Senior Leadership Team

• Mr S C James
  Headteacher
  Mr S C James

  Mr James has nearly 30 years teaching experience spanning six comprehensive schools in Cardiff, Neath, Port Talbot, Burry Port and Merthyr Tydfil. Previous positions within the teaching sector have included: Lead Deputy Headteacher in a federation of schools in Carmarthenshire and Head of Mathematics. His qualifications include BSc(Hons) in Business, PGCE, PGDip, MA(Ed) and NPQH.

• Mr S J Baber
  Deputy Headteacher
  Mr S J Baber

  An ex-pupil of Afon Tâf who returned to teach here in 2007. Mr Baber assumed the role of Deputy Headteacher in 2017. He is a former Head of Department and Pastoral Guidance Coordinator. Outside of his work commitments, Mr Baber enjoys spending time with his young family. He is a keen sportsman with particular interests in football and cricket.

• Mr R S Thomas
  Assistant Headteacher
  Mr R S Thomas

  Mr Thomas started teaching at Afon Tâf in 2005. He became Head of Computing & ICT in 2012. His other responsibilities, apart from that of Assistant Headteacher, include: ICT Coordinator, Exams Officer and Data Manager. In what little spare time he has, Mr Thomas enjoys spending it with his young family and listening to music from various genres. He also has a very keen interest in pointless trivia!

• Mrs R Wiltshire
  Assistant Headteacher
  Mrs R Wiltshire

  Mrs Wiltshire joined Afon Tâf as Head of Mathematics in 2017 assuming the role of Assistant Headteacher in 2018. She trained as a Maths teacher at Cardiff University in 2004 and is a former Head of Year, Numeracy Coordinator and Second in Department. Outside of work commitments, Mrs Wiltshire enjoys spending time with her two children, family and friends.

• Mrs H Searle
  Additional Learning Needs Coordinator
  Mrs H Searle

  Mrs Searle joined Afon Tâf in January 2022 as the ALNCo.   She trained at Cardiff Institute of Higher Education before starting work for the Upper Rhondda Cluster in 1995 as a peripatetic language support teacher, working in both Infant and Junior schools.   In 1999, Mrs Searle joined Porth County Community School to open the first mainstream ASD provision before taking up the SENCo/ALNCo post in 2006 where she remained until 2017.

  In January 2018 Mrs Searle moved to Aberdare Community School, teaching in the Communication Disorder Unit until 2021.

  Outside of school Mrs Searle enjoys helping with the family business, spending time with her family and friends, walking her dog, reading, travelling and buying clothes!