Heads of Subject

Paul Baily

Paul is an Oxford graduate and is Head of Physics, a Director of Studies and Head of our Medical Sciences Programme.

"A truly inspirational man" (Parent Survey)

"He was incredibly helpful (as Director of Studies) and we appreciated his judgement." (Parent Survey)

Alastair Barnett

Alastair is our Head of History and gained a first from Worcester College, Oxford University. He is a senior examiner at A level and a highly experienced teacher. His other responsibilities at the College include Academic Co-ordinator and joint Head of the Oxbridge Preparation Programme. Alastair is also one of our Directors of Studies.

*"Mr Barnett followed up my son's progress extremely well. He fully understood my son’s circumstances; his approach was very human, kind and professional at all times. I cannot thank him enough.” (Parent Survey)*

Christophe Brinster

Christophe is Head of Modern Languages and Film Studies. He has taught French at d'Overbroeck's for over 12 years, including the French cinema topic. For the last two years he has also been teaching Film Studies. His MA dissertation focused on American cinema and he followed courses on Stanley Kubrick and Psychoanalysis in films at the University of Massachussets. Christophe is also one of our Directors of Studies.

“Christophe has been very supportive and kept Alex on his toes. He clearly relates well to the students and is always responsive to issues raised.” (Parent Survey)

Andrew Colclough

Andrew is our Head of Politics and is also a Director of Studies at the College. Andrew has an MA in Political Theory from York University. Andrew’s teaching style is highly interactive focusing on debate and discussion with students and the grades they achieve in Politics are truly spectacular, fifteen out of seventeen students achieved grade As this summer. As well as teaching at the College Andrew has been a lecturer and regional coordinator for the Open University.

“Many, many thanks for all your hard work. Hugh has flourished in every way since he started at d’Overbroeck’s and we are thrilled not just with the excellent exam results but also Hugh’s new found confidence in himself” (Parent Survey)

Andrew Gillespie

Andrew is Head of Business Studies and Accounts. Andrew is a graduate of Worcester College, Oxford and is a senior examiner for A level Business Studies. Andrew has written numerous textbooks for Business Studies and is involved in teacher training. Andrew is also one of the team of Directors of Studies as well as an Independent Schools Inspector.

“Gill (Andrew Gillespie) was always very supportive of Dominic and encouraged him in his studies. Dominic’s confidence has grown because of the positive ways Gill influenced his morale and studies.” (Parent Survey)

Simon Harrison

Simon is a graduate of University College Oxford in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. He is the Head of Economics, a very experienced Business Studies teacher and also a Director of Studies at the College. Simon has written several textbooks and is a senior examiner in both Economics and Business Studies at A level. Simon is responsible for developing the Economics Department website at www.economicsalevel.co.uk.

“Both Simon and Gill (Andrew Gillespie) show an incredible commitment to their students and subjects.” (Parent Survey)

Richard Heelas

Richard is a man of several degrees and qualifications (BA, MA, Dip Anth, M Litt, D Phil Oxon) and is the co-author of one of the main Geography textbooks used in schools nationally. Richard’s interests reach far and wide as is shown by the fact he is Head of Geography, Psychology and Sport Studies and teaches all three subjects. Richard is a national expert on Amazonian tribes. In addition to his other responsibilities, Richard is also one of our Directors of Studies.

“Best teaching I have ever had - small classes, engaging style is brilliant. Alasdair, Simon and Richard Heelas all very good.” (Student Survey)

Richard Knowles

Richard is Head of Philosophy and Sociology and is our longest serving teacher at the College having first taught at the College in 1977. Richard has taught at various college in the University of Oxford and was Tutor for Admissions at Hertford College.

Susanne Kreitz

Our Head of German, Susanne was educated in Germany, she has a degree in PE & Educational Sciences and a PhD from Hamburg. She has 16 years’ teaching experience and has been teaching at d’Overbroeck’s since 1997, and was appointed Head of German in 2000. She has written and published a Doctorate on Marathons and has represented Germany at international track events.

Andy McNeill

Andy is our Head of Mathematics. He has a first from Leeds University and a PhD from Cambridge. Andy has been teaching for 25 years and is still as enthusiastic in the classroom as the day he started. Andy previously taught in Newbury before joining us in 1995 as Head of Mathematics.

Alasdair MacPherson

Alasdair is our Academic Head of Sixth Form and Head of English. Originally an English and History graduate at Glasgow University he then went on to further study at Oxford University. Alasdair is responsible for all academic issues in the College at AS and A level and is also one of our Directors of Studies.

“We had great confidence in Alasdair throughout the two years.” (Parent Survey) “He has shown extraordinary dedication. Patience and just thorough professionalism. Alex has been challenged and valued…Thank you for your insight wit and humour.”(Parent Survey)

Alan Milosevic

Alan is a pure mathematics graduate of University College of Wales, Aberystwyth and is our Head of Computing & ICT at A level. After teaching Maths and Computing for seven years, he started his own computer design consultancy. He then spent 17 years writing software and running technology companies, the most recent growing to employ 120 mathematicians, computer scientists and physicists with offices in San Francisco, Montreal, Tokyo and Oxford. He has recently sold the business to a large Japanese computer firm and returned to teaching, although he remains on the board of several young innovative technology companies.

Jane Nimmo-Smith

Jane is Head of Classical Civilisation, Latin, Ancient Greek and Ancient History. An Oxford graduate, Jane is equally at home in any of the classical subjects and as well as teaching has, in recent years, found time to work as a librarian at Oxford Brookes University and to contribute to the writing of three children's reference books. For the last two years, Jane has been an assistant examiner for OCR AS Ancient History.

Max Parsonage

Max has a BSc from Reading University and is our Head of Chemistry. Max is renowned not only for helping students to achieve excellent results but also for his ongoing fascination for his subject and his love of explosions! Max is the author of “Chemistry: Facts and Practice” published by Oxford University Press, a leading AS and A level textbook. He is presently working on interactive software to really bring the studying of Chemistry alive.

Kate Parsons

Kate is our Head of Drama and teaches both Sixth Form and Leckford Place students at Leckford Place. Kate has an Honours degree in Drama from Royal Holloway, University of London and a PGCE in Secondary Drama from Reading University. She also did a Foundation course in performance and Production skills for Radio, TV, Film and Theatre at ARTTS International. Kate is also an examiner for Edexcel and writes theatre reviews for extraextra.org


Mark Piesing

Mark is Head of Communication Studies and the UCAS/Higher Education Co-ordinator for the College and has also been an examiner/senior examiner in Communication Studies for the AQA. He studied at Warwick University before studying for a PGCE at Manchester University and also has a background in community and social work. Mark’s success can be seen in rising numbers of students taking Communication Studies and the exam results, as well as in the personal growth that students who study this subject go through over 2 years.

Nick Reeves

Nick is our Head of Art, History of Art and Photography. He has a BA Hons & MA from Cambridge University and also a PGCE. With 19 years’ teaching experience, he has been teaching at d’Overbroeck’s since 1995. Although his degree from Cambridge is in Art History, he is also a practising artist and so can approach the subject in a very lively and hands-on way. Nick has also written catalogues for the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and has worked in Art publishing.

Jaimie Tarrell

Jaimie is our Head of Biology. Jaimie studied Biology at Durham University, followed by research into fresh water fish in Scotland. Jaimie has been teaching Biology at d’Overbroeck’s for 20 years and has for a long time also run our highly successful Science Department at our Ewert Place site, with a combination of charisma and good humour. In addition to these responsibilities, Jaimie is also one of our team of Directors of Studies.

Melanie Ward

Melanie Ward is our Head of Music and a graduate of The University of Auckland, where she completed her Masters of Music under some of New Zealand's leading composers.  She brings a wide variety of experience to the College, having taught both in New Zealand and the UK, and enjoys a wide range of musical interests, from musical history to composition, electronic music to conducting.

Helen Wood

Helen is the Director of the d’Overbroeck’s International Study Centre and Head of English as a Foreign Language at the College. Helen graduated from Cambridge University before going on to complete a PhD in International History and Politics in Geneva. She is also DTEFLA qualified and a specialist in teaching English for Academic Purposes. Helen takes an active role in helping international students with music and drama activities and often accompanies overseas students on cultural visits around the UK.

The quotes printed here are taken from our annual student and parents surveys.