Meet the Team

Before Rockley Katie was travelling around Australia and Southeast Asia. Having worked for a watersports company in Bondi, and being forced to cut her travels short due to Covid, she discovered working by the beach at Rockley Point was the next best thing! Katie looks after all the College administration and acts as a real confidant to the students.

The super power she would want to possess if she could - To breath under water!

At Rockley since: June 2021

Mark has over 15 years experience of teaching from middle school, secondary, college and degree level. As a fully fledged sports enthusiast he has an interest in almost all sports and in his younger days would always be seen on the football or cricket pitch. Unfortunately age has taken his toll and these days you are more likely to see him on the golf course! What started as a leisure activity, is now a borderline addiction! 

Qualifications: PE Teacher, various levels of NGB coaching in cricket, golf, football, dodgeball, athletics, disability football

At Rockley since: August 2018

John started as an instructor at Rockley spending all of his time on the water. Now he spends much of his time teaching in the classroom on our college courses. He may just get out on the water from time to time...

A keen sportsman, John loves running, cycling and windsurfing. 

Qualifications: RYA Dinghy Scheme Trainer; RYA Powerboat Instructor; RYA Windsurf Instructor; RYA Yachtmaster

At Rockley since: March 2010

From a Rockley College student, to working in the outdoor industry, to a teaching degree at Birmingham University, to returning as a teacher! In a short amount of time, Amy has achieved a lot and is a very welcome addition to the Rockley College team!

After graduating with a triple distinction, Amy went on to work as an Activity Instructor in Devon before deciding on a teaching degree at Birmingham City University where she ‘worked her socks off’ for three years. 

Despite having dyslexia, Amy has made sure that it does not act as a barrier to what she or anyone else with dyslexia wants to achieve in life. 

"A vocational course allowed me to discover so many things about myself. I don’t think would have happened if I had continued on at school. I achieved the same UCAS points as some of my friends who stayed on to do A-levels – I just took a different, and for me, a better route."

Qualifications: PE Teacher

At Rockley since: September 2024

Amelia was one of our stand out students when she joined our Level 3 Sport (Outdoor Adventure) course in 2018. A former student at Queen Elizabeth School, Amelia then went on to study Physical Education and Sports Coaching at the University of Chichester. Now in her final year and as part of her course, Amelia is back with the Rockley family, taking on the role of Apprentice Learning & Skills Teacher Sport & Outdoor Adventure Level 5. 

She is hugely enthusiastic and has a great rapport with our current college students.

“I initially chose Rockley College way back in 2018 because I wanted to combine my passion for the outdoors with a full-time education and development programme whilst gaining qualifications. It's so great to be back!"

Qualifications: RYA Dinghy Instructor, RYA Windsurf Instructor

At Rockley since: July 2018

After working in North Wales for a year, it was time for Matt to move onto another challenge. He joined the team in March 2017, taking on an Activity Instructor role and the rest as they say, is history! He is now the Education Practical Lead.

As well as being active on the water, Matt has always loved being in the water! He has spent many years scuba diving which has taken him to so many amazing places. His absolute passion however, is windsurfing. You will often find him blasting out on the water during his lunch break, after work and on the weekends with his fellow colleagues.

At Rockley since: 2017

After a year working at plas Menai, Pete joined the Rockley crew in March 2017 and has been here ever since! He's worked at many of Rockley's centres teaching a variety of courses and is now a Practical Tutor for Rockley College.

He LOVES, LOVES, LOVES windsurfing, especially freestyle and he will be out on the water at every opportunity, whatever the weather! 

At Rockley since: March 2017

Finn graduated from Rockley's 2-year Diploma course, also gaining his RYA Dinghy and Windsurfing Instructor qualification. He then joined Rockley's Apprenticeship programme, keen to take the opportunity to work and learn at the same time.

“I love watersports – it’s my passion and if you want to succeed, you’ve just got to put yourself out there and work for it.”

Finn has now joined Rockley as a full time member of the Education Team and is the perfect person to lead our students as they pursue their career in the outdoors.

Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Adventure), RYA Dinghy Instructor, RYA Windsurfing Instructor

At Rockley since: September 2022

Imogen has done it all – from GCSEs to A-Levels to a Diploma and now an Apprenticeship. She has gone from the classroom to the outdoors, gaining a huge range of qualifications along the way and is looking forward to an exciting career in the outdoor industry. With her happy place on the beach, her youthful energy, her infectious smile and adventurous spirit, we think she'll go far!

“I definitely have a plan. I want to learn as much as possible and gain as many qualifications as I can. Work here for a while, gain experience and then travel.”

Already a surfer and skateboarder, Imogen is now trying her hand at kitesurfing, having recently purchased all the gear and cannot wait to get out there!

At Rockley since: September 2023

Former Bryanston student Maverick has swapped the classroom to the beach. After successful completing his GCSEs as well as studying Business, Psychology and PE for A-Levels, Maverick is now trying something completely new with Rockley's apprenticeship programme.

“I’ve always loved playing sport, having played rugby most my life and am excited about trying new sports."

Maverick plays rugby at a high level, having previously played for Bath Academy and currently representing South West England under 20 and Bournemouth first team.

At Rockley since: September 2023

Lucia had already tried a few things before discovering that being outside and pursuing a career in the outdoor industry was the thing that truly motivated her and made her feel happy.

“I Absolutely love this way of learning. Sitting in the classroom, I tend to daydream a little! Being practical and outdoors, working in different environments where no two days are the same and being entrusted to use my initiative and think dynamically and use what I have learnt – it’s a lot more fun and as a result, a lot more rewarding and engaging."

At Rockley since: September 2023

Nathaniel has loved sailing and being on the water since a young age. He was eight years old when he joined the local seas scouts and is still there now, as an instructor! Formally a pupil at Corfe Hills School, like so many of our students post GCSEs, Nathaniel could not envisage himself sitting in a classroom all day, every day and was looking for something more vocational. 

“I’ve always been around water so when I saw what Rockley had to offer, I applied for the Level 3 Diploma course straight away! Try it - you’ll fall in love just by being by the water.” 

With his Paddleboard and Dinghy Instructor qualifications under his belt, Nathaniel is now looking to gain further endorsements including multihull and racing with the aim to move into a more Senior Instructor role. He’s also keen to try his hand at kitesurfing and foiling. 

At Rockley since: September 2023

Sam was so sure that Rockley’s Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Adventure) was the course and college for him, that he moved all the way from Surrey with his Dad for two years. He graduated with a Distinction along with his RYA Dinghy, Windsurf and Paddlesport Instructor tickets and a range of land-based qualifications and is now continuing his educational journey as a Rockley Apprentice.  

“I absolutely loved my two years at college. The course definitely changed my life and I became really close to the staff as well. All the teachers made such a big difference to my experience. I’ve always felt so welcome here.” 

Apart from doing his favourite things – windsurfing and kitesurfing, Sam also dabbles in a bit of DJing and has recently returned from a gig in Cornwall. Sam is proving to be a pretty cool guy!

At Rockley since: September 2023