Leadership Team | Bicester School

Sam Knowlton, Headteacher

Sam graduated from the University of Wales, Bangor, School of Oceanography with a BSc Hons and went on to study a Masters in Applied Oceanography. Her PGCE was through Bath College of Higher Education and focused on Secondary Science and Physics as a specialism. Sam's education continued, studying for an MEd Educational Research, Leadership & Management at King’s College Cambridge & University of Westminster OU whilst teaching, and culminated with her NPQH.

Sam's why is because she can. She loves solving problems and has the energy and drive to develop people and see them flourish.

Sam's role at ALET and as the Headteacher at The Bicester School focuses on supporting schools to deliver high-quality education and achieve the Trust’s vision of Transforming Lives Through Learning. Sam has a proven track record in raising standards, driving innovation, and building strong, purposeful relationships with staff, students, and the wider community. She is deeply committed to lifelong learning, underpinned by her academic background and a strong belief in the power of education to unlock potential and shape futures.

Nicola Le Brun, Deputy Head 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.

Dan Courtney, Assistant Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form

Dan graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2012 with a degree in Sports Coaching and Physical Education. He furthered his qualifications by completing a PGCE at St Mary’s University in Twickenham.

Dan joined The Bicester School in 2016 as a teacher of Physical Education and has been dedicated to making a positive impact by supporting our pupils. Over the past four years, he has taken responsibility for our Key Stage 4 students, focusing not only on their academic progress but also on their holistic development.

His passion for sport goes beyond teaching; he actively plays cricket and football in his spare time. He is also an enthusiastic sports fan, supporting Arsenal, Boston Celtics, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2017 Dan introduced The Bicester Ski Trip that has now been running for the past 8 years.

Dan has recently been promoted to the role of Head of Sixth Form, where he is responsible for leading and supporting students through their final years of secondary education, helping to prepare them for their future academic and career pathways.

Phil Hollindale, Assistant Headteacher

Phil holds a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics from Newcastle University and began his career as a government statistician at the Department of Environment. After qualifying as a teacher at Oxford University in 1996, he taught in both state and independent schools before joining The Bicester School in 2004 as Head of Mathematics. In that role, he led a significant improvement in exam results. Now an Assistant Headteacher, Phil oversees timetabling and academic data. He is passionate about mathematics and helping students appreciate its value, both as a way of thinking and a practical tool.

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 master's team as well as in open water events.

Gareth Allum, Assistant Headteacher

Mr Allum joined The Bicester School in 2018, having previously led departments in two other Oxfordshire schools. After earning an LLB in Law, he began his career in marketing before moving into teaching. He has extensive experience in leading departments and faculties and has also served as Pupil Premium Lead and Head of Sixth Form. Mr Allum is now Heading up Key Stage 3 academic standards and also oversees the school’s Careers programme.

Matt Brown, Assistant Headteacher

Matt studied Geology at Royal Holloway before starting out as a Quantity Surveyor. He later trained as a teacher and has spent the last 28 years working in five different Oxfordshire schools. Over that time, he’s taken on a range of roles, including Key Skills Co-ordinator and Head of Geography and Humanities.

He’s contributed to an A Level World Development textbook and has worked with both Oxford and Oxford Brookes universities, helping to train and assess trainee teachers.

Since joining TBS, Matt has completed a Master’s in Educational Leadership. His dissertation focused on how schools can better support disadvantaged students—something he’s passionate about, having grown up the most deprived area in the country. That drive is central to his current role as Assistant Head, where he leads on Equity.

Kerri Knibbs, Associate Assistant Headteacher

As the daughter of a serving naval officer Kerri grew up living in many coastal areas in the UK, starting off in Scotland and spending most of her teenage years in Portsmouth. The many house moves clearly sparked her passion for geography having been born amidst the snowy mountains and lochs and settling eventually away form the coast at almost the UK's most inland area in the Chilterns.

After graduating from Staffordshire University with a BSc in Geography and Geology, Kerri undertook a PGCE in Geography at the West London Institute of Education in Twickenham. The first 11 years of her career were in Slough taking on various roles including Head of Humanities before joining the Bicester School in 2005. Throughout her time at TBS, Kerri has held a range of positions from Head of Department to Lead Practitioner and since 2023 as Associate Assistant Headteacher. Kerri has worked closely with many of the interns and ECTs embarking on their career in teaching and her work with Oxford University was recognised with a secondment as a Curriculum Tutor and culminating in being made an Honorary Norham Fellow from this prestigious establishment. Kerri now leads on attendance at TBS. She believes that all children deserve the very best that education can offer and working closely with the Teaching and Learning Team endeavours to ensure a range of opportunities are available for all.

Away from school Kerri can be found spending time with her family. In addition she is actively involved in charity work, chairing the board of trustees for the Oxford based charity SSNAP (Support for Sick Newborn and their Parents)

Sarah Morey, Associate Assistant Headteacher DSL

Sarah graduated from Sheffield University with a BA Honours degree in English Literature and History. She then worked as a Teacher of English as a Foreign Language in Beijing, China for two years. On returning to the UK, Sarah completed her English PGCE at Kings College London. Sarah worked for 11 years at Valentines High School in London in various roles including Head of Department before moving to Bicester and joining the Bicester School.

As Associate Assistant Head Sarah is the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead and responsible for safeguarding of the students at the school.

As well as teaching, Sarah is usually found supporting her sons at various football matches around Bicester and enjoys running and reading.

MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Sam Knowlton

Nicola Le Brun

Wayde Vardy

Dan Courtney

Phil Hollindale

David Jardine

Gareth Allum

Matt Brown

Kerri Knibbs

Sarah Morey

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