Mark Beard

Mark J Beard joined UCS as Headmaster in September 2013 after seven years at Brighton College as Deputy Headmaster, including a period as Acting Head Master.

After graduating with a first-class degree in Chemistry from Corpus Christi College, Oxford, he began his teaching career at King Edward’s School, Birmingham (1995–99) and then served as Head of Chemistry at St Paul’s School, London (1999–2006). He also obtained a Master’s degree in Education Management from King’s College London.

Mark is currently a Governor of two schools in London. He has two sons, resides in North London and enjoys squash, reading and Ancient History.

Mark Beard can be contacted by emailing [email protected].

Mark English arrived at UCS initially as Deputy Head (Academic) in January 2014 and has been Vice Master (Senior Deputy Head) since September 2021. He joined from North London Collegiate School where he was Head of Modern Languages and Head of Spanish.

Before his forays into leadership, he was first and foremost a passionate Modern Languages teacher – and still is – specialising in Spanish language and literature as well as teaching French and, occasionally, Portuguese. Previously, Mark was Head of Spanish at Merchant Taylors’ School having started his career at Oakham School.

An Oxford Modern Linguist, Mark subsequently studied for an MA in Latin American Studies in his native Liverpool, followed by his PGCE at Nottingham.

His interests include reading and music – listening and playing – and he is also a keen follower of Everton FC and Lancashire CCC.

Andrew Wilkes joined UCS in September 1989 as a member of the History Department.

He was appointed as the first Year Warden of the Entry form (Year 7) before going on to become the first House Master (or Deme Warden) of Underwoods in 1999, a position that he held for 17 years. Andrew was appointed as Deputy Head (Pastoral) in January 2016.

Alongside sport, one of Andrew’s great passions is travel, which has seen him visit countries around the globe with UCS pupils. Andrew holds a first-class degree in History from the University of Reading.

Victoria Heeley joined UCS in 2023 as Chief Operating Officer, following similar roles at King Alfred School and Sarum Hall School.

Victoria is a chartered accountant and spent a number of years in investment banking in both London and Sydney before moving to the independent school sector.

She has responsibility for developing and steering the Foundation’s infrastructure and operational strategy, and oversees the delivery of support services including finance, commercial activities, estates, HR, IT and catering.

Victoria graduated from the University of Bristol with a degree in Maths. She lives locally and is married with two children. She is an avid Crystal Palace fan, while also enjoying many other spectator sports, and is a regular theatre-goer.

Rebecca Baxter joined UCS in 2014 as Director of Drama, having previously taught at schools in South London, Oxford and Portsmouth.

She spent six years leading UCS Drama, seeing it grow into a thriving and creatively exciting department. In 2020 she was promoted to Assistant Head (Co-Curricular), overseeing the co-curricular provision and chairing the inaugural Diversity and Equality Steering Group. This was followed by a change of role in 2021, to Assistant Head (Head of Sixth Form).

Born in Scotland, but raised in Portsmouth, she loves both the Highlands and the South Coast. She is an intrepid traveller, a keen reader and a devoted theatre-goer.

Stewart FitzGerald joined UCS in September 1990 having previously taught in London and having also spent some years in the world of accountancy in the City.

He joined UCS as a member of the Junior Branch and moved to Frognal along with Years 7 and 8 when both schools were restructured. After a number of years as Year Warden in the Lower School he became House Master (aka Deme Warden) of Baxters, a position he enjoyed for 15 years alongside teaching Geography and coaching senior cricket and rugby teams. The newly introduced Head of Middle School position has been his role for more than five years.

Stewart enjoys winter and summer sports and plays golf poorly. He lives with his family in Buckinghamshire where gardening and watching his son kick a ball take priority. Stewart graduated from UCL with a BA Honours degree in Geography.

Edd Roberts started teaching Chemistry in 2001 after graduating with an MSci from the University of Durham.

He landed at UCS in 2015 as Head of Chemistry, having been Head of Chemistry at Reigate Grammar School. He became Head of Science in 2016 and in 2017 was promoted to Assistant Head (Director of Partnerships and PR). He has been in his current post since September 2021.

Edd has a daughter and lives in South London. He has a keen interest in sport, music and travel.

Sophie Bennett joined UCS as a member of the History and Politics Department in 2018. Prior to moving into London, Sophie trained and taught in the maintained sector in St Albans.

At UCS, Sophie spent 18 months working as a Director of Teaching and Learning before being promoted to the role of Assistant Head (Partnerships & PR) in 2021. Sophie moved to her current role in 2023.

She was awarded a first-class degree in Social Science from the University of Manchester in which she specialised in the British political tradition and feminist theory.

Sophie remains hugely interested in both these topics, and in History and Politics more broadly, and is an avid reader of her subjects as well as of fiction. She lives in West Hampstead with her partner and much-loved rescue cat.

Jessica Lewis joined UCS in September 2015, having previously taught at King’s College School, Wimbledon.

In 2017 she was appointed Co-Warden of Olders House (or Deme), guiding what was a final all-girl cohort through UCS. In 2019 Jessica became Head of Classics and joined the Senior Leadership Team in 2021 as Assistant Head (Co-Curricular) before moving to her current role in 2023.

Jessica graduated from Corpus Christi College, Oxford with a first-class degree in Classics. She is a passionate proponent of Classics as a discipline for the 21st century, and continues to read and learn about intersectional feminism, LGBTQIA+ issues and anti-racism.

Phil Miller arrived at UCS in 2007 as Head of Geography, having previously taught at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet, at Auckland Grammar School in New Zealand and at Parmiter’s School in his home town, Watford.

After four years in his first role at UCS, Phil took on responsibility for the school’s tracking and reporting system, before being promoted to the Senior Leadership Team in January 2015 as Director of Studies and Director of Admissions. He now has responsibility for policy compliance alongside his admissions role, and takes up a role as a Team Inspector for ISI during 2023–24.

Phil is married with two children and in his spare time very much enjoys travel and sports. He graduated with a BSc in Geography and Geology from Keele University.

Thomas Underwood joined UCS in September 2000. He was appointed House Master (or Deme Warden) of Evans in 2007 and then in 2011 became Head of Modern Languages, carrying out this role until his promotion to his current position in 2020.

Thomas served for over a decade on the Independent Schools’ Modern Languages Association committee and in that time held a variety of posts. He has a particular interest in classroom pedagogy, marginal gains and developing the pupil experience.

Thomas lives in Essex and is married with two sons. He is a keen footballer, takes a great interest in computers and IT and has a lifelong passion for the city of Salzburg and the intricacies of the German language.

Thomas holds a BA in Modern Languages (French and German) and European Studies from the University of Bath.

Edd Pickering joined UCS in 2023 as Director of Development and Alumni Relations, following nine years working in fundraising for the University of Reading.

Edd is responsible for fundraising from the school’s community of alumni and parents, and delivering the funding for the capital build and bursary expansion that make up Project 200. In addition to this, he works to build stronger and more fruitful relationships with and between Old Gowers.

Edd graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature and Language. He lives in Hemel Hempstead with his wife and enjoys running, reading, cooking and travel.