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King Edward VI Handsworth School,
Rose Hill Road, Birmingham B21 9AR
T: 0121 554 2342
E: office@kingedwardvi.bham.sch.uk
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OUR TEAM
CLARE BERRY
INTERIM HEADMISTRESS
I graduated from the University of Leeds with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Classics. Before joining King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls, I enjoyed roles as Head of Year 9, Head of Year 11 and Head of Religious Education at a large comprehensive school in Staffordshire. I joined King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls in 2006 and have been a member of the School’s Senior Leadership Team since 2009. During my time as a Senior Leader, I have been responsible for teaching and learning, safeguarding, human resources, strategic planning and equality, diversity and inclusion.
Handsworth is a special place to study and work. It is a vibrant, caring and happy school, which values and takes pride in its diversity and celebrates individuality. We are delighted to be a truly inclusive school. We have a strong and caring pastoral ethos to our school and all students have a Form Tutor and a Pastoral Leader. Two members of my leadership team have responsibility for pastoral care and we have an experienced SENDCO who leads our excellent SEND department.
We are committed to the nurture and development of all those who learn here and seek to inspire all to be their best. Learning is at the heart of what we do, creating a love of learning which we want the students to take with them long after they leave the school. Our students at Handsworth make us very proud – they are wonderful, funny, articulate, confident and happy students. I am very proud to lead this school and to be part of this school.
JACKIE KENDALL
INTERIM SENIOR DEPUTY HEAD
Having thoroughly enjoyed my time studying for a Joint Honours degree in Mathematics and Physics at The University of Nottingham, I decided to stay there to complete a PGCE course before starting my teaching career at a Secondary Modern school in Kent.
Returning to the Midlands, moving into the selective sector as a Mathematics teacher at KE Handsworth 1993 – 2006 gradually taking on additional responsibilities for Duke of Edinburgh, Data analysis and after promotions to Head of Mathematics and Assistant Head at another local school, I was delighted to return to KE Handsworth as Deputy Head in September 2013.
Throughout my career I have been interested in assessment, curriculum design and data analysis, although since taking up post here I have overseen a variety of other operational areas around school.
I enjoy all the Performing Arts events in school, supporting music residentials and even occasionally dusting the cobwebs off my clarinet to join in. Relaxing is a mixture of family excursions such as skiing, visiting National Trust properties and tandem rides, to more “me time” activities such as needlecraft and baking. I am always in awe of all the additional skills students here acquire away from the classroom, whether through school opportunities or by grasping those on offer locally and nationally.
STEVEN RAMSEY
INTERIM DEPUTY HEAD
I completed a Honours Degree In Humanities and History in 2011 and soon after completed the Graduate Teacher Programme at Newman University Birmingham. I began my teaching career at a large mixed comprehensive school teaching History in Birmingham where I progressed to the position of Assistant head of Humanities.
At these early stages in my teaching career I knew I enjoyed not only helping students reach their potential but supporting and coaching other colleagues in their careers. After excellent outcomes I moved to fulfil the role of head of Humanities. In this role I developed a flare and passion for educational research and teaching and learning. I persued this interest and completed a MA in Educational Leadership and Management at Nottingham University. In 2016 I secured the position of Faculty Leader of Humanities and Social Sciences with the responsibility for Initial Teacher Training, Early Career teacher training and professional development for new and established colleagues. In this role I won awards for leading teacher development and assessment and feedback. I am currently completing the National Professional Qualification for Headship.
I am now the Assistant Headteacher at King Edwards VI with responsibility for Teachers and Learning.
I love my subject and thoroughly enjoy opening the doors of the past in the classroom. I love to travel around the world learning about new cultures and enjoy walking and trekking up mountains.
NICOLAS HEPPEL
ASSISTANT HEAD
I read Music at The Queen’s College, Oxford and then took an MA in History at Durham. My teaching experience has taken me from Manchester to East Anglia and now to Birmingham, and I was Head of Music here at King Edward VI Handsworth for several years before taking up my present post.
My chief interests are in how students learn and in how they can acquire the habits of mind which will make them thoughtful and positive contributors to society in the future. I am very excited to be able to support students from so many backgrounds make the step up to A-Levels, contribute to the wider life of the school and work towards the careers and destinations they are passionate about.
CHARLES TROTTER
ASSISTANT HEAD
I qualified as a Teacher of Physics at The University of Nottingham having studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at The University of Loughborough. I began my teaching career at a large comprehensive school in London close to where I grew up. After moving to the Midlands to become Head of Physics, I joined King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls which led to me leading the Science Specialism and joining the Leadership Team as the Director of Science. I became an Assistant Head in 2012.
While still teaching Physics across the school my leadership responsibilities revolve around our use of data including GDPR. Recent world events reignited an interest in use of technology in the classroom and for remote teaching. It is important that school is about more than being in classrooms. My role coordinating charity work and the House system as well as promoting extra-curricular participation and provision through a variety of mediums means that students are able to strengthen other skills such as leadership, persuasiveness and communication over their time in the school.
JANE GLENDENNING
ASSISTANT HEAD
After completing a Humanities degree and going on to teach English abroad for three years, I completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Marketing before working in advertising and direct marketing for ten years. I then retrained as an English teacher in 2005 at a comprehensive in Sutton Coldfield where I became Head of House, a role I continued at another comprehensive in Netherton before moving here as Head of English in 2009.
In 2014 I became an Assistant Head initially with responsibility for widening access and Key Stage 2 to 3 transition. Since 2017 I have been the Designated Safeguarding Lead and have responsibility for overseeing the behaviour, wellbeing and pastoral care of pupils in years 7 to 11.
I was very lucky to go to a school where the ethos was the focus on the development of the whole child. To me, education is not simply about a range of subjects and qualifications, but also about becoming a rounded individual who is aware of the world they live in. During their time at school, it’s therefore important that our students develop their creativity, sociability, resilience and confidence. In order to achieve all this, they need to have strong pastoral support around them; my role is to facilitate this and ensure every student has the opportunity to flourish in a safe and secure environment.
I feel passionately about the mental health and wellbeing of everyone in our school community and work closely with Birmingham Education Partnership, the Anna Freud Children’s and Families Centre, Warwick University and other colleagues to produce resources, deliver staff training and promote opportunities for pupils, parents and staff to develop their understanding of mental health and how to support themselves and others. This work resulted in the school receiving the Wellbeing Award for Schools in January 2023.
Since November 2021 I have also been the Foundation Leader in Safeguarding which has led to me being on a secondment from September this year, at The Schools of King Edward VI Birmingham. This role involves compliance, governance, training and collaboration across the Foundation for both safeguarding and wellbeing.
ALICE PETTIT
Assistant Headteacher
Making a difference to students’ lives is the key driver for me in my role as an Assistant Headteacher. I firmly believe that all pupils deserve the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background. As a lifelong and reflective learner, being part of a professional community, which never stops learning, and undertakes research to move professional learning forward to benefit both students and staff is exciting. I am proud to have responsibility for leading Personal Development combining many vital aspects of school life that I am passionate about and enjoy seeing pupils demonstrate improvement.
Previously I have enjoyed my school-based roles of Pastoral Leader, gaining experience at leading year groups from 7-13, and Subject Leader of PSHE, where I have been able to develop my personal practice within the classroom. I also work across schools as a Foundation Lead in Education – a role that fosters a supportive network where collaboration aids the personal development of pupils.
I completed a degree in Fine Art, this is an area I love for both teaching in school and as part of my enjoyment outside of school. Prior to teaching I worked within education for an established Art Gallery, welcoming pupils into the gallery for hands-on workshops and taking artwork to schools enhancing the opportunities for pupils.
ANGELA LOMAS
SENDCO
Following my graduation from Leeds University with an honour’s degree in Zoology, I was the lucky recipient of the UK-McGill Fellowship Award which awarded me the opportunity to undertake a Masters in Science in the area of Animal Behaviour. My two years there was divided between studying at McGill University in Montreal and undertaking field research at the Bellairs Institute in Barbados. This experience also gave me the chance to travel, presenting my research findings within Canada, the USA and Naples, Italy. Whilst living in Canada, I taught laboratory sessions to undergraduates and got the ‘bug’ for teaching. I obtained my Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Birmingham University and began my teaching career.
I consider myself to be very fortunate and privileged to have worked closely with hundreds of students through my years as an educator, supporting them to be the best versions of themselves. I have held numerous responsibilities within the academic and pastoral arena, and by the far the most fulfilling role I have held is that of being the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo). I pride myself in being an advocate for young people who have barriers to their learning, and being integral in supporting them to achieve their potential both in, and out of the classroom.
HARBINDER FLORA
ASSOCIATE SENIOR LEADER
CHARLOTTE OSBORN
ASSOCIATE SENIOR LEADER
My passion for teaching started during my teenage years where I would grasp any opportunity to teach Biology or lead PE lunchtime sessions. After completing my Sports Science Degree at Newman University and running a private sports coaching business I soon completed my PGCE at Wolverhampton University.
I joined Handsworth in 2016 after completing my Newly Qualified Teachers Status at a local comprehensive school. I was captivated by the school’s warmth , excellent standards and the feeling of being part of a family. During my seven years here, my school based roles have included teacher of PE , Pastoral Leader with experience of leading Years 7 – 11, Duke of Edinburgh leader, Wellbeing Lead as well as being responsible for a variety of sports and dance teams.
In 2021 completed my Postgraduate Degree in Leading on Pastoral Care to further enhance my knowledge and I am currently completing the National Professional Qualification in Leading Behaviour and Culture. My current role on the Senior Leadership team allows me to be involved in all aspects of school life with a particular focus on KS2 to KS3 Transition , Participation and Partnership work with Primary Schools and Parental Engagement. I love working with parents to foster positive relationships so that the child is at the centre of everything we do.
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