Meet the Senior Leadership Team

Imogen Bull - Vice Principal

I am very proud to be Vice Principal at Avonbourne Academies and to be part of the United Learning family. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Geography, a PGCE and an NPQSL. I have worked at Avonbourne Girls' school since 2010 in several different roles, including Head of Department and Assistant Headteacher. Prior to this, I worked as a Head of Department and Deputy Head of House at a school in Greater London for 7 years. 

Seeing Avonbourne Academies develop over the last two years and playing my part in the Academy improvement journey has been, without question, the highlight of my career and gives cause for huge excitement and optimism about where we can go as a community.

I am passionate about my subject- Geography and my current area of responsibility- Teaching and Learning. I believe that the quality and rate of student learning is the most important thing we can do, ensuring every child is able to achieve the highest possible progress and have the opportunity to go on to university or an alternative of their choice. 

 I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible throughout the year.

Oliver Maund - Vice Principal 

I am very pleased to have joined Avonbourne Academies in September 2020. I have worked for United Learning since 2013 and thoroughly enjoy working for such an established Academy trust who focusses on the ‘Best in Everyone’ by providing excellent education for all their young people. 

I achieved a Bachelor of Education with Honours in Physical Education in 2001 and feel privileged to be able to call myself a teacher. I have held several roles during my career but have spent a number of years as Head of Year, developing a passion for Pastoral care within schools, and the importance it plays in supporting students to be successful, confident learners within their environment. I have also completed an NPQSL.

Prior to joining Avonbourne Academies I worked at Glenmoor and Winton Academies in Bournemouth for 19 Years and am very proud to be able to say I played a part in creating two highly successful schools in Bournemouth. 

I am driven to replicating the successes I have previously enjoyed, at Avonbourne Academies, creating a school where students experience the very best education and experiences both in the classroom and beyond. 

Jo Booler - Associate Vice Principal 

I am an Associate Vice Principal with responsibility for Personal Development. I relocated from Yorkshire to work at Avonbourne Academies and I am delighted I chose to do so. Avonbourne is on an incredible journey and I am excited to be a part of it. 

I have a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Wales, Bangor and completed a PGCE in Secondary Science in 2007 at Sheffield Hallam University. I began working for the United Learning trust in September 2020, I have previously held leadership positions in other successful multi academy trust in Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire. 

I believe that every student should have the opportunity to achieve academic and personal excellence in an inspiring, engaging and dynamic learning environment. I am passionate about and work hard to ensure our students at Avonbourne are equipped to reach their full potential. 

Daniel Parker - Associate Vice Principal 

Having joined Avonbourne Academies in January 2020, I have a real sense of pride of where we started, what we have achieved and am truly excited for the next stage of our journey.  

As an Associate Vice Principal, I am delighted to be responsible for Raising Standards and am exceptionally proud of our Year 11 GCSE results in 2022. Furthermore, I am the SLT link to English and feel privileged to help drive excellence at both whole school and departmental levels.  

I achieved a 2:1 BA (Hons) from The University of Liverpool in English Literature and Communications. Subsequently, I gained my PGCE through Teach First, qualifying from The University of Manchester. In 2022, I completed my NPQSL from University College London and United Leaning’s Senior Leadership Programme. Previously, I have taught in an inner-city school in Manchester as Head of Department for Media Studies, in Oxfordshire as Deputy Head of English and Literacy Co-ordinator and volunteered to teach in Africa on three occasions.   

I believe in the work being done at Avonbourne. I consider it to be at the forefront of transformational educational change and relish working across many departments - collaborating with unrelenting leaders, teachers and support staff.   

Most importantly, we are committed to being ‘unapologetically ambitious’ in delivering the highest standards of Teaching, Learning and Behaviour to develop our students. I believe that the educational philosophies which underpin our school values, will deliver excellent outcomes for our students, ensuring they progress to their desired next stage in life.  

James Goldsmith - Associate Vice Principal

Since moving to the area over a decade ago, I have been extremely proud to work within this educational context and serve our local community. I have always had a passion for teaching and coaching and at the heart of this, lies a desire to help young people develop and achieve great things. 

I hold a BA (Hons) in Physical Education (QTS Sec), and NPQSL, and have enjoyed a variety of roles that range from being a Subject Specialist and Faculty Leader, through to my current role focusing on culture and behaviour within our Senior Leadership Team. 

I believe that high expectations, clear routines, and a shared ethos are at the heart of all successful teams and organisations. I am passionate about ensuring that all students achieve excellent outcomes, but my background in sport has also led me believe that there is more to a good education than simply outstanding exam results. I believe that it is our moral imperative to develop character, compassion and service within our students and provide them with a range of experiences. I want our students to look back on a schooling which has inspired and challenged them, preparing them for the ups and downs of life. 

Angelina Brittain - Assistant Principal and SENDCo

I am delighted to hold the post of SENDCo and Assistant Principal at Avonbourne Academies.  I have worked at Avonbourne Academy since 2003 in various roles including Subject Leader, Head of Year, SENDCo and Assistant Principal.  The length of time at the Academy reflects my commitment to the school community. 

I hold a BA (Hons) in Music, LBCA (TD), PGCE, NASENCo and IQ Level 7 PAPAA.  Prior to working at Avonbourne I was the Head of Music in a large London comprehensive school.  Prior to my teaching career I was a successful performer in National Music Competitions and ran a private music tuition service in London.  I have also been an adjudicator at National Music Festivals as well as more locally, the Bournemouth and Southampton Music Festivals.  My work in music supports my commitment to fully enriching the lives of all children, including those who may have additional needs.   

My work with students is based on a fundamental belief that all children can achieve.  Every individual student is capable and entitled to reach their full potential with the support and challenge of both home and school.  Every child is entitled to the same high-quality education and should look forward to an aspirational future.   

Nikki Dadson - Assistant Principal

I am thrilled to be working as a member of the Senior Leadership Team at the Avonbourne Academies. Having joined Avonbourne 9 years ago, I have been committed to improving the education outcomes of our community and supporting our education with character offer. I am very excited about the future at Avonbourne.

I have a BA (Hons) in Dance and a PGCE from the University of Exeter and have completed my NPQSL through the University of Winchester. As a teacher of dance, I am passionate about providing students with opportunities to explore their interests and develop their talents which help to equip them with the character attributes that will enable them to succeed later in life. I love the buzz of dance rehearsals and productions and teaching a subject which takes students away from their desks and allows them to think critically, be creative and gain confidence.

In my role, I am fortunate to support and welcome students and parents at the very beginning of their journey at Avonbourne, where we expect the highest standards in our mission to bring out the 'best in everyone'. I aim to assure the local community that Avonbourne is the right choice for your son or daughter as through challenge and the persistence to work hard and be at their best, our young people can achieve the future of their dreams.

Georgina Wallace-Northridge - Assistant Principal

I have had the pleasure of working for United Learning for the past 3 years . My role as the South Coast Maths Advisor has seen me work with a number of schools in the Trust and I look forward to using my expertise with my students here at Avonbourne Academies.

I graduated from the University of Exeter with a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and worked in London in Client Management before returning to my home in Dorset and retraining as a Maths teacher. I am passionate about my subject and am a great believer that students can be successful in mathematics with hard work and dedication. I work tirelessly to ensure that students have the best start in life by leaving education with an outstanding results to back them up. 

Outside of work, I am a Vice President at Wimborne Rugby club where I have both played and supported since the age of 5.  I live in Salisbury with my husband, Colin and our daughter, Josephine.

Laura Tsabet - Assistant Principal

I was pleased to join Avonbourne Academies in January 2020, very much at the start of its exciting transformational journey. In my role as Assistant Principal, I oversee Teaching and Learning within the academies, ensuring our staff have access to the research-informed professional development. 

I hold a BA (hons) in English Literature and PGCE in Secondary English from the University of Portsmouth, an NPQ in Senior Leadership from University College London, and an NPQ in Leading Teacher Development from the Ambition Institute. 

As well as fulfilling my love for learning through my continuing studies, I have also written regularly for the Times Educational Supplement and have co-authored a book entitled Succeeding as an English teacher, published through Bloomsbury. Prior to working at the academies, I fulfilled a voluntary role as the Dorset regional advocate for Litdrive, a non-profit organisation providing CPD for English teachers. To date though, my greatest achievement is raising my wonderful daughter. 

I'm hugely excited to continue the journey started by our leadership team at Avonbourne. I believe that the exceptionally high standards of teaching, learning and behaviour contribute to a culture where pupil learning is placed at the forefront and where all students, regardless of background, can achieve the results that they deserve. We are ambitious because we care.

Sophie Newnham - Assistant Principal

I am extremely proud to have been working at Avonbourne Academies since January 2021. My role as Director of Modern Foreign Languages and Associate Assistant Principal means that I am able to help students grow into confident and creative communicators in French and Spanish classrooms as well as to support all students across the academies with their homework, revision and formative assessment.

I hold a first-class joint honours degree in English and French from the University of Warwick and a PGCE in Secondary Modern Foreign Languages from the University of Manchester. I have a Senior Leader in Education (SLE) qualification and I am also studying for an NPQSL with the Ambition Institute. I have always been enthusiastic about languages, and this is shown through former roles such as teaching English as a foreign language at Pau University and secondary schools in France, tour guiding in Caen, au pairing in Saint-Malo and translating for a travel magazine and app in Paris. The opportunities that language learning have given me inspires me to teach languages passionately here at Avonbourne Academies so that my students are as enthused about the world and all it has to offer them as I am!

We work tirelessly for our students because we believe all children deserve the very best regardless of their background or starting point. With warm guidance and research-driven teaching, our students can fulfil their ambitions and achieve their goals here with us at Avonbourne Academies. 

Charlotte Larrington-Vandy - Assistant Principal

I am extremely happy to have joined the senior leadership team at the Avonbourne Academies in September 2022. I told a BSc (Hons) in Physics, a PGCE and am about to undertake a teach first qualification as well as complete the internal senior leadership programme with United Learning. 

My subject is mathematics and prior to joining Avonbourne Academies I have worked as a lead practitioner of teaching and learning, a lead teacher for Maths and an A level maths coordinator at local schools. Prior to teaching I have also worked in international language schools and have over 15 years' worth of experience in the catering and hospitality industry. 

I believe that all children can achieve, and will, given the opportunity. I am hugely proud to be working at a school that has such high expectations of it's students, both academically and personally. The journey the school is on is extremely exciting and I am very excited to be a part of it. 

Brianna Fairbank - Assistant Principal 

I am proud to have been working at Avonbourne Academies since September 2021. I very much enjoy being part of this dynamic and dedicated community and am passionate about helping our students achieve their full potential.

I hold a BA (Hons) in English from The University of Nottingham, including a semester abroad at The University of Connecticut in the USA. Additionally, I have a PGCE through Teach First, as well as an MA in Transformational Leadership and NPQML and NPQSL qualifications.

Throughout my career, I have been committed to supporting the professional development of my colleagues and promoting a culture of excellence and equity for all students. As Head of English, Media, and Drama, I am responsible for overseeing the curriculum in these subjects and supporting the department in their work. In my role as Associate Assistant Principal, I continue this support across the breadth of our Curriculum offer here at Avonbourne, ensuring all students have access to a broad, knowledge-rich curriculum that allows them to develop their voice and find meaning in the world.

Coralie Crisell - Assistant Principal 

I am excited to have joined Avonbourne Girls’ and Boys’ Academy as Assistant Principal in 2023, at such an exciting time as the school continues to expand and develop. I will be supporting the pastoral team, in particular years’ 7 and 8 with behaviour and safeguarding. In my role I will endeavour to support pupils to succeed.

I graduated from the University of Chichester with a Sports Coaching Science BSc in 2009 and then completed my teacher training there in 2011. Since then, I have worked in Southampton City schools and led on several pastoral roles such as Transition, PSHE, Personal Development, Attendance and Head of Year.

I am passionate in striving to make sure that all pupils have the same opportunities, regardless of the barriers that they may face, so that they can achieve the results they deserve and leave Avonbourne as well-rounded individuals.

The exceptionally high standards of teaching and learning at Avonbourne is something I am very proud to be a part of.  

Mike Wood - Assistant Principal 

I am excited to be joining Avonbourne Girls’ and Boys’ Academy as Assistant Principal in 2023, as it continues to develop and thrive into the choice school for the local community. I will be supporting the pastoral team, in particular years’ 9 and 10 with behaviour, attendance and punctuality, which are crucial in getting the most out of time in the academies.  

I graduated from the University of the West of England (Bristol) with a BA Hons in History and completed my QTS through the Wessex School’s Training Partnership (WTSP) in 2012, at St Edward’s School in Poole. Since then, I have worked in school as a Head of Year and Director of Learning overseeing and supporting the pastoral and academic progress of the students. I am an enthusiastic historian with a particular passion for modern History in Russia and the Cold War which I hope to share with the students here at Avonbourne. I strongly believe that school’s do not just teach curriculum subjects, but life lessons, which is why I am keen to support students to be in school and in lessons every minute of every day, while developing their character, commitment, and goals for the next steps in life.  

Outside of work I am a High-Performance Coach for Trampoline Gymnastics, working with Poole Gymnastics and Trampoline Club, and the British Gymnastics National Team. I feel this role gives me transferable skills to understand how difficult time management, and organisation is, but also how important it is to have a passion and goals to succeed and be aspirational about the future.  

Tom Kidman - Associate Assistant Principal 

Having grown up in Bournemouth and been educated at a local school, I recognise how important high-quality schools for this community are. I feel privileged to have joined Avonbourne from a local outstanding school in 2020 and am very proud to have contributed on its journey to a position of local and national excellence.

I hold a BA (Hons) and PGCE in History from the University of Southampton and have recently completed my NPQSL through Ambitions Institute. Over the past few years, I have been focusing on raising standards across the history department by developing a curriculum that extends our students’ intellectual and cultural horizons, creating informed and tolerant young adults. In 2022, I launched our Avonbourne Grammar Stream, ensuring that students with high prior attainment excel on their secondary journeys and formed the partnership between Avonbourne and the University of Southampton.

As an Associate Assistant Principal, I am delighted to be driving standards at Key Stage 3. I firmly believe that if all students are challenged, supported and engaged, then every child can achieve well, regardless of their starting point.

Kira Jupe - Associate Assistant Principal 

I am extremely proud to have been working at Avonbourne Academies since September 2020. My role as Head of Year allows to me to help students grow emotionally, socially, and mentally. I am honoured to have a wider impact on the community at Avonbourne to help our students achieve their full potential.

I hold a BA (Hons) in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics from the University of Birmingham. I have a PGDE through Teach Frist, as well as undergoing a MA in Transformational Leadership in Education.

Throughout my time at Avonbourne, I have been committed to improving the experiences and opportunities for students who face various barriers in their life. I enjoy promoting a culture that ensure our students become excellent citizens of the world. In my role as Associate Assistant Principal, I continue to support these values by overseeing Pupil Premium and EAL.