Our leaders

Stewart Roderick joined Bitterne Park School and Sixth Form in September 2020, having previously been a Headteacher in South Wiltshire. He has a degree in Sports Science and has taught in a range of schools in South Wales, Wiltshire and Hampshire. Stewart moved to a career in Senior Leadership as Assistant Headteacher/Deputy Headteacher in 2006 with a focus on curriculum development and raising standards.

He has a particular interest in leadership, development and sustainable school improvement. He is committed to ensuring the students are able to experience outstanding teaching and learning and a diverse range of experiences to enable them to leave Bitterne Park School with the skills required to reach their potential and lead happy and fulfilling lives.

With a degree in Business Enterprise, Harry Kutty began his career in 2000 as a Business Studies Teacher. He became a Senior Leader in 2005 and then Assistant Headteacher at Cantell School in 2008. Harry is currently a serving OFSTED inspector, Vice Chair of the Aspire Community Trust and Vice Chair of Southampton Schools' Forum. He is dedicated to providing an exceptional learning experience for all students at Cantell, supporting them to become mature, self-confident and well-rounded adults, through four cornerstones: academic excellence; exciting teaching and learning; life-changing opportunities; and a richly diverse community. Of particular importance is continuous improvement in a rapidly changing educational world to obtain the very best for all students.

David is very proud to be the Headteacher of Weston, having grown up in the local community it holds a special place in his heart. Having started his career as a PE teacher at Bitterne Park School in 2005, David went on to become an Assistant Headteacher in 2011 at Neville Lovett Community School and then a Deputy Headteacher at Fareham Academy in 2017.

David believes that education is the key to every child's future; therefore, it is our responsibility to encourage them to aspire, believe and achieve. He is dedicated to celebrating the diversity of every student, nurturing their many talents and inspiring them to achieve their very best.

Aside from his role as Headteacher, David is a proud husband and father to two amazing children. He likes to spend his spare time watching his daughter horse ride and coaching his son’s football team.

Debbie McKenzie has a wide ranging background in the development of inclusive education provision for vulnerable children and young people in Southampton. She has many years’ experience gained within a Local Authority, a Further Education College and the last 10 years within alternative provision. She is committed to ensuring that pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs are able to participate fully in education to gain a range of skills to equip them for their next steps. Debbie is currently undertaking a Master’s Degree in Education.

Alex Scott studied English Literature/Film and Education at the Universities of Glasgow and Leicester respectively. Raised and educated in Southampton, he returned to the City to develop his career in teaching and management roles at Barton Peveril College and at Brockenhurst College, where he was Vice Principal, with overall responsibility for curriculum and quality. An ex-rugby player, Alex is active in sport and maintains a strong interest in film. He is committed to social mobility and justice and improving the life chances of those in the community he serves.

Ben is an experienced school leader in several different contexts and is passionate about school improvement. He has had significant success with improving Ofsted inspection and student performance outcomes. Having graduated from the University of Southampton in History and Politics, Ben became a senior leader in two city schools prior to leading an academy in Wiltshire and, most recently, was the Headteacher of a maintained school in Hampshire. He holds a Masters degree in Educational Leadership and Management, also gained from the University of Southampton, and is committed to ongoing professional development. Ben is delighted to be back in the city and ensuring that every child, regardless of their context, gets the very best from their time in education. Outside of school, Ben is a committed Bristol City FC fan and holds the dream of Premier League football one fine day!

Claire Taylor has significant experience of leading school improvement, including seven years in a challenging inner-London academy as Senior Vice-Principal. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum Studies. Having led SEND reviews as part of the London and Somerset challenges, Claire has a particular interest in meeting student needs through quality first teaching and curriculum development. She enjoys working collaboratively to capture and share best practice, particularly regarding effective systems leadership and organisational change management.

Martin Brown is passionately committed to working to transform lives and to creating a culture where “striving for excellence” is for all. He also believes that success is achieved when we work, learn and develop together. He holds a Masters degree in Educational Management from the University of Southampton, and he has worked in Southampton since 2005. Martin believes the City is a great place in which to teach. He has particular interest in developing teaching as a celebrated profession, supporting both world-class ambition and tomorrow’s outstanding school leaders. Martin also believes that Newcastle United will one day win the Premiership!

With a background in Physical Education and a Sports Science Degree from Chichester University, Ben has worked in schools in various senior roles in both London and Southampton. As a senior leader, Ben feels passionately about quality education and opportunities for all students, particularly those with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

He is dedicated to making sure that all students at The Polygon School are able to have a positive educational experience as well as an engaging and aspirational curriculum that they enjoy.

Ben has been a committed member of the SEF Operations Group over several years, and he is a firm believer in the positive impact of collaboration across the city.

With an academic background in Politics/Economics and Education, Jason is also a qualified Ofsted inspector and a neurolinguistic programming (NLP) practitioner. He is committed to using the school curriculum to motivate and engage students, and he has a particular interest in transformational leadership. He describes himself as driven by a strong sense of social justice with a unique sense of humour. As headteacher, Jason’s focus is on developing the school culture to create a ‘can do’, happy school and working collaboratively for the greater good.

With a background in Design and Technology and a degree from the University of Manchester, Sam has worked in schools in Wiltshire and in senior roles in Southampton schools for over 20 years. As a senior leader, she maintains a particular focus on raising standards; at present, she is strengthening the school’s high quality teaching and learning offer, as well as managing a £4.2 build project. Sam has long experience of developing leadership teams with stretch and challenge.

Photograph and biography coming soon.

Julian has a background in Religious Education and is well-known in that community as an author, lead assessor, and national trainer for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). His leadership experience comes mainly from faith schools and prioritises inclusion, whole-person development, and high-quality school experience. He has experience in both pastoral and academic school leadership from 11 to 18 and is interested in responding to the challenges of our rapidly changing modern-day life to education.

James comes to his current post after holding previous roles as Head of Physical Education, Assistant Headteacher and Deputy Headteacher at St George. He is particularly interested in the curriculum, teaching/learning and school improvement. James is committed to ensuring that students leave school with the skills and attitudes to enable them to lead happy and successful lives. His current focus is on curriculum and challenge for all, to provide the best possible educational experience for pupils in the school family.

Stephanie Bryant is the Executive Headteacher of St Mark’s CE Primary School in Southampton. She became the Headteacher of St Mark’s in September 2014, leading the school on its improvement journey to ‘Good’. Since 2018, Stephanie has been working with the Local Authority on the development of the school from primary to an all-through school by September 2022. Stephanie’s passion is ensuring that the expanding school meets the new visionary strap line: One School – Serving All – Through Excellence.

Chris joined Upper Shirley High School in 2022. After graduating from the University of Exeter in History, he worked in London before moving to Southampton where he has worked as a Senior Leader for 9 years. He holds a masters degree in Public Administration and Public Policy as well as the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers. He is committed to continuous professional development and believes passionately in leadership at all levels. As part of the Schools, Students and Teachers (SSAT) network, Chris is committed to delivering a broad curriculum, which provides all children with the skills and knowledge, to prepare for a life well lived.

Jim Henderson is the Headteacher of Woodlands Community College in Southampton. He is an English specialist and has worked previously as an English Advanced Skills teacher in Hampshire and as Deputy Headteacher at Regents Park Community College, where he was the lead for teaching and learning, progress and the curriculum. Jim is a former chair of the SEF Operations Group and is committed to working in collaboration to achieve the best outcomes for students in Southampton.

Photograph and biography coming soon.

Richard studied Physical Education (QTS) at the University of Chichester and has 8 years’ experience of working in school at Bay House School and Sixth Form in Gosport. He was an elected staff Governor and Senior Leadership Team member with responsibilities for outdoor education, behaviour, school ethos and alternative provision. Richard also brings leadership experience of working for the Southern Universities Network and Hampshire County Council where he specialised in careers guidance, progression to higher education and STEM activity. Richard now leads the university's outreach activity, which is targeted at disadvantaged learners within schools and colleges. When he is not spending time with his family, he volunteers as a community Governor at Gomer and Elson Infant School Federation.

In his work, Dr Bokhove focuses on mathematics education in secondary education, international comparisons and methodology.

He regularly shares his research-informed views in his regular column for the TES magazine and in other teaching and learning publications and outlets.

With a degree from the University of Exeter, Kerry has spent the past 30 years teaching science and maths in Southampton and Hampshire schools. She has held a variety of roles, most recently as Head of Remote Learning for a multi-academy trust. Kerry is passionate about providing outstanding educational opportunities for pupils and is committed to working collaboratively to raise standards across the city. She is focused on developing the subject networks and collaborates closely with the Operations Group and Pastoral Operations Group, feeding back on progress to the SEF Executive Group.