Meet our leadership team

Tom McGrath is the Principal of BSW, overseeing whole school operations and setting its strategic direction. He serves as the key link between the board and the senior leadership team. With over 20 years’ experience in international education, Tom has held successful headships in Poland, Portugal and the Caribbean. He holds degrees from the University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin, with further studies in Applied Linguistics, International Education and International Relations. Tom is married to Beata and is a proud father to two daughters, Eilis and Aniela.

Emily Protheroe is Vice Principal at BSW, serving as Head of Pastoral and Designated Safeguard Lead. With over 13 years’ experience in primary education, she holds a BA in Primary Education from Roehampton University, London. Emily began her career in London before moving to a new English school in North Cyprus, then taught at a leading international school in Warsaw where she became Head of House and Head of Year. She also attended specialist STEAM training at MIT in Boston. Since joining BSW in 2020, she has remained passionate about student wellbeing and believes children learn best in a safe, engaging environment. She enjoys travelling, day trips and sharing meals with loved ones.

Patrycja Tupikowska is Head of Educational Administration at BSW, with 13 years’ leadership experience, including the past decade in international schools. As a founding team member, she has played a vital role in the school’s development. She oversees operations to ensure compliance with Polish educational law and international standards, and also leads the Polish Department, aligning the curriculum with the Ministry of Education. Patrycja holds degrees in Education Management, Early Years Education, English Philology with a teaching specialisation, and Business English. She is also a proud mother of two daughters, balancing her professional and family life with dedication.

Emily Protheroe is Vice Principal at BSW, serving as Head of Pastoral and Designated Safeguard Lead. With over 13 years’ experience in primary education, she holds a BA in Primary Education from Roehampton University, London. Emily began her career in London before moving to a new English school in North Cyprus, then taught at a leading international school in Warsaw where she became Head of House and Head of Year. She also attended specialist STEAM training at MIT in Boston. Since joining BSW in 2020, she has remained passionate about student wellbeing and believes children learn best in a safe, engaging environment. She enjoys travelling, day trips and sharing meals with loved ones.

Dr Dorota Pietrzyk is SENCo and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at BSW, with 20 years’ experience in special education. She lectures at two leading Warsaw universities on special educational needs and completed her PhD on dyslexia and its impact on language proficiency. A qualified educational, speech, and sensory integration therapist, Dorota brings deep academic insight and hands-on expertise. Her work focuses on pedagogical diagnosis, learning difficulties and child protection. At BSW, she integrates theory with practice, applying the latest methods to support each child’s individual learning journey.