Polwhele House has appointed its fifth head since the school was founded in 1981. Hilary Mann took up the post at the Cornish preparatory school on 1 September this year.

She was formerly head of Roselyon School in Lanlivery, leading the school for eight years, and worked at Danes Hill School in Surrey in a range of management roles.

Prior to teaching, she worked for an industrial training board in the hotel and catering industry.

Mann said: “I am delighted to be joining such a prestigious and popular preparatory school in the heart of Cornwall which offers an idyllic environment for children to flourish during their formative years in early education.

“I am looking forward to working closely with staff, parents and the children themselves to help take the school forward and to further develop and improve on the educational and pastoral offering.”

I am looking forward to working closely with staff, parents and the children themselves to help take the school forward

Richard White, chairman of the managing council of Polwhele House, said: “We have great pleasure in announcing the appointment of Hilary Mann as our next head. Hilary has been a highly respected and able head at another Cornish prep school and is extremely well acquainted with the local independent education scene. 

“We look forward to welcoming Hilary to Polwhele as she spends time getting to know the school and meeting parents, and also supporting her in enhancing the school’s further development during the next academic year.”

The school, which is set in 32 acres of countryside and woodlands outside Truro, currently has 105 pupils. Pupils aged three to 13 are educated there and benefit from playing fields, three tennis courts, an adventure playground, a walled garden and a riding school, with eight ponies and one horse, where pupils have regular riding lessons.