Our Team

ELIS Villamartín embodies a nurturing learning community, led by a team of dedicated and passionate professionals

Meet our Senior Leadership Team

Vanessa Grimward

Executive Principal ELIS Cognita

Vanessa Grimward was appointed Executive Principal ELIS Cognita on 1 September 2023.
She has overall responsibility for the leadership and management of ELIS Villamartín and ELIS Murcia.

Vanessa has carried out a variety of different roles at ELIS during her long tenure at the school.

She holds a First-Class Honours degree from the University of Southampton and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham.

She is a Council of International Schools accredited evaluator and is a qualified NABSS Inspector.

Jon Wayth

Headteacher

Jon Wayth joined the ELIS Cognita family in September 2017.

He was appointed Head of Upper School at ELIS Murcia in 2019 and started at ELIS Villamartín as Headteacher in September 2023.

He gained a 2:1 honours degree in French from the University of Warwick and later a PGCE and Masters of Education from the University of Exeter.

He has extensive educational experience from the UK and previously worked in Marketing and PR for several global brands.

Soledad Pina

Head of Lower School

With 23 years of experience in education, Soledad joined ELIS in September 2000 and has spent over 19 years in leadership positions.

Soledad has a degree in Primary Education, specialising in teaching Modern Foreign Languages.

Soledad has a real passion for education, languages and learning and truly believes that forging close relationships with all members of the community contributes to improve our pupils’ future so they become critical thinkers who will lead the world with democracy, respect, equality and a sense of dignity.

Catherine Hill

Head of Upper School

Catherine has over 19 years of teaching experience across Secondary. She has worked at schools both in the UK and Dubai at both Middle leadership and Senior Leadership positions: Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Noel Baker school, Derby and Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher at Sunmarke school and Regent International School, Dubai.

She has a degree in Spanish and European studies and has completed her NPQSL.

Her passion for languages, culture and particularly her love of Spain, has prompted her move to ELIS Villamartín. She is a true believer that wellbeing positively enhances student learning outcomes, and success in learning enhances student wellbeing.

Jose Antonio García

Business Manager

Having a degree in Business Management and Administration, he started working at El Limonar International Schools in 2008, coinciding with the acquisition of the school by the Cognita Group. Previously, he held roles both in Controlling and Management in a variety of different sectors including construction, the chemical industry and Human Resources.

Working at El Limonar International Schools has provided him with the opportunity to learn about the educational sector, a sector which has such great importance in our lives, and it is indeed during these years that he has developed his career with the greatest success and satisfaction.

Together with the rest of the Senior Leadership Team, he works hard to achieve constant improvements to the school’s offer, allowing our students to enjoy the very best facilities and the latest technology in their educational experience.

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