Engage
Appointment of new Headteacher of Melrose
The Ladies’ College is delighted to announce the appointment of Mary Lawson as the new Head Teacher of Melrose and Pre-Preparatory, joining in September 2023.
Mary is currently Head of Juniors at Walhampton Preparatory School, a leading independent day and boarding preparatory school situated in the New Forest in Dorset. As part of the Senior Leadership Team, she has been responsible for driving forward curriculum innovation and development including a total reimaging for how to deliver knowledge and skills to younger pupils.
After graduating from Solent University with a first-class degree in Graphic Design and Photography Mary went on to build a successful career in media and design in London, winning a BAFTA for her innovative work in online media. After relocating to Dorset, Mary worked as a leader in a children’s nursery with children from birth to four years old. She then returned to university in Reading to train to be a teacher and has since devoted her career to educating young people. She began teaching at Breamore Primary School and after two years moved to Walhampton and embarked on a 15-year journey at the school that has involved several different positions from Form Teacher in Year Two and Reception to Head of KS1 in the Pre-Preparatory department to her current role in the Prep school. Having worked in both Pre-Prep and Prep schools, Mary is well positioned to understand and guide pupils on their educational journey from the very start in the Pre-Prep through to their entry into Senior School.
Mary will be joined at The Ladies’ College by her husband, Sandy, who, as an experienced PE teacher will be adding his considerable skills to the flourishing Sports Department at the College. Sandy graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a BSc in Physical Education and Youth Sport and currently holds several coaching positions in Hampshire, as well as being a coach for England Hockey. Mary and Sandy will be accompanied by their twin daughters, - Elvie(10) and Red (10) who will also both join Melrose in September.
Mary said, “Sandy, I and our girls are very much looking forward to moving to Guernsey and joining The Ladies’ College family. From my first visit to the school, I was touched by the incredibly warm and friendly welcome that I received. I am excited by the potential for Melrose’s continued development, grounded in its existing ethos and long history. I am determined to develop the curriculum to build on the outstanding broad education Melrose already offers to empower young women to reach their full potential in the 21st Century. As a family, we feel honoured to be at the centre of the school’s exciting future.”
Principal of the College, Daniele Harford-Fox, said “We are incredibly excited to have Mary join our team. From the moment we met her we were impressed with her energy and passion for education. Mary’s values resonated in every way with the approach of the College, putting kindness at the heart of all she does. In addition, she has real expertise in innovating and developing curriculum and has chosen to join us at this exciting moment when the College is asking big questions about how to equip our students for the future.”
Mrs Rosie de la Fosse, Acting Head Teacher of Melrose, will continue to lead our Junior School to the end of the academic year, with the College looking forward to welcoming Mary and her family to Guernsey this Summer.
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