MEET OUR HEADS OF SCHOOL FOR 2016-17

Head of School Maria Mendoza (L) and Deputy Head of School James Horan (W) were appointed by Headmaster Andrew Fleck as senior pupils for the 2016-17 academic year.

Maria, 17, from Cadiz, Spain, started Sedbergh in Year 10, and is studying A Level Art, Physics and Maths this year. She hopes to secure a place to study architecture at undergraduate level and this summer she has been proactive by working at Herzog & De Meuron in London and at a studio in Spain, Villaroel.

At Sedbergh, Maria enjoys running and is now swimming captain. She said: “I came to Sedbergh because it was a thoroughly British school; so different from so many of the schools down in the South of England, with different values.

I think these values really reflect in people later on in life and this year I just want to be a really good role model for younger pupils and fellow pupils in my year group. I was delighted to be chosen.”

James, 17, from Ripon, is studying English, History, RS and Music. His younger sister Amelia is in Year 9 (C). As Deputy Head of School, James hopes to work with Maria to raise awareness of integration and inclusivity in the school, promoting the mutual support pupils can find in each other.

James, who is Head Chorister this year, hopes to achieve an organ scholarship at Exeter College, Oxford University.

Both Maria and James are yet to decide on the charity they would like to work to support this year but it will be linked to Education.

Second Master Dan Harrison said: “We are delighted to have two fantastic role models to lead our School Prefects and help run the school. It is vital that younger pupils have such outstanding individuals to look up to and to aspire to achieve what Maria and James have during their time here.

What is really striking is how much these two really care about others, and how they really want to support all pupils here at Sedbergh.”