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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

Native

English-Speaking Teachers Native

60

Nationalities 60

650+

Students aged 2-18 650+

120

Co-curricular activities 120

Impressive

Pupils to teacher ratio Impressive

Experienced

Teachers Experienced

Outstanding

Pass rate A Level exam Outstanding

Excellent

ISI qualification 2018 and 2022 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

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. She 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 leadership training programmes, including CPAH (The COBIS Programme for Aspiring Heads) and CPML (COBIS Programme for Middle Leaders). These courses are 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 of experience working with children in schools. Before becoming a Teacher and senior leader, her background was in social services and Special Educational Needs (SEN).

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Dan Batson

Deputy Head of Primary School

Dan Batson, Deputy Head of Primary School at the British School of Bucharest, joined in 2014. Dan has a BA in Education from Wolverhampton University, a MA with distinction from Liverpool Hope University, and an NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship). He started his teaching career in Birmingham 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. At BSB, he oversees all curriculum and assessment matters within Primary and has led many whole-school projects, seeking opportunities to incorporate technology effectively within the classroom.

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Paul Gildea

Deputy Head of Primary School

Paul Gildea joined the British School of Bucharest in 2015, taking on the Key Stage 2 Coordinator role and, more recently, Deputy Head of Primary School. He studied at the University of Durham and graduated with a BA degree in Russian and Eastern European Studies before undertaking a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) focusing on Modern Foreign Languages at the University of London, and has an MA in Education, Leadership and Management from the University of Derby. Paul gained eight years of 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), as well as a PGCert in Coaching and Mentoring with Merit. Jason is also a COBIS Lead Improvement Partner and Facilitator for the COBIS CPML course.

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Darren Goode

Deputy Head of Secondary (Pastoral)

Darren joined the British School of Bucharest as the Deputy Head of Secondary School (Pastoral) in 2022. He holds a BA in Arts from Brunel University, a MA in Education from St. Mary's University and a PGCE certification from the London Metropolitan, all obtained in the United Kingdom. He is a highly effective Senior Leader and English, Media and Drama teacher with a strong track record of over 15 years of teaching and 13 years of leading innovation and change in various leadership positions in international schools. Before joining BSB, he spent several years in Doha, Qatar, as an Assistant Principal and Deputy Head Teacher. His passion for education, innovation and change transformed into a personal blog project where he covers various topics within the field. His concern for others and love for social action motivated him to run a social programme offering education support services to disadvantaged students in London.

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Mark Healy

Deputy Head of Secondary (Director of Studies)

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