Heathfield School, Ascot – an independent secondary boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18, rated ‘Excellent’ across all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate – is delighted to welcome Mr Jonathan Williams, MTheol Hons (St Andrews), PGCE (Oxford Brookes) as the new Deputy Head (Academic).
Mr Williams joined Heathfield at the beginning of the new school year, having served for the past 5 years as the Deputy Head (Academic) at St Andrew’s School, Turi, a leading international school in Kenya. Prior to this, Jonathan built his expertise teaching Religious Studies, Sociology, Philosophy and History, and in leadership roles such as Head of House, Head of Department and Head of Faculty. This experience was gleaned in schools across Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire, including a number of years at St Helen and St Katharine, Abingdon.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Williams said, ‘I am very excited to join Heathfield with its well-deserved reputation as a community in which girls can find their place, flourish and pursue their passions, empowering them to make their mark and contribute to the wider world.
‘I am also delighted to be working with and leading an academic staff body with outstanding credentials, who are utterly committed to the success and wellbeing of every single student.’
Jonathan’s prowess and passion for teaching and learning are built on a breadth of experiences, which combine to provide a very strong foundation for taking on the role of Deputy Head (Academic) at Heathfield. Alongside previous experience as a Deputy Head (Academic), he has worked in multiple schools rated ‘Excellent’ – including in a top GSA school – and has benefitted from working internationally, in boarding contexts, and in the state sector.
‘As I lead the academic life of Heathfield School I aim to balance an eye for detail with a view of the big picture, understanding the mandate and elements needed for success. As a people person I take great joy investing in and interacting with students, staff and the wider community – and will do my best to ensure we enjoy ourselves along the way.’
The role of Deputy Head (Academic) will involve Mr Williams working closely with and as a link between various stakeholders, not least students, staff and parents.
‘Line managing approximately twenty academic leaders means that an important aspect of my remit is to support and coach staff who have more direct involvement in particular areas of the School’s academic life. As a senior leader, ensuring we have excellent practitioners in front of students is crucial, alongside fostering the optimal culture and facilitating quality teaching and learning with effective processes.
‘Having taken the time to observe and understand the School, I have already seen plenty of best practice in action. My first priority is to continue to promote and use this as the standard for all teaching and learning. I believe that ensuring consistency, the highest quality lessons and interactions with teachers, not only leads to great outcomes for our students, but also greater enjoyment.’
‘As a father of three young daughters my ‘spare’ time is at a premium, but whenever possible I nurture my passions in music and sport, and rugby in particular – even when Wales (the country of my birth) are not playing at their best!’
Commenting on Mr Williams’ appointment, Sarah Rollings, Headmistress, said, ‘We are delighted to welcome Jonathan to this important role at our school. I am confident he’ll be a fantastic addition to our community, and I’m looking forward to working closely with him as we bring our shared vision for Heathfield to life – providing an exceptional education that inspires and engages students through a dynamic, relevant curriculum, and nurtures a love for lifelong learning.’
Categories: Heathfield School School News
