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.

Louisa joined the education system in 2010, bringing a decade of hospitality management experience in mainland Europe and South East Asia where she managed one of the world's best hotels. Having graduated from Lancaster University in French and Politics of Development and the University of Leeds with an MSc Sustainability, social, economic and environmental equality are of key importance to her. Having retrained as a teacher of MFL in Portsmouth, Louisa worked with ARK as Head of MFL and then Literacy Lead before taking up the post of Vice Principal Teaching and Learning and then Interim Principal at Avon Valley Academy in Wiltshire. Louisa joined HAMWIC in April 2022 and her commitment to Southampton is underpinned by her belief in a holistic education system as a driver to improve the life chances of the community as a whole.

Martin Sim has spent almost 40 years working in the FE sector. He oversaw the merger of Pendleton, Eccles and Salford Colleges to form Salford City College, becoming principal and CEO in 2010.

Since leaving Salford City College in 2015, he has served as interim principal at several colleges: Vision West Nottinghamshire College, Nottingham College, Barnfield College and Gateway College.

He joined the FE commissioner’s team as Deputy FE Commissioner in September 2019 to play a vital role in supporting colleges to deliver high quality FE provision.

Martin is now fully committed to his new role as Principal at City College Southampton.

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.

Paul studied Music at the University of Southampton. After a short career in performance, he moved into teaching and has been at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College since 2007. In that time, Paul has taken on a variety of challenges, from leading an outstanding performing arts team to establishing a shared data service in the wider Lighthouse Learning Trust. Continuing his involvement in music through the Southampton Music Hub, Paul is now focussed on leading a college that champions social mobility and outstanding progression onto HE.

James Rouse studied Oceanography, Science and Education at the University of Southampton. Having trained to teach in Southampton schools, he rose through the ranks to become Headteacher at St Anne’s Catholic School. He is currently the chair of SEF having been chair of Southampton’s Secondary Heads’ Forum over the last three years. James believes there are myriad opportunities for teachers and leaders to grow and develop their careers in the City. He continues to focus on providing outstanding educational opportunities for students at St Anne’s and is committed to working collaboratively to raise standards across the City.

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.

Having moved to Southampton twenty-three years ago, Kali is passionate about driving improvement within the City. She chairs the Operations Group, working collaboratively with the deputies across Southampton secondary schools and colleges, with representatives from the universities, to lead a variety of professional development programmes. She has worked as a senior leader for almost a decade and currently leads on teaching, learning and research, working closely with other Oasis academies in the South Coast Region.

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.

Sophie has worked as a teacher and educator across many ages and subjects: from Early Years right through to University Postgraduate Education. She has worked as a Primary teacher, in Secondary Design and Technology and also as a teacher trainer on a PGCE. She is a creative people-person with a passion for STEM subjects.

She co-ordinates the Subject Networks throughout the city and feeds back on these to the SEF Executive Group.