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Welcome

From the Headmaster

We focus on educating the whole person, and this remains central to the mission and ethos of our school. We are passionate about providing every learner at BSB with the stimulus, encouragement and support to develop their academic abilities.

our vision

Why BSB?

Discover What Makes Us so Special

100%

Native English-Speaking Teachers 100%

50

Nationalities 50

650

Students aged 2-18 650

100+

Co-curricular activities 100+

Impressive

Pupils to teacher ratio Impressive

Experienced

Teachers Experienced

Outstanding

Pass rate A Level exam Outstanding

Excellent

ISI qualification Excellent

Global

Universities reach Global

20+

Specialised subjects for Secondary 20+

Numerous

Prizes received by our students Numerous

Unique

Approach to emphasising STEAM subjects Unique

Teaching staff

100% Native English-Speaking Teachers

Grant Gillies

Headmaster

Grant Gillies is an extremely experienced and successful leader having held several Headships around the world. Previously Senior Vice Principal at Doha College, he has also been a Head in the UK for many years. He studied at Edinburgh University and has worked at national level in the UK, writing policy and being involved in writing the teaching standards for all Scottish teachers ensuring the highest expectations across all schools. Recently Grant completed his National Professional Qualification for Executive Leaders (NPQEL).

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Victoria Smith

Head of Primary School

Victoria Smith joined the British School of Bucharest in 2015 as Head of Primary School. She acquired her PGCE and MA in International Education from the University of Sunderland in England and holds additional degrees in Spanish and Political Science. Following her passion for professional development and school improvement, Victoria is an accredited facilitator of the COBIS Programme for Middle Leaders which is delivered to delegates from around the world. She is also qualified as a ‘Lead Improvement Partner’, helping other international schools obtain COBIS accreditation. Victoria has over 20 years’ experience working with children and in schools and, prior to becoming a Teacher and senior leader, had a background in social services and Special Educational Needs (SEN).

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Dan Batson

Deputy Head of Primary School

Dan Batson is Deputy Head of Primary School at the British School of Bucharest, having joined in 2014. He oversees all curriculum and assessment matters within Primary and has led many whole-school projects, seeking out opportunities to incorporate technology effectively within the classroom. Dan graduated from Wolverhampton University and started his teaching career in the Birmingham area in 1998, working mainly in Key Stage 2 within the British Curriculum. In 2005, he joined a highly respected international British school in Abu Dhabi where he worked as Assistant Headteacher.

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Paul Gildea

Deputy Head of Primary School

Paul Gildea joined the British School of Bucharest in 2015, taking on the role of Key Stage 2 Coordinator and, more recently, Deputy Head of Primary School. He studied at the University of Durham and graduated with a degree in Russian and Eastern European Studies before undertaking a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) with a focus on Modern Foreign Languages. Paul gained eight years’ experience in the British school system, rising to the position of Assistant Headteacher while working in two London primary schools. He has also worked as an English Subject Leader and Year 6 Teacher at the British School of Beijing.

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Jason Porter

Head of Secondary

Jason Porter joined the British School of Bucharest in 2013 as Deputy Head of Secondary and is now our Head of Secondary. He is a graduate of Exeter University, where he read Russian and German, and later qualified as a teacher of Modern Foreign Languages at the University of Nottingham. Jason joined the school following nine years as Housemaster at Chigwell School, a prestigious HMC Boarding School in the UK. Jason has obtained an MA course in Applied Educational Leadership and Management at University College London (Institute of Education).

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Robert Notley

Deputy Head of Secondary (Pastoral)

Rob Notley is responsible for the pastoral care of all students in Secondary, which includes leading personal development, student leadership and well-being programmes, as well as student safeguarding. Mr. Notley is also coordinating trips and is involved in the leadership of the CCA programmes and offers support and advice for all students and parents on pastoral care and development. Mr. Notley joined BSB in August 2019 as Head of Key Stage 5, taking up the leadership role of Assistant Head of Secondary the following year, before becoming Deputy Head. After a six-year career as a Physical Training Instructor in the British Army, Mr. Notley has gained over 10 years’ experience in the UK in school leadership and in teaching Physical Education, PSHCE, EPQ and Science. Mr. Notley has held a variety of roles, including Director of Sport at a large UK academy, where he developed academic P.E. and a thriving sport and community fixtures programme, as well as working in a school improvement consultancy across the UK. He has also collaborated with the Youth Sport Trust in the development of a new nationwide programme and provided the education package to Queen's Park Rangers Football Club. Mr. Notley is a holder of the NPQML professional qualification from University College London and currently delivers a Middle Leadership course at BSB as a COBIS Facilitator specialising in developing the leadership qualities of Middle Leaders.

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Mark Healy

Director of Studies (Deputy Head of Secondary)

Mark Healy joins us in 2021 as the Director of Studies & Deputy Head of Secondary. Mr Healy brings over 30 years of experience in leadership and teaching roles in Psychology, TESOL and Physical Education. He has lived and worked internationally, including in the United Arab Emirates and the South Island School in Hong Kong, where he held several Senior Leadership roles. Mark joins us from Scotland, where he worked as Deputy Head. Mr Healy is actively involved in educational research, being an associate of ResearchED, a professional organisation supporting teachers’ professional practice, and he has regularly presented at conferences. He has appeared on several high profile education podcasts and interviews. He is currently writing a book on the psychology of sleep and its impact on schools and learning and is also a contributory author to leading educational titles.

Mark Healy will be responsible for all curriculum matters for students in Secondary. This will include leading the GCSE and A level options process, overseeing the Key Stage 3 curriculum, coordinating academic events such as Parents’ Consultation Evenings, reports and curriculum information presentations. Generally, offering guidance and support to students and parents to optimise academic progress across Secondary. Mark will also place a lens on effective classroom practice and provide a fulcrum to support high-quality learning and teaching across our secondary classes.

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full team