Our Boarding Family

Mr Conlon,
Head of Boarding

Mr. Conlon brings a wealth of experience to his role, with 10 years in the boarding sector and 20 years in education. His career has been dedicated to the pastoral care of students, ensuring their wellbeing and safety are prioritized daily. He has held various positions, from a learning mentor in a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) to Lead Houseparent at a boarding school in Devon, and now serves as the Head of Boarding at The Royal School.

Mr. Conlon holds numerous qualifications from the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) including Pastoral Care and Boarding Management. His goal as Head of Boarding is to ensure that every boarder in his care enjoys a fulfilling boarding experience, filled with fun, laughter, and lifelong friendships. He believes that boarding life should create lasting memories while also encouraging students to work hard and achieve the grades necessary for their future success, meaning that when they leave us, they are future ready.

Mr. Conlon lives onsite with his wonderful family, his wife and three kids, along with their dog Bunty, who is a firm favourite with the boarders. He feels it is important for the boarders to have all the above as it adds to the boarding family and gives the boarders a home away from home feel.

Mr. Conlon’s hobbies include sports, especially football. He enjoys socializing with friends and family, cooking, and trying new foods. Every now and then, he loves the thrill of a white-knuckle rollercoaster ride. Within the boarding environment, he takes great pleasure in learning about the different cultures and traditions of the boarders.  

Miss Khan,
Boarding Housemistress

Miss Khan has 6 years' experience within the boarding sector. Her previous position as the assistant housemistress at the Royal Ballet School has motivated her to progress and develop her career further in a diverse and international environment to ensure boarders thrive and embrace school life. Miss Khan is highly regarded for her awareness in EDI and holds qualifications in Pastoral Care and Boarding Management and in International Boarding. She is a strong believer in creating a happy home environment for our boarders to live in. She encourages students to become resilient, healthy and happy and most importantly enjoy the best out of boarding life. Miss Khan enjoys organising fun activities and events that boarders will remember. Miss Khan spent time living in China teaching English as a foreign language and her hobbies include baking, travelling, dance and spending time with her family and friends.  

Miss Smith,
Boarding Tutor 

Ms Smith has 4 years of teaching experience across all disciplines of design, art, textiles, and product design. Ms Smith started her creative career as a milliner making bespoke hats for clients. Developing her creative journey, Ms Smith started to teach craft workshop to children and adults, as well as volunteering at a charity working with SEND students. This led to her pursuing her love of creating through teaching and to her last role as deputy SENCo. Now the teacher of DT at The Royal School, Ms Smith is proud to bring her compassion, empathetic nature and support to the boarding team in order to help nurture the students. Ms Smith's hobbies include long walks with her dog, crafting, travelling and planning adventures, and spending time with friends and family.

Mr Simmons,
Boarding Tutor

Mr Simmons came to The Royal five years ago, after many years leading a very successful chemistry department at a grammar school in Lincolnshire.  He was in no doubt that he wanted to work with The Royal’s amazing students in such a caring, supportive environment. When not in a chemistry laboratory, Mr Simmons enjoys walking his dog, Clyde, board gaming, wargaming and live action role play. He also enjoys indulging his passion for reading.   

Mr Campleman,
Assistant House Parent

Mr Campleman has recently graduated with a BA Degree in Sports Science from the University of Stellenbosch in Cape Town. He has been living in the UK since January and worked as a gap student at Cumnor House School. Mr Campleman's passion is sport. He says, "It has played a massive role in my life and has shaped me into the person I am today. I am hoping to begin my journey to become a teacher of physical education in September next year, through United Teaching and their PGCE with QTS programme. I hope to instil a desire to be involved in sport at The Royal, helping the students to enjoy sport and to develop and stay active throughout their time at school."

Ms Piglio,
Matron and Boarding Assistant

Ms Piglio is a passionate individual with a diploma in Art & Design & Communication. Fluent in both Italian and English and with a solid grasp of Spanish, Ms Piglio enjoys exploring diverse cultures and languages. Her hobbies span a wide spectrum, from immersing herself in art and music to spending quality time with friends and family. She is an avid reader, an enthusiastic international cook and baker, and a perpetual learner of new languages. In 2017, she made the exciting move to the UK, marking the beginning of her journey into the world of boarding. She has made creating a homely environment for boarders a priority, ensuring boarders always feel welcome. With diverse skills and a thirst for new experiences, she is excited to contribute to the vibrant boarding community. As she embarks on her first boarding job, she is committed to making it a memorable and enjoyable experience for all, organizing engaging activities and events. Her vision is for the boarding community to feel like a large, welcoming family — a sentiment she hopes both current and future boarders will cherish.