Rethinking education,
helping tomorrow’s minds flourish

Mr C Townsend – Principal

Colin joined the School as its second Principal in September 2018 from Denbigh High School in Luton where he was Headteacher. Colin leads our School community, delivering the vision for the University of Birmingham School, fostering outstanding achievement, character, teaching and learning, and leadership across the School. As a mathematics specialist, he studied at the Universities of Kent, Oxford, and Southampton – latterly gaining a Masters qualification in management. Colin has been awarded the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership by the Department for Education through University College London, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute. He holds 32 years of experience in education as a teacher, and for the last 25 years as a senior leader in Schools and for the Department for Education’s National Strategies. Colin serves currently as an advisor to the Department for Education as a member of the Secondary Headteacher Reference Group, contributing views to Ministers and officials on the potential impact of national policies on the School system. Within Birmingham, he holds membership of the Local Authority’s Education System Leader Strategic Advisory Group, contributing notably to citywide developments within inclusion and SEND. He works in close collaboration with the University of Birmingham, and the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, to ensure that the activities developed between the three organisations meet the strategic intents of the School and Trust, and that the School continues in its mission to positively enhance the educational landscape in the City of Birmingham and beyond.

Mrs G Walker – Deputy Principal (Pupils & Safeguarding)

Gemma has worked at the University School since September 2017. She leads the School’s pastoral team, maintaining and developing the School’s positive behaviour systems to ensure teachers have the freedom to teach, and pupils and students have the right environment for learning. Gemma is the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead, and oversees school routines, and all things relating to character, conduct, welfare, and inclusion. Gemma is a graduate of the University of Birmingham where she studied geography and undertook her PGCE. She has been teaching since she qualified in 2004 and benefits from experience of a number of middle leadership roles throughout her career, both curriculum and pastoral based. Gemma deputises for the Principal when directed. She is also the Chair of the Northfield Police and Schools Panel and sits on the National Attendance Data Advisory Group for the Department for Education.

Mr L Dwyer – Vice Principal (Sixth Form & Aspiration)

Liam leads the Sixth Form, being responsible for the day to day management as well as overseeing student welfare, academic progress, and standards. He supports the successful transition of our students to higher education, vocational training, and employment. Liam is also the strategic lead for Aspiration, ensuring that our pupils and students are ambitious for their futures and reach for the best onward destinations when they leave University of Birmingham School. Liam teaches Business Studies, he graduated from Nottingham Trent University, and completed his PGCE at the University of Warwick.

Mr A Reeves – Vice Principal (Education)

Arthur joined University of Birmingham School in September 2018. Arthur holds the strategic oversight of education for the School. He is responsible for the development of a broad and balanced curriculum, ensuring the implementation of this curriculum through the thoughtful sequencing of learning and quality-first teaching for all. Furthermore, Arthur oversees assessment so that it is purposeful and an integral part of teaching – aiming for all pupils and students to flourish academically. Arthur teaches History and Politics and has an undergraduate degree and Masters qualification from the University of York. In addition to his PGCE from the University of Warwick, he also holds a Masters in Education.

Mr R Haslam – School Business Leader

Robin has enjoyed a varied career before entering the education sector in 2012. Prior to this he worked in corporate banking before moving into the third sector to work within a number of children’s and disability charities at a national level. He joined the School upon its opening in 2015 and is responsible for human and physical resources, Chief Financial Officer, oversight of the School’s facilities and lead for the School’s non-teaching related Professional Services Team. He holds a DSBM for School Business Leadership, ACIB in Banking and MCIOF(Dip) in Fundraising.

Mr D Ashmore – Assistant Principal (Early Careers Teachers & Assessment)

David is Assistant Principal for Early Careers Teachers and Assessment at University of Birmingham School. He has worked at the School since it opened in 2015, first as a Subject Teacher, and then as Subject Leader for Chemistry. David holds a 1st class degree in Chemistry from St Catherine’s College, Oxford. In addition to his PGCE, he also holds a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of Warwick, and was awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching Scholarship in 2022-2023.

Miss S Barrington – Assistant Principal (Continuing Professional Development)

Sarah joined University of Birmingham School in 2016 as subject leader for the English department. She graduated from Lancaster University and worked in various social care settings and then as an IT trainer and programme tester before completing a PGCE at the University of Warwick, qualifying as an English and drama teacher in 2009. Prior to joining the School, she worked for several years in the middle school system in Worcestershire. Her leadership responsibility lies primarily with the quality and policies of teaching and learning within school and designing and coordinating continuing professional development for all staff.

Miss C Exton – Assistant Principal (Character, Conduct & Welfare KS4)

Charlotte joined University of Birmingham School in 2016 as a subject teacher for Geography and then as Year Leader. She graduated from Keele University where she studied Geography, and in addition to her PGCE, she also holds a Masters with Distinction in Education from the University of Birmingham. Charlotte focuses on leading Character, Conduct, and Welfare within the School, using her NPQ qualification in Leading Behaviour and Culture, and contributes to the whole School foci of praise and reward. Charlotte is the Senior Mental Health Lead at the School, as well as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Ms C Haley – Assistant Principal (Pupil Progress & Personalisation)

Clare graduated with an MA in Modern and Medieval Languages from the University of Cambridge, including study abroad at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris and the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität in Freiburg. After graduation, she began teaching as a lectrice at the University of Perpignan Via Domitia and returned to the UK to complete her PGCE at the University of Warwick. Prior to joining University of Birmingham School as Subject Leader of Languages, Clare taught at an IB World School before becoming Head of German. She has completed the NPQSL and leads on pupil progress and personalisation.

Mr D Lowy – Director of Information & Systems

David is the Director of Information and Systems at University of Birmingham School. He joined the School at the beginning of 2023. David graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2006 and has worked in the education sector for the last 14 years. He has particular experience of working in data and analysis.

Miss K Poulton – Assistant Principal (SEND & Inclusion)

Kelly is an Assistant Principal responsible for Inclusion and SEND is the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-Ordinator (SENDCo). She also oversees pupils with medical needs. Kelly holds a BA in Geography from the University of Coventry, and a PGCE and Masters from the University of Birmingham. Kelly has also gained the NASENCO qualification.

Dr C Bownes – Assistant Principal (Co-curriculum & Widening Participation)

Claire graduated with a PhD from the University of Birmingham and worked as a research fellow at Warwick University and the University of Birmingham in the field of virology and cancer biology before moving into teaching in 2013. She then completed her teacher training with the King Edwards Consortium and gained a PGDipEd from the University of Birmingham. She has worked at the School since it opened in 2015, first as a Subject Teacher and then as a Subject Leader in Biology. Claire has been part of the Senior Leadership Team since 2022 and has held roles working with early career teachers and in aspiration. Claire is now Assistant Principal (Co-curriculum and Widening Participation).

Mr J Bennett – Assistant Principal (Character, Conduct & Welfare KS3)

Jack is a graduate of the University of Birmingham, completing his degree in 2014. He achieved his PGCE in Physical Education at Loughborough University and completed his Masters in Education in 2019. Jack joined University of Birmingham School in its second year of opening and has enjoyed middle leadership responsibilities as a Year Leader and Subject Leader PE, alongside managing the School’s successful Duke of Edinburgh programme. He now leads on Character, Conduct, and Welfare at Key Stage 3 and whole-school attendance.

Ms E Mason – Director of Partnerships & Engagement

Emma is a graduate of the University of Birmingham and worked in Higher Education for 16 years before joining the School as Director of Partnerships and Engagement. Emma has extensive experience of building partnerships with employers, providing young people with opportunities to enhance their CV. Emma leads on the School’s relationship with the University of Birmingham, parents and carers, alumni, and corporate partners.

Miss N Shafiq – Year 11 Leader & Associate Senior Leader

Miss Shafiq has a degree in Pharmacology from the University of Wolverhampton and joined the School in 2018. Miss Shafiq teaches Biology and is Year 11 Leader with a focus on academic attainment. On the Senior Leadership Team, she is Associate Senior Leader with responsibility for improving whole-school punctuality.

Professor Jeff Bale – Chair of Governors

Professor Jeff Bale was the University of Birmingham’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, overseeing the University’s educational agenda until his retirement. He was a member of the University Executive Board and led on issues related to teaching and quality, curriculum, e-learning, student recruitment, widening participation and the student experience. Jeff graduated with a first class honours degree in Agricultural Zoology from Newcastle in 1973 having spent a sabbatical year as President of the Students’ Union. He gained his PhD in 1977 in the area of insect ecophysiology and was then awarded the Lord Adams Fellowship at Newcastle for studies on soil pest species. Jeff was appointed as Professor of Environmental Biology at Birmingham in 1992. He was a member of the government’s Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) until 2012. You can contact Jeff via chairofgovernors@uobschool.org.uk.

Professor Julie Allan – Chair of Pastoral Committee

Prof Julie Allan is Head of the School of Education and Professor of Equity and Inclusion at the University of Birmingham. Her work encompasses inclusive education, disability studies and children’s rights and she has a particular interest in educational theory and the insights offered through poststructural and social capital analyses. Julie has been advisor to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and the Dutch and Queensland Governments and has worked extensively with the Council of Europe.

Ms Nicola Bradfield

After university Nicola qualified as a solicitor at Pinsent Masons LLP and specialised in education law, acting for many of the UK’s universities and colleges. After 15 years she moved to Coventry University where she heads the University’s legal, data compliance and student appeals, complaints and disciplinaries teams.

Mr Kevin Cobane

Kevin has been a teacher for 27 years and has worked in a range of schools and educational settings across the West Midlands. He has taught in both the Primary and Secondary education phases, including time at a Pupil Referral Unit, and has also worked as a Senior Lecturer in Education at Birmingham City University. He has a first class honours degree in Primary Education and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Management. He is currently completing a Masters Degree in Character Education at the University of Birmingham. He has worked at University of Birmingham School since 2018, teaching the Nurture Groups for English and Mathematics, and was elected as Staff Governor in the Summer Term of 2023. He is an avid reader and is the West Midlands Representative for the UKLA (United Kingdom Literacy Association). He is also a judge for Empathy Lab’s annual Read for Empathy list.

Mrs Seema Drubhra

Seema joined University of Birmingham School in 2017 as Sixth Form Pastoral Manager, and has been working in education since 2006 in a range of roles, including a teaching assistant, teacher of Religious Studies, and Head of Department. She graduated from the University of Leicester with a BA in History and Politics, and completed her PGCE in Religious Studies at the University of Warwick.

Professor Karen Guldberg

Karen is Head of the School of Education and Director of the Autism Centre for Education and Research at University of Birmingham. Karen’s research and teaching focuses on autism studies in education, and on inclusive autism practice in education. Karen’s most recent publications include the book ‘Developing Excellence in Autism Practice: Making a difference in Education.’

Mr Joey Islam – Chair of Audit Committee

Joey Islam is a successful project and programme manager with almost 20 years of experience in industry, most recently at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). He has spent much of his career working closely with boards within organisations to help develop strategies, drive change and transform organisations. He also has experience in a voluntary capacity, mentoring children in Birmingham through a charity which aims to raise aspirations of children in less affluent areas.

Ms Jo Kite

Jo leads the Communications and Reputation Department at the University of Birmingham, which is responsible for the University’s media relations, corporate events, digital communications, internal communications, and stakeholder relations. Her primary task is to manage and enhance the University’s reputation as a leading global university.

Ms Rebecca Lambert

Rebecca is Director of Planning and Performance Insight at the University of Birmingham. In this role she works closely with the Provost and the senior executive, leading and co-ordinating the development and delivery of the University’s processes for strategic planning, business intelligence, and data management. Prior to this, Rebecca served as Director of Registry at the University, having spent seven years in a variety of roles at the University of Warwick. She holds an MPhil in Linguistics from the University of Cambridge, and an MA in International Law from the University of Durham.

Ms Fionnaula O’Connor

Fionnaula is Assistant Principal at Ark St Alban’s Academy where she is involved in strategic planning both in teaching and learning but also in ethos and culture of the school.

Professor Andrew Peterson

Andrew Peterson is Professor of Character and Citizenship Education and Deputy Director of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues. His research focuses on the relationship between character and citizenship education, including civic virtues, compassion, civility and democratic deliberation. He has nearly twenty years of experience working on teacher education programmes in England and Australia, and has undertaken a range of research projects on young people’s citizenship and social action.

Professor Jeremy Pritchard

Jeremy is a Professor of Life Sciences Education at the University of Birmingham and Director of Education of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences. His research career started with roots in Wales and focused on aphids in Birmingham with stops in the USA, New Zealand, and Europe in between. Jeremy’s teaching spans field ecology through to plant functional genomics and he has particular interest in Darwin and the wider evolutionary context. Jeremy also chairs the Royal Society of Biology curriculum committee.

Mr Stephen Washbourne

Steve Washbourne is an accountant by profession, with more than 20 years’ experience working in the NHS. He currently works at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust where he is the finance lead for the acquisition of Heart of England NHS Trust. Prior to that, he was Director of Strategy and Planning. Steve has significant experience of working as a member of a Board holding corporate responsibilities, being held to account, and challenging others. Among his other roles, he was also regional head of specialised commissioning for NHS England.