The College is led by the Headmaster and the Senior Management Team, which is made up of the Deputy Head Academic, the Deputy Head Pastoral, the COO and the Director of External Relations. You can read their individual profiles below.
Mr Tyrone Howe (Headmaster)
Mr Tyrone Howe has been the Headmaster of Shiplake College since September 2019. He started his teaching career at Marlborough College but left to play professional rugby for Ulster, going on to represent Ireland, also touring with the British and Irish Lions and the Barbarians. He followed this with 5 years in industry before returning to teaching taking up a post at Uppingham School where he was a Housemaster for seven years and taught German, Politics and Business Studies.
As Headmaster, Tyrone’s role reaches far beyond day-to-day oversight. He is responsible for shaping the College’s strategic direction driving its momentum to ensure that every pupil’s experience is defined by academic ambition, opportunity and belonging. He sets the long-term vision for the College, ensuring that Shiplake continues to evolve, innovate and deliver an education that is rooted in the College’s values and prepares pupils for a fast-changing world. He leads the Senior Management Team aligning academic, pastoral and operational priorities so the College moves forward with clarity and purpose.
Tyrone is a champion of ‘personal bests’ and, to that end, drives academic ambition and curriculum development to support high quality teaching and ensure that pupils are stretched, supported and inspired. Alongside this, Tyrone shapes the pastoral culture of the College so that every pupil feels known, valued and confident. A key part of Tyrone’s role is in strengthening the College’s identity and presence in the wider community. He represents Shiplake to families, alumni, partner organisations and the wider educational community building relations that broaden opportunities for pupils and staff.
Approachable and deeply invested in the life of the College, Tyrone contributes to the daily rhythm of Shiplake life by leading weekly Assemblies, supporting sporting and Arts events and connecting with pupils across the College. He oversees major projects and development initiatives ensuring that Shiplake’s facilities and resources continue to grow in line with its ambitions. His leadership brings energy, pace, purpose and a clear sense of direction to the College’s ongoing journey.
Tyrone lives on site with his wife Alex, their teenage twins and Simba, the College’s Head Dog.
Mr Paul Jones (Deputy Head Academic)
Mr Paul Jones joined Shiplake in 2012 as a Director of Music, having previously taught in several high-profile schools in the Borough of Westminster as an Advanced Skills Teacher. At Shiplake, Paul quickly advanced to Head of Lower School, then Assistant Head, and since 2018 has served as Deputy Head Academic.
In this role, Paul leads the College’s academic strategy, oversees staff development, and drives the enhancement of teaching standards and pupil learning experiences. He is committed to harnessing innovations in pedagogy and educational technology and played a pivotal role in the College’s recent successful ISI inspections.
Paul is renowned for his supportive approach, often beginning with the simple yet powerful question: “How can I help?” His remarkable ability to remember the names of every pupil and nearly every parent fosters a strong sense of belonging and inclusivity within the College community.
Beyond academics, Paul’s influence extends across Shiplake life. He coaches sport, teaches music and EPQ, and still finds time to lead choirs at various College services and concerts. Outside of Shiplake, Paul coaches youth rugby at Rams RFC, he enjoys keeping active, and takes every opportunity to travel with his wife, son, and daughter.
Mrs Sally Elliott (Deputy Head Pastoral)
Mrs Sally Elliott is Deputy Head Pastoral and has been part of the College since 2023. She oversees safeguarding, PSHE, behaviour, and attendance. As the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Sally brings extensive expertise in managing complex situations and has established strong working relationships with local authorities and their designated officers (LADO).
A committed advocate for pupil leadership and voice, Sally has guided prefect teams and student senior leadership groups, while also training pupils to serve as anti-bullying and mental health ambassadors, as well as LGBTQ+ leads. She believes that wraparound personal development programmes are central to building meaningful engagement with pupils and families.
Having grown up in Italy, Sally is fluent in Italian and enjoys skiing with her family in the Dolomites. Beyond her professional role, she takes great pleasure in supporting her daughter’s hockey matches and spending time outdoors on long walks with her husband, daughter, and their dog, Ernie.
Mrs Kat Green (Director of External Relations)
Mrs Kat Green is Director of External Relations and has worked at Shiplake since September 2013. She leads the College's admissions, marketing, events, development and alumni activities, working closely with her team to ensure that every family's experience - from first enquiry to long after leaving school - reflects the values and spirit of Shiplake and they become and remain engaged and happy members of the school community.
She is passionate about sharing the positive stories that make Shiplake distinctive and successful, and aims to ensure that all prospective, current and former families feel informed, welcomed and supported. She loves the variety that the role brings - from spreadsheets and data analysis, to graphic design and video editing - and counts herself as lucky to be part of a senior management team that embraces new ideas and opportunities.
Outside of work, Kat enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters and is a keen hockey player.
Air Commodore Philip Arnold RAF (Retd)(COO)
Philip joined Shiplake College as Chief Operating Officer (COO) in August 2025 after a distinguished 30-year career in the Royal Air Force. His early postings included RAF Cranwell, Finningley, Coltishall, Brize Norton and Lyneham, with overseas assignments taking him and his family to Kenya, the Falkland Islands, Germany, and the United States.
Leaving the RAF as an Air Commodore, Philip served as Station Commander at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham and at RAF High Wycombe, where he was also responsible for all US Visiting Forces. His operational experience spans Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kuwait. He held key planning roles in the RAF, MOD and NATO and in Government during a secondment to the Cabinet Office. Most recently, Philip oversaw all RAF Ground Training, the RAF Apprenticeship programme, the RAF’s international defence training and a £950m infrastructure programme. He holds an MBA, a Master’s in Operational Art and Science (graduating top of his class), and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.
Philip helps keep the College running smoothly by looking after its finances, estate, IT, HR and day‑to‑day operations. He supports the Head and the Governors, by making sure everything is safe, well‑organised and aligned with a clear strategy for the future. Above all, he brings positivity, energy and commitment to help Shiplake thrive and give every pupil the best possible experience.
Philip is married to Allyson, with two children in Year 7 and Year 12 at Shiplake. He enjoys reading, running, and flying.