Leadership Team (ID 1386)

• Damian Haigh
  Headteacher
  Damian Haigh

  Damian gained a Degree from Cambridge University, before returning to Sheffield to take a PGCE in Mathematics at Sheffield Hallam University.He started teaching in Staffordshire in 1997 and became a Head of Mathematics in Cheshire in 2004.He is the first Headteacher of the school and joined the school in 2019, a year before the school welcomed its first students.

  He is interested in philosophy, neuroscience and cognitive psychology as well as mathematics. He has more hobbies than time and might be found sewing, knitting, cooking, gardening, cycling, hill walking or sailing when he’s not at work.

• David Hemsley
  Deputy Headteacher
  David Hemsley

  David is our Deputy Headteacher and teaches physics as well as being the lead for our Personal and Pastoral Enrichment Programme, which includes Progression and Careers. He is also designated safeguarding lead and is in charge of the pastoral team. David has always had a passion for physics and the amazing concepts it covers. His love of science fiction from a young age helped to fuel his desire to know what was possible in the realm of physics. David studied Astrophysics at The University of Edinburgh and then a PGCE in Secondary Education/Physics at The University of Cambridge. He is also a keen sportsman, playing club rugby and tennis where his fitness allows! David is a keen advocate of a healthy lifestyle and personal education beyond the curriculum. David is one of the school’s Extracurricular Visit Coordinators and promotes the importance of residential visits for student's personal development.

  He has been a physics teacher, head of physics, head of science and a senior leader as a head of sixth form before his current position at the Maths School.

• Lynda Stott
  School Business Manager
  Lynda Stott

  Lynda is a chartered accountant with a wealth of experience gained from working in both the public and private sector. Lynda has held a number of senior financial positions in SME businesses involved in the property, leisure and retail sectors with overall responsibility for the delivery and interpretation of financial results. She joined the University of Central Lancashire Students’ Union in 2003 and until recently held the position of Director of Finance and Performance.

  The changing educational environment continues to capture and retain Lynda’s interest as education and employment are crucial elements for our future economy and the generation to come. Her eye for detail, extensive experience of educational finance and her experience of working in SME’s made her an ideal School Business Manage for a small school.

Computer Science Team (ID 1387)

• Steve Wentworth
  Head of Computer Science
  Steve Wentworth

  Steve is our Head of Computer Science and also deals with the technical side of IT at school, as well as all sorts of fun projects on electronics and robotics.

  He was a natural choice for this role, with almost 40 years programming experience beginning with self-taught coding in Basic on a Sinclair ZX Spectrum and progressing to significant professional experience in the financial sector in software development roles. He achieved a Masters degree in Microelectronics and Information Systems following a 1st class BSc. in Applied Electronics and Computers at John Moores University.Steve has been teaching Computer Science GCSE and A-level since 2014.

• Tracy Birkett
  Teacher of Computer Science
  Tracy Birkett

  Tracy completed a BSc in Computer Science at the University of Chester in 2008 and worked in network support for 6 years before completing a PGCE in Computer Science in 2014. She is enthusiastic about her subject area and in the constant evolving world of technology, she loves to keep on learning. Throughout her teaching career she has enjoyed going beyond the curriculum with her students, always on the lookout for new opportunities to share with them to help broaden their experiences outside of the classroom. In school she is involved with the Women in STEM club and retro games club.

• Samuel Canham
  Teacher of Mathematics and Computer Science
  Samuel Canham

  Samuel is a maths and computer science teacher. He studied mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge then gained an MSc in Computing at the University of York where he became a research associate working in formal methods and verification.He did his PGCE at the University of Sheffield in 2019. As a teacher, he is particularly interested in combining the teaching of mathematics and computing, stretching students beyond the curriculum, including preparing students for STEP and olympiads, linking mathematics with other curriculum subjects and giving students tastes of university mathematics topics. He also promotes hobbies, extracurricular activities and clubs, running the school’s anime club, cryptography club, recreational maths club and the role playing games and board game Friday enrichment activities. He has recently started keeping a colony of ants, learnt how to make ice cream and is devising a phonetic alphabet for describing dialects of English.

Maths (ID 1390)

• Colin Thomas
  Head of Mathematics
  Colin Thomas

  Colin is our Head of Mathematics and leads our outreach initiatives. He studied Economics and Mathematics at the University of Liverpool and returned to the University campus when the Maths School first opened. He has enjoyed the opportunity to combine both of the A level Maths and Further Maths curricula in order to create a unique and challenging experience for our students. The development of our Go Further outreach programme has allowed him and other staff to work with a large number of schools across the North West region, launching other initiatives such as our team challenges and KS3 Root to STEM community. Colin helps deliver our sports lessons on a Friday afternoon drawing on his coaching qualifications and his experience as vice-captain of the University football club.

• Michael Prescott
  Teacher of Mathematics
  Michael Prescott

  Michael has been teaching Mathematics for over a decade in Merseyside, and has mainly spent that time developing cross-curricular puns and perfecting enthusiastic sarcasm. In his degree, he discovered a passion for number theory and, unfortunately, statistics, but was determined not to apply this knowledge to the real world and so went into teaching. At ULMaS, as well as being a vital cog in the Maths department machine, he covers PSHE, PE and the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award.

• Johnathan Birkett
  Teacher of Mathematics
  Johnathan Birkett

  Johnathan is a recent graduate of the University of Liverpool having studied in BSc and MSc Mathematics. As well as undertaking his PGDE in Further Education at Liverpool Hope University. Johnny is an avid proponent for STEM in the region andloves working with young mathematicians through our outreach programmes. As well as teaching maths at ULMaS, he coaches the next generation of engineers through the F1 in Schools programme, and supports students on their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.Outside school, he likes to go for climbs at the local climbing hangar, walks around the North, and the football.

• Maria Bennett
  Head of Outreach
  Maria Bennett

  Maria joined ULMaS as Outreach lead and mathematics teacher in September 2024 and has taught mathematics in this region for around two decades. She has been working at speed to set up the Garnett Academy, the Garnett Scholars Programme and to develop the school's relationships with providers around the region A key supporter of the Women in STEM club in school,she alsoruns yoga sessions on Friday afternoons, participates in musical performances and inspires students on a daily basis.

• Samuel Canham
  Teacher of Mathematics and Computer Science
  Samuel Canham

  Samuel is a maths and computer science teacher. He studied mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge then gained an MSc in Computing at the University of York where he became a research associate working in formal methods and verification.He did his PGCE at the University of Sheffield in 2019. As a teacher, he is particularly interested in combining the teaching of mathematics and computing, stretching students beyond the curriculum, including preparing students for STEP and olympiads, linking mathematics with other curriculum subjects and giving students tastes of university mathematics topics. He also promotes hobbies, extracurricular activities and clubs, running the school’s anime club, cryptography club, recreational maths club and the role playing games and board game Friday enrichment activities. He has recently started keeping a colony of ants, learnt how to make ice cream and is devising a phonetic alphabet for describing dialects of English.

• Damian Haigh
  Headteacher
  Damian Haigh

  As well as being the headteacher, Damian also teaches mathematics to ULMaS students and also online as part of our outreach programme.

Physics Team (ID 1392)

• Dr Aurora Gutierrez-Sosa
  Head of Physics
  Dr Aurora Gutierrez-Sosa

  Aurora completed her PhD in Surface Science at the University of Liverpool after her Master’s Degree in Physics at the Complutense University of Madrid. She was a research scientist at Oxford and Manchester before, luckily for us, discovering that she is a natural teacher. She has done research on catalysts, plasma physics and nanotubes using both particle accelerators and field electron microscopy. During her teaching career, she has organised trips to CERN, Gran Sasso and to see the Northern lights, along with many other activities.

• Jamie Hall
  Teacher of Physics
  Jamie Hall

  Jamie is the newest addition to the already stellar physics team here at ULMAS. His favourite field of physics is quantum mechanics and he runs the weekly Quantum Club, introducing students to mathematics and physics not usually seen until degree level! He also has a keen interest in creating brain teasers, setting the weekly physics problem challenges.

  After obtaining a first class master’s degree in theoretical physics from the University of Leeds, he returned to his home city of Manchester to train as a physics teacher. It was within his master’s degree that he discovered his passion for teaching, helping his lecturers to compile notes and deliver workshops to first and second year students. Jamie enjoys snooker, chess and brain teasers.

• David Hemsley
  Deputy Headteacher
  David Hemsley

  As well as being an unbelievably enthusiastic Deputy Headteacher, Dave also loves to teach a bit of Physics!

Pastoral Support and Administration Team (ID 1394)

• Lynda Stott
  School Business Manager
  Lynda Stott

  As well as being our School Business Manager (see LeadershipTeam, above)Lynda oversees the work of the support team.

• Mary Higham
  Pastoral Lead and HR Officer
  Mary Higham

  Maryhasa BSc in Environmental Management and Geography andhas worked in schools across Merseyside for fifteen years, covering a huge variety of non-teaching roles. At ULMaS she has applied this experience to admin, pastoral work, safeguarding and outdoor adventures. She joined us office manager and quickly became an indispensable part of the school's support network for both staff and students. She now leads the pastoral support team in school and her support and wise judgement is valued by staff and students alike.

• Ruth Crispin
  Office Manager
  Ruth Crispin

  Ruth has a background in Graphic Design and worked for a number of years in the print industry. She started working in schools whilst living in North London and after moving to Liverpool looked to extend her experience. She has taken on many roles in a variety of schools including reprographics technician, learning mentor, receptionist, PA and attendance officer to name a few. She enjoys the challenge and variety of juggling being Office Manager, Data Manager, Exams Officer and also supporting students and running breakfast club somehow in between. A Scrabble enthusiast, she runs the school's Scrabble club and supports her son in his quest for world Scrabble domination!

• Kerry Wilde
  Senior Administrator
  Kerry Wilde

  Kerry has worked at ULMaS since its opening in September 2020. She has a BSc in Mathematics and PGCE in Secondary Mathematics from Sheffield Hallam University.

  Her role includes leading Outreach and Admissions administration as well managing key financial processes and knowing everything that is happening in school. She became a Form Tutor in 2023 and is now a driving force of Johnson House. Kerry also helps to coordinate the school’s advertising and marketing. Students place a high value the advice and support she provides for them every day, as well as her artistic talents and her support for their musical events.

• Rhiannon Page
  Sixth Form Administrator
  Rhiannon Page

  Rhiannon has recently joined the team here at ULMaS as Sixth-Form Administrator. She has a BSc in Psychology and completed a MSc in Research Methods with Advanced Statistics. This is her first school role and she enjoys working with such talented students and staff. She juggles a range ofadministrative and finance taskswhile keeping a very close eye on the wellbeing of the students passing by her desk. She isa kind and enthusiasticadvocate forstudents, looking out for them and helping them reach their full potential, but woe betide anyone who leaves the building without beeping out first!

• Nick Blanchard
  Teaching Assistant
  Nick Blanchard

  Nick graduated with an MMath in 2020 before taking a role at an educational charity providing small group mathematics support for students who had been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This position led him to the maths school, which inspired him to pursue a career in teaching, and so he undertook a PGDE with a placement at ULMaS. Nick has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by neurodiverse students and provides individual and group support for students, both academically and pastorally. He has an ever rotating list of hobbies, with current interests being coffee, mechanical keyboards, and chess. His gentle empathetic personality and genuine love of mathematics make him uniquely well qualified for his role at ULMaS.

• Matthew Donoghue
  School Counsellor
  Matthew Donoghue

  Matthew is a compassionate and reflective BACP accredited counsellor with seven years' experience of counselling in education and private practice. Students often cite his work with them as being transformational for their futures and he is a key part of the schools approach to producing young people are properly prepared for success. He works with students individually and in small groups and provides advice and support for staff in trying to overcome the difficulties faced by their students. Matthew's office is a special place in the school for many people: somewhere they can take refuge, discover themselves, and tackle things that may have troubled them for years.

• Fred Fortune
  Careers Advisor
  Fred Fortune

  Fred is an independent careers adviser from Career Connect, with 20 years experience in careers education, information and guidance. Fred started her career by participating in a Year in Industry before going to Manchester University to study Mechanical Engineering. However, she found she missed more fundamental science and swapped direct to the second year of MPhys Physics at the same university. She stayed on to do a PhD in Optical Coherence Tomography, with the Laser Photonics Group when, as a student tutor, Fred found she particularly enjoyed helping others to progress and so completed her career guidance qualifications the following year, working mainly with young people in various schools ever since. She is particularly passionate about equality and diversity, including supporting neurodiverse clients.

  Outside work, Fred can usually be found doing house repairs, singing in a choir, crafting, playing board games and computer games or doing various different types of puzzles. Her love of puzzles translates well into guidance - helping young people to solve their career related puzzles.

• Siobhan Doyle
  SEN Consultant
  Siobhan Doyle

  Siobhan is a self employed SEN consultant and Specialist Assessor. She supports the pastoral team with making provisions for students with special educational needs, and provides staff training.

• Beth Hewitt
  Governance Professional
  Beth Hewitt

  Beth Hewitt is an experienced Governance Professional with over 20 years of expertise across public sector organisations. Formerly the Principal Governance and Democratic Engagement Officer at Kirklees Council, she has worked across sectors, including Children and Young People, Health Inequalities, Economic Development, and Safeguarding. Previously a Senior Project Manager for a business consultancy, Beth led large-scale programmes supporting business growth across the Leeds City Region. She also runs her own business support organisation, providing coaching to start-ups as a performance coach and NLP Practitioner. Passionate about mental health and well-being, she is the author of The Gratitude and Vision Building Journal and hosts two podcasts promoting positive change. She is also a Wellbeing Support Officer at Leeds United FC on match days, supporting at-risk adults and children to enjoy match days safely at Elland Road. Beth brings her experience to Liverpool Maths School, supporting the Trustees and Members to ensure strong governance across all of the schools Committees.

Governance (ID 1401)

• Kathleen Johnson
  Chair of Trustees
  Kathleen Johnson

  Kathleen was a senior lecturer in the School of Physical Sciences at the University of Liverpool until her recent retirement. She became Chair of Trustees in December 2022 and after serving an initial term of 2 years has kindly agreed to continue until December 2026. Her thoughtful leadership of challenging and supportive governance is highly appreciated by both the board and the staff of the school.

  As well as being Chair of Trustees she is alsochair of the Governance Committee,physics link trustee and a member of the headteacher’s appraisal panel

• Dei Harries
  Vice Chair of Trustees
  Dei Harries

  Deiisin-house employment counsel for the University of Liverpool. He provides support and advice to the University on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious issues impacting on organisational performance, services, external contractual relationships, research projects and partnerships. He also advises on student issues including fitness to practice, discrimination and regulatory matters. He is a trustee director of University of Liverpool Pension Fund Trustees Limited, and therefore understands the role, key duties, and responsibilities associated with being a trustee director.

  Dei studied architecture at the University of Liverpool before qualifying as a solicitor, and prior to his current position was an Associate at Weightmans LLP where he advised a wide range of corporate and public sector clients, including schools and universities, on a broad range of employment and pension issues.

  As well as being vice chair of trustees, Dei is chair of the Staffing and Appraisal Committee and staff wellbeing trustee

•  John Thompson
  Chair of the Education Committee
   John Thompson

  John came to Liverpool from Newcastle to study Physical Education & English in 1990 and has been here ever since.

  He has worked in all settings and phases in education, with all levels of ability ranging from children as young as 3 through to mature university students who at the time were twice his age. He moved from being Head of PE in a Specialist Sports College (where his A Level class was made up of 12 students of whom 6 were county standard, 3 internationals and a World record holder who went on to win an Olympic Silver Medal) to Special Needs Education which has, as his knees have given up, become as big a passion for John as sport ever was. His passion for education has led him to become Head of School attwo Merseyside SEN Schools.

  In John's free time he is a fan of Newcastle United, enjoys cinema, reading, current affairs, cycling, sport and cooking. Cooking almost became John's profession at one point when he appeared in the TV Show - Iron Chef UK and following his experience went on to work in Michelin Starred kitchens becoming at the time the only amateur to have been invited to cook at Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck. John is dyslexic and finds the differences in the way people learn fascinating and as a result he has a very creative approach to developing teaching and learning to meet the individual needs of the students.

  As well as being chair of the Education Committee, John is theSEN link trustee and a member of the headteacher’s appraisal panel.

• Christopher Nicholson
  Chair of Finance Audit and Risk Committee
  Christopher Nicholson

  Christopher is a parent trustee who joined the board in October 2022. He is a senior manager in the National Health Service and also chairs the Finance Committee in another Academy Trust.

  Christopher is the chair of Finance Audit and Risk Committee and link trustee for risk.

• Dr. Mohammad Rahman
  Safeguarding Trustee
  Dr. Mohammad Rahman

  Mohammad holds a Postgraduate Diploma in medical education from UCL and is a Fellow of Advanced HE. As a Clinical Tutor at the University of Liverpool, he was awarded the Tutor Prize for his contributions to medical education.

  Having chosen Medicine to escape Mathematics, Mohammad discovered a renewed passion for the subject during his epidemiological research at the National Confidential Inquiry in Manchester. This sparked his interest in supporting mathematical education, particularly for students from non-traditional backgrounds.

  Currently one of the Deputy Medical Directors for Nottingham Integrated Care Board, Mohammad is a practising Psychiatrist who believes in the transformative power of education.

  When not working, he enjoys playing on his Xbox.

• Anthony Rooney
  Trustee
  Anthony Rooney

  Anthony Rooney gained a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Liverpool Hope University in 2007. Since graduating he has held senior roles within the facility and project management industry, delivering projects across education, healthcare, local and central government.

  Anthony is currently Sector Director for delivery to a number of large central government departments across the UK and Europe delivering facility management, energy and sustainability and capital projects. A Liverpool local, Anthony is keen to see all children within the city have the opportunities to grow and develop into the best they can be, with well maintained surroundings and experienced, passionate teachers. Anthony brings experience within facility and estate management as well as health and safety to the Board of Trustees.

  Anthony is our careers link trustee, and also leads on the governance of health and safety

• Gavin Brown
  Trustee
  Gavin Brown

  Gavin joined the University of Liverpool in 2015 as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education. He played a key role in establishing the University of Liverpool Mathematics School, was our first Chair of Trustees and has continued as a Trustee ever since.

  In his university leadership rolehe supports the Vice-Chancellor in setting the academic direction of the University, provides strategic leadership and champions the enhancement of learning and teaching throughout the academic and student community. He is also keen on promoting social and geographic mobility in the student body, and is a keen advocate of study abroad programmes, having established numerous partnerships with universities around the world.

  Gavin isthe computer science link trustee.

• Prof Daniel Colquitt
  Trustee
  Prof Daniel Colquitt

  Daniel is Professor of Applied Mathematics and a member of the Waves and Continuum Mechanics group in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Liverpool.His research work involves investigatingphysical problems from the point of view of mathematics.He uses and develops new mathematical techniques for the study of wave propagation, localisation and fracture in complicated materials.

  He serves asHead of the University of Liverpool's Department of Mathematical Sciences and is our link trustee for mathematics.

  Dan is our mathematics link trustee.

• Danielle Parle
  Parent Trustee (Year 13)
  Danielle Parle

  Danielle is a parent trustee. She is Head of Centre of Maxam Training Limited, a private training provider offering Level 3 - Level 5 Education and Training, Assessor and IQA qualifications. She previously worked at colleges in the Liverpool City Region working with 16-18 year olds and adults, many of whom came from areas of high social deprivation, and was also Head of Education at a local training provider specialising in adult education for women, providing a safe and supportive space for them to learn.

• Eilish Slater
  Trustee
  Eilish Slater

  Eilish has been a civil servant for 28 years and as is a trained tax inspector. Her recent career has been delivering IT Programmes where she lead teams, develops and maintains governance and manages large budgets. She believes education is a fantastic way for young people to build strong foundations for their future and provides an opportunity for social and economic disadvantages to be minimised and is keenly aware of the difference that her own educational opportunities have made to her life. Her daughter was a student at ULMaS before she became a trustee with us.

• Emilia Shillito
  Trustee
  Emilia Shillito

  Emilia works at HSBC as an Associate Director in the Large Corporates team. She joined HSBC straight from the University of Sheffield whereshe studied Law.

  She isstudying towardsher CIMA qualification and brings important financial expertise to the governance of ULMaS. She also brings balance to the governance of the school, especially through belonging to a younger generation than the rest of the board.

• Keren Baker
  Parent Trustee (Year 12)
  Keren Baker

  Keren comes from a creative background as a music teacher a freelancer in creative industries. She ispassionate about improving access to creativity in the curriculum and believes strongly in the benefits encouraging a creative outlet, even for those who don’t regard themselves as innately creative. Her challenge and advice is crucialin helping us in our aim to develop and support our students' resilience and mental health.

• Damian Haigh
  Trustee (ex-officio)
  Damian Haigh

  As headteacher, Damian is a trustee ex-officio.

• Nicola Davies
  Representing the University of Liverpool as a Corporate Member of the Trust
  Nicola Davies

  Nicola was appointed as Director of Finance at the University of Liverpool in October 2017, and is responsible for all finance and procurement activity at the University, along with Strategic Planning and the Strategic Change team. Prior to her role at Liverpool she held a number of roles at the University of Manchester, most recently Deputy Director of Finance. Over the last five years her roles have been focused on delivery of change projects, including two finance restructures, and the design and implementation of new planning and reporting processes. She has been working within the HE sector for the last 15 years, and is passionate about this sector. Nicola has a keen interest in staff performance and development, and promotes continuous improvement as a way of working.

  Before joining the HE sector, Nicola qualified as an ACA chartered accountant and worked in a number of accounting firms including Ernst and Young and Grant Thornton. She has a BSc in Mathematics from Newcastle University and an MSc in Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics from The University of Manchester. Her strong STEM background, broad HE experience and financial expertise make her an ideal Member for our trust.

•  Julie Ann Gillespie
  Representing HSBC as a Corporate Member of the Trust
   Julie Ann Gillespie

  Julie Ann is a Relationship Banker (Mid Markets) with 25 years’ experience of relationship/stakeholder management, strategy, change, general management, operations, conduct, leadership/management, HR/Learning and charities/third sector. She has strengths in shaping and executing plans; delivering strategic and operational change; stakeholder management disciplines and interpersonal skills. With20 years’ experience in supporting Third Sector organisations as a Chair of Trustees and mentor, she is an asset to our Trust.

• Professor Kurt Langfeld
  Member of the Trust
  Professor Kurt Langfeld

  Kurt Langfeld is Dean of Computer, Data, and Mathematical Sciences at Western Sydney University. Prior to that he was Head of the School of Mathematics and Professor in Theoretical Physics, at the University of Leeds. He was central to the project that set up the University of Liverpool Mathematics School when he was Head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Liverpool and remains a devoted supported of the school since moving to take up his new post in Australia

• Professor Carsten Welsch
  Member of the Trust
  Professor Carsten Welsch

  Carsten is Head of Accelerator Science at the University of Liverpool. He is also Director of LIV.DAT and LIV.INNO, EuPRAXIA-DN Coordinator and a STFC Council Member. He initiated and is coordinating the EU-funded research and training networks DITANET, LA3NET, oPAC, OMA and AVA. He is also Director of Liverpool University's STFC CDT on Big Data Science, LIV.DAT. With a combined budget of more than 20 million pounds these are the largest research and training initiatives ever realised in this research area. Carsten has organised dozens of international schools and topical workshops for Liverpool University students, staff and the wider scientific community. As a member of various scientific advisory committees he contributes to defining future research trends and the advancement of physics in general.