Heads of Faculty

• Mr R Hughes
  English
  Mr R Hughes

  Mr Hughes commenced the role of Head of English in January 2020. He read English and History at Swansea University, before completing his PGCE English at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Whilst training, he completed teaching placements at Cardiff High School and West Monmouth School. Following this, he spent five years teaching at St Illtyd's Catholic High School in Cardiff, where he held whole school leadership responsibilities for literacy, and then teaching and learning. From there, he spent three successful years at Heolddu Comprehensive School in Bargoed as Deputy Leader of the English Faculty. In his own time, he enjoys spending precious time with his family, playing and watching football, and reading extensively.

• Mrs S Silver-Evans
  Humanities
  Mrs S Silver-Evans

  After training for her PGCE at Afon Tâf in 2013, Mrs Silver-Evans was thrilled to come back to teach Geography in 2019. She has since taken on demanding roles as Curriculum for Wales Lead, and Head of Humanities Faculty. When she's not at work Mrs Silver-Evans enjoys spending time with her young son and going on mountain walks with her dog.

• Miss R Harries
  Languages
  Miss R Harries

  Miss Harries graduated from Cardiff University in 2010 with an honours degree in Welsh and French. During her degree, she spent a year living in France and studied at Nantes University. After completing her PGCE at Cardiff Metropolitan in 2011, her first teaching job was at Afon Tâf, where she has remained, and is now Head of the Languages Faculty.

• Mr J Astley
  Mathematics
  Mr J Astley

  Mr Astley joined Afon Tâf as Head of Mathematics in 2023, having previously held the same position in Pontypridd. He completed a BSc in Mathematics at Cardiff University and following a year in Australia, trained as a Maths teacher at Cardiff Met back in 2010. One of his placements was at Afon Tâf! Outside of work commitments, Mr Astley enjoys spending time with his daughter and watching and taking part in anything sport related.

• Mr J Soanes
  Performance
  Mr J Soanes

  Mr Soanes completed his degree in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Bath before completing his PGCE at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
  Whilst training, he completed teaching placements at Afon Tâf High School and Tredegar Comprehensive School. Mr Soanes joined Afon Tâf in 2018 as a PE teacher.
  In his spare time, Mr Soanes enjoys watching and playing many sports and currently plays rugby for Merthyr RFC.

• Ms C Rodgers
  Science
  Ms C Rodgers

  Ms Rodgers studied Environmental Biology at Swansea University. She worked as a laboratory scientist in a Quality Control Laboratory for car brakes. After putting a stop to that, she left to retrain as a teacher. Prior to joining Afon Tâf, Ms Rodgers taught at Porth County Community School before joining Afon Taf in 2015. Miss Rodgers adores Indian Cuisine and Cake Decorating.

• Mr M Crockett
  Technologies
  Mr M Crockett

  Mr Crockett joined Afon Taf in 2024 as Head of Technologies.

  Mr Crockett completed his degree in Integrated Industrial Design and Engineering before completing his PGCE at Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2009.

  Mr Crockett has worked in several schools, in England and Wales and was Head of Technologies and Creatives at St Bede’s Catholic College for 8 years. Mr Crockett has also held responsibilities in whole school and pastoral levels.

  In his spare time Mr Crockett enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He also enjoys participating in and watching sports.

• Mrs H Sullivan
  Welsh Baccalaureate
  Mrs H Sullivan

  Mrs Sullivan attended Cardiff University to study Religious and Theological studies, from there she went on to do a PGCE at Trinity college Carmarthen. Her two teaching practice placements were local; her first at Pontypridd High and her second here at Afon Tâf High School. She joined the RE department for a maternity cover in 2008 and never left! She is a former KS4 Co-ordinator and Head of Department.

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