Stonar School has announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Matthew Way as the new Head of Stonar School and Robert Cunningham joins the school as Head of Prep. Both appointments take effect from 1 September 2019.
Matthew (seated left) joins Stonar from Milton Abbey School in Dorset where he is currently the Deputy Head. Matthew’s innovative approach to curriculum development and his strong vision for a modern, independent, globalised education, resonate with the educational values of Stonar.
Rob (seated right) has 15 years’ experience across all stages of primary education and is currently Deputy Head at The Mead School in Trowbridge, which was graded as outstanding in all areas at its last Ofsted inspection.
Dr Sally Divall, who has led the school for the past four years to tremendous success, culminating in an excellent inspection report, will be stepping down to retire. After 10 years at the helm at Stonar Prep School, Head Mark Brain is taking up a Headship at Westbrook Hay Prep School in Hertfordshire.
Commenting on his appointment, Matthew said, “I am hugely honoured and proud to be appointed as the next Head of Stonar School. It is an extremely exciting time in Stonar’s history; my focus will be on consolidating the considerable achievements of recent years, so fulsomely recognised in the wonderful recent inspection report, embedding co-education and continuing to foster a warm community in which learning is a joy and the development of self-esteem a priority.”
Rob said, “I am delighted and privileged to have been appointed Head of Prep at Stonar. I knew from my first visit to Stonar that it was the right school for me. The commitment to giving the right academic challenge, exceptional pastoral care and a broad and exciting curriculum is something I have dedicated my whole career to. I look forward to building on the work that Mark Brain and his team have done over the last ten years and furthering Stonar as a place that offers a first class all round education.”
Daniel Jones, School Director and Chair of the Advisory Board, explained, “We had a strong field of applicants to choose from, and Matt and Rob are very high calibre candidates, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise with them. We pass our thanks to Sally and Mark who have been exemplary leaders of the school and leave Stonar as a strong, successful community, ready for this next chapter.”