This article originally appeared in the July/August 2021 issue of Independent Education Today.
The New School
The New School, a pre-prep for boys and girls, is to welcome Daniel Ayling as its new head from September 2021. The New School has been part of Exeter School since March this year. Ayling studied at Cambridge University, graduating with an MA in Education and English, and completed his teacher training, with key stage 1 specialism there. He later achieved the National Professional Qualification for Headship at the UCL Institute of Education. He has held a range of teaching and leadership positions, and helped establish ACE Tiverton Special School, a free school for secondary children with autism.
Highfield School
Highfield School in Liphook has appointed a new deputy headteacher. Andy Baker will begin his new role in September 2021, replacing Alex Kingsbury. Baker is currently head of science, head of boarding (strategic) and deputy designated safeguarding lead. He will relinquish his science and boarding roles at the start of the autumn term, while replacing Kingsbury as the school’s dedicated safeguarding lead. Baker joined Highfield in 2017 after a series of roles within the prep-school sector. He has a first-class honours degree with qualified teacher status in education studies with biology.
Notting Hill and Ealing High School
Notting Hill and Ealing High School has appointed Kate Bevan to succeed retiring head, Silvana Silva. Bevan will join the school in September 2021. With 17 years’ experience working in primary education, Bevan will lead the direction of the junior school. Bevan began her teaching career in St Margaret’s before spending 13 years at Danes Hill School, gaining experience as a head of year, head of history and director of studies. She then spent two years as head of the junior school at Ibstock Place. She is an alumna and serving governor at The Tiffin Girls’ School.
Sherborne Prep School
Sherborne Prep School has announced the appointment of Natalie Bone as its new head from September 2021. Bone is currently head of junior school at Sidcot School, having previously been a houseparent and teacher of mathematics at Millfield School, and head of mathematics and a houseparent at Millfield Prep School. She has a degree in economics from the University of Reading and before entering teaching was a professional dressage competitor and trainer, as well as having a City career in investment management. She replaces Nick Folland, who is retiring at the end of the academic year.
Millfield Prep School
Millfield Prep School has announced the appointment of Dan Thornburn as headmaster, starting from January 2022. Thornburn joins Millfield Prep from Edgeborough School in Surrey, where he has been head since 2017. He was previously head of St Petroc’s, North Cornwall, and his earlier teaching career included spells at Lockers Park and Chafyn Grove. Educated at Wrekin College, Thornburn read history at Exeter University whilst playing rugby for the Exeter Chiefs 2nds. He also gained an MEd in Educational Leadership from the University of Buckingham.
St Andrew’s Prep
St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne has appointed Tom Gregory as the new headmaster from September 2021. Gregory started his career in the City working in investment banking. After 10 years he moved into teaching and has held senior roles in various schools over the last 13 years, including deputy head at Vinehall and his current position as deputy head at Ashfold School. He is also a former pupil at both St Andrew’s Prep and Eastbourne College. Gregory will report to Tom Lawson, headmaster at Eastbourne College, who described Gregory as an “impressive and high-flying senior prep school figure”.
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