SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Mr M. Higgins
Headmaster
I joined as the Headmaster of St. Joseph’s in September 2024. After graduating from Portsmouth University with a degree in Mathematics for Finance and Management, I started my teaching career at St. John’s College, where I was given many leadership opportunities and was promoted to Assistant Headteacher with academic responsibility for the curriculum and pastoral leadership of Years 10 & 11. I worked for the GDST as Head of Mathematics and Trust Consultant, Magna Academy as Assistant Principal (Assessment), and Ballard School as Deputy Head (Academic). In addition, I have a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management from the University of Southampton. I am a practising Catholic at The Bournemouth Oratory, am married to Danielle, and have two daughters, Evie and Lola.
Mr K. McGuinness
Deputy Head (Pastoral)
I am extremely proud to work with such a dedicated and talented staff and hope to share my passion for education and technology with colleagues and students alike. I have worked in leadership roles within a variety of schools ranging from rural Wiltshire to central London. Prior to this, I experienced a wide spectrum of jobs including hospitality, recruitment, and the armed forces.
As a self-confessed geek, my passion is driving technological change and embracing the opportunities it can bring to our students. I thrive in developing systems and structures that support pupils and staff to focus on learning.
Mr R. Rooney
Deputy Head (Academic)
I joined the St Joseph’s family in July 2014 and am very proud to be part of the leadership team of a school that combines excellent pastoral support with a great academic record. My teaching career up until that point was in an outstanding inner London school where I had a variety of leadership roles, including Head of RE and Head of Year. I have a real passion for teaching and learning and want the pupils at St Joseph’s to do the best that they can do and be the best people that they can be, neatly summed up by my mantra: “Do your best and mind your manners!” Developing our pupils into well-rounded young adults who fulfil their potential is what motivates me to get up in the morning!
As Academic Deputy Headteacher at St Joseph's my roles include: Teaching and Learning, Assessment, Staff Development, Timetabling and KS2–KS3 Transition.
Previously, I also had a career outside of teaching where I was research director for a multinational conference company organising financial sector conferences and events.
Outside of school, I am a proud father of two, a happy husband, and a keen footballer. I also enjoy cycling around the Wiltshire countryside and coaching a local youth football team. I am a practising Catholic and proud to play an active role in St Osmund’s parish as a reader at mass.
Mrs L. Voce
School Business Manager
I started at St Joseph’s in March 2022, having previously worked for sixteen years in other local primary and secondary schools. St Joseph's is the most nurturing of schools I have worked for and the family environment this creates makes it a fabulous school to be part of.
The most rewarding part of my role is ensuring that staffing and resources deployed across the school maximise the opportunities and enhance the learning environment we provide to our pupils.
In my spare time we host foreign students who come to join our family for ten months of the year and attend local secondary schools. We have been hosting for over twenty years and we now have friends all over the world! I also have three wonderful children and three amazing grandchildren so life outside of school is always packed with fun.
Mrs F. Nobis
Assistant Head (Futures & Aspirations)
I have been at St Joseph’s since 2015, and with every year that passes, I become even more proud to say that I am part of the team. Our teachers are committed, our support staff caring and professional, and our pupils friendly and eloquent.
My role at St Joseph’s includes the support and monitoring of particular groups of learners: those in receipt of the Pupil Premium Grant, and those that have English as an Additional Language. I am also the lead for Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEAIG), PSHE, and I line manage a number of departments. As a teaching staff, we work hard to ensure that all our learners are enabled to achieve their full potential. I feel that here at St Joseph’s we are ideally placed to help the pupils gain access to the future they want and also to develop as considerate, perceptive individuals. The curriculum we offer is exciting and engaging also.
Outside of school, I am a practising Catholic. My Italian ancestry has helped me to develop a love of growing and preparing food for my family!
Mr C. Bartel
Senior Leader (Behaviour), Designated Safeguarding Lead
I am very pleased to be working at St Joseph’s where I have found a very welcoming, polite and talented community of pupils and staff. In previous work in education, I have been a PE teacher and a member of SLT in schools for pupils' Special Educational Needs, including specialist Social Emotional Mental Health provisions. My most recent post previous to St Joseph’s was at a mainstream school in Portsmouth where I held the position of Head of Years 9 and 10.
Before operating in schools I worked for PGL for a number of years, where I gained qualifications and a passion for a range of outdoor and adventurous activities. These include canoeing and kayaking, which I continue to do when possible alongside a bit of snowboarding.
Outside of school, I love spending as much time as possible with my wife and two children. I play cricket for my village side in the summer and football in the winter. My family and I have been involved in our Parish community at our church in North Baddeley and we are looking forward to spending time in the Salisbury Parish at St Gregory’s and St Osmond’s.
Mr O. Ford
Senior Leader (Attendance), Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
I began my teaching career at St Joseph’s in 2013. During my time here I have been fortunate enough to work as a part of two fantastic departments in ICT and PE. This has pushed me to constantly diversify and evolve my practise and the chance to work with our students both in the classroom and on the sports field. This has given me the opportunity to appreciate all of our students' strengths, both academic and athletic.
Since joining St Joseph’s, I have had the chance to fill many roles, including Form Tutor, Head of Margaret House, and Head of Faculty for Technology. Now, alongside Mr Bartel, I assume the role of Senior Leader with a focus on Behaviour and Attendance. The pastoral care of our pupils has always been my passion and I consider myself very lucky to be working at St Joseph’s where the emphasis is placed so strongly on the success of the whole child and not purely focussed on exam results.
Outside of school I like to keep active as a member of Parkwood Gym and also as a part of the Salisbury Basketball team who play in the Solent Area League. I am an avid Chelsea fan and currently hold the trophy for the St Joseph’s Fantasy Football league. However no weekend is complete without spending time with my family watching box sets!