A Journey of Growth and Development

Initially, the HPP was established to provide our school’s core sports players with the coaching and mentorship they needed to elevate their performance while instigating a cultural shift towards sport at St Margaret’s. As the programme expanded, it was restructured in 2023 to include various levels of support tailored to athletes at different stages in their journey.

The High Performance Programme now includes:

High Performance Programme (HPP): For Year 7 upwards, this strand focuses on athletes already competing at county, regional, or national levels.

Aspiring Elite Programme (AEP): Also for Year 7 upwards, designed for students showing strong potential and consistently demonstrating the mental, social and physical attributes needed to challenge for county-level standards.

 Young Aspiring Athletes Programme (YAAP): This early introduction to elite sport supports pupils from Years 3 to 6, giving them a gentle yet focused start to sports development.

All programmes are by invitation with students being selected from scholarship days or from regular participation and demonstration of athletic skill in PE, games and co-curricular clubs.

Comprehensive Support for Every Athlete

The HPP offers a holistic approach to athlete development, focusing on physical, mental, and emotional growth. Students receive weekly technical and tactical coaching from our expert team, as well as athletic development sessions overseen by our Head of Elite Sport.

In addition, an enrichment programme provides mentorship, tracking, and goal-setting, along with seminars and workshops on topics such as sports nutrition, psychology, sleep, leadership, teamwork and lifestyle management. 'The program is designed to empower our most talented, ambitious, and dedicated athletes.' says Mr Payne-Cook. 'The secret key to unlocking their potential varies from individual to individual, but self belief, creating a positive mindset and clear thought processes go a long way.'

We also offer excursions to give our athletes insights into the professional sporting world, as well as close links with sporting governing bodies, clubs, and counties. These partnerships ensure that the programme is aligned with the expectations of athletes competing at the highest levels.

Meet the Athlete: A Student and Parent Perspective

Constantine, a Year 9 pupil and talented swimmer at St Margaret’s, has been part of the HPP since Year 7. Constantine competes at regional and national level, with notable achievements since participating in the HPP,  including a top-10 finish at the National Open Water Championship and multiple gold, silver and bronze medals at the Regional Championships. Most recently, he qualified for the National Summer Meet in 2024 where he was placed 15th in the country for the 100m backstroke.

His mother, Karen Hastings, shared how the HPP has positively impacted Constantine’s growth as both a student and athlete. 'The programme has helped Constantine build confidence and focus,' Ms Hastings said. 'He’s had a strong, steady improvement whilst participating in the HPP and has gradually climbed the rankings. The HPP is a constant support for Constantine keeping the right balance between academics, sport and his mental health. If he feels any pressure regarding competitions, he can always talk with his HPP coach and mentor'.

Constantine himself spoke about the structure and discipline the programme provides: 'I like the gym sessions, and I’ve learned how to manage my time to complete my homework and go to swimming training'.

Constantine’s goal: to swim for Great Britain. With his ongoing dedication to his sport, the expertise of our HPP staff, and the support of his family, we look forward to seeing him progress as he moves towards this goal.

Meet the HPP Team

Our team of coaches and mentors play a crucial role in shaping the athletes of tomorrow. Each staff member brings a wealth of experience, passion, and expertise to the programme. Here are just a few of the talented individuals who make the HPP such a unique and successful initiative:

Jack Baird
Role: Director of Sport & HPP Mentor
Jack Baird’s extensive coaching career spans over 17 years, with significant experience coaching elite athletes in rugby and other sports. He coached women's rugby in the Premiership with Saracens, winning the Women's Premiership twice, and was Head coach for the U18 girls rugby England Pathway, where he helped develop future international players. Mr Baird has also consulted for the USA Eagles women's national team and is currently coaching the Henley Hawks men's National League 2 rugby team.

Mr Baird's experience coaching at the highest levels has given him a deep understanding of the mental and physical requirements needed to perform at elite levels. He applies this knowledge by supporting HPP athletes in their physical training and mental development, ensuring they are equipped to balance their athletic ambitions with their academic commitments.

Dan Payne-Cook
Role: Head of Elite Sport & HPP Programme Lead
With more than 20 years of experience in sports coaching, Dan Payne-Cook has worked with athletes across a wide variety of sports, including rugby, cricket, horse riding, netball, athletics, motor racing, swimming, and racket sports. His unique approach focuses on both athletic development and the psychological aspects of sport, aiming to equip athletes with the mental tools to succeed at the highest levels.

Mr Payne-Cook has played an active role in developing numerous athletes from Year 7 to national level, some who have gone on to represent their country across a variety of sports. He believes in holistic and long-term development and takes a highly individualized approach to coaching:  'My biggest area of interest is in the psychological mindset and development in combination with gameplans and functional movement skills. [My coaching philosophy embraces] the holistic and long term athletic journey of each individual'.

Drew Murray-Gill
Role: Head of Netball & HPP Mentor for Netball
With a strong background in regional netball, Drew Murray-Gill has spent years developing athletes in netball from grassroots to advanced levels. Before becoming Head of Netball at St Margaret’s, she was involved in regional netball teams, where her squad achieved funding for their outstanding performances. She has also played alongside high-level teammates who went on to join the England Pathway and the Superleague, an experience that has given her invaluable insight into the pathways for aspiring athletes.

As Head of Netball, Miss Murray-Gill has transformed the programme, building a strong netball community at St Margaret’s that is now one of the most popular sports at the School. She is committed to focusing on not only the physical aspect of the sport but also the mental health and emotional well-being of her players.

Ewen Stevenson
Role: HPP Mentor for Athletic Development & Racket Sports
Ewen Stevenson is an experienced educator and coach with a focus on athletic development and racket sports. Having competed as a regional table tennis player at the U16 level, he understands the demands of high-level competition and has translated this experience into his coaching career. He captained the University of Exeter Table Tennis Squad in the BUCS Premier division and competed in numerous national competitions throughout his school and club career.

With a teaching background spanning 7 years, Mr Stevenson brings a focused, strategic approach to coaching. He works closely with HPP students to help them hone their technical skills while fostering a strong work ethic and time management strategies to ensure athletes can balance their academic and sporting pursuits: 'Elite athletes are often highly disciplined and driven, but they face challenges that go beyond their sport. I see my role as helping them navigate the complexities of their lives–balancing academics, training and personal growth to unlock their highest potential'.

Claudia Roberts
Role: HPP Mentor for Athletics, Netball, and Swimming
With over 20 years of coaching experience, Claudia Roberts has worked with athletes at all levels, from regional to national competition, in athletics, netball, and swimming. She is passionate about empowering students to reach their fullest potential both in their sport and in their personal lives.

Mrs Roberts career includes competing at national level in athletics and representing St Mary’s University in both athletics and netball. She has also had experience managing a team in the UK Women's Athletics League. As a mentor, her approach focuses on holistic development; encouraging a growth mindset and supporting students in setting realistic goals, while ensuring they maintain well-being through structured routines, self-care and reflection.

Sam Perry
Role: Head of Academic PE & HPP Mentor
Sam Perry has over 12 years of experience as a teacher and rugby coach, working with athletes across a wide range of ages and abilities. His focus has primarily been on rugby, where he’s coached at youth, academy, and senior men's levels, including stints at Saracens DPP, EPP, and Academy.

Having seen players under his mentorship progress to professional rugby careers, Mr Perry brings a deep understanding of the commitment and dedication needed to succeed at the highest levels of sport. He places great emphasis on developing both the physical skills and mental resilience necessary for elite athletes to thrive under pressure.

Mike Murton
Role: Head of Junior Sport & HPP Mentor for Swimming

With over eight years of teaching experience, Mike Murton specialises in swimming within the HPP and has played a key role in expanding the St Margaret's Junior School swimming club from just eight to over 70 students each week. He also has a strong background in hockey and cricket, having competed at regional and county levels for Somerset.

Mr Murton’s coaching philosophy emphasises holistic development, focusing on technical skills, decision-making and resilience. He is passionate about guiding young athletes from foundational skills to excelling at high-performance levels, whether in school, scholarship pathways, clubs or university sports. He also encourages effective time management, helping athletes balance their sporting commitments with academic responsibilities.

Kashi Khimani
Role: Teacher of PE & HPP Mentor
Kashi Khimani is a newly qualified Physical Education and Games teacher with a passion for inspiring young athletes and fostering a love for physical activity. Prior to beginning teacher training. Miss Khimani worked as a Sports Graduate Assistant, where she gained hands-on experience in delivering a range of physical education activities and supporting students' sporting development.

Miss Khimani also has a strong background in cricket, having played for Harrow Cricket Club. Their expertise in the sport is complemented by their ECB Level 2 Coaching qualification, which allows her to effectively coach and mentor aspiring cricketers of all levels. With a commitment to encouraging physical fitness, teamwork, and skill development, Miss Khimani is dedicated to creating engaging and inclusive sports programs that empower students to achieve their personal best.

These dedicated staff members bring their passion, knowledge, and commitment to helping our athletes excel both in their sport and in life. Their unique perspectives and expertise help to unlock the potential of every student in the High Performance Programme.

Looking to the Future

The long-term benefits of the HPP are clear: athletes gain not only the physical training they need to excel in their sports but also the mental toughness and life skills that will carry them far beyond school. Whether they aim to represent their country in their chosen sport or balance athletics with academic success, the HPP is there to support every step of the way.