A Level staff profiles
Geography
Mr Mark Yearsley: BA (hons) Leeds; PGCE, PGCE (Consultancy), NPQH.
Mark has spent his career in education, as a teacher, head teacher and as an international educational consultant. At Bales, he runs the school on a day-to-day basis and is responsible for the pastoral care of children – an aspect of his job that he relishes. Students at Bales admire Mark’s fairness and consistent approach – he challenges every student to learn, develop and improve, inside and outside the classroom. Parents appreciate the ease with which they can contact Mark, to discuss any issue on an informal basis. Mark teaches Geography at A level, and runs the annual residential trip to Spain.
English
Mr John Corcut: BA Durham, MA London, PGCE.
John is an enthusiastic english teacher who uses a variety of styles and approaches to bring the subject to life. John has spent much of his working life in the independent sector and has brought this experience to his role as Director of Studies along with his knowledge of what makes a ‘good’ school. He is skilled at supporting students through the university application process and tutors students who wish to apply for Oxbridge.
History and Head of Sixth Form
Dr Jennifer Watkins: BA, MA, PhD Cornell (USA).
Dr Watkins has been newly-appointed as Head of Sixth Form, and will oversee the whole sixth form programme for all students. Jennifer graduated from Cornell University in the USA where she also defended her PhD. She worked extensively across USA as a tutor and researcher before moving to the UK and joining Bales College in 2015. Jennifer is an expert in her field and continues a tradition of strong history teaching at Bales.
Biology
Mr Fahrudin Mujagic: BSc London.
Fahrudin moved to the UK from former Yugoslavia in 2005 to take a BSc in Biology at Birkbeck University and then a PGCE at London Met. He has been a teacher and Science lecturer before joining Bales College in 2014. Fahrudin is skilled in matching the demands of his subject to the needs of his students and works hard to ensure that they understand the practical nature of science.
Chemistry
Mr Nicholas Searle: BSc Aston, PGCE.
After graduating from Aston University Nick spent some time in research with the Faraday Institute before taking his PGCE with the University of London. He has spent his teaching career in tutorial colleges and the independent sector and is skilled at supporting students to achieve at ‘A’ level and GCSE. He is a keen sportsman and has a well-developed sense of humour.
Maths
Mr Reza Marashi: BSc (hons) KCL, MSc Sheffield.
Reza joined Bales College in 2014 and has worked with colleagues to transform the maths teaching and inspires his students to achieve the very best. He is meticulous in his attention to detail and is adept at finding the key to unlocking a student’s understanding. Reza took his maths degree at Kings College and has worked in colleges and as a private tutor.
Maths
Mr Reza Shabani-Azad: BSc (hons) London.
Reza was born and grew up in Iran but moved to the UK to study for his BSc in London in the 1990s. Reza is a consummate maths teacher who has been teaching at Bales for more than 20 years and has been an examiner at GCSE and A Level. He is skilled at finding which activity or explanation a student will need to progress in their learning.
French
Mrs Anne Archer-Urbain: BA, MA, PhD Sorbonne (Paris).
Anne attended the Sorbonne in Paris for her degrees and PhD and still takes time out to return to university in Paris to lecture. She is a dedicated teacher who believes that learning languages should be fun as well as hard work and has inspired her students with her knowledge and understanding. She has travelled extensively in the far east and has settled in London to raise her young family.
Economics
Mr Stephen da Costa: BA (hons) Kent.
Stephen graduated from Kent University and has spent his career lecturing or teaching in the independent sector. Politics and business are fast moving subjects and Stephen is always pushing his students to be well read and analyse the latest political events. He is also an A level examiner for Edexcel.
Sociology and Philosophy
Mrs Maria Skoutaridou: BA(hons) Thessaloniki, MA London.
Maria originally trained as a nurse but then took her BA in Greece before moving to London to complete her MA. She has worked in a variety of schools and colleges in the state sector before joining Bales. Maria believes part of education is experiential and organises visits and external events for her students so they have a context to apply to their learning.
Art and design
Ms Lily Hawkes: BA (hons).
Lily graduated from UCL and has worked as a freelance artist completing a number of commissions for metal sculptures in public places. She has also worked on exhibitions in the UK as well as in Shanghai and Bali. Lily still worked in her own design studio when she is not working at Bales. Art is a deeply personal subject and Lily is highly skilled at helping students find the right medium to express themselves.
Arrange a visit
The best way to understand if Bales is the right Sixth Form College for you, is to visit us.
We have Sixth Form open days from August 21st-August 31st.
Either click the button to the left to use the contact form, or just give us a quick call to discuss your situation. The first phone call generally only takes 5 to 10 minutes, and you are under no pressure. We look forward to meeting you.