Executive Team (ID 1408)

• Mr J.S. McCullough
  Head of School
  Mr J.S. McCullough

  Growing up about three miles from the Nottingham Forest ground (When they were a really good team – the best in Europe for a while!), I really wanted to be a footballer when I grew up. However, I was probably a better musician than a sportsman which, at the comprehensive school I went to, didn’t earn you quite as much kudos as the sport might have done. I did go on to play football for Oxford and Cambridge, and even won a Boxing Half Blue while doing my teacher training, and I am so happy to be able to watch school sport most Saturday afternoons now. The only other achievement of note from university was that I won the Oxford University Practical Organic Chemistry prize in my first year. I didn’t know much chemistry but I could cook; something I still enjoy to this day!

  
  Following my PGCE in Mathematics with Games, I started my teaching in the maintained sector in Bishop’s Stortford but soon moved to the independent sector when it became clear to me, even way back then, that this change would allow me the chance to do so much more than “just teach”. The opportunity to coach games, play in orchestras, even to appear in school musicals, were all motivations behind my change of sectors. A change that I have never regretted.

  
  My family, four amazing young men who will all be OCs, and my wife, Sally, have moved about a fair bit. From Fettes College in Edinburgh, we moved to Lancing College near Brighton, and have now been in beautiful Bristol for more than ten years. I remain passionate about holistic education where exam results are important, but not the most important part of a young person’s education. I still love sport and music and I am intent on doing what I can to make a Collegiate education as accessible to as many local families as we can. The OC Society have been key in this work and I look forward to doing even more to find funds to support local girls and boys who would benefit from attending this amazing school.

• Mr D.A.H. Edwards
  Head of Prep
  Mr D.A.H. Edwards

  Mr Edwards has dedicated 31 years to education, teaching in both the United Kingdom and Kuwait. Beginning his career as a Physical Education teacher, he has since held leadership roles, including Head of PE and Games, Head of House and Geography, and Deputy Head.

  With 17 years of headship experience, Mr Edwards has led a distinguished boarding and day school in Wiltshire. Committed to lifelong learning, he holds an MA in Educational Leadership and Management and has served as an Independent Schools Inspector (ISI) for more than a decade. Most recently, he attained ILM Level 7 Executive Coaching qualifications and is currently mentoring new Head Teachers for IAPS.

  A lifelong sports enthusiast, Mr Edwards played rugby in the Dubai 7s during his youth. He now enjoys golf and skiing and remains actively involved in the annual Preparatory School ski trip.

• Dr P.B. Hill
  Deputy Head, Senior School
  Dr P.B. Hill

  Dr Hill has taught for more than 20 years and has been Deputy Head at Collegiate for 13 years. Before becoming a teacher, he was a management consultant for Accenture, working with clients including BT, Vodafone, and PlayStation.

  Dr Hill oversees the day-to-day running of the Senior School. He teaches chemistry, games and Future Leaders, our innovative employability skill programme, which Dr Hill designed based on his experience and training at Accenture. During his teaching career, he has worked as an educational consultant for Oxford University Press and Learning Science.

  Dr Hill has a BSc (Hons), a PhD, both in Pharmacology, and a PGCE from the University of Bristol. He also has an MBA from UCL’s prestigious Institute of Education, where his dissertation focused on the development of 21^st-century skills in the curriculum. He continues to have strong links with UCL, giving lectures and contributing to publications.

• Mrs K.J. Fisher
  Finance Director
  Mrs K.J. Fisher

  Kate has worked at Collegiate School since January 2020, initially in the role of Assistant Bursar before being appointed as Finance Director in November 2023.

  Kate qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young (EY) in 1994 and, following qualification, was employed at Mulberry Design as Financial Controller. She then successfully set up and ran her own accountancy business from home for a period of 14 years, during which time her three children attended Collegiate School.

  Following a temporary contract as FD at The Society of Merchant Venturers, Kate started her employment at Collegiate.

  Kate enjoys participating in, and watching, a variety of sports.

• Mr S. Morrison
  Facilities Director
  Mr S. Morrison

  With more than 17 years' experience in project and commercial management within the construction industry, Stuart brings a wealth of knowledge in delivering complex projects efficiently and effectively.

  His career has spanned a wide range of responsibilities, including contract negotiation, stakeholder management, cost control, and ensuring project delivery aligns with client expectations and regulatory standards.

  Prior to his work in construction, Stuart gained valuable experience in the security industry, where he developed a strong understanding of risk management and operational compliance.

  Earlier in his career, he served as an auditor and compliance officer in the electro-surgical device industry, further strengthening his attention to detail and commitment to quality assurance.

  This diverse background provides him with a broad perspective and a pragmatic approach to solving challenges. He is passionate about building strong teams, maintaining high standards, and contributing to the successful delivery of every project he undertakes.

Senior Leadership Team (ID 1382)

• Mrs J. Barwell
  Head of EYFS
  Mrs J. Barwell

  Jo Barwell began her teaching career in London in 2000. She moved to Collegiate Prep School in 2002 where she spent seven years teaching Reception and leading the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) before moving into KS2.

  In 2013, Mrs Barwell left teaching to work in educational publishing where she wrote and edited teaching materials for organisations including the BBC, Oxford University Press and the Roald Dahl Literary Estate.

  After over 10 years in the publishing industry, the call of the classroom was too much and Mrs Barwell returned to Collegiate School as a supply teacher in both the Senior School and the Prep School before reprising her role as Head of EYFS in 2024.

  Mrs Barwell has a BA (Hons) in Modern Languages and Literature and a PGCE in Primary Education. She now oversees the day-to-day running of the EYFS (Pre-school and Reception) and teaches a Reception class.

• Mr O.J.R. Barwell
  Assistant Head (Pastoral), Prep
  Mr O.J.R. Barwell

  Oliver Barwell has been teaching for over 32 years. He started as Head of Sport at Quainton Hall Prep School in Harrow, where he taught for nine years, before moving to Bristol, where he taught at a number of local independent schools.

  He started as Head of Sport at Collegiate in 2008, before shortly afterwards also becoming Head of Curriculum and Assessment. As his career continued at Collegiate, he took on further responsibilities, such as Head of Co-curricular activities.

  Since 2019 he has switched roles, moving from academic responsibility to the overseeing of the pastoral system. He is currently Assistant Head Pastoral, Head of Sport, Head of Co-Curricular (all in the Prep School) as well as organising the daily logistics in the Prep School.

  In his long sporting career, he has represented the West of England school boys at cricket and Middlesex for rugby as an adult. Venturing into football, he even represented England, playing veterans football in a match against Wales!

  He achieved a BA (Hons) in Sports Science and Religious Studies from Brunel University, before going on to attain Qualified Teacher Status.

• Dr Z.R. Bell
  Assistant Head (Curriculum)
  Dr Z.R. Bell

  Dr Bell has been teaching Science (A level specialism Chemistry) for several years and has led numerous science faculties both in the state, grammar and independent sectors in the Bristol and surrounding areas before joining the Collegiate leadership team in September 2019.

  Currently Dr Bell oversees several aspects of the curriculum including pupil reporting and progress, study skills and academic development, curriculum provision and examinations. In addition to this academic role, Dr Bell supports the CCF contingency at the school as a Lt in the Army section.

  Dr Bell has a BSc. Hons in Chemistry and a PhD (Inorganic Chemistry) from the University of Bristol where she spent several years undertaking postdoctoral research in the field of Supramolecular Chemistry designing multidentate ligand-based metal cages that self-assembled before moving into to teaching.

• Mr D.R. Boyce
  Assistant Head (Pastoral)
  Mr D.R. Boyce

  Dylan Boyce has been Assistant Head (Pastoral) since September 2023, overseeing pastoral care and behaviour across the school. Since joining in January 2007 from Whitfield Fishponds (now Bristol MET), he has held several leadership roles, including Head of PSHE, Head of House (Dolphin) for eight years, and Assistant Head with responsibility for pastoral care in the Sixth Form.

  A qualified Designated Safeguarding Lead, he is an active member of the school’s safeguarding team, ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of all students.

  Originally from Belper, he holds a BA in History and Archaeology from Leicester University. Outside of school, he is kept busy by his two young children but remains committed to the importance of strong pastoral care in shaping young people’s futures.

• Mr C.A. Coulstring
  Assistant Head (Co-Curricular)
  Mr C.A. Coulstring

  Mr Coulstring has been teaching for nearly 20 years and has worked in schools across the Bristol and the surrounding area, Beijing, China and Doha, Qatar. Having started his career at Downend School he moved internationally to be Head of Department in Beijing and then again in Doha.

  He returned to the UK and undertook a Senior Leadership role as Head of Pastoral and Behaviour at Hanham Wood s Academy. Prior to joining Collegiate School in September 2024, Mr Coulstring was Assistant Head: Personal Development at Katharine Lady Berkeley's School in Gloucestershire.

  He has a BA(Hons) degree in Product Design from Leeds Metropolitan University and IRB Level 2 Rugby Coaching certificate.

  Mr Coulstring is a passionate sportsman and has enjoyed playing both Rugby and Golf around the world, both of which he now coaches.

  As Assistant Head (Co-Curricular) here at Collegiate, Mr Coulstring strives to ensure that all of our students have access to a broad and varied co-curricular offer that enriches their school life and offers them opportunities they might not otherwise get to experience.

• Miss C.M. Flay
  Assistant Head (EDI)
  Miss C.M. Flay

  Bio to follow

• Ms K.T. Porter
  Assistant Head (Sixth Form)
  Ms K.T. Porter

  Bio to follow

• Mrs L. Springett
  Assistant Head (Academic), Prep
  Mrs L. Springett

  Since Since September 2024, Mrs Springett has been Assistant Head (Academic) at the Prep School, responsible for the curriculum and assessment, whilst also being Head of Girls' Games and hockey. She teaches English and Maths to Year 5 and Games across all junior year groups.

  Mrs Springett first gained a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from UWE, then a PGCE from Brunel University, London. Since qualifying 13 years ago, she worked at Leighton Park School in Reading and primaries in London and Bristol.

  Prior to joining Collegiate, Mrs Springett was English and PE lead at a primary in the heart of Bristol and also sat on the governing body across two federated schools.

• Dr J.A. Tovey
  Assistant Head (Academic)
  Dr J.A. Tovey

  Dr Julie Tovey has been teaching for 36 years, having begun her teaching career at a comprehensive school in Greenwich, London, where she taught for seven years and was Head of Year.

  She joined Colston’s in 1996 and spent 15 years as Head of English before joining the Senior Leadership team as Assistant Head (Academic) where, in addition to overseeing Teaching and Learning, she has led the UCAS Sixth Form application process, whole-school Literacy, the High Achievers Programme, the Extended Project Qualification and acted as Senior Tutor for trainee teachers and ECTs.

  She has a B.A in English and American Literature with Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and a PhD from the University of London; her thesis was entitled The Cultural Work of Sylvia Plath’s prose. She is an experienced examiner of GCSE and A level Literature.

• Miss A.J. Willis
  Assistant Head (Safeguarding)
  Miss A.J. Willis

  Ali Willis is an experienced educational leader and has almost 30 years of dedicated service in safeguarding, pastoral care, and drama education. Having served as the Assistant Head of Safeguarding for nearly a decade, Ali has played a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff.

  In addition to their safeguarding responsibilities, Ali also served as Head of Dolphin House and Assistant Head Pastoral, roles that allowed them to champion student welfare and emotional health.

  Ali's actor training allows her to connect with drama students, helping them develop essential skills such as communication, empathy, and self-expression. Ali 's passion for drama extends beyond the classroom, creating performance opportunities that inspire creativity, teamwork, and confidence in students.

  Through these roles, Ali demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the happiness and welfare of students, striving to create an inclusive and safe school environment, where every student can thrive.