Meet the Team

Bright School Management

Board of Directors

Our Board is composed of four brothers who had a dream to establish a new school concept, where students can build on their identities to become the best versions of themselves.

Miguel Ladeira Santos

CEO

Francisco Ladeira Santos

CFO

Filipe Ladeira Santos

Madeira Campus

Gonçalo Ladeira Santos

Head of Marketing & Admissions

Education Management

Principal of Bright International School

The role of a Principal in leading a team of educators is vital to us. Through strong leadership, they shape the school’s culture and drive the achievement of educational goals.

meet the team

Tom Caston

“School should be a bright place full of laughter, warmth and fun. Brilliant learning will then follow.”

Tom studied Geography at the University of Exeter and later obtained an MSc in Managing School Improvement from the University of Reading. Before embarking on his teaching career, he worked in investment banking.

In 1999, he began teaching at Shiplake College, where he later became Head of Lower School. He then held senior management positions in several independent schools across the United Kingdom, including Head of Staff Development at Ardingly College and, more recently, Deputy Head at Framlingham College.

Following these roles, Tom served as Head of Mander Portman Woodward, Cambridge, for four years before joining Bright International School in August 2024.

Coordinators

Leadership Team

The Leadership team is a group of international educational specialists with many years of experience in the Cambridge Curriculum, providing the most innovative educational approaches for our students.

Sandra Rodrigues

Pedagogical Director | Cambridge Global Perspectives Teacher

Patrícia Cardoso

Coordinator of Early Years | EY 1 Teacher

Sophie Gomes

Coordinator of Primary | Year 5 Teacher

Nicholas Hildebrandt

Coordinator of Secondary | Math & Science Teacher

For All Ages

Teaching Team

Our team comprises dedicated educators who nurture young learners with personalised guidance, fostering curiosity, confidence, and foundational skills in a supportive environment that inspires joyful and meaningful learning experiences.

Alexandra Dinis

Teaching Assistant

Ana Guerreiro

Teaching Assistant

Cecília Diaz

French & Spanish Teacher | Admissions Officer

Chené de Freitas

English & History Teacher

Daniela Santos

Portuguese Teacher

Emma Torcato

Year 6 Teacher

Filipe Pereira

Computing & Digital Literacy | IT Manager

Isabel Morris-Gratham

Year 1 Teacher

Jacqueline de Oliveira

French Teacher

Jennifer Kieran

Year 2 Teacher

Jéssica Quinta

Teaching Assistant

Luísa Clark

EY 2 Teacher

Laurel Hildebrandt

Year 3 Teacher

Margarida Seromenho

Music Teacher

Nicholas Hildebrandt

Coordinator of Secondary | Math & Science Teacher

Patrícia Cardoso

Coordinator of Early Years | EY 1 Teacher

Pedro Águas

Art Teacher

Rachel Hackney

Year 4 Teacher

Rita Farrajota

Teaching Assistant

Sophie Gomes

Coordinator of Primary | Year 5 Teacher

Taya Roberts

ESL Teacher

Tiago Nunes

PE Teacher

Here to Help

Support Staff

We have a dedicated, creative and hard-working support staff team, who are here to help the academic staff and administration team provide the best educational experience to all members of our community.

Cecília Diaz

French & Spanish Teacher | Admissions Officer

Helena Silveira

Educational Psychologist

Maria Rosa

Security & Logistics

Marisa Machinho

Security & Logistics

Melinda Samartineean

Support Staff

Natáliia Mykhash

Support Staff

Rui Cruz

School Office | Extra-Curricular Activities Coordinator

Solomiya Tymchuk

School Office

Taras Pelekh

Support Staff

Valter Veríssimo

Support Staff