Clare England took over the role of Headteacher at St Mark’s secondary school in Bath back in June. We sat down with her to chat about how her new role is going and her plans for the future.
Welcome to your new position at St Mark’s. What attracted you to the role?
I have been part of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership (MNSP) for a number of years now, so have been keenly aware that St Mark’s has been going from strength to strength. When the opportunity to interview for the Headship came along, it was just too good to pass up! St Mark’s is a rapidly improving school in a great area of Bath with a huge amount of potential. I remember thinking what a truly exciting time it would be to join the school.
Tell us about your career to date…
I have been a teacher for almost 28 years and have had a range of different roles from geography teacher, to Head of House, Deputy Head and now Headteacher. I have worked at schools in both Wiltshire and BANES, and have varied experience across the key aspects of teaching and learning, pastoral and curriculum development.
This role is an exciting step and is shaping up to be my favourite job to date. Why? Because I work with a dedicated and expert team of teachers and support staff, and, of course, because I have the privilege of spending my days in the company of a group of lively, hard working, multi-talented and unique young people.
What do you see as the great strengths of St Mark’s?
St Mark’s is a school within a community and for the community. We are working hard to make sure that it is the school of choice for students who live in the Larkhall area (and beyond!).
The fact that St Mark’s is a small secondary school gives it a very special ‘feel’. The staff know all of the students and are able to make sure that each unique and individual student gets the support that they need to do their best. St Mark’s is never going to be a large secondary school where children can become ‘lost’ or ‘unseen’. Our superpower is that the staff know all students and vice versa. Students feel safe, respected and heard at St Mark’s.
What changes are you looking forward to bringing into the school?
St Mark’s is a lovely school as it is! Our aims are to maintain the excellent progress that the students make here, to strengthen the community ties we have with the surrounding area and to ensure that our students get exactly the same opportunities as students in all the other schools in Bath. We will, however, ensure that we continue to challenge our students and staff to be the best they can be and ensure that our curriculum and classroom practice are second to none.
St Mark’s is part of the Bath Hub, a group of MNSP schools in Bath that includes Beechen Cliff and Hayesfield. How does this benefit the school?
Our mantra is that we are ‘Better Together’. The Headteachers and staff of the three schools work together to ensure that the students of Bath have the same opportunities as a result of our collaboration. This is achieved through Ignite Days, where students across the three schools work together in workshops and presentations to learn about the contextual issues that face young people today.
There are also joint trips (both educational and extra curricular) that all students have the opportunity to benefit from. Staff have the chance to work together collaboratively on curriculum issues which then benefits all of the schools as best practice is shared.
Where would you like St Mark’s to be in a year’s time?
I would love St Mark’s to be the BEST school in Bath! Our GCSE results this summer were fantastic and to maintain that excellence would be wonderful. We would also like to be saying that we have welcomed a greater number of students into Year 7 in September 2025. As I said before, St Mark’s is never going to be a large secondary school, but to be able to welcome more students through our doors so that we are serving our community fully would be on my wish list.