We have an experienced and passionate team that drives Burgess Hill Girls forward.
Staff
Senior Leadership Team
Mrs Heather Cavanagh
After careers with HM Custom and Excise and the Ministry of Defence Heather trained as a teacher at Christ Church University. She began her teaching career at Dover College and gained her first headship in her third year of teaching.
As Head of the Prep school, Heather led an ‘Excellent’ inspection grading and led on the development of the computing and robotics curriculum before being appointed Interim Head of the whole school in the summer of 2024.
Heather is passionate about the natural world and the positive effect it can have on a young person’s development. In addition to her role at the school, Heather is undertaking a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. She is an active outdoor education practitioner and Mountain Leader. She has led numerous expeditions around the world including in the Arctic Circle.
Mrs Claire Monahan
After completing an undergraduate master’s degree in Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, Claire trained as a teacher at the Institute of Education in London. She began her career at an all-girls school in North London, and four years later relocated to Brighton, where she became Head of Chemistry and later, Head of Science at Steyning Grammar School in West Sussex.
In 2019, Claire joined the leadership team at Steyning, taking on a range of roles including Teaching and Learning and Head of Sixth Form. Prior to starting at Burgess Hill Girls in the summer of 2025, she was part of the leadership team at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, where she led on both Teaching and Learning and Science.
Claire has two sporty daughters whose enthusiasm on the football pitch inspired her to join a recreational women’s team in Brighton, where she now plays weekly, enthusiastically, if not expertly! She also enjoys running, albeit at a very gentle pace.
Miss Nikki Donson
Nikki joined Burgess Hill Girls in 2016 after relocating from an all-girls boarding school in Oxfordshire. Nikki has worked both in the maintained and independent sectors and has vast experience of pastoral roles in schools; however, Nikki’s specialist subject is Music. Nikki is very passionate about mental health and wellbeing, and is always looking for opportunities for the staff and students to improve their wellbeing.
When not at work, Nikki is usually competing in CrossFit events, swimming or spending time with her husband and Sir Hector the spaniel.
Mr Iain Regan-Smith
Iain joined Burgess Hill Girls as Head of Sixth Form in 2022. Iain started his career at the Judd School, where he was previously a pupil, and had the unique experience of teaching his own younger brother for A level. After Judd he was Head of RE and Philosophy at Merchant Taylors’ School for seven years.
Iain says his teaching career all started with one of his favourite teachers recommending he read ‘Confessions of a Philosopher’. After a gap year working in a school in Australia he subsequently went on to study Philosophy at university then trained as a teacher. Iain doesn’t like cricket, he loves it!
Mrs Sue Collins
Sue has been a core member of the Burgess Hill Girls Pre-Prep and Prep School ever since joining as a newly qualified teacher in 1997. She has progressed from class teacher, to subject coordinator, learning and assessment leader and since 2015, Assistant Head of Pre-Prep and Prep. She loves the creative arts and still teaches part-time to our Year 2 students. She is also responsible for mentoring student teachers and early career teachers.
Outside of school, Sue is a passionate roller skater, she has inspired many pupils in the Prep to give it a go!