Our Senior Leadership Team

Aman Singh Kang
Headteacher
Aman joined Upper Batley High School in 2014 as an Assistant Headteacher before progressing to Deputy Headteacher in 2015, Head of School in 2020, and ultimately Headteacher in September 2022. In 2020, he also achieved his National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) through Ambition Leadership, further strengthening his expertise in educational leadership.
Aman has over 18 years of leadership experience and, prior to joining UBHS, worked across Kirklees schools to support leadership development, enhance departmental standards, and mentor colleagues in their professional growth. His extensive expertise has played a key role in improving teaching, learning, and outcomes for young people across the region.
Aman firmly believes that all young people should be given the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their background, and is passionate about creating a culture to enable self-development and pride. He believes in raising the aspirations of learners and creating a willingness to learn, which furthers their skills and knowledge and in turn improves their life opportunities.
Aman’s ethos is that hard work, coupled with a growth mindset, empowers each and every person to be successful in life, thus removing any barriers to success, and he is testament to those principles. His desire is to see young people visualise a dream, believe in themselves and then go on to achieve this dream.

Curt Farrar
Deputy Headteacher
Curt began his career at Upper Batley High School in April 2011 as a Cover Supervisor and has since held a variety of roles, including Pastoral Leader, Head of Design & Technology, and Assistant Headteacher. He became Deputy Headteacher in 2019.
Specialising in Design & Technology, Curt qualified as a teacher over 15 years ago from Sheffield Hallam University. As Head of Department, he led his team and transformed the Design & Technology department from low performance and uptake to become highly successful with excellent outcomes.
In his Senior Leadership roles, Curt has contributed to all areas of school improvement, particularly in the curriculum, where he enhanced the offer to better meet the needs of our learners. He is also currently working on initiatives to further improve whole-school Behaviour, Attendance, and Personal Development.
Curt is deeply committed to ensuring that every learner, regardless of their background, has access to the highest quality education. He is passionate about ensuring that all learners at Upper Batley High School receive the best possible opportunities to achieve and succeed.

Emma Stylianou
Deputy Headteacher
Emma joined Upper Batley High School in September 2022 as Deputy Headteacher for Quality of Education, having held a number of leadership positions at schools in Kirklees and Calderdale. With over 25 years' experience as an English teacher, Emma is a firm believer in the power of language to connect people and encourage collaboration.
Emma is dedicated to ensuring that every learner has access to an ambitious and enriching curriculum. She firmly believes that education should equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the wider society.
As part of a school community committed to fostering the growth of well-rounded individuals, Emma strives to help learners develop into confident, caring, and responsible adults. She is dedicated to preparing young people to navigate and thrive in an ever-changing world, empowering them to take an active role in shaping the future.

Nial Sherrard
Assistant Headteacher
Nial is a dedicated educator, who joined Upper Batley High School in 1998. Throughout his time he has held various roles including; Art Teacher, Head of Year, Head of Department, and currently, Assistant Headteacher. Throughout his career, Nial has demonstrated commitment to fostering a positive learning environment and supporting the growth and success of all learners.
In previous roles, his focus has been not only on delivering a high standard of teaching, but also on guiding learners' personal development and supporting their wellbeing. As Head of Year, he worked closely with learners and staff to ensure a nurturing and structured environment for all. Whilst Head of Department, he led curriculum development and innovation, ensuring that the arts remained an inspiring and engaging part of the school’s offering.
Now, as Assistant Headteacher he leads on careers education, which is driven by his passion to raise aspirations for all learners. Nial works collaboratively with colleagues to provide opportunities for learners to explore future pathways and gain the skills and confidence needed to succeed. He is also focused on wellbeing across the school, ensuring that every learner and colleague feels supported and valued.
Nial feels a great sense of pride to be part of a dedicated team that is driving the school forward on its journey to success and continuing to make a positive impact in the lives of learners.

Matt Parkin
Assistant Headteacher
Matt joined Upper Batley High School in 2017 as Head of Humanities, quickly establishing himself as a dedicated and visionary leader. In 2020, he was promoted to Assistant Headteacher, taking on the responsibility for Teaching and Learning. More recently, Matt has expanded his role to oversee Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Performance Development within the school.
Matt has earned multiple accreditations, including his NPQML, NPQSL, and the most recent NPQLTD, reflecting his commitment to professional growth and educational leadership. He completed his BA in Geography at Newcastle University before embarking on a career in teaching. Matt began his career with the Graduate Teaching Programme, later continuing his work in Castleford as a Teacher of Geography. He subsequently advanced to roles as ITT Coordinator and Head of Geography.
A passionate advocate for equity in education, Matt firmly believes that every young person, regardless of their background, should be given the opportunity to reach their full potential. He is dedicated to creating a culture that fosters self-development and pride in students and staff alike. With an ethos centred on hard work and dedication, Matt emphasizes the importance of these qualities in both leadership and everyday practice, ensuring that they are exemplified by those in positions of responsibility.

Adil Farooq
Assistant Headteacher
Adil joined Upper Batley High School in 2019, returning to the very school he once attended. With a deep commitment to improving outcomes for learners and driving the school forward, he views his role as far more than just a job - it is a personal mission to give back to the community that shaped him.
A passionate advocate for science education, Adil previously held a leadership role as Director of Science across a large Multi Academy Trust in Bradford. Since he joined Upper Batley, he has worked tirelessly to help raise science results to where they are today and continues to set both himself and the school new targets for even greater success.
As an Assistant Headteacher, Adil has played a key role in improving Teaching and Learning, before taking on the critical responsibility of navigating data and assessments during the challenging COVID years. Now, he leads on improving outcomes for all learners, regardless of their background - a mission that lies at the heart of his core beliefs.
For Adil, education isn’t something he has simply fallen into; it is a fundamental part of his personal values. He strongly believes that every child, no matter their colour, race, or social standing, deserves a quality education and the opportunity to pursue knowledge. He sees this as the key to empowering young people and, ultimately, strengthening the community for the future.
Adil is also a proud family man with two young children. He values the importance of education not only as a leader but also as a parent, reinforcing his dedication to ensuring every learner receives the best possible opportunities to succeed.
Dedicated to fostering a culture of excellence, Adil collaborates closely with staff, learners and families, to ensure that every young person here reaches their full potential. His leadership is driven by a genuine belief in the transformative power of education and the desire to make a lasting impact on the school community.

Matt Pickard
Assistant Headteacher
Matt joined Upper Batley High School in 2019 as Head of English and helped to transform the department into a strong and cohesive team with excellent outcomes. He became Assistant Head in 2021 and led on Behaviour and Attendance and now has responsibility for Data and Assessment.
Matt's subject specialism is English and he gained his Degree in English Language with Journalism at the University of Huddersfield. Since working at Upper Batley, he has worked hard to ensure that learners understand the importance of being able to communicate successfully.
Matt is keen to ensure that all young people receive the education that they deserve and that they leave school ready to become successful members of society.