Administracja i Zarząd Szkoły

Berrin Schofield

Executive Head of Schools

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science,
Master of Education (International Education and Development),
Graduate Diploma of Education,
Certificate of International School Leadership.

Professional background:

Berrin Schofield joined Thames British School in 2023, bringing over 22 years of experience working in international schools in Laos, Thailand, Jordan, and Cuba to our community.

Originally from Australia, he has spent most of his career as an expatriate, with well over half of his experience gained in Senior Leadership and consultative positions. Berrin has led school development in the domains of curriculum development, developing and embedding standards and competency-based assessment and reporting, school campus redevelopment, and master planning, marketing, revitalising mission and vision, the development of Learning Definitions and Principles as well as budgeting and financial reform. He has worked closely with Governing bodies on development projects and served as an ex officio invitee for Finance, Development, and Operations Board of Trustee sub- committees.

He is also an experienced accreditation leader, working with 16 schools in various roles, supporting school development through the accreditation processes, including as a Visiting Team Leader and Chair for NEASC and CIS.

Berrin remains passionate about utilising a philosophy of systems thinking for school development and continuous improvement while ensuring an ethical and authentic approach to leadership. Above all else, he strives to ensure that when the young people entrusted to us move on, they are ready for whatever comes next.

Agnieszka Makulska

Head of School (Park Campus)

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts (Hons),
Post Graduate Certificate of Education with Qualified Teacher Status

Professional background:

Agnieszka Makulska joined Thames British School 5 years ago having started her teaching career over 15 years ago in central London. She specialises in the Early Years and has experience in Early Years Centers of Excellence. She has held leadership roles and consultative positions in connection to her early years and primary roles. Previously having worked in the city of London both in advertising, producing commercials and for dot com start-ups as a customer service manager/marketing assistant.

The message she conveys to children “you never stop learning” is just as true for adults as it is for children. It’s what has kept her on her toes and always looking out for ways to improve. It is also what has kept her challenged and happy to the present day.

She has a keen interest in Politics and has delivered speeches in front of over 3000 people. She believes the most enriching things in life are friends, family, conversations over good food, travel and of course wonderful books that take us on amazing journeys.

She is committed to child-centred creative environments that produce improved results and happy children that want to discover the world for themselves and by themselves, with a little support from staff, and parents. When we work together, we get the best results.

Christian Rosser

Head of School (Ochota Campus)

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts in Education with Qualified Teacher Status (Honours).

Professional background:

Teaching has always been Christian's chosen professional path. He obtained his teaching qualification from Bath Spa University College in the UK, specialising in infant education. For twelve years, he devoted his expertise to educating Year 1 and 2 children in the UK. Twelve years ago, he relocated to Poland, marking the beginning of his experience in teaching children in an international context, an opportunity that has proven to be highly rewarding. With over 5 years at Thames, he is entering his 25th year of teaching with enthusiasm as a valued member of the Thames British School community.

In contemplating his role as a teacher, Christian consistently highlights the importance of the relationships he builds with his students. He derives fulfilment from engaging with students on topics and issues that matter to them, gaining insights into their thoughts and experiences about the world and the classroom curriculum. His vision for the classroom goes beyond the conventional learning environment; he aspires for it to transform into a community where ideas are shared, communication is nurtured, and collective learning becomes a shared endeavour.

Hailing from Wales, rugby has always been a passion for Christian. While he no longer actively participates in playing the sport, the joy of watching and supporting his home nation persists. Beyond the classroom, his leisure activities often include playing pool with family and friends, enjoying leisurely cycle rides, and exploring Poland's charming towns and cities.

Katarzyna Kurzac

Acting Head of School / Mokotów Primary National Head

Qualifications:

Master of Special Education,
PostGrad in Early Child and Preschool Education,
PostGrad in Polish Philology
PostGrad in Educational Management
Qualified mediator of school and peer conflicts

Professional background:

Katarzyna has 26 years of teaching experience working in both public and private schools, as well as 7 years of experience in managing bilingual schools and kindergartens. She is also the author of two educational programs for Years 1-3 in Primary Schools. Katarzyna is passionate about working with children, deeply respects their rights, and always puts their needs first.

Jessica Wrbka

Acting Head of Lower Secondary

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Communications and Business management,
PostGrad Certificate in Education.

Professional background:

Teaching wasn't initially in Jessica’s life plan; she pursued a business degree before discovering her true passion. About four years ago, she embarked on her teaching journey in South Africa, instructing Accounting, Economics, and Business Studies in two different high schools.

During her teaching experience, she identified a shortage of Mathematics teachers, prompting her to pursue a certificate in FET mathematics. This decision not only allowed her to channel her love for mathematics positively but also opened doors to new opportunities, including the honour of teaching at Thames British School in Poland.

Jessica finds solace in books, thoroughly enjoying spending time with friends and family, and seeking new adventures, especially through travel to explore diverse cultures and traditions. Active in sports like netball and swimming, she embraces her South African and Portuguese heritage.

Her core belief regarding teaching is that it should revolve around teaching not just knowledge but wisdom. For her, teaching is about instilling confidence, accountability, and honesty in students. Through fostering positive relationships and demonstrating love, she aims to impart the wisdom that goes beyond subject content, emphasising the importance of being good individuals who act wholesomely and compassionately. The subject matter, she believes, is an additional benefit rather than the primary objective.

Izabela Ryzak

Head of School (Mokotów High School Campus)

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts, PostGrad Diploma of Administration,
PostGrad Certificate in Education with Qualified Teacher Status (UK),
National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership.

Professional background:

Izabela started her professional journey in management roles in London, seizing the opportunity to apply her expertise in business, management, marketing, and finance. Growing personally and cultivating valuable connections in the business environment, she developed a desire to share these experiences with young adults, fostering an uplifting and informative environment for growth.

Completing the PGCE Secondary in Business marked the commencement of her teaching adventure in 2014. Since then, she has taught various business curricula, including A-level, GCSE, and BTEC at both KS4 and KS5. Recognizing the importance of familiarity with exam criteria for effective teaching, she became an examiner for an exam board, progressing to the role of examiner team leader.

Beyond the classroom, she assumed the role of Enterprise Coordination with responsibility for external links, orchestrating internal and external business-related activities throughout the school. This included collaborating with business partners for talks, mentoring programs, visits, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Relocating to Poland in 2022, her career, vision, and passion stood out, leading to Izabela’s current role as the Deputy Headteacher Pastoral at Thames British School. She champions the philosophy of 'Focus creating reality' and advocates for multi-intelligence and success for all students. Emphasising the uniqueness of each student, she strives to create a supportive environment where students feel seen and safe, contributing to future aims, ambitions, and academic achievements.

Passionate about personal development and lifelong learning, she continually explore new paths for self-improvement. Adventure and spontaneous activities bring them joy, with recent ventures including a daring skydiving experience from 13,000 ft. Balancing an active lifestyle with moments of relaxation, she value quality time with friends and family.

In terms of teaching philosophy, she believe in multi-intelligence and adopting a 'success for all' agenda. Recognizing the uniqueness of each individual, she prioritize relationship building with students, parents, and the community, aiming to create a safe environment that nurtures personal and academic growth for every student.

Beata Luniak

Deputy Head of School (Piaseczno Campus)

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts,
Master of Arts,
Qualified Teacher Status

Professional background:

Completing her teacher training at the University of Warsaw in 2014, Beata worked as an English teacher during the final year of her MA studies at a private language school in Warsaw. Post-qualification, she relocated to London in 2016 to enhance her skills, attaining Qualified Teacher Status. Working in diverse school settings with pupils from various cultural backgrounds significantly contributed to her growth as a teacher.

In 2017, she accepted the role of Reception Class Teacher at a primary school in Hampstead, London, acquiring invaluable experience and mastering a range of teaching strategies. Returning to Poland in 2020, she assumed a role at Swietokrzyskie In-Service Teacher Training Centre in Kielce, specialising in bilingual education, supporting teachers in developing their knowledge and teaching practices.

Her experiences affirmed her passion for being in a classroom with enthusiastic young learners. Aspiring to work in a school prioritising emotional, creative, and intellectual development, she believes Thames British School aligns with her goals.

Originally from Kielce, Beata enjoys nature and outdoor activities, particularly swimming and cycling. Her profound passion for reading drives her to inspire a love of books, reading, and storytelling in her students.
Advocating for a creative cross-curricular approach, she values making meaningful and innovative links in teaching. Prioritising child-initiated learning, she fosters their ideas, providing challenging, fun activities across various learning areas.

Emphasising the process of arriving at an answer, she engages pupils in discussions, encourages diverse ideas, and enjoys delivering Philosophy for Children (P4C) sessions. Teaching problem-solving and puzzles, she emphasises higher-level thinking skills and resilience. Maintaining high expectations for attitudes and behaviour, she consistently encourages independence, confidence, and responsibility in her pupils.

Monika Chwesiuk

Head of School (Piaseczno Campus)

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, CELTA,
Postgraduate studies in Organization and Management in Education,
Qualified Teacher Status.

Professional background:

Monika Chwesiuk began her teaching career in a Language School in Warsaw in 2008, while she was still completing her BA. She taught groups and individual students at different levels, including young learners, teenagers, and adults. She created her own course programmes for one-to-one classes and groups of students and was also responsible for designing her own teaching materials. She later became the Methodologist of the school, where she oversaw resources and course programmes, as well as supervising the work of other teachers.

She also taught English during summer schools in England, in Bath, Oxford, and London.

Monika subsequently joined an international school in Warsaw, initially teaching English as a Second Language. She then progressed to the positions of Languages Coordinator and Cambridge Coordinator, before being appointed Deputy Headteacher of the Ochota Campus and later Headteacher of the Piaseczno Campus.

Daniel White

Włochy Deputy Head of Primary

Qualifications:

Bachelors of Arts (Journalism)
PostGrad Certificate in Education

Professional background:

Dan began his career in education after working in various roles, including as a laboratory technician, where he developed a keen interest in microbiology. This experience led him to support school field trips, inspiring a return to university to qualify as a teacher.

He graduated from the University of Cumbria in his hometown of Carlisle and gained valuable experience teaching in a range of schools before moving abroad. In 2016, he relocated to Kraków, where he taught for five years.

Outside the classroom, Dan is passionate about sport, particularly football, and enjoys following cricket and rugby league. He also has a love of hiking in his native Cumbria and a strong interest in cooking and independent cinema.

Dan believes that effective teaching is built on respect, patience, and enjoyment. He strives to create a positive, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every student feels valued and inspired to achieve their best.

Jessica Wrbka

Acting Head of Lower Secondary

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Communications and Business management,
PostGrad Certificate in Education.

Professional background:

Teaching wasn't initially in Jessica’s life plan; she pursued a business degree before discovering her true passion. About four years ago, she embarked on her teaching journey in South Africa, instructing Accounting, Economics, and Business Studies in two different high schools.

During her teaching experience, she identified a shortage of Mathematics teachers, prompting her to pursue a certificate in FET mathematics. This decision not only allowed her to channel her love for mathematics positively but also opened doors to new opportunities, including the honour of teaching at Thames British School in Poland.

Jessica finds solace in books, thoroughly enjoying spending time with friends and family, and seeking new adventures, especially through travel to explore diverse cultures and traditions. Active in sports like netball and swimming, she embraces her South African and Portuguese heritage.

Her core belief regarding teaching is that it should revolve around teaching not just knowledge but wisdom. For her, teaching is about instilling confidence, accountability, and honesty in students. Through fostering positive relationships and demonstrating love, she aims to impart the wisdom that goes beyond subject content, emphasising the importance of being good individuals who act wholesomely and compassionately. The subject matter, she believes, is an additional benefit rather than the primary objective.

Klaudia Szklarczyk

Ochota National Head

Qualifications:

MA degree: Polish philology at Warsaw University
Certificated CLIL teacher
Postgraduate studies, Organization and Management of Education

Professional background:

In 2019, Klaudia finished her studies at Warsaw University and began her formal teaching experience as a Polish language teacher at Meridian International Schools, where she worked with foreign and advanced groups. Since 2020, she has been collaborating with Thames British School as a Polish language teacher. In August 2021, she achieved the professional promotion degree of contractual teacher.

In her free time, Klaudia enjoys staying active by riding her bike or climbing mountains. She also enjoys reading a variety of books and playing board games with her family and friends. Additionally, she likes to travel and discover new places and people.

Klaudia strives to encourage her students to be interested in the world and the subjects she teaches. It's important to her to listen to their questions and find the answers with them. She also encourages students to work both individually and in groups during her classes, and she aims to be a supportive teacher who fosters her students' development.

Iwona Al-Maghrabi

Deputy Head of School Academic

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Science
Master of Managerial Econometrics
PostGrad Certificate in Education with Qualified Teacher Status (UK)
PostGrad Diploma Mathematics in Education

Professional background:

Iwona is a passionate educator with over 17 years of teaching experience in international schools and the UK, and 13 years in leadership positions. She has successfully led Mathematics and Computing departments in a variety of educational settings, where she has overseen curriculum development, teacher training, and the implementation of innovative teaching strategies.

With a strong academic background in Mathematics, Computer Science, and Econometrics, Iwona holds a Master’s degree from the University of Szczecin and a Postgraduate Diploma in Mathematics Education from the University of Educational Sciences in Warsaw. She is also a fully qualified teacher (QTS) with extensive professional training in IB, A-Level, and IGCSE programmes.

Her teaching philosophy centers on student-centered learning, growth mindset, and learner agency. She is passionate about using assessment for learning, technology integration, and collaborative approaches to inspire students and raise academic achievement. Beyond the classroom, Iwona has led workshops for both teachers and students, focusing on effective teaching practices, learner independence, and academic skills development.

As a leader, she is dedicated to building supportive, collaborative environments where both students and staff can thrive. Her vision is to nurture not only academic success, but also creativity, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

Justyna Czarnecka vel Sarnecka

Deputy Head of High School

Qualifications:

Master of Arts,
Certificate in Educational Management.

Professional background:

Teaching in international schools since 2004, the Justyna has imparted knowledge of history and social sciences in Lower Secondary and High School, covering subjects like business management, history, and social studies and her students won the title of Laureate in the History of the Polish Army competition and three students securing the Laureate Title in the 2015 Enterprise Olympiad.

Passionate about travel, especially to Italy, she fascination lies in exploring diverse cultures, cuisine, history, and architecture. Additionally, she appreciates theatre, particularly comedies at the Comedy Theatre in Warsaw, along with a love for ballet and opera. In leisure moments, she loves to cook for family and friends.

Justyna’s teaching philosophy centres on cultivating critical and logical thinking in students, encouraging collaborative exploration of questions and answers. Emphasising responsibility and leadership skills within a framework of teamwork, they prioritise creating a safe and respectful atmosphere for all members of the school community.

Zuzanna Kołodziejak

Assistant Head Teacher, Seniors Wellbeing and Character

Qualifications:

University of Warsaw - Polish Philology, specializing in Literary Studies, Linguistics, and Glottodidactics.
Warsaw School of Management - College of Management, specializing in Cybersecurity.
DSL Level 3 training.

Professional Background

I am an experienced educator specializing in teaching Polish as a foreign language. I began my career in language schools, where I worked with international learners of various ages and proficiency levels, supporting them in developing both linguistic competence and cultural awareness. Currently, I teach Polish as a foreign language at an international high school, where I also serve as Assistant Head Teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead. These roles allow me to combine my expertise in language teaching with leadership responsibilities, including supporting staff, overseeing academic standards, and ensuring student well-being in line with safeguarding policies. My professional journey has equipped me with strong intercultural communication skills, a deep understanding of international education systems, and the ability to create inclusive and engaging learning environments.

Kaan Aygun

Coordinator of Student Development Department & Career Counsellor

Qualifications:

BA, Psychology - University of SWPS;
MA, Clinical Psychology - University of SWPS;
Level 6 Certificate in Careers Leadership;
SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordination) Training;
Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy specialized in ADHD, Autism, and Filial therapy,
Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (CBT),
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT),
Basic and Advanced Coaching Skills,
Trauma Education in Children and Adolescents.

Professional background:

With a solid educational foundation and a comprehensive range of certifications, including Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy specialized in ADHD, Autism, and Filial therapy, Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Basic and Advanced Coaching Skills, as well as Trauma Education in Children and Adolescents, I am well-prepared to address a diverse array of psychological and developmental needs. My academic journey includes a Bachelor's thesis investigating PTSD in refugees and immigrants, followed by a Master's thesis delving into ADHD in refugee and immigrant children. This academic focus aligns seamlessly with my practical engagements, including collaborating with psychiatric clinics and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to refugees and immigrants. My role was involve providing academic support and emotional assistance to these children, utilizing a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques, along with other therapeutic and coaching approaches. Overall, my background reflects a holistic commitment to academic rigor, hands-on experience, and a passion for making a positive impact on the well-being of those facing unique challenges.

| Dr Daniela Vasile

Designated Safeguarding Governor (DSG)

| Berrin Schofield

Executive Designated Safeguarding Lead (EDSL)

| Beata Luniak

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

| Christian Rosser

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (ADSL)

| Monika Chwesiuk

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

| Christian Rosser

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (ADSL)

| Daniel White

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

| Jessica Wrbka

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (ADSL)

| Christian Rosser

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (ADSL)

| Zuzanna Kołodziejak

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

| Izabela Ryzak

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (ADSL)