We were delighted to recently welcome Mrs Tucker-Blackford as our new Head of Boarding, marking an exciting new chapter for boarding at Rookwood.
Mrs Tucker-Blackford joined us in March 2026 and brings a wealth of experience to her role. Her journey into education began in Further Education before moving into Secondary PE, where she progressed to Director of Sport and Head of Physical Education. Sport has always played a central role in her life; she played football for Southampton Ladies and, despite being 5ft 3, discovered her greatest passion in basketball. She went on to play semi-professionally in the USA and Europe and continues to coach National League girls’ and women’s basketball.
Alongside her sporting background, Mrs Tucker-Blackford’s career has taken her internationally, working in boarding schools in Spain and Slovakia. These experiences have helped shape her belief in the importance of creating a true “home from home” environment for students.
With a clear passion for pastoral care and a strong belief in the value of a nurturing, supportive environment, she brings both experience and energy to Rookwood. Her focus is on creating a boarding experience where every pupil feels known, valued, and able to thrive.
We are also pleased to share a short video in which she reflects on what drew her to Rookwood, the values that make the School so distinctive, and her vision for the future of boarding. She speaks about her commitment to building a warm, inclusive and enriching environment, where boarders feel a true sense of belonging and are supported to make the most of every opportunity.
We hope you enjoy hearing her thoughts and getting to know her as she begins this exciting new chapter at Rookwood.
