Teacher Leaders (Science)

Alastair Cuthbertson (Science Stream Designer and Stream Leader)

Alastair began his career in science and physics teaching as a VSO in SW Nigeria. Since then he has taught and worked as head of subject/department in Bristol, Bedford and currently in Devon, where he is now Director of the Science Specialism at Ivybridge Community College. He has also worked for four years as a lecturer in science education and PGCE science course coordinator at London University.  More recently he has led a NESTA-funded project within the National Collaborative 2005/6 to develop an alternative approach to science for Year 9 low achievers, and benefited from a British Council Anglo-German Teacher Fellowship. 

Kay Nicholson (Science Stream Designer and Stream Leader)

Kay began her career in science and education in academic research, at the University of Cologne, working in the area of low temperature physics and then at Imperial College London on Polymers. Subsequently she joined GEC, where she was involved in semi-conductor technology. A career break was followed by a return to academia, on a Research Fellowship funded by the RAE. Enjoying lecturing to Physics undergraduates, led to her decision to move into school teaching. She has taught Physics at North London Collegiate School for the past nine years and as Academic Tutor her responsibilities also include the sixth form enrichment programme, school partnerships and aspects of the IB programme.    

Paul Kearley (Teacher Leader)

Paul has been teaching at Gordon's School since he qualified in 1999 and was appointed as Head of Science in 2004. He has thoroughly enjoyed working with the Prince's Teaching Institute; having the opportunity to work with other science teachers from a wide range of schools has been a very rewarding and enjoyable experience.

Eric Nicol (Teacher Leader)

After completing his BSc in Chemistry at Strathclyde University, in 1979, Eric worked as a Research and Development Scientist for ICI. In 1989 Eric retrained as a Chemistry teacher at Aberystwyth University and worked as Head of Chemistry and then Head of Science at Lampeter Comprehensive School. Eric is currently Head of Science at North London Collegiate School and is the Science Co-ordinator for the Schools Programme.

David Moody (Teacher Leader)

David spent seven years at Cambridge University specialising in Organic Chemistry and finishing his Ph.D. in the summer of 2004. Following a PGCE course with the Cambridge Faculty of Education he accepted a teaching post at Robert Clack School in Dagenham where he spent the last two years working as Head of Sixth Form.

Andy Nicholls (Teacher Leader)

Andy has taught physics for over 20 years in a number of North London schools.  He is a part-time student at King's College London and he aims to complete a Masters Degree in Science Education this summer; the focus of his dissertation is the participation of girls in physics.

Tim Davis (Teacher Leader)

Tim grew up and went to school in Canterbury, studied Physiological Sciences at Newcastle University and then worked for 3 years as a research scientist at Pfizer Global Research & Development in drug discovery.  He enjoyed the work for the time he was there, but the desire to make a tangible difference to people’s lives, plus the opportunity for more dynamic personal interaction, lead him to teacher training.  He joined Teach First in 2005 and has been working at Robert Clack School in Dagenham since then.  He has recently been promoted to the role of Science Specialist Co-ordinator for the school and is enjoying the whole school impact this allows.