ANNOUNCING THE NEW HEADMASTER OF SEDBERGH PREP SCHOOL WILL NEWMAN

Dear Parents

After two days of intensive exercises and interviews last week, I am pleased to announce that Will Newman (42) will become Headmaster of Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory School on 1 September 2017.

Will has been Deputy Headmaster of Taunton Prep School since 2014 and was Head of Boarding and Housemaster at Edgeborough Preparatory School in Surrey for 11 years before that.  

Taunton Prep School is very similar in size to Sedbergh Prep School and it is clear that in Will we have found a leader who is in step with the values and ethos that are important to us all at Sedbergh.  Like Sedbergh Prep School, Taunton Prep is part of Taunton School and provides a similar range of boarding opportunities.  

I am sure he will be a Headmaster who is visible, energetic and who will come to know the children throughout the School very well indeed.  I have no doubt that they will respect him as a role model and that he will be an inspiring leader for staff. 

Will’s seventeen years of experience in Prep School education includes responsibility for strategic planning as well academic, pastoral and extra-curricular management; he is a School Inspector and has taught Science and English.  

Will gained a 1st class Degree in Education from Exeter University and won a Commonwealth Scholarship to study at the University of Victoria, Canada where he gained a Master of Arts in Physical Education.  He retains a strong interest in sport, has played the clarinet and cello, and now concentrates on the guitar. 

Will is married to Liz who teaches Science and Maths and they have two children Tom (11) and Hattie (9) who will join Sedbergh Prep School. 

I know that you will be keen to meet Will and Liz who are already talking about journeys north to Sedbergh.  Scott Carnochan and I will arrange opportunities to introduce them to our whole School community in the Summer Term and will write again when these arrangements are made.

The process of recruitment has been as thorough as any I can recall and I am grateful to all those who helped in this process. Most of all, I am grateful to the children, many of whom were involved in the Long List interviews through showing candidates around the School and interviewing them themselves.  Their assessment of the candidates was remarkably accurate and I believe they will approve of our decision!

With best wishes.

Yours sincerely

Hugh M Blair
Chairman of Governors

William, known as Will, said, “I am thrilled to be given the chance to lead Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory School and look forward to many years of continued success. The reputation of the school and my initial impressions have been reinforced by every visit since: this is a very special place with a sense of warmth and happiness that won me over from the moment I first stepped through the door.

Liz and I were made very welcome by the friendly, busy children who do great credit to the school and its dedicated staff. I am really looking forward to the chance to meet parents and other members of the community over the coming months, and show Tom and Hattie what has so excited their dad!”

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