The principal who led a management buyout of his school in Cardiff says it is one of his “proudest ever moments”.
Principal Paul Norton and vice-principal Karen Norton successful completed their buyout of Kings Monkton School from Heathfield Independent Schools in June.
Heathfield has run Kings Monkton since 2013 and took over at a time when the school was facing closure. The husband-and-wife team were brought in to reverse the school’s declining fortunes.
It has been a privilege to lead Kings Monkton School, one of the oldest independent schools in Wales, for the past six years and bring it back to its former glory – Paul Norton
In the last six years, Heathfield has invested £2.5m in modernising the school’s facilities and seen enrolment more than triple, from 90 pupils to 328. The school, which celebrates its 150th anniversary next year, is now the fastest growing independent school in the UK.
Andrew McCarthy, owner of Heathfield and managing director of Garrison Barclay Estates, said: “I’m delighted to be handing the reins over to Paul and Karen, who have been doing an exceptional job in leading the school. I know it is in safe hands and it’s a good time for me to exit. I look forward to seeing the school continue on this upward trajectory.”
Related news: Kings Monkton pupils debate abortion, immigration and LGBTQ+ rights with Delhi partner school
Paul Norton said: “It has been a privilege to lead Kings Monkton School, one of the oldest independent schools in Wales, for the past six years and bring it back to its former glory.
“Our vision for Kings Monkton remains as we move the school into a new future. Karen and I highly value the importance of providing an inclusive education that holistically caters for the needs of every child and develops well rounded, happy adults. We are wholeheartedly committed to ensuring the success of Kings Monkton School and all its pupils. To become its owners is testament to that, and one of our proudest ever moments.”
Investment will continue under Kings Monkton’s new owners, who have earmarked £300,000 to pay for new high-tech classrooms and a fleet of school buses to collect students from as far afield as Merthyr Tydfil, Sully and Newport. A further investment of £100,000 over the summer will fund a new state-of-the-art sixth form centre built on the school site.
For more information on Kings Monkton School, visit www.kingsmonkton.org.uk
