Our Senior Leadership Team

Tony Rushworth – Headteacher

Tony has extensive experience in secondary education. He qualified as a teacher in 1992 in Avery Hill College, London, and completed an MA at Kings College, London University.

Tony spent the first 10 years of his career in London schools, teaching Economics and Mathematics. In 2013, he was seconded as Interim Headteacher to The Bicester School from The Cooper School, Bicester, where he had been Deputy Headteacher and then Head of School. Tony was appointed Headteacher at the Bicester School in 2014 after a successful Ofsted inspection, where the school was graded ‘Good’ in all categories.

Tony said: “I am delighted to be working with our partner and sponsor Activate Learning in building what we expect to become an exceptional school. Our staff are incredibly committed and highly professional with a willingness to ‘go the extra mile’ for our students.”

Tony is married and has a daughter. He is a keen Brompton enthusiast (a type of cycling) and enjoys the writing of CS Lewis.

Roland Howard – Head of School

Roland has taught English, Media Studies, Drama and Spanish, but his real love is teaching English.

After qualifying as a teacher at Manchester University, he gained an MA from Warwick University. He has taught in schools in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire for many years because “I love teaching teenagers! They keep me entertained because they are so open to ideas and knowledge, so passionate, cheeky and fun.”

Roland is a keen cyclist, writer, gardener and traveller, who loves music, theatre and film. He is also passionate about climate change issues.

Nicola Le Brun – Deputy Headteacher and Raising Standards Leader

Nicola graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc in Maths and Management before completing her teacher training and then moving into her first teaching post.

She spent the first eight years of her career teaching in Bicester, taking on various roles until she became Head of Maths. To gain wider experiences and take on new challenges, Nicola spent the past four years teaching elsewhere and is excited to have returned to The Bicester School in her new senior role.

As Deputy Headteacher and Raising Standards Leader, Nicola is working closely with teachers and students to ensure everyone has the best opportunity to fulfil their academic potential.

Wayde Vardy – Assistant Headteacher

Wayde graduated from Kingston University with a BSC in Analytical Science. He then worked in the field of pharmaceuticals for 10 years. Wayde qualified as a teacher in 2004, spending a year at The Cherwell School before moving to the Bicester School, where he has occupied a number of posts, including Head of Year and now Assistant Head.

Wayde has a passion for teaching and is an innovative practitioner and thinker. In 2013, he started the successful Saturday School, which offers all students in year 11 the opportunity to complete extra studies and catch up on coursework and revision.

Wayde grew up in Woodstock. He is married with three children and has a passion for travelling.

Michael Hume – Assistant Headteacher

Michael graduated with a joint honours degree in Sports & Coaching Studies and Geography before completing his teacher training at The University of Birmingham in 2011.

He later went on to take his first teaching post here at The Bicester School as a PE teacher. Michael has held various pastoral positions here at The Bicester School including head of year and head of key stage. Michael is very excited to now be in the post of Assistant Headteacher responsible for behaviour and conduct.

Michael enjoys most sports but is passionate American football and basketball supporter.

Phil Hollindale – Assistant Headteacher

Phil graduated from Newcastle University with a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics before working for five years as a Government statistician in The Department of Environment.

After gaining his teaching qualification from Oxford University in 1996, he taught in both state and independent schools before arriving at The Bicester School in 2004 as Head of Mathematics. In this role, Phil oversaw a dramatic improvement in exam results. As Assistant Headteacher, his responsibilities now include timetabling and academic data.

Phil hugely enjoys working with young people and sharing with them his love of mathematics. He says: “It is a subject which is often misunderstood. For me, it is about developing a way of thinking, which can help to more deeply understand all kinds of situations and problems in the world around you. I love trying to develop an appreciation of the subject in pupils. I also love the fact that I use my subject knowledge, practically, in my leadership role to support the school’s work to help all our pupils reach their full potential.

Paul Marshall – Assistant Headteacher

Paul is a French and Spanish specialist, as well as English as a Foreign Language, and also holds a Master’s Degree in Education Technology and TESOL.

He began his career in Oxfordshire before moving to Chile for several years, where he held teaching and leadership roles in a secondary school, a university and a language institute.

He returned to the UK in 2015 and joined The Bicester School as Head of Modern Foreign Languages in September 2016. In 2018 he was seconded to the Senior Leadership Team as Associate Assistant Headteacher, and is now Assistant Headteacher and the School Designated Safeguarding Lead.

David Jardine – Assistant Headteacher

David graduated from the Nottingham Trent University with a BA Honours degree in History before working for 6 years in a management role within the energy sector. After completing his History PGCE at the University of Nottingham in 2006, he taught in Bedford before teaching at an international school in Malawi for two years. Since returning, David has worked in a number of secondary schools around Oxfordshire gaining experience as Head of Department, Head of Faculty and Head of Year. As Assistant Head of Teaching, Learning and Operations at The Bicester School, he is responsible for embedding good practice through a programme of professional development and for monitoring teaching standards.

As well as his passion for teaching, David is a keen swimmer and competes for the local Bicester Bluefins masters team as well as in open water events.

Gareth Allum – Assistant Headteacher

Mr Allum joined the school in 2018 having worked as Head of Department in another two local Oxfordshire schools. Having graduated with an LLB in Law, Mr Allum initially worked in marketing before joining the teaching profession. Mr Allum has experience of leading departments and faculties, as well as previously having worked as Pupil Premium Lead. Mr Allum now leads our Sixth Form provisions, as well as the school’s Careers program.