Staff

David Harrow

David graduated from St Catharine’s College at the University of Cambridge with a Masters degree in Mathematics and has worked in independent education for over 25 years.

Prior to joining AKS as Headmaster in 2019, he was the Deputy Head (Academic) at Oakham School and has worked as a Head of Mathematics, a badminton coach, a pastoral tutor to generations of students, as well as serving as an ISI inspector.

David is married to Holly, and their children Grace and William both attend the Prep School.

Allan McKeown

Originally from Belfast, Allan graduated from Aberdeen University with a BSc in Zoology, followed by a PGCE from the University of Strathclyde. He has since gained an MA in Educational Leadership and Innovation from Warwick University and the Institute of Leadership and Management (Level 7) in Executive Coaching and Mentoring. 

He has been at AKS since 1998 (starting at Arnold School), and has held positions as Head of Sixth Form and Assistant Head, as well as coaching numerous rugby and cricket teams throughout his time at the school. He continues to teach Science, Biology and Learning2Learn.

Amanda Ilhan

Amanda studied her B.Ed. in Bristol and an M.Ed. in Manchester and worked in schools in Bristol, Cheshire and Manchester. She was seconded onto an Ofsted task force to work in an inner-city school in Manchester, an experience which sparked her passion for school improvement.

Moving abroad and working at the British International School in Istanbul cultivated her appreciation of diversity and awareness of internationalism. She worked with the Council of International Schools to accredit school worldwide, such as schools in Saudi Arabia and Khazakstan, furthering her knowledge of school improvement. Amanda is delighted to now be at the helm of the AKS Nursery and Prep School.

Phil Hayden

Erudite, bon viveur and phlegmatic - these are just some of the words that Phil Hayden has to Google in order to spell correctly.  

However, despite this, he is proud to be an English teacher and Pastoral Lead and DSL at AKS Lytham. Although originally from Essex, he has a long association with Lancashire and is one of the longest serving members of staff at school, although his accent remains testament to his Thames Estuary roots.

A keen Arsenal fan and golfer, he has been privileged to coach rugby, football and cricket at the school for many years and has taken the opportunity to travel on numerous sports tours around the globe.  

David Barnett

David attended King Edward VII School, becoming Head Boy and later serving as President of the Old Lidunians Association. After taking a degree in Modern Languages at Cambridge, he trained as a chartered accountant becoming partner with a leading Preston firm specialising in supporting the not-for-profit sector. For the last 25 years he has held senior management positions with charities, initially with community-based housing associations and then as Chief Financial Officer for a large independent school in Berkshire before returning to Lytham.

An active Rotarian, David has been a school governor and trustee for several charities working with the homeless and disabled, both in the UK and overseas. He is currently a trustee of the Grand Theatre in Blackpool.

When not working he enjoys walking his two dogs, indulging in his love of music and theatre, and, in a triumph of hope over experience, following Blackpool FC.

Alex Brown

Alex is a Chartered Business Psychologist (cPsychol, Occupational Psychology), with degrees from the universities of Birmingham (BSc) and Sheffield (MSc). In addition, she also holds MBA (University of Edinburgh and ENPC, Paris) and CIPD qualifications.

She spent the first half of her career as a management consultant at Accenture and KPMG, where she specialised in organisation development and change management for large-scale business transformation programmes across a wide range of sectors and industries, both nationally and abroad. 

Alex moved to Lytham St Annes with her family at the end of 2012, attracted by the great quality of life for her two boys, both of whom attend AKS. Following her move north, she has held a variety of roles, including leading the Organisation and Leadership Development team for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and setting up The Lytham Parents’ Speaker Series, a not-for-profit, community-based event programme. 

Sarah Walton

Sarah is a Chartered Manager (CMgr MCMI) with degrees from the University of Central Lancashire and Manchester Metropolitan University. In addition, she holds a CMI Level 7 in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice.

She has worked in business development roles in the education and charity sectors for 17 years, where she has specialised in leading business growth strategies and is incredibly passionate about the social value that a charity can bring to its community.

Sarah is delighted to be establishing the Development Office at AKS Lytham which will support engagement and fundraising for the AKS Foundation, as well as maintaining alumni relations across all of the heritage schools, as well as AKS Lytham.