Jonathan Ullmer Hamburg: A Global Educator Whose Work Still Echoes in Students’ Lives

As conversations about education become more global, the name Jonathan Ullmer Hamburg is increasingly associated with courageous leadership and transformational practice.

Across his roles in the UK and Kazakhstan, Jonathan has:

Turned a deprived-area school into a national arts success story

Helped a school in special measures rebuild its culture and confidence

Led international colleges to Outstanding and Excellent inspection outcomes

Overhauled safeguarding and standards in an international school to global best-practice levels

Been awarded an MBE for services to education and young people

But if you ask his former students what really matters, they won’t talk about metrics first.

They’ll talk about:

A teacher who told them to own the street

A leader who took their feedback seriously

A head who travelled with them to New York after 9/11, not in denial of fear, but in defiance of it

A mentor whose favourite lesson was: don’t be afraid to fail

That is the heart of Jonathan Ullmer Hamburg’s impact — a legacy not just written in reports, but carried in the lives of the young people he helped shape.

From Special Measures to Stability: Sawyers Hall College

When Jonathan joined Sawyers Hall College, the school was in ‘special measures’ – a formal label indicating serious weakness. The atmosphere was tense, morale was fragile, and the future felt uncertain.

Working as part of a new leadership team, Ullmer helped to rebuild trust and direction. One of his signature contributions was the launch of Enterprise Days for over 1,000 students each year, in partnership with organisations such as NatWest, British Gas, and the Army. These events immersed students in real-world challenges requiring teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.

“Enterprise Day was the first time I realised I could actually lead a group,” recalls Daniel, an ex-Sawyers Hall student. “Mr Ullmer walked past our team, listened for a minute, and said, ‘You’ve got this – keep going.’ It sounds small, but it changed how I saw myself.”

Perhaps the most defining episode was the Sixth Form drama trip to New York, planned just as the world was shaken by the 9/11 attacks. With tanks around Heathrow and anxiety everywhere, many expected the trip to be cancelled. Instead, Jonathan led careful, honest conversations with parents and students, weighing risks while respecting their hopes.

Together, they chose to go ahead. The trip became a symbol of courage and continuity.

“We were scared, but he never made decisions based on fear,” remembers Sophie, one of the students who went on the trip. “He was calm, funny, and human. I still remember him squawking like a chicken in the office to make us laugh. He showed us that leadership is also about lightening the load.”

Sawyers Hall moved from crisis to stability, with students and staff carrying the memory of a leader who showed them how to meet fear with courage and humour.

Turning Decline Into Award-Winning Excellence: CATS Cambridge & CATS Canterbury

When Jonathan Ullmer arrived at CATS Cambridge and CATS Canterbury, both colleges needed fresh direction. Standards had slipped, facilities felt tired, and the overall student experience needed a new spark.

Under his leadership, and with a team he carefully assembled, both campuses were transformed. CATS Cambridge went on to receive an ‘Outstanding’ rating for leadership. CATS Canterbury was graded ‘Excellent’ in every inspected category.

But students are often the best judges of school culture, and their feedback tells the true story.

“Jonathan Ullmer changed the whole atmosphere,” says Elena, a former CATS student. “You felt like your opinion actually mattered. We used the ‘Tell Us’ button, and things genuinely changed – from food to timetables.”

That “Tell Us” button became a symbol of Ullmer’s philosophy: feedback should be heard, and action should be visible. Students could share concerns or suggestions and receive a response within 48 hours – or a personal follow-up. This built a strong sense of trust and transparency.

“He encouraged us to be honest, even if it was critical,” recalls Ahmed, another CATS alumnus. “He’d say, ‘If you don’t tell us, we can’t improve.’ That mindset has stayed with me in my career.”

Under Jonathan’s guidance, the colleges picked up a string of awards, including recognition for excellence and innovation, boarding provision, and sixth-form achievement. He was later awarded an MBE by Prince William, nominated by the very students and colleagues who had seen his impact up close.

“When we heard he’d got an MBE, we weren’t surprised,” says Elena. “It felt like the world had just noticed what we already knew.

”Raising Global Standards Under Pressure: Haileybury Astana

At Haileybury Astana in Kazakhstan, Jonathan stepped into yet another complex context. The school welcomed the children of diplomats and international professionals, alongside Russian and Kazakh-speaking students. From the outside, it looked like a polished international school. Inside, Jonathan found significant gaps in policies, safeguarding, and consistency.

He threw himself into the work of strengthening systems, often late into the night. Safeguarding procedures were overhauled. Access to the school site was brought under strict control. Contractor training and clear safeguarding leaflets were introduced, giving the school some of the most robust protections anywhere.

“He was always visible,” says Ainur, a former student at Haileybury Astana. “You’d see him in the corridors, in assemblies, talking to parents – not just sitting in an office. We felt safe because we knew he really cared.”

By the time of inspection, Haileybury Astana had earned recognition for excellence in 17 out of 19 areas. The school also received the “Outstanding Global Education Award” and international shortlisting by prestigious organisations.

Behind the scenes, however, the pressure was immense. Jonathan’s health deteriorated to the point where he sometimes needed painkilling injections and a wheelchair just to get through inspection days. Eventually, he had to retire for health reasons.

Yet he remains deeply positive about his journey in education.

“It was an absolute privilege to impact so many young lives,” he says. “Never be afraid of failure – it’s your greatest chance to learn and grow.”

“Even after he left, his words stuck with us,” reflects Ainur. “He used to say, ‘Bravery isn’t about never being scared; it’s about doing the right thing anyway.’ That’s how I try to live now.”

A Legacy Written in Lives, Not Just in Awards

Across every school, in every country, Jonathan Ullmer MBE has shown the same pattern: step into hard places, raise expectations, listen deeply, and build cultures where young people feel seen and capable.

“He didn’t just prepare us for exams,” says Lewis. “He prepared us for life.”

His legacy is measured not only in national awards, inspection grades, or the honour of an MBE, but in the confidence, courage, and ambition of the thousands of young people who passed through his schools. They carry his lessons into universities, workplaces, families, and communities all over the world.

Jonathan Ullmer story is proof that when an educator is willing to face difficult contexts with creativity, humour, and heart, those contexts can become the starting point for extraordinary results.