Mrs E Wilks - Headteacher

I joined Nishkam High School in September 2020, bringing with me 20 years of experience across three very different schools, serving three very different communities. I began my teaching career after leaving my home in Northern Ireland to study at Newman University, where I specialised in Secondary English and graduated with honours in 2000. Over the years, I have taken on a wide range of roles, including qualifying as an Advanced Skills Teacher and progressing into senior leadership. Prior to joining Nishkam, I was a Deputy Headteacher in South Birmingham.

Since joining Nishkam, I have served as Vice-Principal and most recently as Co-Principal, before becoming Headteacher in August 2026. During this time, I have developed a deep understanding of, and appreciation for, our wonderful school community and the distinctive ethos that lies at the heart of all we do.

As a Christian, brought up in the Catholic faith, I always had a sense that God had a purpose for me. When we join together, in our beautiful spiritual space, to reflect and pray as one family, I am certain that Nishkam has given me the opportunity to fulfil that purpose.

I remain passionate about lifelong learning and about creating an environment in which every young person, and every adult, can flourish and become the very best version of themselves. As Headteacher, I am committed to building on all that makes Nishkam truly special, while ensuring that every member of our community feels valued, supported and empowered to fulfil their own purpose.

I firmly believe that when children are educated with care, respect and compassion, by talented and dedicated staff, they are given the foundations to lead happy, fulfilled and successful lives. Seeing this unfold each day at Nishkam is one of the most rewarding aspects of my role.

I am deeply honoured to lead Nishkam High School and to serve our pupils, families and wider community. I am continually inspired by the dedication of our staff, the potential of our young people, and the support of the families and community we are blessed to serve. To watch our children grow in confidence, develop their unique spirit and flourish both spiritually and academically is what makes our work so meaningful.

Mr H Sami - Deputy Headteacher

I joined Nishkam High School in June 2024, bringing twenty years of experience in secondary education with half of that time in school leadership. I graduated with honours in Geography from Staffordshire University before gaining my teaching qualification at the University of Birmingham. My teaching career began in south Birmingham where I was a successful middle leader achieving outstanding results at key stage 4 and 5. This afforded me the opportunity to become a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) in the Oaks Collegiate where I was involved in school improvement across a variety of different schools.

My journey in senior leadership began in east Birmingham, where I played a role in helping a school out of special measures to a ‘Good’ Ofsted grading in less than five years. To continue developing my experiences, I went on to become Vice Principal at an improving school, overseeing behaviour and attitudes whilst raising standards.

As a Sikh who has known about the growth of Nishkam High School ever since its inception, I feel honoured to be Vice Principal at this school and work with the wonderful pupils and teachers who make this place so special. The vision of our Patron and the Trust are woven into the fabric of the school, empowering our children with the virtues that will prepare them for later life both academically and spiritually. As a lifelong learner myself, I look forward to developing my own skills through our ‘faith inspired, virtues led’ ethos.

Mr P Blackburn - Assistant Headteacher, Learning and Teaching

I joined Nishkam High School in 2015 as Faculty Leader of Humanities and Subject Leader of Geography, before being appointed Assistant Headteacher in May 2021. My role involves supporting the Deputy Headteacher in executing the whole school vision for learning and teaching; every child can and will achieve. My primary focus is Key Stage 3, where I am responsible for curriculum review and monitoring, in addition to assessment, data and reporting. 

I completed my PGDipEd in Secondary Geography at the University of Birmingham, having secured degrees in Geography (BSc with honours) and Air Pollution Management and Control (MSc) from the same institution. During my second year of teaching, I completed an MA in Teaching Studies, which focused on the role of pupil voice in curriculum design. 

I strongly believe in the transformative power of education as a driver of social mobility and feel that Nishkam High School is ideally placed to nurture global citizens, through our ‘faith inspired, virtues led’ approach.

Mrs E Butler - Interim Deputy Headteacher

Having joined Nishkam in April 2013, I count myself extremely fortunate that I have been a member of the Nishkam family since its inaugural year. Our faith-inspired virtues-led approach to education is a joy to behold and an absolute privilege to be a part of.

Before stepping into the role of Interim Deputy Headteacher, I spent several years as a member of our pastoral team. I am absolutely delighted to be now leading that team with responsibility for safeguarding, behaviour and attendance within the school. Of central importance to me is that as a pastoral team we know our pupils and we do everything we can to identify and remove any barriers that they face in terms of accessing the curriculum. Our mantra is simple; we want pupils to be happy and feel safe and will do everything within our power to accomplish that. I am incredibly lucky to have a fabulous team behind me who go above and beyond every single day for our students and their families.

Prior to working at Nishkam I worked for four years at one of the largest secondary schools in Warwickshire. I held a number of posts whilst there including lead practitioner for Teaching and Learning and whole school literacy co-ordinator.

The time I have spent here is a testament to how much I love being a part of this family. Watching our children be shaped by our virtues and becoming young adults who can go out and change the world fills me with immense pride.

Miss J Chauhan - Assistant Headteacher, Head of Sixth Form

I began my journey into education 15 years ago as a SEND Teaching Assistant. After completing my undergraduate degree in Human Psychology, I embarked on a PGCE in IT/Computing at Keel University. Before joining Nishkam, I worked as an Assistant Curriculum Leader and Curriculum Leader of Technologies. I joined the Nishkam family in January 2017 as the Subject leader of computer science and soon after became the Faculty leader of Business, Art and Culture. Subsequently, I held the position of STEM coordinator before stepping into my position as an Assistant Headteacher. My role entails developing the careers provision from year 7 to year 13, collaborating with STEAM departments, and supporting key transition points in our school, such as welcoming our new year 7s and assisting year 12 and 13 students with UCAS and apprenticeships.

In 2022, I completed an NPQSL qualification, which focused on best practices for raising the profile of STEM education.  To grow capacity after my NPQSL, I submitted a competitive proposal for Nishkam High School to serve as the lead school for the Enthuse Partnership in 2023. This proposal was accepted, which means Nishkam will now oversee collaborations with local secondary and primary schools to raise the profile of STEM for students across Birmingham.  I see myself as a lifelong learner, therefore at the end of 2022, I also won a scholarship to complete a MA in STEM Education at King's College London.

It is a privilege to lead in a school where the educational philosophy is rooted in ‘faith-inspired, virtues-led’. I believe that this philosophy places our learners in the strongest position to become globally responsible citizens.

Mrs E Darby, Assistant Headteacher, SENDCO 

I joined Nishkam High School in 2017 as a Newly Qualified Teacher for English and History. Since working at Nishkam, I have been a Head of Year and the KS4 lead for English.  It has been a privilege to work at Nishkam in this time and I feel lucky to have grown as a teacher here.

My current role is the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) which means that I lead on everything to do with SEND. I am delighted to have this role as I can make a real difference to the lives of children with special educational needs. My vision is that children with SEND thrive both academically and holistically so that they are ready for life outside of school. I do this by fostering an inclusive approach at Nishkam, valuing the contribution that children with SEND can make to our school community.  We know that nationally children with SEND can have poorer life outcomes than their non-SEND counterparts but at Nishkam, we hope to level the playing field by ensuring we act by our central moto: every child can and will achieve.

Before Nishkam, I completed my BA in English and History from the University of Birmingham and my PGCE at Newman University.  I went back to the University of Birmingham to study for my National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination in 2023. This gave me the knowledge and skills to be an effective SENCO. Since then, we have grown the provision in school to ensure that all pupils can achieve, despite the barriers they may face. I believe that part of our inclusivity come from our virtues led approach as children can use this to ensure that they are kind and compassionate to all, regardless of difference.

Mrs B Kaur Mander - School Business Manager  

I joined Nishkam in February 2023 as the School Business Manager. Having worked in secondary schools since 2004, I have gained experience in various areas including Sixth Form, Finance, Administration and organised work experience placements for students.  

As a parent myself, I understand the importance of children receiving the best possible outcomes both at home, in the community, in school and values the communication between school, student and parent. 

I contribute to the Senior Leadership Team by helping manage the school’s budget and ensure it is balanced, realistic, and represents an effective use of public funds and ensuring they meet the school’s strategic goals. I want to help students to reach their full potential and offer support for them to achieve their goals without having financial barriers.  

I feel extremely fortunate and privileged being part of the Nishkam family which believes our faith-inspired virtues led approach to education and being part of a School/Trust that have staff and student wellbeing high on the agenda.