship. His depth of experience underpins his work at St Andrew’s, where he oversees the operational functions that keep the college running smoothly and efficiently.
Outside work, Mark lives in Suffolk with his two children, who are both now in senior school. He’s a keen rugby fan and especially enjoys following Wasps.
Assistant Heads
Alison Billing: College Ethos
Alison has spent the past decade teaching secondary PE while also delivering a broad range of subjects and leading the extended curriculum. Her career has been shaped by a commitment to enriching student experience—both in and beyond the classroom.
She joined St Andrew’s in January 2023 and now serves as Assistant Head, College Ethos. In this role, Alison champions the values that define life at the college and works to create meaningful opportunities that help students grow academically, personally, and socially.
Energetic, creative, and deeply student-focused, Alison is passionate about shaping an environment where every young person feels inspired to thrive.
Andrew Flower: STEM
Andy grew up in South London before completing both his degree and PhD at the University of Bristol, where his research focused on polymer behaviour using neutron scattering and NMR—work with applications ranging from coatings and paper to toothpaste and even brewing.
His career began in academic publishing with the Royal Society of Chemistry and Cambridge University Press, giving him the chance to collaborate with leading researchers around the world. After completing his PGCE at the University of Cambridge, Andy moved into teaching and has spent the past 14 years working in Cambridge-area schools as a Head of Science and Assistant Principal.
As Assistant Head, STEM at St Andrew’s, Andy brings academic rigour, industry insight and a genuine passion for scientific discovery. Outside the classroom, he enjoys walking, travelling, and keeping fit with Pilates.
Denis Iucleaevschii: Humanities, Arts & English (HAE)
Denis holds two honours degrees—a BSc in Forensic Science from ARU Cambridge and a BSc in Biology from the University of Turin. Before entering education, he spent a decade managing his family-owned business, gaining strong leadership experience that continues to shape his approach in the classroom.
He went on to teach Chemistry Foundation courses at Anglia Ruskin University, supporting hundreds of students through intensive academic preparation. In 2016, Denis joined St Andrew’s to focus on small-group teaching and to share his expertise in analytical chemistry.
Alongside his academic work, Denis has collaborated with Cambridgeshire Constabulary, delivered outreach programmes for the Royal Society of Chemistry, and spoken widely on topics including career development and self-improvement at university seminars and alumni events.
Despoina Karanasiou: Inclusion
The staff at St Andrew’s Cambridge are extremely well qualified with some having PhDs as well as Masters and Undergraduate degrees. Some of our staff are affiliated with Cambridge University in some capacity.
