Leadership

Head - Mr Will Phelan

Mr Will Phelan is the thirteenth Head of Clifton High School. His professional journey has evolved through a series of senior leadership roles at distinguished British independent schools, most recently as Principal of The Stamford Endowed Schools, which he held for eight years. He has held trustee roles within The Head’s Conference (HMC) as a member of the Finance and Risk Committee and Vice Chair of HMC Projects overseas. He has also recently completed an eight-year trusteeship as the Chair of the Education Committee and St Hugh's Preparatory School, Woodhall Spa.

Following an education at Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital, Bristol, Mr Phelan completed degrees at Royal Holloway, University of London (BA (Hons) Medieval and Modern History), University of Reading (PGCE, Education) and University of Leicester (MBA, Education Leadership and Management).   

Mr Phelan’s wealth of experience in pedagogy, combined with his interest in sport, most especially rugby and cricket, and an emphasis on the facilitation of a well-rounded, holistic education for all children, are the strengths that echo Clifton High School’s current reputation. His innovative vision and personal philosophies are unique in leading our School and pupil population to be future-ready.   

Senior Deputy Head: Pastoral - Mr Luke Goodman

Mr Goodman completed his BA (Hons) degree in Geography and PGCE at the University of Birmingham, before travelling the world. Within the past ten years, Mr Goodman has taught at a large independent school, where he successfully held a range of positions, including Head of House, Head of Geography and Assistant Head.

During his time at Clifton High School, Mr Goodman has held the role of Deputy Head Academic, Acting Head of School, and now takes on the position of Senior Deputy Head Pastoral. His experience and knowledge of high academic success, paired with his awareness and genuine regard for pupils' individual goals and pastoral needs, make Mr Goodman's role so valued for each individual at Clifton High School to achieve their best outcomes. 

Director of Finance - Mr Michael Stewart

A qualified Chartered Accountant for over twenty-five years, Mr Stewart trained with an international accountancy firm in London, where he became a Partner, specialising in advising international entrepreneurial businesses and charities. Since moving to Bristol in 2009, he has worked at a senior level within the independent education sector before joining Clifton High School in 2019 to oversee the School’s finances and IT. Mr Stewart has a wealth of experience in charity accounting, governance and risk management, has served as trustee and non-executive adviser for several other charities and is an active member of the Independent Schools Bursars Association. 

Marketing, Communications and Events Director – Rebecca Brown

Graduating with a degree in Drama and Theatre Arts from the University of Birmingham, Mrs Brown began her career in the Television and Media industry. Almost a decade later, she left her career at the BBC in the Natural History Unit, working in Talent Management, PR and Marketing, to pursue more marketing-focused opportunities.

Rebecca worked in the commercial world as Digital Marketing Manager for several global e-commerce websites before intentionally transitioning to the education sector and joining Clifton High School.  Her expertise in a people-focused environment, dedicated to ensuring more meaningful outcomes, has resulted in positively developing Clifton High School’s community, beyond the realms of the teaching and learning provision.  She has actively led the rebranding of the School, updated the communication systems and website interaction, as well as created more opportunities for parents to feel connected to the community.

Estates and Operations Director - Mrs Louise Brennan

Mrs Brennan is passionate about education and has worked in Primary Schools, Senior Schools and Multi-Academy Trusts, providing the essential services and leadership required for teaching and learning from Early Years to Sixth Form.  She has considerable experience building successful teams, delivering complex programmes and providing excellent customer service. Training in Commercial Business Management, together with over twenty years of experience managing international commercial teams, affirms her responsibility for business strategy and growth at Clifton High School.  She joined the Senior Leadership Team in April 2021 and currently holds the position of Estates and Operations Director.

Head of Infant and Junior School - Mrs Alice Taylor

Mrs Alice Taylor graduated with a degree in Psychology from Cardiff University and later completed a Primary PGCE at Cardiff Metropolitan University. She has a wealth of experience in both the state and private school sectors, including teaching and leading at the British School of Paris. During her career at Clifton High School, she has advanced from Junior School Lead to Infant and Junior School Head. 

Mrs Taylor is passionate about offering an enriched and diverse education, challenging and inspiring children to achieve their very best in all that they do. She believes that learning should be engaging and exciting, equipping children with vital academic and life skills. 

Deputy Head: Staff - Mr Manolis Psarros

Following his short military service abroad, a keen philologist and linguist, Mr Psarros completed his BA (Hons) in Classics at the University of Wales and his MA degree in Ancient History at the University of Bristol. His first teaching position was at a large independent school in Bristol, followed by a Head of Department role at an independent boarding school in Somerset. Since embarking upon a career at Clifton High School, Mr Psarros has held a variety of pastoral and academic positions, including Head of Classics Department, Head of Years 7 to 11, Head of Sixth Form and Senior Assistant Head with responsibility for pupils, staff and school operations. A lifelong learner, he has completed an MEd in Educational Leadership at the University of Bristol, alongside his dedication to working at Clifton High School and since September 2020, his role as Senior Master has overseen pupil admissions and staff recruitment.

Assistant Head: Co-Curricular and Operations - Miss Katherine Rich

Raised and educated in Bristol, Miss Rich has a wealth of educational accolades to include degrees in Medieval and Modern History from the University of Birmingham, an MA in Contemporary History from the University of Bristol, and a PGCE, also from the University of Bristol.  She has undertaken varied teaching roles in Bath, Cambridge, Nottingham and Malaysia, working as Head of History, Deputy Housemistress and Coordinator of Applications to Oxford and Cambridge.

After four years as Head of Sixth Form at Clifton High School, Miss Rich assumed the position of Assistant Head: Co-Curricular and Operations, whereby she works closely with the Heads of Music, Sport, Drama and the House System, encouraging and inspiring pupils' involvement in these valuable parts of School life. She is leading the development of the School's enrichment programme to realise pupils' ambitions beyond the academic, as well as being responsible for organising Senior Assemblies, Parents' Evenings and the School calendar. 

Deputy Head: Academic - Ms Louise Brackenbury

Ms Brackenbury graduated with a degree in Chemistry from Cardiff University and obtained a PGCE the following year from Cardiff Metropolitan. She has a wealth of experience in the classroom, previously teaching in Australia and New Zealand, where she held a range of positions, including Deputy Head of Science. During her time at Clifton High School, she has advanced from Head of Chemistry to Deputy Head: Academic.

Ms Brackenbury cares passionately about pupil outcomes and is committed to ensuring each pupil receives the support required to achieve their personal best. She believes in nurturing academic excellence as part of pupils' holistic educational experiences, during which time each individual will also grow emotionally and socially, so they can thrive both in School and beyond.

Assistant Head: Director of Studies - Mr Andrew Hillman

Mr Andrew Hillman graduated with a degree in Mathematics from the University of Nottingham and later obtained a PGCE from Keele University. Andrew previously taught in a mixture of state and independent schools in Cheshire before moving to Clifton High School in 2018. During his time here, Andrew has been Head of Mathematics before becoming Assistant Head: Director of Studies in 2025.

Andrew is responsible for monitoring and tracking assessment data to ensure all pupils reach their full potential and implementing support to help individuals attain the best possible outcomes. Additionally, he is responsible for overseeing the options processes across the Senior School and timetabling of lessons across the entire School.