The Governors, and Principal of the Foundation, Andrew Gordon-Brown, are delighted to announce new appointments to the Senior Management Team at Kingswood for September 2022.
Mr Jamie Matthews is appointed Deputy Head (Pastoral) (photo: top left)
Mr Gordon-Brown stated that “Parents have long recognised Kingswood’s pastoral care as excellent, as did our most recent ISI inspection. This is achieved through a balance of knowing and nurturing each child personally, a robust tutorial and house system and the use of powerful analytics insights from programmes such as AS Tracking. Mr Opie, retiring after 32 years at Kingswood, leaves the biggest shoes to fill, and I knew we needed someone with extensive experience of pastoral leadership, and dedication to Kingswood school and our students, to take his place.
“Mr Matthews has been a member of staff for over 20 years, as a PE teacher, house master, and most recently as our Designated Safeguarding Lead. His dedication to supporting our pupils is outstanding, and I look forward to the energy and dedication he will bring to the Deputy Head role.”
“Pastoral care is at the core of everything we do at Kingswood and something I have been passionate about since the start of my teaching career,” added Mr Matthews. “During my time at Kingswood I have been lucky enough to experience a range of pastoral roles across different houses and all the age ranges. I find working alongside young people and supporting staff the most rewarding and satisfying part of my job. I am very excited to be leading the Pastoral team next year and we will continue to strive to provide the highest levels of pastoral care for the pupils in a supportive and collaborative way.”
John W Davies is appointed Deputy Head (Co-curricular) (photo: top right)
Mr Davies, who has taught history, politics and games during his career at Kingswood, rounds out his experience with time as Housemaster and tutor for the students. “I have loved my time helping to develop the school’s co-curricular programme and am delighted that I will be able to continue in this capacity in the future alongside some additional operational responsibilities,” said Mr Davies.
“Living on the school site with my wife and two daughters, who are both pupils at Kingswood, I have very much been shaped by the Kingswood community over nearly three decades and am passionate about giving others, pupils and staff, the opportunity to benefit as I have done from all that Kingswood has to offer.”
In announcing this promotion, Mr Gordon-Brown said, “We believe our co-curricular activities programme, with over 100 options for pupils to choose from, is a critical part of the Kingswood education, where academic excellence is achieved in the context of all round personal development. Every year we see students throw themselves into learning new skills and experiences, and our co-curricular programme, led by Mr Davies, ensures that a Kingswood education is about far more than just classroom learning”.
Mrs Sarah Herlinger (photo: bottom left) and Mrs Laura Smyth (photo: bottom right) appointed as Heads of Middle School
Finally the creation of a Head of Middle School role means each section of the school has a specific lead team that will provide pupils and parents with a clear pathway from our Prep school through to Sixth Form. Mr Gordon-Brown announced the roles, saying, “The 9-11, or Middle School, years are some of the most important academically but also pastoral, particularly as we support our young people to negotiate the emergence from the pandemic years. I am delighted that we have been able to offer this role as a job share to two exceptional and dedicated teachers, Mrs Sarah Herlinger and Mrs Laura Smyth”.
“Since joining the school, the pastoral aspects of my role have always given me the most energy, challenge and joy,” said Mrs Herlinger. “I really value working with young people as they tackle the middle years of their adolescence. It is fascinating to see how they change from the start of Year 9 as “grown up children” and leave at the end of Year 11 as “mini-grownups.”
To be part of the process which sees them develop their sense of self and their place in the world during those formative years is a genuine privilege,” added Mrs Smyth. “Getting to know students outside of the classroom has such a positive impact on pupil-staff relationships, so I hugely value every one of the co-curricular experiences with students. I very much look forward to working with our senior house staff and tutors to help guide our young people so they can fulfil their potential and fully embrace a wholesome Kingswood Education. It will be a real privilege to work with students and parents during this significant period of transition.”